"Oh, I see!" Ryuuzaki thought for a moment and said, "That's easy to fix. I'll spend half the day at the forge and the other half helping at your tavern!"
"Hmm, that could work… but I don't even have a tavern yet!" Makino pouted.
True enough, she was still just a young girl. The tavern wasn't hers yet.
"But Ryuuzaki, you're still too young. Maybe wait a few years before learning a trade like blacksmithing?"
"No way, Maki-nee. Don't let my size fool you, I'm strong!"
"Tch, liar."
"You don't believe me?"
"Not one bit!"
Since she didn't believe him, Ryuuzaki walked over, bent down, and in a princess carry lift, picked Makino up, one arm under her knees, the other around her waist.
"Ahh! Put me down!"
"Nope. You didn't believe me. I have to prove it."
With that, Ryuuzaki carried Makino around the house in circles.
"Okay, okay! I believe you! Just put me down already!"
Makino was utterly flustered. What is even happening?! Being princess-carried was one thing, but by a boy shorter than her? It was just too weird!
The two goofed around for a while before finally settling down.
The next morning, Ryuuzaki woke up early, helped Makino carry a few boxes, and then grabbed a fishing rod to head toward the shore.
Of course, he had no plans to actually fish. He didn't even bring bait.
His real goal? Unlock the Fishing talent.
Sure enough, after one cast into the water…
Talent Unlocked: Fishing (24)
Next, he stopped by the village carpenter's workshop, got the Carpentry talent.
Then the village doctor, got the Medical talent.
Finally, he made his way to old blacksmith Samol's forge. He grabbed a large hammer and banged away at a red-hot iron slab.
Talent Unlocked: Blacksmith (21)
Here were his current life skills:
Cooking (36)
Tailoring (12)
Fishing (24)
Carpentry (33)
Blacksmithing (21)
Medicine (16)
That gave him a total of 142 life skill points, not bad at all.
He dumped all 142 into Blacksmithing.
Just then, old man Samol stormed over, swinging a stick.
"Hold it, Master! I came here to learn, why are you hitting me?"
"You brat! Who said you could just start hammering without permission?!"
Samol was furious, but once he heard the boy was here to learn the trade, his anger melted.
Truth be told, he was actually thrilled to have someone interested in inheriting his craft.
He had been a blacksmith his whole life, and always hoped to pass down the skill. But neither his son nor his grandson wanted it, said it had no future and wouldn't help them find wives.
Samol had been disheartened, and tried recruiting in the village for over half a year, no takers.
On the Grand Line or in areas where pirates were frequent, blacksmithing was in high demand. Weapons needed forging and repairs.
But here in peaceful Foosha Village? There were hardly any pirates around. Who would be dumb enough to raid the hometown of Hero Garp?
So the forge had gone from making weapons… to just kitchen knives.
"Hmph. Kid, I'm happy you want to learn, but you're way too young. This job takes strength. Come back in a few years."
"What?! A few years? Old man, you're ancient! What if you kick the bucket before then?"
"You little punk! Watch your mouth!" Samol glared.
But he couldn't argue, the boy had a point. Samol wasn't exactly young anymore, and he did feel death creeping closer with each passing day.
"Alright, kid. You start your apprenticeship tomorrow."
"Why tomorrow? I'm ready today!"
"Haha, fine, fine, today it is."
Samol beamed from ear to ear. Finally, someone to pass the torch to. And the kid was sharp and enthusiastic, too.
Honestly, Samol's talent wasn't anything special.
Talent: Blacksmithing (45) , pretty average.
But his level was high: Blacksmithing LV89.
Talent reflected potential. Level reflected experience, and Samol had a lifetime's worth.
The forge had a large central furnace and a windbox to stoke the fire. Samol patiently explained the basics of the craft.
And thanks to Ryuuzaki's 142 life talent points, he picked it up super fast.
Whatever Samol explained, Ryuuzaki instantly understood.
The old man was overjoyed to have found such a prodigy in his twilight years.
By day's end, Ryuuzaki had gained solid insight into the basics of forging. He also learned about metals, ores, and classification.
All of which a skilled blacksmith had to know.
That night, he returned home and ate dinner with Makino. During the meal, she mentioned that Garp had left on urgent business.
That caught Ryuuzaki's attention.
He hadn't dared approach Ace while Garp was around.
But now?
With Garp gone, it was finally safe to check on things.
According to the timeline, Ace should be about one year old right now.
Late that night, when everyone was asleep…
Ryuuzaki first crept into Makino's room. He gently pushed the door, she was sleeping soundly.
Under the moonlight, he could see her peaceful, serene expression.
A cold breeze wafted in.
Ryuuzaki noticed the window wasn't shut.
"She'll catch a cold like that," he muttered.
He quietly closed the window and tucked Makino's hand back under the warm blanket.
"Alright… it's time."
Ryuuzaki stroked his chin, then silently left the house.
Of course, he didn't just walk out, he used his Door-Door Fruit.
Through the Air Door: Shrinking Gate, each step in the subspace equaled ten steps in the real world.
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200 P.S = 1 Extra Chapter