Bell-mère had already mentioned twice the man who bought out all her tangerines.
Thanks to him, life at home had grown much easier these past few days.
Especially for Bell-mère herself.
No more skipping meals or relying on tangerines alone to feed the family.
"This time, I'll be taking more. I'm setting out to sea."
Don's gaze swept past Bell-mère and fell on the two girls behind her. He smiled warmly.
"You're going on a voyage?" Bell-mère asked with curiosity. "The seas aren't exactly calm these days."
"It's fine," Don replied casually. "I'd like to see the wider world."
"I see. But even for a long voyage, tangerines won't last forever."
Bell-mère reminded him once more, just as she had before—practical even in the face of money earned.
"I know. That's why speed is key."
Don laid his payment on the table, already turning to leave.
"Wait, sir!"
Bell-mère called out to him.
"Thank you, for the last two times. I'd like to invite you to dinner—as a farewell gesture."
She hesitated only briefly before speaking.
"Ah, I see. No problem. But I'll need to buy a few things first."
Don didn't refuse, simply nodded.
Bell-mère and the two girls, Nami and Nojiko, watched him leave.
"So young, and already heading out to sea?" Bell-mère murmured with a sigh. Then she turned to her girls. "Come on, help me out."
"Do you think he's a pirate?"
Nami asked, eyes still fixed on Don's retreating figure.
"Don't say such things!"
Nojiko quickly clapped a hand over her sister's mouth.
"Pirates don't pay for tangerines!"
She whispered sternly into Nami's ear, muffling the younger girl's protests.
Watching her two daughters bicker, Bell-mère chuckled, her mood lifted.
Together, the three of them—one adult, two children—sweated under the sun as they hauled the tangerines, carting load after load to the ship docked at the pier.
By the time they returned, Don had finally come back, carrying armfuls of packages.
"Here!"
He handed over the bundles to Nami and Nojiko.
"Eh?"
The girls froze, instinctively taking the parcels though their arms sagged under the weight.
"Gifts. When visiting, one must always bring gifts."
The moment they heard the word "gifts," both girls lit up, the weight in their arms suddenly feeling much lighter—even though they still wobbled with each step.
All the way home, Bell-mère thanked Don again and again.
"Wow! Navigation books!"
Back at their modest home, Nami eagerly tore into the bundles, squealing in delight when she uncovered several volumes filled with nautical records and navigational techniques.
"You like them?"
Don asked with a grin, lounging by the table.
"My dream is to become the greatest navigator in the world, and to chart the most perfect map of the seas!"
Nami declared without hesitation, her ideals already firmly rooted in her heart.
"Oh? That's a grand ambition," Don chuckled, arching a brow. "Not an easy feat to accomplish."
"Nami, come help me!"
Nojiko's voice rang out from the kitchen, where she was helping Bell-mère cook.
"Coming!"
Nami quickly set her newfound treasures neatly to the side—as if they were precious jewels—before dashing off to help.
Don leaned back, watching the three of them bustling about together. His eyes swept the modest little house.
It wasn't large, but it was tidy. Sparse furnishings betrayed their humble life.
Understandable, of course. Bell-mère had raised Nami and Nojiko on her own since taking them in. Naturally, things weren't easy.
If he remembered correctly, it was with a mere 100,000 Berries that she had chosen death, buying her daughters' lives with her own.
In terms of value, a Berry in this world was much like the yen of his homeland. 100,000 Berries was equivalent to only about 5,000 yen—no great sum.
Still… if not for that wretched rat, they might have lived in peace until the girls grew up.
Don's thoughts darkened for a moment.
Meanwhile, Bell-mère and her girls kept stealing glances at him.
Though tall and broad-shouldered, his youthful face gave away his age.
So young, yet already sailing the seas?
He must have lived through countless stories of his own, Bell-mère thought quietly.
Soon, dinner was ready—a full table spread, though most of the ingredients had been provided by Don himself.
That embarrassed Bell-mère, though Nami and Nojiko couldn't hide their excitement. They sat ready long before the food was served, their eyes sparkling.
"Bell-mère, you home?"
A voice called from outside.
Don didn't even need to turn to know who it was—Genzo, the village guard who secretly admired Bell-mère.
"Perfect timing. Come join us for dinner. We've got a guest tonight—the gentleman who bought all my tangerines."
Bell-mère opened the door with a smile.
"Oh!"
Genzo froze when he saw Don seated at the table.
Once Genzo settled in, Don finally lifted his eyes to glance at him.
"So, what brings you here?"
As Bell-mère fetched him a set of dishes, she asked as well.
"I just received news—Gishia Village was attacked by pirates. Fishmen. Many died."
Genzo's face was grim as he delivered the words.
"What?"
Bell-mère and the girls gasped in shock. Only Don remained calm.
Gishia Village was also part of the Conomi Islands—too close to Cocoyasi for comfort.
"But don't worry. Those fishmen were killed by a pirate hunter. Afterwards, he even turned them in to the Marines. Still… too many lives were lost."
Genzo sighed, heavy with sorrow.
"A pirate hunter?"
Nami's eyes widened with curiosity.
"Yes. From what I've heard, he's a tall young man, very strong. Took down dozens of fishmen in only a few moves. If he hadn't stopped them, our village might have been next."
The thought sent shivers through everyone.
Bell-mère listened quietly. Her expression flickered slightly when Genzo mentioned the Marines arriving later—but she kept her silence.
Genzo caught the look; he hadn't forgotten that Bell-mère herself had once served as a Marine.
"So amazing!"
Nami's eyes glittered with stars.
Don stayed silent, letting them talk about him as though he weren't there, calmly eating his meal.
For him, this food was barely enough for a single bite—but he wasn't hungry.
At last, Don set down his knife, rose from his chair, and picked up his long blade from beside him.
"Thank you. The food was excellent."
He smiled faintly, waved, and started for the door.
"Wait!"
Genzo suddenly froze, staring at Don's departing back.
"The reports said—the pirate hunter carried a very long sword."
His words made Bell-mère and the girls stiffen. All three turned toward the door, watching Don's figure fade into the night.
Was it him?
…
Was it him?
Elsewhere, in a dimly lit room, a middle-aged man draped in a crimson cloak studied the photograph in his hands. His expression was dark.
The photo showed Don in a small town near Marine Base 16.
"Yes, my lord. According to our informant's report, this man delivered a large group of pirates to the Marines. Among them was Zoan Devil Fruit user."
the Zoan Devil Fruit user Don had captured.
"And his location now?"
"Still in the Conomi Islands."
"Find him."
END OF CHAPTER
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