Chapter 72 — Beyond the Village Walls
S.C. 1510 — Late November
Foosha Village
Ren stretched his arms as he stepped outside Makino's bar. The warm smell of morning bread drifted through the air, and the familiar chatter of fishermen echoed across the pier.
Zemo trotted at his side like a fluffy shadow.
"Ren! Ren!"
A tiny voice screeched behind him.
Ren didn't need to turn. Only one miniature human screamed like a seagull being stepped on.
Luffy.
The five-year-old bullet of chaos crashed into Ren's back and clung like a limpet.
"Look! I caught a fish!" Luffy declared proudly.
Ren looked down.
Luffy held up... a wet sock.
"That's not a fish," Ren said.
"It could've been!" Luffy argued.
Makino appeared at the door with a laugh. "Luffy, stop terrorizing Ren this early."
"I'm training!" Luffy declared.
"For what?" Makino asked.
"To be a great pirate!"
The bar went silent.
Ren looked at Makino. Makino looked at Ren.
Ren patted Luffy's head. "Maybe start with... catching an actual fish first."
Luffy puffed up his cheeks and ran off to continue his training (of bullying marine life and villagers equally).
Makino turned to Ren, hands on hips.
"You're going somewhere again."
"Only to pick herbs," Ren said innocently.
"And rocks," she added knowingly.
"And rocks," Ren admitted.
"Don't overdo it," she said. "You're still growing."
Ren nodded and walked toward the forest.
Forest Edge — The Collection
Ren knelt near a cluster of shrubs, clipping herbs and placing them neatly into a small woven basket. The morning sunlight filtered through the trees.
Zemo dug a hole three times deeper than necessary for a single root.
"You're... very committed," Ren commented.
Zemo puffed proudly, dirt stuck to his nose.
As Ren worked, a few villagers passed by carrying baskets of firewood.
"Morning, Ren!"
"Out early as always!"
"You should come play cards with us sometime!"
Ren smiled and waved back.
They didn't know it, but every interaction—every greeting, every bit of kindness—made a small warmth settle in Ren's chest.
Someday, he thought, I want to repay this village properly. Not just with salt and quiet help. Really repay it.
Not a grand vow. More like a seed planted in his chest.
A Conversation That Changes Direction
Ren and Zemo were walking back when an older fisherman called out:
"Boy! You've been gathering a lot of different things lately. Planning to open a shop?"
Ren blinked. "A shop?"
The man chuckled. "Yeah. Tools, herbs, salt, fish—you're always carrying something. If you start selling things proper, I'll be your first customer."
He waved and left.
Ren stood still for a long second.
Zemo tilted his head.
A shop?
No—that was too small.
But a merchant group?
A system that moved goods quietly?
A way to make money without anyone thinking twice?
A way to build influence without wearing a uniform or waving a flag?
Ren began walking again, slower, thoughtful.
Zemo followed, tail swaying.
"Not yet," Ren whispered. "But… maybe someday."
Foosha Pier — A Different Kind of Observation
Ren sat at the end of the pier, basket beside him, watching waves crash against the shore.
Luffy was nearby, talking intensely to a frog that was trying to escape him. The frog succeeded by diving into the sea, leaving Luffy shouting:
"COME BACK AND FIGHT ME LIKE A MAN!"
Ren sighed.
"I will never understand him."
But… something about Luffy's fearless energy lit a spark inside Ren.
A spark he'd been ignoring for months.
Power.
Not just tools.
Not just inventions.
He needed strength. Real strength.
Because one day, the world would shift in ways he couldn't control.
Zemo looked at him curiously.
Ren rested a hand on the fox's head.
"Soon," he murmured. "Soon we'll start working on my own strength too."
The Island's Call
As the sun lowered, Ren returned to the hidden boat he kept under the pier and tapped the side twice.
Zemo hopped in without asking.
Ren pushed off quietly, rowing away from Foosha's comfort and noise.
The island's silhouette appeared like a silent guardian.
Hidden. Forgotten. Safe.
A place where he could grow
—without attracting attention,
—without nobles interfering,
—without the world watching.
A place for secrets.
A future base.
Ren's chest tightened with determination.
The village gave him warmth.
The island would give him freedom.
And someday…
those two worlds would meet.
Just not yet.
End of Chapter 72