"Ugh…" Bell-mère sighed, rubbing her temple as Nami's voice rang out again, sharp and stubborn as ever.
Cocoyasi Village had finally returned to peace. The heavy shadow that had hung over them — the terror of Arlong — was gone. For the first time in years, the villagers could breathe freely. Laughter and the smell of fresh citrus filled the air once more.
By the time the sun began to dip below the horizon that same day, the calm rhythm of village life was broken again — this time, by the heavy thuds of footsteps approaching the old blacksmith's workshop on the hill.
Kuma arrived first. His enormous silhouette darkened the entrance, the weight of his steps shaking the loose boards beneath him.
Before he could even knock, the wooden door creaked open. Jin stepped out, shirt slightly unbuttoned, his face marked with exhaustion but his eyes still bright with calm determination.
"It's done?" Jin asked, his voice low.
Kuma nodded, the motion slow and deliberate. "Yes, boss. Just like you said."
"Good." Jin stretched slightly, rolling his shoulders as though shaking off the days of forging and sleepless nights. His body ached — every tendon and muscle stiff from the constant hammering and focus — but for once, his expression softened into a faint smile.
Kuma hesitated, then scratched his head with a massive paw. "Boss, when's that blade of yours gonna be finished? It's been days. Even I'm getting curious."
"Soon," Jin replied, stepping aside and leaning against a smooth stone outside the workshop. His tone softened with rare amusement. "It's almost there, Kuma. But tonight… let's take a break. It's been a long time since we've done that."
Kuma blinked. "A break?"
"Yeah," Jin said, smirking faintly. "How long has it been since we roasted a pig together?"
Kuma's eyes widened as he thought about it. "A year… maybe more."
"Exactly," Jin said, lying back on the sun-warmed stone and gazing up at the dusky sky. "So, go on. Bring one back from the forest. Tonight, we feast."
Kuma's grin spread wide, almost boyish despite his hulking frame. "You got it, boss!" he rumbled before lumbering off toward the treeline, vanishing into the thickening forest.
When the sound of his footsteps faded, silence fell over the hilltop. Jin stayed where he was, the stone beneath him cool and solid, the sky above him streaked with the first stars of evening.
He exhaled softly. "Fourteen," he murmured, voice low enough for only the wind to hear.
"Seven years," he continued, smiling faintly. "Seven years since I came to this world. Feels like yesterday."
His gaze softened as he spoke, the hardness that defined his face easing into something gentler. "I have a family now. Something worth protecting. People who rely on me… people I actually care about."
He raised a hand, studying it against the light. Calloused, scarred — the hand of someone who had fought, killed, and survived. "And I'm stronger than ever. But I'm not done yet. Not even close."
He let his hand fall back to his chest. "I'll keep pushing forward. No kings, no gods — no one will cage me again. This world is mine to walk."
The words were barely a whisper, fading into the rhythm of his slow breathing. His muscles loosened, his mind emptying until his thoughts dissolved into stillness.
Without realizing it, Jin's consciousness slipped into a deep, natural trance — the kind that only true warriors ever touch. His Inner Force began to flow on its own, circulating through his veins like a living tide. Every pulse synchronized with the breath of the world around him — the rustle of grass, the hum of crickets, the heartbeat of the island itself.
His pores opened, drawing in the faint energy that lingered in the air. His blood thickened, his organs grew stronger, and the impurities in his body were quietly expelled through the skin.
It was more than meditation. It was evolution — the body's instinctual awakening.
Down the hill, near the orange groves, Makino, Tina, Kuina, and Bell-mère were gathered together with Nami and Nojiko. Kuma passed them on his way into the forest, carrying only his massive paws and a childlike smile.
"Hey, Kuma," Makino called, lifting her hand in greeting. "Is Jin up there?"
"Yup!" Kuma replied cheerfully. "Told me to go hunt a wild boar. Said we're having a feast tonight."
"Perfect timing," Makino said with a knowing smile, glancing at the food boxes she and Tina were carrying.
As Kuma disappeared into the woods, Bell-mère blinked, dumbfounded. "Wait a second... that bear just talked. That giant talking bear is your crewmate?"
"Yup!" Makino said simply, amused by her expression. "Kuma's one of ours. He just doesn't leave the ship often."
"By the looks of it," Bell-mère muttered, eyes widening as she replayed the scene. "He could flatten a sea king with those hands."
Tina laughed, brushing a strand of pink hair from her face. "That's about right. Kuma's the second strongest person on our crew. He stays on the ship for two reasons — to guard the Eternal Life, and because the Captain told him to. Even Kuina and I can't beat him head-on."
Bell-mère gave a low whistle. "You've got quite the crew, Makino."
Before Makino could reply, Nami's eyes sparkled as she tugged at her sleeve. "Come on, come on! It's Jin's birthday today, isn't it? You've been teasing us about this feast all morning — let's go already!"
Makino laughed softly. "Alright, alright. Let's not keep the birthday boy waiting."
The group climbed the winding path up the hill, carrying trays of food and bottles of wine. The scent of the forest grew stronger as they neared the forge, the sound of insects blending with the rustle of wind through leaves.
But when they reached the clearing, all of them froze.
Makino stopped mid-step, her breath catching in her throat. Even Tina's usual smirk vanished.
"Whoa…" Nojiko whispered, eyes wide.
In front of the blacksmith's workshop, Jin lay atop the great slab of stone, motionless. But he wasn't sleeping. The air around him shimmered faintly — like heat rising from the forge — threads of light weaving through the space, pulling the wind and energy into a subtle spiral.
The metallic tang of Inner Force filled the clearing.
"What… is that?" Bell-mère breathed, unable to look away.
Makino's voice was soft but steady. "He's… evolving."
The last of the sunset caught the edge of Jin's face, bathing him in gold and crimson. His chest rose and fell in slow rhythm, each breath calm yet powerful enough that the grass around the stone shifted slightly.
Even without trying, he radiated pressure — a quiet, wordless dominance.
For a long moment, no one spoke. The villagers had seen Jin's strength before, but this… this was different.
He was changing.
Kuina's lips curved faintly as she whispered, almost to herself, "He's doing it again. Breaking through without even noticing."
Tina crossed her arms, feigning nonchalance but unable to hide the admiration in her eyes. "Show-off."
Makino smiled quietly, setting the basket down. "Let him rest. He's earned it."
Bell-mère nodded slowly. "No kidding… fourteen years old, huh? Hard to believe a kid like that could've saved this village."
Makino didn't answer. She just looked at Jin — the way his expression softened in sleep, the faint curl at the corner of his lips — and felt a warmth in her chest that words couldn't touch.
Beside her, Nami crouched down, staring curiously at Jin's sword resting nearby. "He looks so peaceful," she murmured. "Like he's dreaming."
Makino smiled. "Maybe he is."
As the others quietly began setting up the food and fire for the evening, the world seemed to pause around them — the village below glowing with lantern light, the stars above scattered across the deepening night.
For once, there was no blood, no struggle, no danger. Only peace.
And laughter.
When Kuma finally returned with a wild boar slung over his shoulder, the feast began in earnest. Bell-mère laughed until she cried watching Nami and Nojiko fight over the biggest slice of roasted meat, while Tina poured herself a drink and forced Kuina into an impromptu arm-wrestling match she predictably lost.
Makino sat a little apart, watching it all with a soft smile.
Jin still hadn't woken. But somehow, it didn't matter.
Because even without him saying a word, his presence bound them all together — this strange, mismatched family of humans, warriors, and one talking bear — drawn together by something bigger than blood or duty.
When the night finally deepened and the fire crackled low, Makino rose and draped a light cloth over Jin's shoulders.
"Happy birthday, Jin," she whispered.
He didn't stir, but the faintest smile touched his lips — as though, even in that deep trance, he'd heard her
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T/N :
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