"Oi, Makino!" Shanks' booming laugh carried over the counter as he slapped a mug down. "When's the wedding, eh? If you and Jin tie the knot, the Red-Haired Pirates will throw you a banquet the size of a damn island!"
"Yeah!"
"Marry already!"
"Don't make us wait!"
The entire bar roared in chorus, half-drunk men pounding the tables. The walls shook with their laughter, the smoke thick with sweat, meat, and alcohol.
Makino flushed crimson, caught between politeness and embarrassment. She opened her mouth, but before she could say a word, the back door creaked.
Jin stepped in, rolling his shoulders loose from the night air. His purple eyes swept the room once, landing squarely on the idiots heckling Makino. His smirk curved slow and sharp.
"Red-Hair," Jin drawled, voice low with that mercenary rasp. "Nine months in East Blue and already soft as a fat noble. You itching for someone to stretch out your muscles?" His smile sharpened. "I'll volunteer."
The laughter died like a candle snuffed.
Shanks froze, mug halfway to his lips. Then his face snapped into mock-seriousness, scar wrinkling as he barked at his crew: "Oi! You lot! Have some respect! You're scaring the lady! Drink your damn drinks and shut up—don't make me look bad, you bastards!"
The crew blinked. For anyone new, Shanks' grave tone might have sounded convincing. But Jin had lived nine months alongside this fool. He knew better. The man's shamelessness could drown an ocean.
Jin didn't bother calling him on it. Instead, he turned toward Makino, his tone softening. "Makino-san. Forget these idiots. Focus on your fruit wine experiments. I'll handle the front. Can't have greasy pirates contaminating your work."
Her blush deepened, but this time her smile was genuine. "Then I'll leave it to you." She gave Shanks a polite nod. "Please enjoy yourself, Shanks-san." And with that, she slipped toward the back, her skirts brushing past Jin's arm as she disappeared into the cellar.
Jin's smirk lingered. That's better. Keep her dreams intact, away from their stinking jokes.
Shanks leaned back, watching Makino leave with a wistful grin. "You're lucky, Jin. I knew Makino when she was just a kid. Always kind, always hardworking. You'd better treasure her."
Jin's eyes darkened, voice steady but heavy, like steel dragged across stone. "If it's something I've chosen to protect, then even if the whole world stands against me—I'll burn the world down."
The room went quiet for a heartbeat. Even Shanks' smile faltered, the weight in Jin's words ringing like a blade against bone.
"…Heh." Shanks scratched his cheek, chuckling awkwardly. "You don't do half-measures, do you? You say shit like that and it sounds… heavier than it should." His grin tilted wry. "Nine months we've been here and I still can't read you. It's fucking irritating."
Jin shrugged, lips quirking. "There's always a solution, Red-Hair. Fight me. You'll learn plenty."
Shanks almost choked on his drink. "Oi, oi—one Whitebeard's enough in the New World, thanks. I don't need another lunatic in East Blue challenging me for fun."
Jin smirked. "Relax. I've no interest in pointless fights. I'm lazy, remember? A mercenary doesn't burn energy without a contract. Unless someone's threatening me—or mine—I won't raise my blade."
Shanks narrowed his eyes, studying him. "You're what… barely older than Luffy? And you talk like a tired old man. Strong as hell, too. Doesn't add up. At your age, I was picking fights with everything that breathed."
If you only knew, Red-Hair. Jin's thoughts flickered to his past life—mercenary king, drenched in blood, surrounded by nothing but corpses and hollow victories. He wasn't about to unpack that for a grinning pirate.
Instead, he only shrugged again. "Some of us learn earlier where endless fighting leads. You wouldn't understand."
Shanks held his gaze for a long moment before sighing and slumping back, raising his mug again. "You're a pain in the ass. But an interesting one."
That night, the tavern quieted, the pirates stumbling back toward the harbor under the stars. Jin finished cleaning, stretching his arms as the silence returned.
He climbed the stairs, peeling off his vest, and drew a long breath before sinking into the hot bath.
"Ahhh… fuck, that hits the spot." He let the steam cloud around him, muscles uncoiling. His thoughts drifted, as they always did in these rare quiet moments.
The plan's on track. Makino's got a dream now—fruit wine. Something she can chase, something that'll keep her alive out there. Not everyone's dream has to be a blade or the sea. This suits her better.
His lips curved faintly. Good. One less person to worry about breaking.
But Kuina…
The thought alone made his temples ache. Ever since I forged Blood Fang for her, she hasn't stopped pushing herself. She's using battles, scars, pain itself to sharpen her will. Typical tsundere bullshit—won't listen when I tell her to slow down. Kuma's with her, but still…
He exhaled, leaning his head back. I told Kuma to watch for beasts with intelligence. Maybe somewhere in East Blue there's a monster worthy of being reforged into my next blade. If they find it, good. If not… they'll come back stronger either way.
The water cooled, pulling him from his thoughts. Jin rose, towel over his shoulders, bare skin still steaming as he padded down the hall.
And without hesitation, he pushed open Makino's door.
The room was dark, quiet except for the sound of her breath. He slid beneath the covers, the mattress dipping as his arms wrapped around her waist. Her body stiffened at the sudden warmth, a tremor running through her.
"Makino-san," Jin whispered against her ear, voice low and intimate. "Good night."
Her lips parted in protest, but no sound came. She only exhaled, face burning, eyes squeezed shut. He didn't move, didn't press. Just held her close, steady and warm.
And slowly, with a tiny sigh, Makino let her body relax into his. Half-reluctant, half-accepting—like always.
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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