Windmill Village Tavern, Gentle Proprietress Makino

"Dadi, did you see that? That's the charm of electrotherapy. Next target: Foosha Village!"

Lei En left behind that dashing remark, then turned into lightning and returned to the ship.

Dadi looked at the pink pirate ship in the distance, belching black smoke as its crew descended into chaos, and swallowed nervously.

"I saw it, sir... Your skill with ionic perms is truly extraordinary."

He was becoming more and more grateful that he had clung to this golden thigh in the first place.

Following this lord, forget the Grand Line—even if they strutted through Mary Geoise, he felt like he'd have the confidence to do it!

Under Dadi's practiced handling, the Heavenly Court Thunder God adjusted course and sped at full speed toward the waters of Foosha Village in the Goya Kingdom.

A few days later.

The iconic giant windmill appeared on the horizon.

"Sir, we've arrived at Foosha Village."

"Mm, find a secluded bay to dock in. Don't draw too much attention."

Lei En ordered, "My ship's too eye-catching. Sailing it in there might scare the fish away."

The "fish" he referred to was naturally that rubber idiot in the straw hat from the future.

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 young man's clothes he had bought in Loguetown.

He checked himself in the mirror and, only after making sure he looked like a handsome boy from next door out sightseeing, nodded in satisfaction.

"Kuina, Dadi, you stay on the ship with Carol and wait for me."

Lei En told the three of them, "I'm going into the village to scout the place out and grab a good meal while I'm at it."

Enel hurried over and offered him a bag of gold coins with a fawning expression.

"Grandpa Lei En, take some money. Buy whatever you want to eat!"

"Get lost. Do I look like someone who's short on money?"

Lei En kicked him irritably, then jumped off the ship alone and strolled into Foosha Village.

The little village was as peaceful and serene as he remembered.

The villagers all wore simple, honest smiles, making it seem like the complete opposite of that pirate world outside, full of fighting and killing.

Lei En took a deep breath of the grass-scented air and felt much of the fatigue from the past several days of sailing melt away.

Following the path, he soon 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 ring.

The tavern was small, but it was clean and neatly kept.

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 bar.

Lei En looked up and saw a girl in a green headscarf, with smooth dark-green short hair, bending over to wipe a glass.

She looked around sixteen or seventeen. Her face carried a warm smile that could soothe the heart, and her whole bearing radiated the approachability of a girl-next-door older sister.

She was Makino, the proprietress of this tavern.

"Hello, little brother. Are you looking for someone, or would you like something to drink?"

Makino curiously asked upon seeing Lei En's handsome unfamiliar face.

"Give me a glass of iced orange juice, and a serving of your signature grilled meat. Make it the largest portion."

Lei En naturally sat on a high stool in front of the bar, his short little legs swinging in the air.

"Okay, please wait a moment."

Makino smiled and nodded, then briskly headed into the kitchen to prepare it.

Before long, a glass of sweet-smelling orange juice and a large platter of sizzling, oil-dripping grilled sea beast meat were placed before Lei En.

"Wow, that smells amazing!"

Lei En's eyes lit up. He picked up his knife and fork and began digging in.

It had to be said, Makino's cooking was truly excellent. The grilled meat was charred on the outside and tender within, bursting with juices—far more delicious than the grilled skyfish he had eaten on Sky Island.

"Eat slowly. Don't choke."

Resting her chin on her hand, Makino watched Lei En wolf down his food with a smile, her eyes full of indulgent affection.

"Little brother, you're not from this village, are you? Are you traveling with your father and mother?"

"More or less."

With his mouth stuffed full of grilled meat, Lei En answered indistinctly, "I came out to adventure on my own."

"On your own? That's far too dangerous!" Makino looked worried. "The sea isn't very peaceful these days."

"Don't worry. Usually, it's other people who are in danger."

Lei En took a large gulp of orange juice and casually made something up.

He enjoyed this long-lost tranquility and peace, chatting idly with gentle Makino and experiencing this simple yet genuine everyday life.

No fighting and killing, no schemes or plots.

There was only warm sunlight, delicious food, and a beautiful, considerate proprietress.

"This kind of life... isn't bad once in a while."

Lei En leaned back in his chair and narrowed his eyes contentedly.

However, his rare leisurely time did not last long.

Just as he drank his juice and enjoyed this final calm before the storm.

BANG—!!!

An incredibly violent, ear-splitting boom 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 with a sharp crack, even the frame beside it broke apart and crashed to the floor!

Amid the flying wood chips, an enormously burly figure, towering like an iron tower, strode in against the light with wild, uninhibited swagger, laughing loudly.

Makino jumped at the sudden disturbance, nearly dropping the cup in her hand.

Looking at the familiar figure in the doorway, she helplessly held her forehead.

"Mr. Karp... Can't you use the door properly for once?"