The late afternoon sun dipped behind the hills of Windmill Village, throwing long shadows across the rooftops. Jin leaned back in his chair in the dojo's yard, a steaming cup of Makino's tea balanced in his hand. The quiet hum of cicadas mixed with the distant chatter of villagers going about their lives.
It had been weeks since Shanks departed, leaving behind laughter, debt at the tavern, and one very shaken boy with a straw hat far too big for his head. Peace, fragile as it was, returned to Windmill Village. But Jin knew better. Peace in this world was always the prelude to the next storm.
Makino's voice carried from the kitchen window.
"Jin-san, drink it while it's hot."
Her tone was light, but Jin caught the faint tremor underneath. She had been smiling more since Shanks left, yet every so often, when her eyes lingered on Luffy running wild with the other kids, Jin could see it — the quiet worry she carried alone. Garp's words still hung over her: Take care of Luffy.
Jin took a slow sip, letting the warmth slide down his throat, then muttered to himself, "Even caretakers need someone to take care of them."
Before his thoughts could wander further, heavy footsteps echoed through the gate. A familiar booming laugh followed.
"Gahahahaha! Still sitting on your ass, Jin? You call this training?"
Jin sighed, not even turning around. "And here I thought I'd get one day without your old man voice rattling my skull. What do you want, Garp?"
The towering Vice Admiral stomped into the yard, his cloak billowing like a banner of authority. He plopped down on the stone bench across from Jin, helping himself to the leftover rice crackers on the table.
"You've gotten cheekier since last year," Garp said through a mouthful. "I came to check if you've rotted away or still remember how to swing that blade of yours."
Jin chuckled, swirling his tea. "Depends. You here as a grandfather checking in on his grandson's village… or as the Hero of the Marines sniffing for trouble?"
The words hung heavy in the air. Garp's grin didn't fade, but his eyes sharpened.
"You and Red-Hair got along well, didn't you? He's not the kind of pirate you cross paths with by accident."
Jin finally looked up, meeting Garp's gaze head-on. His violet eyes were calm, but behind them, a mercenary king's instincts burned.
"And you're not the kind of man who asks idle questions. If you're worried I'm flying a Jolly Roger tomorrow, relax. I told you once — I don't give a damn about Marine law or Pirate codes. I only live by my blade and my people."
For a moment, silence reigned. Then Garp's laughter exploded again, shaking the yard.
"Gahahaha! That's the same bullshit answer you gave last time. At least you're consistent, brat."
Jin smirked. "Consistency is underrated. Keeps people guessing."
Makino stepped out with a tray of more tea, her expression strained as she bowed politely to Garp. "Vice Admiral-san, welcome back. You must be tired from traveling."
"Tired? Me? Never!" Garp boomed, snatching the cup before she'd even set it down. "Makino, your tea's the only thing that keeps me sane in this rotten world. If the Marines had you brewing tea at Headquarters, we'd win every war!"
Makino giggled softly, the tension in her shoulders easing just a little. Jin caught it and silently approved.
After a long gulp, Garp leaned back, expression hardening again. "Jin. Sengoku wanted me to probe you. He worries about men like you — men who don't bow to anyone. Men who could, in time, tip the balance of the seas."
Jin tapped the rim of his cup. "Balance of the seas, huh? Funny. From where I stand, balance looks like a pile of corpses with a shiny flag on top. Marines, Pirates, Revolutionaries — doesn't matter who's stacking them. Balance is just the name you all give to your excuses."
Garp's eyes narrowed, and for the first time, his laughter died. The weight of a man called a Hero pressed down on the yard. Even the cicadas fell silent.
Jin didn't flinch. He leaned forward, voice dropping cold.
"Try to chain me, Garp, and I'll cut through those chains. Try to use me, and I'll carve my own path through whoever stands in the way. That includes you."
The killing intent that slipped out was brief but sharp enough to make Makino stiffen. Garp, however, only smirked.
"Good. You've still got fire. That's what I wanted to hear."
Just like that, the tension broke. The old man leaned back, scratching his beard. "Relax, brat. I'm not here to shackle you. If anything, I'd rather you stayed in East Blue. Keeps this sea a little less boring."
Jin arched a brow. "That's it? No threats, no Marine lecture?"
"Lecture? Bah! I leave that to Sengoku. I just wanted to see if you're still the same stubborn bastard. Looks like you are." Garp's grin returned, wide and wolfish.
Jin chuckled. "You and your tests. One of these days, you'll push the wrong man."
"One of these days, maybe," Garp said, rising with a stretch. "But not today."
As he turned to leave, Jin called out. "Wait. You said Sengoku worries about men like me. Tell him this: I don't need a place in his world. I already carved mine out."
Garp waved a hand without turning. "Gahahaha! I'll tell him. Not that he'll like it."
The gate closed behind him, and the yard returned to stillness.
Makino exhaled, setting down her tray. "Jin… are you sure it's wise to speak like that to Vice Admiral Garp?"
Jin drained the last of his tea, his eyes distant. "Wise? Maybe not. But necessary. Men like him don't respect words unless they're edged with steel."
From the street beyond, the sound of children's laughter rose. Luffy's voice carried above the rest, full of that wild, unshakable energy. Jin's lips quirked.
That boy… Shanks saw something in him. Garp's testing me because of it. This whole village might become a crossroads sooner than anyone realizes.
The mercenary king inside him stirred, calculating, always planning. But the man sitting there — Jin — only let out a long sigh.
"Peace never lasts. Might as well enjoy the tea while it's hot."
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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