The port of windmill Village was alive with sea wind. The Red Force loomed offshore, sails tugging against the tide.
Shanks stood at the dock in a black cloak, his grin faintly strained, eyes carrying both warmth and loss.
"So… this is goodbye. Jin, aren't you going to send me off with a gift? A sword, a secret medicine? Something?"
Jin folded his arms, unimpressed. "Didn't I already hand you a whole bottle of restorative elixirs? You were back on your feet in a week. And don't try to play dumb—there's plenty left. My brews don't rot; they hold for decades."
Shanks' grin widened shamelessly. "Good things never go to waste. Surely you could spare—"
"Out of the question." Jin cut him off with a glare. "Those elixirs took years to refine. Giving you a bottle was more than generous. Don't push it, you fool."
The red-haired captain raised his free hand defensively. "Alright, alright, don't get mad. Hah… Next time we meet, it'll be on the open sea, won't it?"
Jin snorted, eyes gleaming with disdain. "If I see you out there, I'll steer wide. Your idiocy is contagious."
That only made Shanks laugh harder. He turned, catching Makino's eye, and winked.
"Makino, he's reliable, but keep watch—your man's got a wandering heart! Hahaha!"
"Shut it, you idiot!" Jin snapped, his jaw tight as Shanks walked away with his men. Makino only hid a smile behind her hand.
"Shanks!"
Luffy's voice cracked across the port as he dashed forward. The boy stopped before the pirate who had just wagered his arm on his future.
Jin looked away, tugging Makino with him. "Let's go. We'll see them again someday."
"…Mm." She followed quietly.
A month passed.
Windmill Village returned to its quiet rhythm—until the Navy's most infamous fist darkened its port.
"Bwahahaha! Jin, still lazing about, I see!" Garp's booming voice carried as he strode straight into Jin's courtyard, collapsing into a stone chair like it belonged to him.
Jin set aside the blade he'd been polishing and sat opposite, one brow raised. "Same as always. Carefree. Shouldn't you be chasing pirates instead of loitering in my backyard?"
"Hmph! Word is you got friendly with Red-Hair." Garp leaned forward, grin gone, eyes sharp as iron. "Tell me—what exactly was your relationship with his crew?"
Straight as always, Jin thought. No games, no preamble. Just the fist to the face.
He leaned back, voice calm. "I shared drinks. Talked a little. They're an amusing bunch, nothing more."
"Amusing?" Garp's tone grew heavy. "Do you know what position Red-Hair holds in the New World?"
Jin's violet eyes narrowed. "Why should I care? I've told you before, Garp. Pirate, Navy… it's all the same to me. I go my own way. No one commands me."
For a long beat, silence stretched. Then Garp threw his head back and roared with laughter.
"Bwahahaha! You really don't change! Always with the big words. Keep it up, boy—takes guts to stay that arrogant." He slapped his knee, rose, and dusted his hands. "Alright, I've heard enough. I'll head back up the mountain. Drop by sometime, we'll share some sake."
He turned to leave, but Jin called after him.
"Hold it. You barged in, poked your nose around, and now you're leaving? I could actually use something."
"Oh?" Garp cocked an eyebrow.
"I'm short a navigator. If you've got someone to recommend, make it quick. Preferably a woman."
The old hero blinked, then rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "A navigator, eh… What about a Marine?"
Jin's brow arched. "Retired?"
"No." Garp scratched the back of his head, face suddenly awkward. "Her father just… passed. She's been restless ever since. Wants revenge, but the man responsible… well, let's just say even the higher-ups can't afford to provoke him. They benched her to cool off."
Jin caught the shift in his tone, the way Garp avoided names. He smirked. "So it's someone with too much backing for the Navy to touch. Typical."
"Don't remind me!" Garp growled, his fist clenching before he forced it loose. "But she's sharp. Name's Tashigi—no, wait… hmph, no. Better for you is Tina. She's a Lieutenant Commander, knows her way around navigation. Strong, too. You could use her."
Jin hid his recognition, though the name rang familiar. Pink hair, chains, iron will.
"Interesting. But tell me—if she comes here and decides she likes my way of life, what then? Will the Navy brand her a traitor?"
"Tch." Garp waved a hand like swatting a fly. "If you can convince her to walk away, I'll sign the damn papers myself. No Navy chains on her after that."
A sly grin curved Jin's lips. "And if I offer to take her vengeance into my own hands—kill the man she can't touch—you think she'd hand me her loyalty in return?"
For once, Garp didn't laugh. His gaze hardened, then, surprisingly, he nodded. "If you did that… I'd thank you myself. Some men deserve the grave more than the sea."
Then the grin returned. "But that's your mess to deal with, not mine. Hahaha!" He waved dismissively, striding toward the gate. "Expect her soon. Convince her if you can. Or don't. Either way, it'll be entertaining."
Jin watched the broad back vanish down the road, a crooked smile tugging his lips.
"People say Garp doesn't play games," he murmured. "But this test wasn't his alone. Sengoku's hand is all over it. That old dog makes Garp the bait, then hides behind him… Heh. What a pair."
He poured himself a cup of tea, the steam curling in the quiet courtyard.
"Genius and hero. Truly troublesome opponents."
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
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
T/N :
Access 30 chapters in Advance on my P@treon: patreon.com/GodFic