After Son Goku finished changing into a fresh set of clothes, Garp led him away from the house, heading in the opposite direction of the cafeteria.
Goku looked around at the path they were taking and asked curiously, "Grandpa Garp, isn't the cafeteria that way? Why are we going over here?"
"We aren't eating at the cafeteria tonight," Garp replied casually. "We're going to someone else's house for dinner."
"Someone else's house? Who?"
"You'll find out in a bit."
Goku nodded obediently, then shifted his gaze to the large cloth bag slung over Garp's shoulder. "What's in that bag?"
"Ingredients. The household we're visiting has an excellent cook. The food they make will definitely have you singing their praises."
At those words, Goku's eyes sparkled.
"Really? That sounds amazing!"
While he was drooling and imagining the feast ahead, Garp brought him to a house and knocked on the door.
"Tsuru! I'm here!"
Following behind, Goku looked at the surroundings and found them strangely familiar.
A few seconds later, the door opened, and Tsuru appeared before them.
"I knew you'd show up, Garp. Come in. And the little guy, too."
Tsuru stepped aside, ushering them both inside.
Garp strode in boldly and dropped the heavy cloth bag on the floor.
"Hahaha! Tsuru, I bought these ingredients myself. I was worried you wouldn't have enough food at your place to feed us."
Behind him, Goku didn't enter immediately. Under the light, he finally saw Tsuru's face clearly and realized she was the old woman he had helped earlier!
"Oh! Grandma! It's you!"
He stared at Tsuru and cried out in surprise.
Tsuru smiled warmly at him. "Yes, we meet again, little guy. I didn't get a chance to thank you properly before."
"Heehee, don't worry about it! I was happy to help!" Goku replied with a radiant smile.
Garp turned around, looking surprised. "Oh? You two have met already?"
"Yes, this little guy helped me out with something earlier," Tsuru explained to Garp.
"So that's how it was! Hahaha! Goku is indeed a kind-hearted boy."
Garp laughed loudly, then introduced Tsuru to Goku. "Goku, this is Tsuru. She's a dear friend of mine from many years ago. You should call her Grandma Tsuru."
"Grandma Tsuru!"
Goku called out politely.
"Good boy. Your name is Goku—Son Goku, right?"
Tsuru leaned down and gently patted his head.
"Mm-hmm!" Goku nodded firmly.
Tsuru gave a kind smile, but then she noticed the pink dress Goku was wearing and shook her head in amusement.
"Garp, why on earth did you put a young boy in clothes like this? It's completely unsuitable."
Garp was momentarily speechless, simply rubbing the back of his head awkwardly.
Just then, a sultry voice drifted from inside. "What do you mean 'unsuitable'? I think he looks quite cute! Giggles..."
A tall woman with stunning looks, wearing short-shorts that showcased her incredibly long, slender legs, leaned against the kitchen doorway and watched them, laughing behind her hand.
"Yo! Gion, long time no see."
Garp turned his head and greeted her familiarly.
"Garp, why are you here to sponge off our meals again?"
This was Gion—a Vice Admiral of the Navy Headquarters and a future Admiral candidate codenamed Momousagi—who spoke to Garp with a hint of annoyance.
"Hahaha! It's just that the food at your house is too delicious! Every time I come back, I just have to have a meal here."
"And I'm not just freeloading this time. Look, I brought ingredients!"
Garp lifted the large cloth bag in his hand.
Gion rolled her eyes at him but didn't press the issue, walking over on her long legs to study Goku.
"Garp the Moocher might be a nuisance, but the little guy he brought back is quite charming. Don't you think he looks cute in this, Sister Tsuru?"
Tsuru massaged her temples helplessly. "Now you're acting just like Garp. He's unreliable enough; don't tell me you're following his lead."
She seemed to think of something and turned toward the back rooms.
"I remember there's a pair of Kujaku's old overalls in the room; they should be about the right size. I'll go get them for the little one."
After she left, Goku wasn't concerned about getting normal clothes. Instead, he gently poked Gion's leg and, once he had her attention, asked curiously, "Hey, did you just call Grandma Tsuru your sister?"
Gion crouched down, her face blooming into a beautiful smile. "That's right. She's my older sister, and I'm her younger sister."
Goku's eyes immediately widened in shock. "But you look so young! How can you be Grandma Tsuru's sister?"
The smile on Gion's face grew even wider.
"Little Goku, I've received your compliment loud and clear."
With that, she leaned in and planted a sweet kiss on his forehead.
Belatedly realizing what had happened, Goku scrambled back two steps, rubbing his forehead with a look of pure disgust. "Wahhh! What's wrong with you? Why did you kiss me so suddenly!"
Seeing her kiss rejected so thoroughly, Gion didn't get offended; instead, she giggled. "Teehee! The more I see you, the more adorable you are."
Watching from behind, Garp smacked his lips with a mischievous grin. "Gion, if Tokikake saw you kiss a man—even if it's just a child—he probably wouldn't be able to sleep for a long time."
"Hmph, who cares what he thinks."
Gion turned around, a trail of fragrance following her as she walked straight to the kitchen.
"Didn't you bring ingredients? Well, bring them over here!"
"Coming, coming!"
Garp quickly picked up the bag of ingredients and followed her.
...
A short while later, with Tsuru's help, Goku had changed into more sensible clothes. Sitting at the round table, he stared at the spread of fragrant, perfectly cooked dishes, his eyes lighting up like searchlights.
"Whoa!! Everything looks so delicious!!"
Even Garp couldn't help but praise the spread. "Gion, your cooking is getting even better. The chefs at the cafeteria are nowhere near your level!"
"Of course. My sister taught me everything I know. Without her, I wouldn't be able to make anything this good. Right, Sister?"
Gion leaned in and affectionately hugged Tsuru's arm.
"Yes, yes."
Tsuru smiled dotingly and then addressed the group, "Let's all eat. It'll get cold if we wait."
"Then I'm digging in!"
Having received the signal, Goku eagerly picked up his chopsticks and grabbed a piece of braised pork from the nearest plate, stuffing it into his mouth.
After a few bites, he swallowed and exclaimed, "Whoa! This meat is so good!"
Seeing this, Gion beamed and placed several more pieces of meat into his bowl. "If it's good, then eat as much as you like, little Goku."
"Thanks, Sister Gion!"
Now that he knew Gion's name, Goku thanked her politely before burying his face in his bowl and devouring the meal.
...
More than two hours later, having eaten his fill and visited with Tsuru and Gion for a while, Garp prepared to leave with Goku.
Before they departed, Gion crouched down and patted Goku's head, smiling warmly. "Little Goku, how was dinner? Was the food Sister made good?"
Goku clasped his hands behind his head and nodded firmly. "Mm-hmm! It's the best thing I've eaten in a long time!"
"Then would you like to come here to eat every night?"
Goku's eyes sparkled with excitement. "Really? Am I allowed to?"
"Of course you are."
Gion smiled sweetly and waved her hand. "Then we'll see you tomorrow night, little Goku."
Goku waved back vigorously, a bright smile on his face. "Mm-hmm! See you tomorrow!"
Once Goku and Garp had gone, Tsuru looked at Gion with interest and remarked, "You seem to be quite fond of that little guy."
Gion smoothed a stray strand of hair and smiled. "Who wouldn't like a little guy as cute as him?"
——
[Reviews - Power St0nes - Comments are highly appreciated to keep me going.....(+50 chapters) patre0n.c0m/talecrafter]