Time seemed to freeze in Sabo's tears. Accompanied by the sound of flames burning on Ace's body, Luffy stared greedily at Sabo, as if even a second less of looking at him meant he would never see Sabo again!
Seeing this scene, Gawain pondered for a moment, then gently waved to everyone.
At this point, everyone, including Shirahoshi and Chopper who were moved to tears, tried to remain quiet and then quietly moved away from the three of them.
When children are not crying because they are sad, shouldn't adults give them enough space?
And so, led by Gawain, the group slowly passed through the dazed villagers and swaggered toward the central area where the crowd was relatively more concentrated in the distance.
And that's where Gawain was heading, passing through the villagers.
Chief Woop Slap finally saw everything clearly in the distance.
So he frowned and raised his right hand, his arm trembling as if he had suffered a stroke. His mouth opened and closed for a long time, but he couldn't utter a single word!
It was Makino, who was standing next to him, who reacted first, and then covered Makino chest in surprise.
"That's Ace?!"
And... and that brother of Ace and Luffy from back then?!
Is he still alive?
He's still alive!!!
As soon as she finished speaking, Makino immediately wanted to run Luffy and his two companions, but as soon as she took a step, she remembered Ace's current identity!
In an instant, Makino calmed down completely. She lowered her fingers from her chest, her hands hanging uneasily at her sides, nervously twisting her clothes.
At the same time, her gaze shifted from Ace and his two companions to Gawain group, who were gradually approaching.
Fortunately, in her eyes, Gawain and his group did not appear to be fierce or menacing.
Even with that fierce-looking swordsman with the cigar in his mouth, Makino could tell he had no intention of harming the nearby villagers.
In Makino's tavern, Makino has served countless patrons, including Shanks, Four Emperors of the Sea, Garp the Hero of the Navy, and even the famous mountain bandit king, Higuma!
In short, Makino's experience and insight have been honed to an terrifying degree by a large group of powerful individuals of all kinds.
She could sense that Gawain and his group hadn't come with any ill intentions.
Even without malice, Makino knew Gawain's identity: Celestial Dragon!
So, Makino gently tugged at the village chief's sleeve, and then took the lead in kneeling down in Gawain's direction.
Noticing Makino's movement from a distance, Gawain flicked his finger, and Makino immediately stood still.
Immediately afterwards, Gawain easily placed Chief Woop Slap there as well.
Gawain then walked past the ordinary villagers who were still confused about the situation and arrived in front of Woop Slap and Makino.
Looking at the two people who were unable to move due to slight paralysis, Gawain smiled kindly and said.
"Hello, I'm Gawain, just an uninvited guest."
However, please forgive my rudeness, considering that I plan to take the children home for a visit."
After speaking, Gawain gave a polite nod to Woop Slap and Makino.
As soon as Gawain nodded, Makino and the other person immediately gained control of their bodies. In that instant, the village chief, his mind in turmoil, blurted out something incoherent.
"You... you...?"
Heavens? Hmm?
Wait, are you taking the children home?
You're not Celestial Dragon, but Sabo's father???
Or are you Ace's biological father...?
"Hello!"
Seeing that the village chief's words were becoming increasingly outrageous, Makino quickly pinched his arm.
"Mr. Village Chief, stop talking nonsense!"
This is Celestial Dragon!!!
After she finished speaking, Makino froze for a moment, deciding whether or not to kneel down again.
Just a moment later, Makino gritted her teeth and straightened her legs!
Since the Celestial Dragon didn't know how to prevent her from kneeling,
Therefore, in any case, it is more appropriate for me to obey the will of the Celestial Dragon!
And so, Makino stood up straight nervously, and at the same time she spoke to Gawain.
"Respected... the great and incomparably sacred Celestial Dragon."
Welcome to the windmill...
At this point, Makino paused briefly, because she suddenly realized that Foosha Village was gone?
If that's the case, why did the Celestial Dragon, who were originally supposed to stay in Foosha Village, bring Ace to where their group was staying?
Etc!
He said he was a traveler taking his children home for a visit?
Are the children he's talking about really Ace and Sabo?
And the "home" he mentioned... the children's home, was he actually referring to himself and his group of farmers who had cared for those three children until they grew up?
Having guessed this, Makino stared wide-eyed in disbelief, then looked at Gawain incredulously.
After confirming the gentleness in Gawain's eyes once again, Makino finally excitedly lowered her guard.
She abruptly changed the subject and began talking to Gawain in a completely different tone.
"Celestial Dragon, I... I am Makino, welcome to Foosha Village!"
Sabo's sudden departure back then, and Ace's previous voyage, made us all miss them both.
Now that you've brought them back, it has truly put the villagers' minds at ease.
With you continuing to take care of them, we no longer need to worry about their safety!
As soon as she finished speaking, Makino excitedly went up to Gawain.
After standing in front of Gawain, Makino carefully examined Gawain features.
At that moment, through Gawain's ever-gentle smile, Makino saw a tiger smiling even in its sleep.
The tiger was resting comfortably, and it seemed to be dreaming of its future, roaming the plains and roaring through the mountains.
However, the stubbornness and ruthlessness hidden beneath Gawain's eyes, which Makino couldn't fathom, couldn't be easily discerned by Makino.
Gawain Makino saw of Gawain was his sleeping tiger form.
It's a kind of aura that makes people feel safe.
Meanwhile, looking at Makino bowing gracefully to him, Gawain nodded slightly.
"It seems there's someone here who understands me. Hello, Makino."
Ace, Sabo, and Luffy (whom they often mention Luffy) are still staring at each other, so let's not bother them.
I noticed that you no longer live in the Foosha Village. Do you still have a new bar in this settlement now?
Even if you don't have any, that's okay, I can send you some.
Because my purpose in coming to the Foosha Village was different from that of the children; what they wanted was their long-lost brothers.
All I wanted was a glass of Makino, haha!!!
Amidst laughter, Gawain extended his hand and gently shook hands with Makino, whose expression was a mixture of surprise and confusion.
At the same time, behind Gawain, Hancock's gaze toward Makino grew increasingly fierce.
The menacing aura was immediately noticed by the dazed Makino, who jolted awake and quickly released Gawain's hand.
"Cough cough... I... I."
No need for adults to bring me alcohol, I... I have some whiskey and beer here.
If you don't mind, then of course I'd love to treat you to a drink. Please... come with me.
Oh, right...
This is Chief Woop Slap!
Village chief, come and pay your respects to Lord Gawain!!!
In her rambling speech, Makino pulled Woop Slap along and kept bowing to Gawain.
She could accept Gawain's gentle attitude towards her and the villagers. After Gawain was the captain Ace was willing to follow. She knew Ace so well that she naturally believed Gawain couldn't be a bad person.
Even so, things like "I came here just to have a drink with you"... these kinds of statements aren't necessarily misunderstood, but they're definitely not easy to forget...
That's really foul...
Just as Makino was leading the village chief and Gawain's group toward her makeshift beer stall, Gion, who was to Gawain's left rear, gently poked Hancock's waist with the hilt of her sword.
Then he leaned close to Hancock's ear and said...
"You really are good at being jealous. It seems that, apart from Shirahoshi, you're wary of anyone who might get close to Gawain!"
"Hmph, even if it's Shirahoshi, she's just not grown up yet. If she were an adult, then I... then I..."
Wait, don't bother me, I can't be bothered with you!!!
The Snake Princess responded with a haughty laugh, then turned her head away disdainfully. Looking at the unyielding Snake Princess, Gion lowered her eyes, pursed her lips, and remained silent for a long time before finally continuing.
Why don't you think about it? After all, I was the first one to get close to the adults.
If I were as prone to jealousy as you, and were suspicious of every woman around the Master, then even you might not be qualified to approach him."
As she finished speaking, Gion's gaze towards Hancock deepened.
Hearing Gion's words, Hancock suddenly raised her chin, proudly displaying her swan-like, perfectly long neck before Gion's eyes.
At the same time, Hancock responded proudly.
So you're advising me to learn from you?
Are you as insecure as I am, rabbit?
You know this better than I do, because even you used the word "maybe." You know you're much older than most adults, and once you decide to compete, you're only likely to win!
But I'm different; I don't care whether I win or not!
As for now, I have no jealousy whatsoever!
I don't care who stands next to Gawain; I just hate every woman around him except me!
What?! Can't I hate you all?!
As soon as she finished speaking, Hancock turned her head proudly and then grabbed Gawain's right arm.
Hancock clenched Gawain's fingers in her hand and gave Gion a disdainful snort.
Seeing Hancock's behavior, Gawain narrowed his eyes, not knowing whether to laugh or cry.
"Hancock."
He jokingly mentioned Hancock's name, subtly restraining Hancock.
Then he stretched out his left hand and, right in front of Hancock, grasped Gion's hand in his own.
Sensing Gawain's movement, Gion's previously slightly downcast eyes twitched slightly. Then, she skillfully lowered her body slightly, making herself appear less slender.
As for Hancock, noticing Gawain's actions, she didn't even express any dissatisfaction with Gawain.
Even... the way he looked at Gawain was, as always, filled with the expression that said, "My man is awesome."
Of course, Hancock's gaze towards Gion was not like that at all.
Her eyes screamed: I'm going to kill you!!!
On the other hand, as Makino led Gawain and his group away...
Surrounded by the villagers who had gathered later, Luffy and his two companions finally made a new move.
Seeing Sabo smiling at him while tears uncontrollably streamed from his eyes, Luffy finally snapped out of his daze and then suddenly stretched his upper body to tens of meters long.
And so, while enjoying his reunion and embrace with Ace, he buried his head in Sabo's arms.
With snot and tears streaming down his face, Luffy quickly soaked Sabo's clothes. Sabo, meanwhile, raised his right hand, put his index and middle fingers together, and gently pressed them against Luffy's forehead.
"Don't stretch yourself out like that, it looks really weird, my silly little brother!"
As soon as he finished speaking, Sabo left two shallow marks on Luffy's forehead with his fingers.
Feeling the clear touch on his forehead, the touch of a living person finally put Luffy's mind at ease!
He was both crying and laughing as he yelled at Sabo.
"Hey, don't talk to me like that! You finally showed up in front of me just to say this, Sabo!!!"
You... you...
I thought you were dead, you bastard!!!
At this point, Luffy began to struggle violently.
At the same time, Ace, who was far away, also released Luffy.
And just like that, Luffy's body rushed towards Sabo in the blink of an eye, using the contraction force of his body as it approached Sabo's head to Luffy into him hard.
Feeling Luffy's embrace, Sabo was speechless.
Before returning, he felt mostly anxious and longing.
But now, facing Luffy, who was so grief-stricken and excited that he was incoherent, Sabo felt nothing but apology.
If he hadn't impulsively left the village and embarked on a sea voyage back then, how could Luffy have been missing for so long?
How exactly did Luffy survive all those years while I was gone?
He's the youngest, the brother who needs to be taken care of the most!
I should have taken good care of him, but I selfishly let him suffer for years!
I... I really went too far!!!
Overwhelmed with apologies, Sabo's lips trembled. But before Sabo could grieve for long, Ace returned to the two who were embracing.
Looking at Sabo, who was clinging tightly to Sabo as if afraid he would disappear Luffy, Ace raised his hand and ruffled Luffy's hair roughly.
"Haha, Luffy, you were terrified by the surprise I gave you!"
Don't even mention you, even when I first met Sabo, I was so surprised that I cried and laughed, and I couldn't even speak, haha!
But don't worry, Luffy, Sabo is really still alive, he won't disappear again!
Instead of holding him so tightly, why don't we find a place where we can drink and the three of us can have a good drink, haha!
As soon as he finished speaking, Ace picked up Sabo and Luffy, forcefully separating the two who had been embracing for far too long.
Immediately afterwards, while dragging Sabo and Luffy, Ace shouted to the villagers who had gathered nearby, each with a bellyful of things to say.
"Hahaha, it's been so long, everyone!"
How embarrassing! I shouted that I would become the Pirate King when I set sail, but I ended up on someone else's ship so soon after setting sail!
Having said that, Ace Luffy and the other person, then looked up at the sunlit sky.
As he watched, Ace grabbed his hat and shook it vigorously at the villagers.
"So, in order to stop you from laughing at me, I've decided to treat you to a few days of good drinking!"
"Everyone, let's drink until we throw up!!!"