Keyword: Garp

This wave, this wave is getting straight to the point.

She started right off the bat with an emotional appeal, appearing to be a little girl's petulant complaint, but in reality, she was quietly questioning Shizi about the reason she left three years ago.

"This is indeed my fault, I owe you an apology, don't be angry."

Shizi happily took the bag, glanced inside, and her eyes lit up as she said delightedly, "Oh, as expected of little Gion, you know my tastes so well. Strawberries this big are rarely seen these days."

"I'm glad you like them."

She wasn't moved in the slightest and even managed to change the subject; what a cunning old lady, how hateful!

"Come on, come in and sit."

She placed the bag on the sideboard behind the entryway and beckoned Noah into the house, "You've been traveling for so long, you must be starving, right? You've come at just the right time; I have food warming on the stove, it'll be ready to eat in a moment."

"Awesome!" The person in question immediately changed his tune, cheering with joy.

This wasn't acting; it was a heartfelt sentiment.

After rushing along this journey without eating lunch, he was indeed famished.

Rear Admiral Shizi went into the kitchen, while Noah sat down at the dining table. Hina took on the role of a little hostess, volunteering to pour tea and serve some pre-meal snacks.

She was very curious about this "pretty sister" from Marineford, so after pouring the tea, she lingered in the chair nearby, taking the initiative to chat with Noah.

Noah had originally intended to just brush her off, but once he accidentally let slip a mention of Zephyr's Elite Training Camp, little Hina's interest was completely piqued, and she pestered him with questions, not letting up for a single moment.

He felt a slight headache, only then remembering that Hina was destined to become a student of Zephyr in the future—perhaps in five years? Ten years? Either way, she was effectively his "junior sister."

"In short, just as I said, Mr. Zephyr's training is extremely harsh."

As Noah answered Hina's various questions, he kept a calm eye on the back of Rear Admiral Shizi as she busied herself in the kitchen, "Most people can't handle the hardship, little Hina, so you must think it over carefully before you go in."

From the moment he walked through the door until now, he could sense that the old lady was genuinely surprised by his sudden visit, which meant that Momousagi held even more weight in her heart than he had imagined.

This was quite favorable for his persuasion mission.

However, she clearly didn't want to talk about why she had suddenly left Headquarters three years ago; it seemed there were indeed hidden circumstances that he would need to slowly probe for.

"Hina isn't afraid!"

Hearing Noah's warning, Hina waved her little fist vigorously, "Hina will definitely work hard to enter the Elite Training Camp and become a powerful Marine like you in the future, and catch all those hateful pirates, every single one of them!"

"What are you saying, little Hina."

Rear Admiral Shizi's voice rang out as she emerged from the kitchen carrying a tray, looking at Hina with a touch of reproach, "Don't look at Gion as if she's young; in terms of seniority, you should be calling her Grandma."

Black lines appeared on Noah's forehead, and he felt a faint ache in his crotch... though he didn't have that function at the moment.

He was still a dashing youth; whenever he met children on the street, he had never been called "uncle," but now he was suddenly being promoted a generation, turning directly into a "grandma"?

"I don't want to!"

Hina wasn't pleased at all; she threw herself into Noah's arms, hugged his waist tightly, and looked up to make a face at Shizi:

"Sister Gion is so pretty, and her face doesn't have wrinkles like you do, Grandma Shizi, so calling her grandma would be way too weird!"

"You little brat, are you saying I'm old?" Shizi feigned anger and glared at Hina.

Hina stuck her tongue out at Shizi with a series of "bleh-bleh-bleh" sounds, which annoyed Shizi so much that she set down the tray and went to tickle her ribs, making little Hina laugh and squirm until tears were almost streaming down her face.

Although they weren't blood relatives, the affection between this grandmother and granddaughter was truly wonderful.

Noah watched from the side with a touch of envy.

In the blink of an eye, a whole year had passed since he last saw his family. With two years left until the Elite Training Camp's graduation exam, he wondered if he would have a chance to return to the East Blue before graduating.

Perhaps he could find Garp and ask him to take him along the next time he went home to visit his family?

Luffy wouldn't be born for another two years, but Ace had already been fostered by the mountain bandit Dadan for over a year, and the old man would occasionally find time to go visit.

For instance, this time when he brought Noah a letter from home, Garp had said he was delayed by half a month due to a mission.

But considering the fleet had once detoured through the East Blue, it was hard for him not to suspect that the old man couldn't let go of young Ace and had snuck off to see Dadan again.

"Given Mr. Garp's personality, he shouldn't refuse such a small request."

Noah thought to himself. By this time, the table was filled with dishes; the ingredients were simple and plain, but the variety was vast and the presentation was exquisite. It was clear that Rear Admiral Shizi was an old lady who truly understood how to live.

"Thanks for the meal, I'm digging in!"

Even though his stomach was growling, Noah didn't forget his manners. He pressed his palms together before carefully scooping up a spoonful of thick soup and bringing it to his mouth.

"Delicious!"

The fresh, savory flavor spread across his tongue, and he immediately squinted his eyes, revealing a happy smile, "As expected of Sister Shizi, your cooking is just like it was back then. No wonder Sister Tsuru always came to your place for a meal whenever she was too lazy to cook—"

This was information Momousagi had revealed to him on the ship, which he could use to continue playing the emotional card and bridge the distance between them.

As the host, Shizi hadn't picked up her chopsticks yet, having been watching Noah with anticipation.

Upon hearing this praise, she smiled gently, scooped a small bowl of soup for herself, and began to eat.

"And Mr. Garp, he has always loved your cooking, Sister Shizi. Ever since you left Marineford, he's been talking about you whenever he gets a craving."

Noah noticed Hina trying to grab a piece of tempura-like fried food but failing to reach it, getting all sweaty with frustration, so he smiled and moved the plate closer to her.

Then he turned back to continue playing the emotional card with Shizi, "If he knew I was eating this right now, he'd probably be incredibly jealous..."

He suddenly realized something was wrong, and his voice cut off abruptly.

--Because at this moment, across the dining table, Major General Shizi, who had been smiling just a moment ago, saw her expression turn rapidly cold upon hearing the name Garp.

Her brows furrowed tightly, and she lowered her head to silently pick at her food, saying nothing more.

The originally warm and lively atmosphere at the dining table fell into an eerie silence.

First update, there will be another one later, continuing to weakly ask for votes~

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