CHAPTER 35 — A Stranger in the Doorway
📅 10 June, S.C. 1510
👦 Ren — 7
📍 Makino's Bar → Village Streets
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Makino's bar was unusually quiet for a late afternoon.
Ren sat at the corner table, sketching new trap designs in his notebook while Zemo slept at his feet.
The gentle clinking of cups, warm smell of stew, and soft breeze through the window made everything feel peaceful.
Then the door opened.
Ren didn't look up at first.
But Zemo did.
His ears shot up.
His muscles stiffened.
A low growl vibrated through his chest.
Makino blinked, surprised.
"Easy, Zemo. What's wrong—"
Zemo's growl deepened.
Ren turned.
A man stood in the doorway.
Tall.
Lean.
Dark travel cloak.
Shaggy brown hair covering half his face.
A scar running from jaw to collar.
Eyes cold, assessing the room.
A hunter, Ren realized instantly.
Or worse — something else.
The stranger stepped inside.
Zemo bared his teeth.
Makino frowned.
"I'm sorry, sir, but could you remove your boots? The floor was cleaned today—"
The man ignored her.
His eyes scanned the bar…
…and stopped on Ren.
A faint smile tugged at his lips.
"Ah. So you're the little maker."
Ren felt chills across his spine.
Makino stepped between them.
"Sir, please sit if you want something. Don't disturb my kids."
The man's smile didn't reach his eyes.
"I'm just curious."
Ren closed his notebook slowly.
"What do you want?"
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PART 1 — WRONG QUESTIONS
The man took a seat opposite Ren without being invited.
Makino stiffened.
Kiro, sweeping near the back, gripped the broom handle tightly.
Luffy whispered loudly,
"He looks scary."
Zemo growled harder.
The man leaned toward Ren.
"You make things, right?
Salt. Traps. Tools. Little inventions."
Ren didn't answer.
The man chuckled lightly.
"Oh, don't be shy. Word travels. Even small villages aren't hidden from the world."
Ren's heart thudded painfully.
Behind the man's cloak, Ren spotted:
rope burns on his forearms
a steel hook on his belt
a sharpened skinning knife
A hunter.
Not a random traveler.
The man continued, voice casual:
"You sell salt to merchants. Merchants talk.
A kid making high-quality salt and intricate tools?
People get interested."
Makino stepped closer, voice firm.
"Leave him alone. If you need food or drink, say so. Otherwise, this conversation ends now."
The man smirked.
"Just asking simple questions, miss."
His gaze locked onto Zemo next.
"What's that creature? Doesn't look like a normal wolf."
Ren's blood turned cold.
Zemo pressed against Ren's leg, hackles raised.
The man's eyes gleamed with interest.
"Rare species? Good muscle. Sharp senses. Could fetch a nice price."
Ren clenched his fists.
Makino's face hardened.
"That's enough. Get out."
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PART 2 — A THINLY VEILED THREAT
The man stood, brushing imaginary dust off his cloak.
"Relax. I'm only observing."
He leaned down slightly, voice lowering as if speaking to no one but Ren.
"Be careful, little inventor.
Talents like yours attract… the wrong eyes."
Ren stared back, unblinking.
The man smirked.
"I'll be in the area for a few days."
He tapped the counter lightly.
"Nice village you have here."
Then he left.
The door closed behind him.
Silence.
Makino let out a shaky breath.
"What… was that man?"
Kiro whispered,
"He looked like someone who kills animals for a living."
Luffy nodded.
"YEAH! And he wanted to kill ZEMO!"
Zemo growled at the closed door.
Makino knelt beside Ren.
"Are you okay?"
Ren swallowed.
"He wasn't a merchant. Not a traveler either."
Kiro added,
"He was… studying you. And Zemo."
Ren nodded slowly.
"He's dangerous."
Makino's hand tightened on Ren's shoulder.
"Then stay away from him. Understand?"
Ren looked down at Zemo.
Zemo met his gaze with fierce determination.
"…I understand," Ren whispered.
But in his mind—
Someone had come, not for the village…
but for him.
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PART 3 — NIGHT CONCERNS
Later that night in the shed, Ren wrote:
> Unknown man:
Signs of hunter
Rope burns
Knife usage
Interrogation behavior
Possible motives:
• Curious about my salt & traps
• Curious about Zemo
• Possibly scouting
Zemo lay beside him, eyes fixed on the door.
"…You sensed him before I did," Ren whispered.
Zemo nudged Ren's hand.
Ren exhaled slowly.
"He'll come back. People like him always do."
Zemo growled.
Ren placed a hand on his head.
"I won't let him hurt you. Or anyone here."
Zemo pressed against him, protective.
Ren whispered in the dim candlelight:
"…I need to be ready."
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END OF CHAPTER 35