A Loving Family

Inside the tavern.

Ginny was still staring blankly at the door.

"Why aren't they back yet—"

"Miss Ginny," Brook said helplessly as he set down his teacup, "you've asked that eighteen times already."

"Because they're really taking forever!"

Just then, the tavern door was pushed open.

Several tall figures filed inside.

Ginny's eyes lit up, only to dim again after she saw who they were.

It wasn't Lin Nuo.

It was Silver Axe, Babel, John, and that hot pink-haired mama.

"Oh!" Ginny stood up. "I was just wondering where all of you had gone, and here you are!"

On the other side, Whitebeard was holding a huge bowl of liquor, drinking merrily with Grom, Rakuyo, and the others.

When he saw Linlin and the others enter, his eyes lit up.

"Oh! Linlin!" He raised his bowl and called out loudly, "Perfect timing! Come have a few drinks! The liquor on Fish-Man Island has quite a kick!"

Linlin glanced at him and shook her head.

"No," she said. "I'm not here to drink today."

She stood in the middle of the tavern, her massive body taking up half the aisle.

Her eyes swept across the tavern.

No.

That person wasn't there.

"Where's that brat Lin Nuo?" she asked.

One of Whitebeard's crew members was about to answer, "Oh, Lin Nuo? He just went out—"

Before he could finish, the tavern door was pushed open again.

A familiar voice rang out.

"Big Mom, what do you want with me?"

Everyone's eyes turned toward the entrance.

Lin Nuo stood in the doorway, still holding Kokoro's hand.

Kokoro's face was flushed red, and her blond hair was slightly disheveled.

Standing beside Lin Nuo with her hand in his, she exuded an indescribable sweetness.

The tavern fell silent for a second.

"Big Mom?"

Linlin's voice