"Is this really Kizaru's dream?" Anna floated outside the shimmering sphere that contained it, frowning. "Why does it look so... dull? It's just him, alone, sailing across a vast ocean, drifting wherever the wind takes him."
She didn't dare enter the admiral's dream—just watching it from outside the glassy mirror ball was enough.After staring for a long time, she sighed. "Still no change... it's always the same scene. Just drifting, free and easy. I guess this is the kind of life he wants—going wherever the current takes him. Makes sense. The Navy's full of rules and restrictions."
With nothing more to learn, Anna exhaled softly and left the dream world, returning to reality.
Back in the Real World
The morning sunlight streamed into the tavern as Anna hurried down the stairs. "Mom! We might need to send a box of wine to the Admiral today. Can we prepare one in advance?"
Her mother, wiping her hands on her apron, stepped out of the kitchen with a worried look. "Anna, are you sure about this? Will the Admiral give you any trouble?"
"It should be fine," Anna replied, trying to sound confident. "This place is so small, and there's nothing for him to make a fuss about—"
Before she could finish, the tavern door creaked open.Borsalino stepped in, smiling in that lazy, drawling way of his. "Please don't worry, Madam. I'll take good care of your daughter. She agreed to go on a date with me today, after all~"
Anna blinked, caught completely off guard. "W–what?"
The Admiral turned to her with a teasing grin. "Well then, little miss, shall we go? You did promise me a date, didn't you?"
"Uh, of course," Anna said quickly, forcing a smile. "But first, let's head to the wine cellar. I'll get that box I promised you."
(I never promised you a thing!) she screamed internally. (Seriously, can't he take a hint?)Still, she kept her cheerful expression and led Kizaru out of the tavern.
A Most Unusual "Date"
"This way, Admiral. The cellar's not far," Anna said, leading the way.
"Hmm~ no need to be so tense, little miss," Kizaru drawled, walking behind her with his hands in his pockets. "We're on a date today—you can relax."
Anna puffed out her cheeks slightly. "I'm not nervous! The wine cellar's just ahead, come on!"
Without thinking, she grabbed his hand and began to pull him forward.
Kizaru blinked at the sudden gesture. The girl's small hand tugged his much larger one, and for a moment he found it… oddly endearing.Still, her quick little steps didn't exactly match his long stride. He had to stoop slightly to keep pace—and after a while, his back started to ache.
"Yeah~, this won't do," he muttered. Without warning, he scooped Anna up and perched her right on his shoulders.
"Ahhh! What are you doing?!" Anna yelped in shock, instinctively grabbing at the nearest thing—Kizaru's collar.
"Whoa there~ don't panic, little miss, don't panic," he said quickly, steadying her with one hand. "It's perfectly safe up there."
Anna slowly cracked one eye open, then gasped in amazement."So this is what the world looks like from up here…! Is this how it feels to be tall?" Her eyes sparkled as the breeze brushed her face. "Can I really grow this tall one day?"
Kizaru chuckled softly. "Hmm~ and what are you thinking about, young lady?"
"I was just wondering… what I'd look like if I grew to be over three meters tall," she said, lost in thought.
Kizaru raised an eyebrow. "Three meters, huh~? Now that's a scary thought." He tried to picture it—Anna's cute little face on a giant's body—and immediately grimaced. "No, no… better not imagine that."
"The little lady's perfect just the way she is," he said sincerely.
Anna leaned forward, smirking. "Oh? Are you saying I wouldn't look good tall?"
From her new height, she could look down at him for once—and it felt amazing.(So this is what it feels like to be above people! I'll definitely drink more milk from now on!) she thought proudly, unaware that Kizaru was silently praying she'd drop the idea.
"Being tall isn't all it's cracked up to be," Kizaru muttered, shaking his head. "Trust me, it comes with plenty of disadvantages."
"Tsk, whatever. The wine cellar's right ahead!" Anna said, pointing forward like a tiny commander.
"Alright then~ hold on tight, young lady," Kizaru said helplessly, adjusting his grip as he walked. "You really are a handful…"
In the Wine Cellar
Rows of bottles gleamed under the dim light as Anna set about checking inventory.
"So, Admiral," she asked while reviewing the ledger, "do you prefer something stronger, or something lighter today?"
"Hmm~ I'll leave it to you, little miss. It's your date, after all. I'll follow your lead."
As she focused on her notes, Kizaru found his gaze drawn to the top of her head. The sight of her serious little expression made his fingers itch.Before he could stop himself, his hand reached out—and lightly patted her hair.
Anna blinked up at him, confused. "What was that for? You startled me! And touching my head won't make me taller, you know!"
"Hmm~ the little lady wants to grow taller, but she's already adorable as is," Kizaru said with a rare, warm smile. Her soft, fluffy hair reminded him of a small animal—it was oddly comforting.
"Alright," Anna said, hefting a large wooden box nearly half her own height. "This one's perfect—half of it's my own brew. Let's get it ready for shipment."
But just as she was about to lift it, her hands suddenly felt light. Kizaru had already picked up the entire box with one hand.
"As a gentleman, I can't let a lady carry heavy things on a date~," he said with a grin.
Anna couldn't help smiling. For all his teasing, he really was… unexpectedly charming.(If you ignore the wrinkles, she thought with an inward giggle, he's actually kind of handsome.)
"Alright, young lady, shall we go?" Kizaru asked, carrying the box as easily as a bag of feathers.
"Coming!" Anna replied, trotting after him.As they walked side by side toward the mailroom, she found herself relaxing a little. (Maybe he really did just come here for business… if that's the case, there's no reason to be so on edge.)
Questions Beneath the Surface
As they reached the mailing station, Kizaru glanced sideways. "Say, young lady… have there been any strange pirates around this area lately?"
Anna's eyes narrowed. Her wariness instantly returned. "This is Whitebeard's territory, Admiral. Strange pirates wouldn't dare to come here."
"Hmm~ is that so? Good to know," Kizaru said casually—and then, just as smoothly, changed the subject. "So, how about dinner later?"
Anna blinked. "Dinner?"
"Yeah~ let's eat together. You can pick the place."
Anna hesitated, then smiled. "Fine then. Come back to our tavern—I'll cook for you myself."
Still, as she walked beside him, her mind was turning.(Strange pirates…? He must mean the Red Hair Pirates. They're the only ones near here right now.)