East Blue – Windmill Village – Nightfall.
The scent of alcohol and old wood hung heavy in the air.
Two men sat side by side on worn-out barstools — one was a mountain of muscle wrapped in Navy blue, the other a lean youth with eyes that held the weight of two lives.
Garp took another gulp of beer and let out a satisfied sigh. "You've got power, kid — real power. Ever thought about putting that to use for the Navy?"
Jin didn't answer immediately. He lazily swirled the wine in his glass, then turned his head just slightly.
"Garp-san, tell me something… What do you think the Navy represents in this world?"
That made the old Marine pause. For a second, Garp looked genuinely caught off guard. But then he laughed his usual thunderous laugh.
"HAH! What kind of question is that? The Navy is justice, of course! That's not up for debate."
"Justice…" Jin's smirk was slow, his voice a blade sheathed in velvet. "You sure about that?"
He took a sip from his glass. The liquid danced like blood in the firelight.
"In my eyes, the Navy's just a pack of dogs pretending to be men."
CRACK!
Garp's palm came down on the bar like a cannon, the entire counter shaking from the blow. His voice thundered with fury.
"Watch your damn mouth, brat! You're insulting your own father! Don't forget — he was Navy!"
Jin's expression didn't shift. If anything, his voice became colder.
"Even if my father were alive, I still wouldn't kneel to that uniform. I'm not interested in being a hound for the Celestial Dragons."
He leaned forward, eyes glinting with disdain.
"My life is my own. I answer to no leash. Not theirs. Not yours."
The moment those three words — Celestial Dragons — left his mouth, Garp's rage evaporated. Like someone poured seawater on a fire. His face stiffened, jaw grinding, fists trembling.
"You don't want to be Navy… What then?" Garp muttered. "Planning to become a pirate instead? If you go down that path, I swear I'll be the one to throw you into a cell for life!"
"Ma, ma~ don't get so worked up, old man." Jin's smirk returned. "I'm only eleven. And pirates are too much of a headache. Too loud, too messy. Doesn't suit my way."
He tilted his glass again, letting the red swirl catch the lantern's glow.
"But," he said softly, "if I set foot on the sea and anyone — pirate, Navy, Celestial Dragon — tries to block my path… they'll die. Simple."
His voice was calm. So calm it chilled the bones.
Garp stared at him. And for the first time, he felt it — not fear, but weight. The kind of weight only monsters carried.
The boy's words weren't a threat. They were law. Unspoken truth. It wasn't arrogance. It was certainty.
Garp exhaled heavily. This kid… he's dangerous. A walking abyss wearing a child's skin.
One wrong step, and the entire world might regret it.
But Garp was no rookie. He shoved the thoughts aside, returning to the here and now. That's what made him one of the strongest.
Meanwhile, Jin finished his drink and looked up. "Garp-san, you wouldn't happen to have a Devil Fruit compendium, would you?"
"Hah? The fruit index? Yeah, I've got one." Garp stood, stretching his limbs. "Swing by my ship tomorrow. I'll give you a copy."
Without another word, he waved lazily and headed toward the door.
"I'm too old for this shit. Time to sleep."
The bar fell into silence.
Jin poured himself another glass, leaned back, and stared into the swirling red vortex. His reflection shimmered on the surface like a devil smirking back at him.
"Objective achieved," he muttered. "Strength gauged. And as a bonus… I got the best woman this world had to offer."
He drained the wine in one gulp, the bitterness cutting through him like a blade.
"Time to move. Make some money. Buy a ship. Hah."
Later that night…
The second floor creaked under his steps as Jin slipped through the hallway. He stopped before Makino's door, barely breathing. He could hear her soft breaths from the other side.
She was already asleep. Or maybe… pretending.
He opened the door, closed it gently behind him, and walked across the room. In the moonlight, she lay curled under the sheets — peaceful, unaware. Beautiful.
Jin climbed onto the bed, careful, slow, like a predator stalking warmth instead of prey. He slid behind her and wrapped his arm around her waist, pulling her close. Her back stiffened under his touch… but only for a moment.
"Good night," he whispered into her ear.
The warmth of her skin, the scent of her hair — they grounded him more than any technique ever could.
Makino's eyes stayed shut. But her lips moved. "Good night… Jin."
Three days later.
The Marines gathered at the harbor, their ship ready to depart for Marineford.
Garp stood at the head of the gangplank, arms crossed, voice booming.
"Village Chief! Makino! My idiot grandson's in your hands!" he roared with laughter. Then, turning to Jin:
"And you, brat — I hope you stick to your words. Don't disappoint me."
With that, he turned and barked, "All aboard! Let's sail!"
"Aye, sir!" the Marines answered in unison, climbing aboard like ants on a mission.
Jin stood at the cliffside, watching the ship fade into the distance. The cheers of villagers echoed behind him.
"He's one of the freer ones," he muttered. "Among the Navy dogs, at least he gets to run a little."
Then his eyes drifted down — to the small figure standing beside the mayor. A boy with wide eyes and a straw hat too big for his head.
So that's Luffy…
The Will of D… What are you really? Pirates, Marines, revolutionaries… Your kind infects every faction. What's your truth?
Jin narrowed his gaze.
One day, I'll find out.
"Ki-ki," he said, turning toward the bar, "Let's not open shop this morning."
"Huh?" Makino blinked, startled by his sudden appearance.
He reached out and took her hand.
"Come walk with me."
Makino smiled. She didn't ask why. She already knew.
This was the beginning of goodbye.
That night.
On the bar's second floor, Jin stood beside the window, moonlight spilling across the floorboards. Makino sat on the futon, brushing her hair.
"Ki-ki," he said gently. "You remember everything I taught you about Standing Meditation, right?"
She nodded.
"Good. Once I'm gone, do it every morning. No more than two hours per session. If you feel hungry after, eat more protein. Don't worry about gaining weight. Your body will absorb it properly with the technique. Got it?"
Makino nodded again, this time more firmly. "I'll do it. I promise."
Jin smiled, walked over, and gently took her hand.
She squeezed his fingers tightly
This story is inspired from various fanfics i have read from around the world so if you find any similarities please dont mind . Thank you
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T/N :
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