The morning breeze carried the smell of salt and fresh-caught fish as Jin stood at the Windmill Village dock, arms crossed, gaze locked on the small coastal schooner bobbing against its mooring. The crab—his surly, thick-shelled helmsman—was already adjusting the rigging, muttering curses about wind direction and "landlubber passengers."
"Oi, Crab," Jin said, voice sharp enough to cut through the wind, "you keep them safe. No drifting into some backwater pirate cove, no 'shortcut' through reefs. If you mess this up, I'll steam you for dinner."
The crab twitched his eyestalks but didn't dare fire back. "Aye, Jin-san. Straight course, fair winds. I know the waters."
Jin's eyes shifted to Makino and Kuina standing on deck, their bags packed light. The morning sun caught Makino's green hair, making it almost luminous. Kuina, as always, stood with a calm that was part composure, part challenge to the world itself.
"Makino-san," Jin said, his tone softening just a notch, "keep Kuma with you whenever you're ashore. He's quiet, but you know how fast he moves when there's trouble."
Makino smiled, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "You've told me that three times already. I'll be fine, Jin. Besides…" she glanced back at the dock where a small black-haired boy in a red shirt -less headband sat on a crate, swinging his legs. "Luffy's promised to behave while I'm gone."
"Tch." Jin's gaze followed hers. Luffy was busy poking a stick into a bucket of crabs. The crab helmsman shot him a death glare. "He'll behave for about… oh, five minutes," Jin muttered. "Don't worry. I'll keep him from burning the place down."
Kuina snorted, adjusting the strap on her pack. "You? Babysitting? I'd pay to see that."
"Careful, Kuina," Jin replied with a grin. "Mocking your superior usually earns you extra training laps."
Kuma—towering and silent as ever—stood beside Jin, arms folded. His presence was a quiet wall of muscle. "I'll stay here," he said simply. "Protect Jin. And the boy." His eyes flicked toward Luffy.
"Good," Jin said. "You three enjoy the trip. Don't waste time arguing with small-time pirates if you run into any. Crab, shove off."
The boat creaked as it pulled away from the dock. Jin stayed there until it was a speck on the horizon before finally turning toward the village.
Windmill Village was never truly quiet, even on slow days. The tavern had a few regulars nursing mugs, but without Makino behind the bar, the place felt… different. Jin moved behind the counter, sleeves rolled, preparing a quick seafood stir-fry for the early lunch crowd.
"Oi, Jin!" a young voice called from the barstool. Luffy, cheeks stuffed like a squirrel, was shoveling food into his mouth. "Your cooking's not as good as Makino's!"
Jin gave him a flat look. "You're lucky I don't charge you double for that insult, brat. And stop inhaling it—you'll choke."
"I'll pay you later," Luffy mumbled around a mouthful.
"Sure you will," Jin said, plating another dish. Main character or not, this kid's going to be the death of someone. Probably me.
Luffy swallowed and wiped his mouth with the back of his arm. "Makino said you have to watch me while she's gone."
"She also said you have to listen to me," Jin countered. "Which means you're helping. Take this ale to table three. Don't drop it."
The boy groaned but obeyed, sloshing the drink only slightly as he went.
By mid-afternoon, the tavern quieted again. Jin leaned against the bar, polishing glasses. Outside, the gulls wheeled over the harbor, their cries cutting through the steady hush of waves.
Five days… They should be enjoying themselves by now. Kuina will probably spend half the trip scouting dojos, and Makino… she'll finally see more than these few streets she's walked her whole life.
A crash from outside broke his thoughts. The door burst open and a villager in a grey cap stumbled in, eyes wide.
"Jin! There's—there's a ship! A massive one, heading straight for the docks!"
Jin set the glass down slowly, the corner of his mouth curling. "Big ship, huh? How big?"
The man gestured helplessly. "Pirate-sized!"
Luffy's head snapped up. "Pirates?! Where?!" In a blur, he bolted for the door.
"Oi, idiot—" Jin was already moving, following him out. "You run at pirates without knowing their flag, you'll be fish food before you can say 'Gum-Gum.'" But inside, he knew exactly who it was.
Kenbunshoku Haki— The awareness flared, washing over half the island. Amid the ordinary flickers of life, there it was: a presence like a bonfire, strong yet oddly… unrestrained.
Jin's smirk deepened. Finally. Red-Haired Shanks… let's see what kind of man you really are.
He adjusted his collar, the sea breeze tugging at his black hair, and followed the boy toward the docks. Behind them, the tavern stood quiet, holding the warmth of Makino's absence like an echo.