Chapter 100 — Makino's Insight
S.C. 1510 — Late December
Foosha Village — Makino's Bar (Afternoon Quiet Hours)
Makino's bar, during quiet hours, felt like a warm blanket on a cold day.
A few fishermen lounged lazily over their drinks.
Sunlight poured through the windows in soft golden stripes.
A pot of soup simmered somewhere in the back, filling the air with comforting aroma.
Ren sat on a tall wooden stool, sipping warm milk like a tiny old man handling life stress.
Zemo lay under his seat, tail curled neatly, looking like a fluffy footrest with opinions.
Makino glanced at them with a small smile.
"You're here early today," she said gently.
Ren nodded.
"I wanted to… learn more. About merchants. And prices. And trade."
Makino chuckled softly.
"You know… most kids your age ask for candy, not economy lessons."
Ren immediately looked away. "I like… information."
Makino raised an eyebrow.
"Clearly."
---
Makino Notices the Pattern
She leaned slightly closer, drying a glass with practiced ease.
"Ren… you've been asking a lot about trade routes, market prices, and merchants lately."
Her smile stayed warm, but her eyes were sharp.
"Are you planning something?"
Ren froze.
Zemo froze with him, ears shooting up.
He couldn't tell her the truth—about his plans, the island, KEA alloy, or the secret future merchant network.
So he chose a harmless slice of truth.
"I just… want to understand how the world works."
Makino's expression softened immediately.
"That's a good reason. And you're smart enough to make use of it."
Ren straightened a little.
Zemo puffed out his chest like yes, he is.
Makino tapped the counter lightly.
"In that case… I'll teach you a few things most merchants forget."
Ren's eyes lit up.
Zemo's too.
Makino laughed.
"Alright, alright. Listen carefully."
---
Insight #1 — "Follow the Prices, Not the Ships"
Makino lifted a small bowl of salt and set it on the counter.
"Most merchants watch where ships are going."
Then she tapped the bowl:
"But the smart ones watch where the prices go."
Ren blinked.
"…Why?"
Makino smiled.
"When Shells Town pays double for herbs, it's not about the ships bringing them.
It means something happened there."
Ren absorbed her words like a sponge.
"Sickness? Shortage?"
Makino nodded.
"Exactly. Prices reveal problems long before people talk about them."
Ren's mind raced.
Prices are signals.
Patterns.
Warnings.
Information he could use.
---
Insight #2 — "Necessities Never Fail"
Makino poured Ren another cup of warm milk.
"In winter, people always buy the same things—salt, dried fish, firewood, soap."
She lifted a finger.
"Not luxuries. Necessities."
Ren's jaw dropped just slightly.
Because that was exactly what he planned to sell first.
Makino continued:
"Merchants who stick to essentials never go bankrupt. They may not become rich fast…
but they survive every storm."
Ren held onto every word.
Survival.
Stability.
Predictability.
His entire strategy—confirmed by Makino without even knowing it.
---
Insight #3 — "Reputation Travels Faster Than Goods"
Makino leaned in, lowering her voice like she was sharing a secret.
"Ren… remember this especially."
She tapped her chest.
"In East Blue, reputation moves faster than ships."
Ren frowned slightly.
"What does that mean?"
Makino smiled.
"If a merchant cheats someone, the whole sea knows within a week.
But if a merchant is honest, villages three towns away will come looking for him."
Ren's eyes widened as he wrote mentally:
Reputation = long-term power
Makino nodded.
"You don't need to be big. You need to be trustworthy."
Zemo wagged his tail like we are very trustworthy.
---
Makino's Final Lesson — Stability Is Wealth
Makino placed a gentle hand on Ren's head, the same way she often did with Luffy.
"Listen, Ren…"
Her voice softened with warmth.
"The strongest merchants aren't the richest ones."
Ren looked up sharply.
"They're the ones who make people feel safe."
Ren froze.
Makino continued:
"Money comes and goes. But if people trust you… you'll never be alone in the world."
Ren swallowed.
Safe.
Stable.
Protected.
That was his dream—not wealth.
Makino smiled kindly.
"Whatever you do in life, remember that, okay?"
Ren nodded firmly.
"I will."
Zemo placed a paw on Ren's shoe in firm agreement.
Makino's smile widened.
"And promise me you won't get involved with shady people."
Ren nodded quickly.
"I won't."
In his heart, though…
he already knew he would one day approach Gray Terminal—not because they were shady, but because they needed a chance more than anyone.
---
Walking Home Through Golden Light
Ren left the bar with Zemo trotting beside him.
The late afternoon sun painted the village golden.
Makino's words echoed like guiding stars:
Follow the prices.
Sell necessities.
Reputation is power.
Stability is wealth.
Ren held his notebook close to his chest.
These weren't lessons.
They were blueprints.
Not for a business—
For a foundation.
A network.
A group.
A promise.
He whispered:
"We'll build something good, Zemo.
Something people can trust."
Zemo barked softly, eyes warm.
Ren smiled.
Today wasn't about forging metal or digging stone.
It was about wisdom.
And sometimes…
wisdom is the strongest tool of all.
---
End of Chapter 100