Keyword: Garp

This time, she'd gotten straight to the point.

She'd opened with an emotional appeal. On the surface, it sounded like a little girl's petulant complaint, but in reality, she was quietly questioning Shizi about why she'd left three years ago.

"It really was my fault. I should apologize to you, so don't be mad."

Shizi cheerfully took the bag and peeked inside. Her eyes immediately lit up, and she said with delight, "Oh, Gion really does know what I like. Strawberries this big are hard to come by."

"I'm glad you like them."

She hadn't been moved in the slightest, and had even smoothly changed the subject? What a cunning old lady. Damn it!

"Come on in and have a seat."

She set the bag on the cabinet behind the entryway, then invited Noah inside. "You've been traveling for so long, so you must be starving. You came at just the right time. I've got food warming up, so it'll be ready to eat in a moment."

"Hooray!" someone immediately changed his tune and cheered.

This wasn't an act. He meant it from the bottom of his heart.

He'd been on the road all this time without lunch, and he really was starving.

Rear Admiral Shizi went into the kitchen, while Noah sat down by the dining table. Hina put on the airs of a little hostess and volunteered to make tea, then brought out some snacks to have before the meal.

She was very curious about this "pretty big sister" from Marineford. After making the tea, she lingered in the chair beside Noah and started chatting with him.

Noah had only meant to humor her with a few casual replies, but after he'd let slip a mention of Zephyr's Elite Training Camp, little Hina's interest was completely piqued. She pestered him with question after question, without pausing for a moment.

He was starting to get a headache when he remembered that Hina was destined to become one of Zephyr's students, too. Maybe in five years? Ten years? Either way, she'd technically be his "junior."

"Anyway, just like I said, Mr. Zephyr's training is very harsh."

As Noah answered Hina's various questions, he discreetly watched Rear Admiral Shizi's busy figure in the kitchen from the corner of his eye. "Most people can't handle the hardship, little Hina. You should think it over carefully before joining."

From the moment they'd met at the door until now, he'd been able to tell that the old lady was genuinely delighted by his unexpected visit. In other words, Gion meant even more to her than he'd thought.

That was quite helpful for his mission to persuade her.

But she clearly didn't want to talk about why she'd suddenly left Marine Headquarters three years ago. It seemed there really had been some other reason at the time, and he'd have to draw it out of her bit by bit.

"Hina isn't scared!"

Hina listened to Noah's warning and vigorously waved her little fist. "Hina will work hard to get into the Elite Training Camp and become a powerful Marine like you, big sister! Hina will catch every last one of those awful pirates!"

"What are you saying, little Hina?"

Rear Admiral Shizi's voice rang out as she emerged from the kitchen carrying a tray. She gave Hina a mildly reproachful look. "Gion may not look old, but in terms of seniority, you should be calling her Grandma."

Noah's forehead creased with dismay. He was starting to feel a little awkward... though he didn't have that particular feature for the moment.

He was still a handsome young man. Whenever he passed children on the street, they'd never once called him uncle. And now he was suddenly being promoted a whole generation, straight to Grandma?

"No way!"

Hina wasn't having it. She flung herself into Noah's arms, wrapped both arms around his waist, and looked up at Shizi with a cheeky face:

"Big Sister Gion is so pretty, and her face isn't all wrinkly like Grandma Shizi's! It'd be way too weird to call her Grandma!"

"You little rascal, are you saying I'm old?" Shizi pretended to be angry and glared at Hina.

Hina stuck out her tongue and teased Shizi with a chorus of "Nyeh, nyeh, nyeh!" Shizi set down the tray and tickled her under the arms. Little Hina couldn't stand being tickled; she dodged and laughed so hard that tears were nearly streaming down her face.

They weren't related by blood, but the affection between this grandmother and granddaughter was wonderful.

Noah watched them from the side, feeling a little envious.

It had already been a whole year since he'd seen his family. There were still two years until the Elite Training Camp's graduation exam, and he didn't know whether he'd get a chance to return to the East Blue before graduating.

Maybe he could ask Garp to take him along the next time he went home to visit?

Luffy wouldn't be born for another two years, but Ace had already been left in the care of the bandit Dadan by Garp for more than a year. The old man made time to visit him every so often.

For instance, the last time he'd brought Noah a letter from home, Garp had said he was delayed by a mission and returned half a month later than expected.

But since the fleet had once gone out of its way to travel through the East Blue, Noah couldn't help wondering if the old man had been unable to stop thinking about young Ace and had secretly gone to see Dadan again.

"Given Mr. Garp's nature, he probably wouldn't turn down such a small favor."

Noah was musing to himself. By then, all the dishes had been served. The ingredients were simple and humble, but the dishes were varied and carefully presented. It was clear that Rear Admiral Shizi was an old lady who knew how to enjoy life.

"Thank you for the meal. Let's eat!"

Even though his stomach was growling with hunger, Noah didn't forget his manners. He pressed his palms together, then carefully scooped up a spoonful of thick soup and brought it to his mouth.

"Delicious!"

The fresh, savory flavor spread across his tongue. His eyes narrowed, and a blissful smile appeared on his face. "As expected of you, Sister Shizi. Your cooking is just as good as it was back then. No wonder Sister Tsuru always came to your place for meals whenever she couldn't be bothered to cook—"

That was something Gion had told him on the ship, a little detail he could use to appeal to her feelings and draw closer. It had come in handy.

As the host, Shizi hadn't touched her food yet. She'd been watching Noah expectantly the whole time.

Only after hearing his praise did she smile warmly, serve herself a small bowl of soup, and start eating.

"Mr. Garp always loved your cooking, too, Sister Shizi. Ever since you left Marineford, whenever he got a craving, he'd keep talking about you."

Noah noticed that Hina was trying to reach for a piece of fried food that looked a little like tempura, but couldn't quite get to it. She was sweating with the effort, so he smiled and moved her plate closer.

Then he turned back to Shizi and continued appealing to her feelings. "If he knew I'd gotten to eat your cooking again, he'd probably be so envious—"

Suddenly, he realized something was wrong, and his voice cut off.

Across the table, Rear Admiral Shizi had been smiling, but the moment she heard Garp's name, her expression quickly turned cold.

Her brows drew tightly together. She lowered her head and silently picked at her food, no longer saying a word.

The warm, lively atmosphere at the table fell into an eerie silence.