Luffy gently patted Makino's back.
"I'm fine, Makino. Don't cry."
She let go of him and wiped her tears.
"Thank you, Shanks."
She bowed slightly.
Shanks smiled.
"No need. Luffy's my friend too."
Makino nodded and turned to prepare dinner.
She planned to cook a feast to thank the Red-Haired Pirates.
Soon, the tavern grew lively.
The villagers, hearing the bandits had been dealt with, came to celebrate.
Shanks and his crew were surrounded, laughing as they accepted everyone's gratitude.
Luffy sat quietly in a corner, eating.
His mind replayed the day's events.
Higuma's blade.
Shanks' overwhelming Haki.
His own helplessness.
"Still not strong enough…"
he muttered.
"What are you mumbling about?"
Shanks walked over and sat beside him.
"Nothing."
Luffy shook his head.
Shanks studied him for a moment.
"Luffy, do you know why I came back today?"
"Why?"
"Makino sent someone to deliver a message."
Shanks took a sip of his drink.
"She said you were taken by bandits. Asked me to save you."
Luffy froze.
Makino…
"She's a good person," Shanks said with a grin. "And smart."
"She knew I could save you. And she knew I would."
Luffy lowered his head, warmth spreading through his chest.
Makino…
"So, Luffy."
Shanks patted his shoulder.
"You're not alone."
"You've got friends. People who care about you."
"Getting stronger is important. But don't forget the people around you."
Luffy nodded firmly.
"I won't."
Shanks stood up.
"Alright. I've gotta go."
Luffy's head shot up.
"You're leaving again?"
"Yeah."
Shanks nodded.
"This time for real."
"There's something on the Grand Line I need to handle."
Luffy stood too.
"When will we see each other again?"
Shanks thought for a moment.
"When you set sail."
"I'll be somewhere out there. Waiting."
Luffy's eyes stung, but he held it in.
"Okay!"
He stuck out his hand.
"Pinky promise!"
Shanks blinked, then laughed.
He hooked his finger with Luffy's.
"It's a promise."
"Yeah!"
Shanks turned and left with his crew.
Luffy stood at the tavern entrance, watching their backs.
Under the setting sun, the Red-Haired Pirates' flag fluttered in the wind.
Growing smaller.
Farther away.
"Shanks…"
Luffy clenched his fists.
"Wait for me."
"I'll become the Pirate King."
"And we'll meet again on the sea."
—
That night, Luffy lay in his small cabin, staring at the ceiling.
Too much had happened.
Kidnapped. Rescued. Witnessing Conqueror's Haki. Making a promise.
Every moment fueled the fire inside him.
His desire to grow stronger had never burned so fiercely.
"System."
[Present.]
"Double tomorrow's training."
[Confirm? Current training volume is already at the host's physical limit. Doubling may cause bodily damage.]
"Confirm."
Luffy didn't hesitate.
"I want to get stronger."
"As fast as possible."
[Recalculating training plan…]
[Tomorrow's Training Plan:]
[1. Basic physical conditioning: 10,000 punches.]
[2. Endurance training: 100 km long-distance run.]
[3. Electric resistance training: 60 minutes (Intensity Level 2).]
[4. Combat training: Defeat all wild beasts in Windmill Village's back mountain (estimated 50+).]
[5. Free training: 3 hours.]
A faint smile appeared on Luffy's face.
Good.
Not enough.
Still not enough.
But it was a start.
Tomorrow—
He would begin again.