The morning after the feast, Cocoyasi Village was washed in gold. The sea breeze carried the scent of salt and citrus, sweeping through the narrow lanes and orange groves.
For once, there was no fear in the air—no pirates, no cries of distress. Only the hum of rebuilding and laughter that had been missing for far too long.
Makino stood on the porch of Bell-mère's home, gazing toward the hills. From where she stood, the blacksmith's workshop was just a faint shadow against the rising sun. She smiled softly, holding a cup of tea between her hands.
Behind her, Nami's voice rang out. "Hey, Makino! When are we going to see Jin? It's his birthday and he just slept through it yesterday!"
Makino turned, amused by the girl's impatient tone. "You mean, you just want another slice of the roast boar Kuma brought down."
Nami pouted, cheeks puffing up. "That's not true! …Well, maybe a little true."
Nojiko rolled her eyes, flicking Nami's forehead. "You're hopeless."
Bell-mère laughed, stepping out with her usual cigarette tucked between her lips. "Don't be so hard on her. The kid's got spirit. I'd rather see her excited about food than worrying about pirates."
Makino's gaze softened. "She reminds me of someone."
"Who?" Bell-mère asked.
Makino's smile grew faint. "Someone I used to take care of back home in Windmill Village. A boy who never stopped smiling… no matter how hungry or reckless he got."
Bell-mère gave her a knowing look. "Sounds like you're talking about a certain rubber-brained kid."
Makino chuckled quietly. "Yeah. Luffy."
The group shared a soft moment of silence, the kind that needed no words. The world felt lighter again.
At the same time, Jin stirred awake on the hill. The morning sun cut through the cracks in the wooden walls of the workshop, painting lines of gold across his face.
He blinked slowly, his vision clearing as he sat up. His body felt heavy—no, dense—like every cell inside him had been reforged.
When he exhaled, the air shimmered faintly, the leftover energy from last night's trance still lingering around him. His muscles hummed with quiet strength, but his mind was calm.
He flexed his fingers, feeling the subtle current of Inner Force running beneath the skin. "So that's what it was," he murmured. "Another boundary crossed."
The faint scent of charcoal and steel filled his lungs. He stood, brushing the dust from his shirt, and his gaze fell upon the half-forged blade resting on the anvil.
Its surface gleamed faintly, veins of silver threaded through the dark metal like trapped lightning. It wasn't perfect yet, but it was close.
"Just a bit more," he said quietly. "Then you'll be ready."
Down the slope, the sound of boots crunching against the dirt road grew louder. The Marines had finally arrived.
The lead officer was a man in his forties, broad-shouldered and wearing a pristine white coat trimmed with gold. His expression was stern, but his eyes were cautious. Behind him trailed a squad of sailors—and a very familiar face trying desperately to blend into the crowd.
Nezumi.
His twitching whisker-like mustache and nervous eyes gave him away instantly. The rat-faced officer kept glancing around, muttering curses under his breath.
"This wasn't supposed to happen," he hissed to himself. "The Arlong Pirates were supposed to be untouchable in this sector!"
The commodore ignored him. "Keep quiet, Major Nezumi. You'll have your chance to file your… reports. For now, we're here to confirm the elimination of the Arlong Pirates and issue bounty compensation."
When they reached the center of the village, Bell-mère was already waiting with Makino, Kuina, and Tina. Behind them, the villagers watched warily but curiously.
"Welcome to Cocoyasi Village," Bell-mère said flatly, arms crossed. "You're late."
The commodore coughed awkwardly. "We came as soon as reports reached headquarters. I must say, we're impressed. Eliminating Arlong's crew… that's no small feat."
Tina leaned casually on her hip, her tone dripping with mock politeness. "Oh, really? Impressed enough to pay the bounty without excuses, I hope."
The commodore smiled tightly. "Of course. Full reward, as promised." He gestured to his men, who carried forward several crates of neatly sealed cash.
Nami's eyes went wide. "Whoa…"
Nojiko nudged her. "Don't even think about it."
As the Marines sorted the paperwork, Nezumi finally peeked out from behind them—and froze when he saw Jin approaching down the hill.
The air around Jin carried that same quiet weight as before. He walked slowly, calmly, each step measured, his shirt still open at the collar. The villagers instinctively parted to make way for him.
Bell-mère smirked. "Speak of the devil."
Makino turned toward him, her expression softening. "You're awake."
"Yeah," Jin said, rubbing the back of his neck. "Didn't mean to sleep through my own birthday."
Makino smiled. "You earned the rest."
Nezumi, meanwhile, had begun sweating profusely. The moment Jin's gaze brushed over him, his knees nearly gave out. He knew that face. That aura. The quiet killer from Loguetown's underground bounty reports.
He turned to slip away, but something massive blocked his path.
Kuma.
The bear's golden eyes gleamed with faint amusement. "Going somewhere, rat?"
Nezumi froze. "I—uh—I was just—"
Kuma leaned closer, voice dropping to a rumble only he could hear. "The Captain told me to give you a message."
Nezumi's breath hitched. "A… a message?"
Kuma's grin widened just slightly. "He said: 'Clean up your own filth before the sea does it for you.'"
And then, as if by accident, Kuma's paw flicked out—gentle, almost lazy.
There was a crack like thunder.
Nezumi's body hit the ground before anyone could blink. The commodore turned sharply, shouting, "What just happened?!"
Kuma stepped back calmly. "He tripped."
Makino's brows twitched, but she said nothing. Bell-mère covered a smirk with her hand.
The commodore's men scrambled to check Nezumi's pulse. "Major Nezumi… is dead, sir."
The commodore's face turned pale, but he said nothing. No one dared accuse Kuma. Not with that towering frame and that calm, unreadable expression.
Jin walked forward, stopping beside the fallen Marine. His eyes were cold, emotionless. "One less rat in uniform," he said quietly.
Then he turned to the commodore. "Your men can take the rest. The village has suffered enough."
The commodore nodded quickly, eager to leave. "Of course. Thank you… bounty hunters. We'll… handle the rest."
Within the hour, the Marines were gone—taking the surviving fish-men prisoners and leaving behind crates of gold and silence.
By evening, the sun sank low again, and the village returned to its gentle rhythm.
Makino, Bell-mère, and the others gathered on the shore, watching the last glint of sunlight fade over the horizon.
Nami lay sprawled across the dock, tossing an orange up and down. "So… what now?"
Makino smiled. "Now? We rest. Maybe sail again soon."
Kuina leaned against a wooden post, her freshly cleaned blade at her side. "The sea's quiet for now. But it won't stay that way forever."
"Good," Jin said from behind them, his voice steady but calm. "Quiet seas make soft sailors."
Makino glanced back at him, smiling. "You just can't stop moving, can you?"
Jin shrugged. "Not my style."
For a moment, they all stood together—crew, friends, family—watching the last rays disappear.
Bell-mère turned to him. "You know, kid, for someone who just turned fourteen, you've already done more than most grown men ever will."
Jin gave a small smile. "Maybe. But I'm not done yet."
He looked out at the sea, eyes steady, filled with the same fire that had carried him through battle after battle.
"Someday," he said quietly, "I'll stand at the peak of this world."
Makino's voice softened beside him. "Just don't forget who's waiting at the bottom."
He turned to her then, and for a heartbeat, the wind between them stilled. Her green eyes met his, calm but deep—like the ocean itself.
He smiled faintly. "I won't."
And for that quiet moment, before the stars returned and the world moved on, Jin felt something rare: peace—not the silence of the battlefield, but the peace of belonging.
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T/N :
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