The tavern in Foosha Village

Lorne had no time to answer before the warship began slowing down.

Its hull ground over the rocks in the shallows as it headed toward an unremarkable little harbor.

"Is that... Foosha Village?" Lorne leaned over the rail, looking at the peaceful little village beside the harbor.

Several low wooden houses dotted the hillside, and a huge windmill stood at the village entrance, its blades turning slowly in the sea breeze.

"That's right! Foosha Village!" Garp burst out of the cabin, his smile brighter than the sunshine. "My hometown!"

"Wait, didn't you say we were going to some Mount Colubo to see those two grandsons of yours?"

"What's the rush? We'll have a good meal in the village first!" Garp grabbed Lorne by the back of his collar. "Come on! Let me introduce you to my old friends!"

"Hey! Let go! I can walk!"

Garp turned a deaf ear.

The warship made an alarming racket as it docked.

"It's Mr. Garp! Mr. Garp's back!!"

Under the windmill at the village entrance, a little boy was the first to spot the warship and ran into the village, shouting at the top of his lungs.

"Mr. Garp's back-!"

"Mr. Garp!"

"It's been so long!"

Cheers, laughter, and calls of greeting swelled into a lively wave.

Holding Lorne in one hand, Garp swaggered down the gangway.

Lorne dangled in midair, his face bruised and swollen-the result of that last round of the "Fist of Love" aboard the ship.

"Put me down, you old bastard! Can't you let me keep a little dignity?" Lorne struggled, kicking his legs.

"Dignity?" Garp picked his nose with his free hand. "You earn that yourself! It's not mine to give you!"

The villagers crowded around, greeting Garp all at once.

"Mr. Garp, how long were you at sea this time?"

"Mr. Garp, I saved some of my liquor for you!"

"Mr. Garp, who's this young man? How did he get so battered?"

A plump woman came closer, looking at Lorne dangling from Garp's hand with pity all over her face.

"Oh, dear! This child's face is swollen like a pig's head! Mr. Garp, have you been bullying children again?"

"Hahahaha! What bullying? This is my loving education!" Garp thrust Lorne forward as though showing off a trophy. "This is Lorne! My new grandson!"

"Who are you calling your grandson?"

"Thump!"

The Fist of Love.

Another lump rose on Lorne's head.

The villagers dissolved into laughter.

Once Lorne was set down, both feet planted on solid ground, he felt dazed for a moment.

A breeze carrying the scent of grass and wildflowers drifted down the hillside.

The sunlight fell warmly on him, with no fists and no training.

"Hey, brat." Garp's huge palm slapped the back of his head. "What's with that face? You look constipated."

"...Shut up."

"Come on! Let's have a drink first!" Garp hooked an arm around Lorne's neck and dragged him into the village without another word.

"Let go! I don't drink!"

"Who said anything about alcohol? I'm buying you juice!"

"I don't drink juice either!"

"Then what do you drink?"

"I don't want anything to drink! I just want you to get your arm off my neck!"

Garp's arm did not budge, clamped around Lorne's neck like an iron band.

Lorne tried twice to struggle free and found it completely useless. The strength in Garp's arm held him more securely than chains.

"Where exactly are you taking me?"

"Makino's tavern!" Garp strode swiftly along the village path, dragging Lorne with him. "The liveliest place in all of Foosha Village! I go there for a drink every time I come home!"

"I told you I don't-"

"Shut up! You'll see when we get there!"

Lorne was dragged through half the village before they stopped in front of a two-story wooden building.

The door was closed, but the clinking of cups and dishes came from inside, along with faint voices talking and laughing.

Garp released Lorne and strode up to the door.

"Wait, old man-"

Before he could finish, Garp raised a foot and kicked the wooden door open with a bang.

The door slammed into the wall and bounced back, only for Garp to stop it with a slap.

"I'm back!!"

His voice was loud enough to lift the roof.

Inside the bar, several villagers having a drink flinched so hard they nearly dropped their glasses.

"Mr. Garp!"

"Good grief, you scared me to death!"

"Can't you open a door normally?"

Standing behind Garp, Lorne peered past the old man's broad frame and surveyed the bar's interior.

It was small but very clean. The wooden counter was polished to a shine, several paintings of Foosha Village's scenery hung on the walls, and an old organ stood in a corner. A few wooden tables were scattered around the room, with drinks and snacks on them.

A clear clink of glasses came from the counter.

"Mr. Garp, it's been a while."

A gentle woman's voice rang out.

Lorne poked half his head out from behind Garp.

A young woman stood behind the counter.

She had short green hair and a gentle smile, wore a clean white apron, and was wiping a glass.

"Makino!" Garp strode over and plopped onto a stool at the counter. "A drink! No, ten drinks! I'm dying of thirst!"

"All right, all right, no rush." Makino smiled and shook her head, taking a large pitcher from beneath the counter and beginning to pour.

Her gaze passed over Garp and landed on the bruised, swollen-faced boy at the door.

"Mr. Garp, who's this?"

"Oh!" Garp slapped his thigh, turned, and beckoned to Lorne. "You little brat! Come here! Stop hiding by the door!"

"I'm not hiding." Lorne walked to the counter and sat on the stool beside Garp.

Makino's eyes brightened at the sight of the pair of furry ears on his head.

"What cute ears."

Lorne's animal ears flattened with a snap.

"They're not cute," he said expressionlessly.

"Hahahaha!" Garp slapped the counter, roaring with laughter. "This brat hates people calling his ears cute! Touch them and he'll snap at you!"

"Then I won't touch them." Smiling, Makino poured Lorne a glass of orange juice and slid it in front of him. "What's your name?"

"Lorne."

"Hello, Lorne. I'm Makino, and I run this bar."

Lorne stared at the orange juice in front of him without moving.

"Drink up!" Garp slapped him on the back, nearly sending him into the counter. "Makino's orange juice is the best in all of Foosha Village!"

Lorne picked up the glass and took a sip.

The cold orange juice slid down his throat, its sweet-and-tart flavor bursting in his mouth.

He paused.

"Is it good?" Makino asked.

"...It's all right."

He took another large gulp.

Then he drained the entire glass in one go.

Smiling, Makino filled it again.

"Mr. Garp, is this child your...?"

"That's right! My new grandson!" Garp slapped Lorne's shoulder so hard that even the stool shook. "Picked him up in the East Blue! He can really fight!"

"Another grandson?" Makino covered her mouth and chuckled. "Just how many grandsons do you have?"

"Hahahaha! The more, the merrier!"

Lorne rolled his eyes. "Who agreed to be your grandson?"

"You're my grandson whether you agree or not." Garp took another great swig and wiped his mouth. "Oh, Makino, how's that boy Luffy been lately? Getting into trouble?"

"Luffy..." Makino's expression grew a little helpless. "A few days ago, he went running onto the mountain bandits' turf again. Miss Dadan chased him halfway across the mountain, beating him."

"Hahahaha! That little brat! Just like me when I was young!"

"Did people chase you around beating you when you were young too?"

"Of course! But I beat them all back afterward!"

Lorne drank his orange juice as he listened to Garp and Makino chat.

Luffy.

The user of the Mythical Zoan Human-Human Fruit, Model: Nika, and captain of the Straw Hat Pirates.

Right now, he should still be a little brat with snot dangling from his nose.

"And Ace?" Garp asked.

"Ace..." Makino's smile faded a little. "Ace hasn't been talking much lately. He's always alone up in the mountains. Miss Dadan said he often runs off in the middle of the night, and she doesn't know where he goes."

Garp's expression sobered for a moment too, but he quickly returned to his usual boisterous self.

"That brat is just as stubborn as his father!"

Lorne tapped his fingers lightly against his glass twice.

Ace.

Portgas D. Ace.

The son of Pirate King Roger.

The future Second Division Commander of the Whitebeard Pirates.

"What's wrong?" Makino noticed something was off. "Is the orange juice not good?"

"It's good." Lorne stopped tapping and drained the juice left in his glass. "Another, please."

"Of course."

Makino turned to get the pitcher of orange juice.

Garp leaned closer.

"Brat, you're coming up the mountain with me later."

"What for?"

"To meet your two brothers!" Garp grinned. "Let me tell you, those two boys, Luffy and Ace, are such good fighters that hardly any adults around here can beat them!"

"What does that have to do with me?"

"How does it not?" Garp pounded his fist on the counter, making the glasses jump. "You three will be brothers from now on! Naturally, brothers have to start by having a fight!"

"...Are all the brotherly bonds in your family built through fighting?"

"How else?" Garp looked as though it were only natural.

Lorne was speechless.

Makino set the freshly poured orange juice in front of Lorne, watching the old man and the boy with a smile.

"Mr. Garp, are you taking him to meet Luffy and Ace?"

"That's right!"

"Then you'd better be careful." Makino tapped the counter with a finger. "Last time you threw Luffy into the jungle for 'special training,' Miss Dadan nearly brought the mountain bandits into the village to settle the score with you."

"Hahahaha! That coward Dadan? She wouldn't dare!"

Holding his orange juice with his ears pricked up, Lorne committed every piece of information to memory.

Dadan. Mountain bandits. Mount Colubo.

Luffy, Ace.

There was another name Garp had not mentioned, but Lorne knew it.

Sabo.

"We're leaving once you finish!" Garp slammed his empty glass onto the counter with a clunk and stood.

"What's the rush?" Lorne frowned.

"Of course I'm in a rush!" Garp was already striding toward the door. "I have to get the three of you together before dark, and then-"

He turned back with a smile that sent a chill down Lorne's spine.

"Give you some special training of love! Beat all three at once! Much more efficient!"

Lorne's animal ears abruptly bristled.

He grabbed his glass, gulped down the last mouthful of orange juice, and jumped off his stool.

"Thank you for the orange juice, Makino."

"You're welcome." Makino waved at him. "Come back next time, and I'll make you something nice to eat."

Lorne nodded, turned, and followed Garp.