Sakura and Maple

The Grand Line, Cherry Blossom Island, is not even a large island; it has only a hundred or so isolated villagers who live a peaceful life away from the world.

The island's name is simple yet beautiful, because most of the island is covered with cherry blossom trees, making it extremely beautiful when the cherry blossoms are in full bloom.

However, seven months ago, the island's residents discovered that a naval force had been stationed there and had remained for seven months.

Deep within the island, nestled in a grove of cherry blossoms, lies a courtyard.

Beneath a giant cherry blossom tree, a stone table, a stone bench, and a steaming cup of coffee create a scene of tranquility and beauty.

It is the season when cherry blossoms are in full bloom. A gentle breeze blows, and the fluttering petals drift like snowflakes, making it a place that people linger in.

Amidst the fluttering petals, a woman in a loose blue and white dress, her belly protruding, is dancing an unknown dance, occasionally accompanied by a laugh.

Beside the stone table, a man rested his chin on one hand, watching with a smile on his lips.

Like an elf, surrounded by a sea of flowers, her long pink hair fluttering in the wind, at this moment, Ye Chen only had eyes for this one person.

Slightly out of breath, Hina finished her dance, her face flushed. She strolled over to Ye Chen nestled into his arms with practiced ease.

"Brother Ye Chen, how did I dance?"

Full of anticipation, Hina looked at Ye Chen.

"You're very beautiful, but you're pregnant, so you shouldn't do these performances anymore." Ye Chen gently stroked the girl's nose and smiled wryly.

"I like dancing, and I like performing for Brother Ye Chen. Also, don't look at me too much!"

Hina frowned slightly, pouting.

He leaned down and lightly pecked her red lips; Ye Chen couldn't object.

"I didn't know you liked to dance. You're so beautiful."

With one hand Hina's protruding belly, Ye Chen looked at Hina, who resembled a child, and felt somewhat helpless.

Seven months ago, Hina didn't want to stay in Marineford. For safety reasons, Ye Chen had been against it, but Hina inexplicably started making unreasonable demands, which gave Ye Chen a lot of headaches.

When Tina accidentally upset the baby, Ye Chen accompanied Hina to the infirmary. The doctor explained that this was normal for pregnant women; they were just a little irritable and all they had to do was go along with them.

Ye Chen understood this phenomenon all too well in his previous life, so after thinking about it, he decided to let Hina have her way.

Then, the group arrived at the island, but to ensure everything went smoothly, Ye Chen used his authority as Admiral to requisition a warship.

A naval branch has now been established at the island's coastline, headed by Strawberry.

From the moment this incident began until now, Strawberry has been in a terrible mood. He was inexplicably drafted and inexplicably sent to guard this godforsaken place for seven months.

If it weren't for Ye Chen, Strawberry would have already lost his temper.

"Brother Ye Chen, it's been so long, have you decided on a name yet?"

Hina opened her mouth, bit into the grape that Ye Chen had peeled, and narrowed her eyes.

"You're her mother, you take it!"

"Hmph! When the kids grow up, I'll definitely tell them that their father doesn't care about them!" Hina bit Ye Chen, baring her teeth.

"That won't do, I'm the father!"

"Hmph!" Hina gave a soft snort, then thought for a moment and said, "I've decided. If it's a boy, he'll be named Maple; if it's a girl, she'll be named Sakura!"

"Brother Ye Chen, what do you think?"

Looking at Hina's serious face, Ye Chen glanced at her protruding belly and smiled.

"Yes, I like all the names you've chosen."

"I knew Brother Ye Chen would do this. Honestly, he didn't even ask me why I chose these two names!"

"Okay then! Why?"

"Because I love dancing and want to dance gracefully in front of Brother Ye Chen like the wind; so if I'm a boy in the future, I'll name him Feng, because I like his freedom like the wind."

"Great idea, I'm glad you like it! What about Sakura?" Ye Chen simply went along with Hina's idea.

"Sakura, I hope that when she grows up, she will become the most beautiful princess, as beautiful as cherry blossoms, and I love dancing for Brother Ye Chen under the cherry blossoms."

Hina loved to dance for Ye Chen under the wind and cherry blossoms, dancing only for Ye Chen.

Spreading her hands, catching the falling petals, Hina asked somewhat sentimentally, "Brother Ye Chen, will our baby be Maple or Cherry?"

"It's Sakura, a girl!"

With certainty, Ye Chen touched Hina's belly, a smile on his face.

"Brother Ye Chen, you used Observation Haki to spy on me! We clearly agreed that you weren't allowed to use Observation Haki!"

Feeling a little embarrassed, Ye Chen touched his nose and explained, "It's because I overheard it while I was cultivating. She's very cute and healthy, so I couldn't help myself."

After seven months, with Ye Chen's Observation Haki, he could easily tell whether it was a man or a woman.

"Hmph!" Hina snorted coldly, lowered her head, touched her belly with both hands, felt the powerful contractions, and her face radiated maternal glow.

"Is it Sakura? Who will she look like when she grows up?"

"She must look like you, because her mother is the most beautiful woman in the world!"

Without leaving a trace, Ye Chen offered a subtle compliment.

"Hehe!" Hearing Ye Chen's words, Hina smiled foolishly and snuggled happily into Ye Chen's arms.

"Smack smack!" That's when Bai Doudou and Huo walked in from outside. Seeing the two of them showing off their love again, they pouted.

"You're back?" Holding Hina, he rolled his eyes at Bai Doudou, who was walking with an old man's gait.

"The Sengoku period is calling!"

He was a little annoyed, obviously because Sengoku had called, which was why Bai Doudou had come back from her outing. Otherwise, she wouldn't have seen him until dark.

Don't think this island can confine this rabbit. With fire around, going out is like taking an airplane; it can fly to other island towns in no time and start enjoying the thrill of becoming a gambling god.

As for why the Navy's Den Den Mushi always stays with Bai Doudou, it's because Ye Chen doesn't want to be disturbed, so he keeps the country's communications on him.

"It's so annoying that the phone keeps ringing every now and then!" Bai Doudou took out Den Den Mushi, placed it on the stone table, and sat down on the stone bench.

Sure enough, as soon as I put down the Den Den Mushi, the sound of "Bruburu" rang out.

"Hello!" After answering the Den Den Mushi, Ye Chen told Hina to get up and start peeling grapes.

Meanwhile, Bai Doudou left her seat, stretched out her paws, and touched Hina's belly, feeling the creature inside.

"Go back to Marineford!" Sengoku's voice came through as soon as the Den Den Mushi was connected.

"I'm on vacation!" He fed Hina a grape, making her very happy.

"I know you're on vacation, but this is important, you have to come back!"

Very serious, the tone of the Sengoku was very firm.

"This is really troublesome." Ye Chen didn't understand what was going on, he just frowned.

Recently, nothing major seems to have happened at sea. Although he has gone into seclusion, Ye Chen still keeps an eye on the situation at sea.

After hanging up the Den Den Mushi, Ye Chen looked at Hina with a helpless expression.

"Go ahead!" Hina didn't think much of it. After all, Ye Chen had returned to Marineford times in the past seven months, mostly to attend meetings, with no more than two days' interval between trips.

"Take good care of yourself."

Standing up, Ye Chen gave Bai Doudou some instructions. There were naval forces stationed on the island, including those from Strawberry, plus the silly Bai Doudou, and Huo, who could escape at any time. Ye Chen figured there shouldn't be any problems.

Thus, it vanished from the spot, accompanied by an explosion, a wooden plank at the coastline quickly disappearing into the distance.

Ye Chen was completely unaware that because of his carelessness, everything was beyond repair. Pain and despair consumed him, leaving him heartbroken.