"Dadi, did you see that? That's the charm of electrotherapy. Next stop, Foosha Village!"
Leaving behind those dashing words, Lei En turned into Inazuma and returned to the ship.
Dadi looked at the pink pirate ship in the distance, belching black smoke as its crew ran about in chaos, and swallowed nervously.
"I saw it, sir... Your skill at ionic perms is truly masterful."
He was growing more and more grateful that he had latched onto this golden thigh back then.
Following this lord, forget the Grand Line—even if they went to Mary Geoise and strutted around, he felt confident!
Under Dadi's skilled handling, the Heavenly Court Thunder God adjusted its course and sped at full speed toward the waters around Windmill Village in the Goa Kingdom.
A few days later.
The iconic giant windmill appeared on the horizon.
"Sir, we've reached Foosha Village."
"Mm. Find a secluded bay to dock in. Don't draw too much attention."
Lei En instructed, "My ship is too conspicuous. Sailing it in there might scare the fish away."
The "fish" he meant was naturally that rubber idiot who would someday wear a Straw Hat.
After hiding the massive ark in a natural bay surrounded by reefs, Lei En changed out of his flashy black trench coat and into an ordinary set of casual clothes for a young boy that he had bought in Loguetown.
He checked himself in the mirror and, after confirming that he looked like a handsome neighborhood kid out sightseeing, nodded in satisfaction.
"Kuina, Dadi, you stay on the ship with Carol and wait for me."
Lei En said to the three of them, "I'm going into the village to scout things out and get a good meal while I'm at it."
Enel hurried over and flatteringly handed him a bag of gold coins.
"Grandpa Lei En, take some money. Buy whatever you want to eat!"
"Get lost. Do I look like I'm short on money?"
Lei En kicked him irritably, then jumped off the ship alone and strolled into Foosha Village.
This little village was as peaceful and tranquil as he remembered.
The villagers all wore simple, honest smiles, a complete contrast to the fighting and killing of the pirate world outside.
Lei En took a deep breath of the grass-scented air and felt much of his fatigue from days of sailing fade away.
Following the path, he quickly found the village's only tavern—Party's Bar.
"Jingle~"
As he pushed open the wooden door, the bell hanging above it gave a crisp chime.
The tavern was small, but it was clean and tidy.
Afternoon sunlight streamed through the windows, casting mottled patches of light across the wooden floor.
"Welcome!"
An exceptionally gentle and pleasant young woman's voice came from behind the counter.
Lei En looked up and saw a girl with a green headscarf and smooth, dark green short hair bending over to wipe a wineglass.
She looked around sixteen or seventeen, with a warm smile that soothed the heart. Her whole demeanor carried the approachable charm of a girl next door.
She was none other than the tavern's proprietress, Makino.
"Hello, little brother. Are you looking for someone, or would you like something to drink?"
Seeing Lei En's handsome and unfamiliar face, Makino asked curiously.
"Give me a glass of chilled orange juice, and a serving of your signature grilled meat. Make it the biggest portion."
Lei En naturally sat on a barstool in front of the counter, his short little legs swinging in the air.
"Of course. Please wait a moment."
Makino smiled and nodded, then briskly headed to the kitchen to prepare it.
Before long, a glass of sweetly fragrant orange juice and a large platter of sizzling grilled sea beast meat, glistening with oil and smelling delicious, were placed before Lei En.
"Wow, that smells amazing!"
Lei En's eyes lit up as he picked up his knife and fork and dug in.
It had to be said that Makino was truly a great cook. The grilled meat was crisp on the outside and tender within, bursting with juices—far tastier than the grilled skyfish he had eaten on Sky Island.
"Eat slowly. Don't choke."
Makino rested her chin on her hand and watched Lei En wolf down his meal with a smile, her gaze full of indulgence.
"Little brother, you're not from this village, are you? Did you come traveling with your father and mother?"
"More or less."
With his mouth stuffed full of grilled meat, Lei En replied indistinctly, "I came out to adventure by myself."
"By yourself? That's far too dangerous!" Makino looked worried. "The sea isn't very peaceful these days."
"Don't worry. Usually, other people are the ones in danger."
Lei En took a big gulp of orange juice and casually made something up.
He enjoyed this long-lost peace and quiet, chatting idly with gentle Makino and experiencing this simple yet real daily life.
No fighting or killing, no schemes or conspiracies.
There was only warm sunlight, delicious food, and a beautiful, understanding proprietress.
"Days like this... aren't bad once in a while."
Lei En leaned back in his chair and contentedly narrowed his eyes.
However, his rare moment of leisure did not last long.
Just as he drank his juice and enjoyed the last calm before the storm.
BANG—!!!
An incomparably violent, ear-splitting crash suddenly erupted from the tavern entrance!
The wooden door Lei En had just pushed open was kicked in with savage force!
The fragile door shattered into pieces, and even the frame beside it broke apart with a sharp crack, scattering all over the floor!
Amid the flying wood chips, an incredibly burly figure, like an iron tower, strode in against the light with wild, unrestrained swagger, laughing loudly.
Makino jumped at the sudden disturbance, nearly dropping the glass in her hand.
Looking at the familiar figure in the doorway, she helplessly held her forehead.
"Mr. Garp... Can't you use the door properly for once?"
Before you continue