The first thing Jin saw when he opened his eyes was the silver wash of moonlight spilling across the floorboards. The second was the faint shimmer of stars through the half-open window.
He blinked the sleep from his eyes and reached for the brass-plated pocket watch he kept under his pillow. With a click, the lid sprang open.
Nine o'clock.
Jin let out a slow exhale and stretched until his spine popped. "Damn… that's the first proper sleep I've had in weeks."
His voice carried the lazy satisfaction of a man who had been running on fumes for too long. After seven days hammering away at a blade meant for Kuina, his mind had been like a taut bowstring—every muscle humming with strain. Now, for the first time, it had gone slack.
He rolled his shoulders, slid into a fresh shirt, and buttoned his jacket. The smell of something roasting drifted faintly up from the floor below. His stomach growled in response.
"Perfect timing," he muttered, running a hand through his hair before heading downstairs.
Makino was in the middle of arranging plates on the counter when she heard the floorboards creak above. Wiping her hands on her apron, she stepped into the hallway just as Jin descended.
"You're awake," she said with a gentle smile. "Sleep well?"
"Better than I have in a long time," Jin replied, returning her smile. "Honestly… I thought I was starting to rust from the inside out."
"You must be starving," Makino said warmly. "Kuina and I have been preparing something special for you all afternoon. Why don't you wait in the back garden? It'll be ready soon."
The domestic calm in her tone was a strange contrast to the blood and steel that had filled Jin's last week. For a moment, he almost felt… normal.
"Having a woman in the house really does make life sweeter," Jin teased, his smirk edged with warmth.
Makino's cheeks flushed, and she swatted at the air as if to bat away his words. "You're impossible."
He chuckled under his breath and stepped out into the cool night.
The stone table in the back garden was slick with dew. Jin poured himself a measure of red wine from the bottle Makino kept for special occasions and let the flavor roll over his tongue. The breeze tugged at his hair.
"Not a bad night," he murmured to himself. "The Blood Fang blade's done… a perfect channel for the Emperor Croc's heart-blood. Can't deny a little luck was involved there. Now it's time to let it rest—same as me."
His gaze shifted to the distant outline of the sea. "If my guess is right, the Red-Haired Pirates are already sailing for East Blue. That means the curtain's about to rise. Luffy… I've been keeping my distance for a reason. Some plays need to happen on their own."
A soft laugh escaped him.
"What's so funny?"
Kuina stepped into the garden, balancing a platter of prawns so large the shellfish nearly spilled over the sides.
"Oh, just thinking how damned lucky I am," Jin said, taking the platter from her hands. "Not every man gets cooked for by two beauties."
Kuina rolled her eyes, but the corner of her mouth twitched upward. "You'd better appreciate it. We've been working since noon—and it's all your favorites."
Jin grinned. "Then I'll eat like a king."
"Good. Wait here—I'll get the rest." She disappeared back toward the kitchen, her footsteps light against the cobblestones.
By the time she returned with Makino, the table was covered with steaming dishes: roasted fish brushed with citrus glaze, thick cuts of boar meat, fresh bread still warm from the oven.
But it was what Makino carried in her other arm that made Jin glance twice—small bowls, a spoon, and a cloth napkin. She set them down on the counter by the open back door.
From inside, a child's sleepy voice carried faintly: "Makino…? Is it dinner?"
Luffy padded into view, hair sticking up in every direction, rubbing his eyes with one fist. Makino was there instantly, kneeling to ruffle his hair.
"You already ate earlier," she reminded gently, "but I made some soup if you're still hungry. Go sit inside where it's warm."
The boy nodded and shuffled away.
Jin sipped his wine, saying nothing. He already knew Garp had saddled Makino with the task of keeping the kid alive until fate came knocking. It was… oddly fitting for her. In a world where the strong cut each other down like weeds, she still had room for patience.
Once Luffy was settled, Makino joined them at the table. Kuina poured Jin another glass of wine and said, "Thanks for the blade, Jin. Blood Fang… it's beautiful."
"Don't start getting formal on me," he replied, shaking his head. "We're not strangers."
"You two…" Makino laughed softly. "Always pretending to argue when it's just your way of saying you care."
She leaned back in her chair. "Eat. All of this is for you, Jin. That roast boar? Kuina hunted it herself."
"In that case…" Jin picked up his fork and started eating with the single-minded focus of a starving wolf.
By the end of it, he was sprawled in a wicker chair, a satisfied groan escaping him. "Now this… this is living."
Makino smiled. "Glad to see you enjoyed it."
Jin's eyes half-closed. "Makino, you ever leave this island?"
She blinked. "Not once. Why?"
"Just wondering why you've never taken a break. You've been tied to this place for as long as I've known you. Thought maybe you, Kuina, and Kuma could get off the island for a while. See something different."
Makino laughed softly, though there was a wistful note in it. "Not since I was a girl. And now… with the bar, and Luffy…"
"I can keep an eye on him," Jin interrupted. "And the bar too. Kuma's strong enough that nothing in East Blue would be a threat to you three. A few days away won't hurt."
Kuina, leaning back with her arms crossed, nodded. "Come on, Makino. A little adventure never killed anyone. Not with us watching your back."
Makino hesitated, her gaze sliding toward the dim interior of the bar where Luffy's quiet slurping could still be heard. But slowly, she nodded. "Alright… maybe it's time."
Jin's mouth curved into a knowing smile. Step one of his plan was complete.