"We can go to town today and sell the crocodile skins and the other things we hunted," Sabo said lazily, lying flat on the grass with his hands behind his head. "It should make quite a bit of money."
Ace glanced sideways. "Then we need at least three people to go together."
His gaze drifted toward a small figure not far away.
Luffy was crouched near a tree, completely absorbed in studying a beetle crawling over his finger.
"…But what about him?" Ace continued. "He's too small to come along."
Lucas thought for a moment, scratching the back of his head.
"We can send Luffy back to Windmill Village for now," he said. "He hasn't been back in a long time. Makino definitely misses him."
Luffy's ears twitched.
"Really?" he asked, jumping to his feet. "Makino misses me?"
Sabo smiled. "She probably does."
Ace frowned slightly. "Will he behave?"
"I promised him I'd take him to the Waste Terminal when he turns seven," Ace muttered. "If he runs off again—"
"There are only a few months left anyway," Lucas interrupted. "Grandpa said Luffy has to be in Windmill Village before then. If that old man finds out Luffy isn't there…"
He shuddered slightly.
"…It'll be troublesome."
Ace clicked his tongue. "Fine."
Lucas brightened. "Also, I won't have to help at Makino's tavern as much for a while. I can come to the Waste Terminal with you guys more often and make up for the pirate funds we missed."
"Alright," Ace said. "That settles it."
"Sabo!" Luffy suddenly shouted. "Look! It's a Golden Atlas beetle!"
He ran over, proudly holding up the shimmering insect.
Sabo's eyes widened. "Wow. That's rare. You found it all by yourself?"
"Hehehe!" Luffy puffed out his chest.
"Ace, don't spoil him," Ace said flatly, arms crossed.
Luffy stuck his tongue out at him.
"LUFFY!" Ace roared, veins popping.
Luffy laughed and took off running. Lucas and Sabo chased after him, grinning.
A while later—
"Luffy," Lucas said gently as they walked along the forest path. "We're going back to Windmill Village today. You'll see Makino again."
"Really?!" Luffy's eyes sparkled. "Meat lady Makino?!"
"Yes," Lucas laughed. "She's missed you."
Ace walked beside them. "We'll come see you soon."
"You promise?" Luffy asked seriously.
"I promise," Ace replied.
They emerged from the forest, the familiar sight of Windmill Village spreading out before them.
"There it is," Sabo said softly.
"Ace, Sabo," Lucas said, "I'll take Luffy ahead. We'll meet later and go to town together."
Ace nodded.
Lucas grabbed Luffy and began tickling him, making the boy burst into laughter.
From the rocky cliff along the coast, Ace watched them walk away. He stared silently at their retreating backs, his expression unreadable.
A week later—
"Luffy!"
Makino called out warmly from behind the counter.
"What is it?" Luffy asked, tilting his head.
"Can you help wipe that table?" she asked with a smile. "I'll give you meat later."
"BIG meat?" Luffy asked excitedly.
Makino laughed. "Of course."
The tavern door suddenly burst open.
"Makino! Bring out all the drinks!"
A loud, cheerful voice filled the room.
The man who entered wore cropped khaki pants, a white shirt tied with a red sash, and a straw hat with a red ribbon. His red hair peeked out from beneath it, partially hiding three scars over his left eye.
Behind him, a group of pirates flooded into the tavern, laughing and shouting.
"Boss, it's a party!"
Makino smiled brightly. "Welcome back. Was your voyage successful?"
"We hit it big!" the red‑haired man laughed. "Let's celebrate!"
"PIRATES?!"
Luffy's eyes shone as he jumped onto a chair and leaned toward the red‑haired man.
"Are you real pirates?!"
"Luffy!" Makino called out nervously.
The red‑haired pirate laughed. "Who's this kid?"
"My name's Luffy!" he shouted proudly. "What's your name?!"
"Hahaha! I'm Shanks," the man replied. "And these are my friends."
"Then you must have lots of adventures!" Luffy grabbed Shanks' sleeve. "Tell me everything!"
"Well," Shanks said with a grin, leaning in. "There was this giant goldfish—"
"WOOOOAH!"
The pirates burst into laughter.
For four whole hours, Luffy clung to Shanks, listening wide‑eyed to story after story.
"You always lived here?" Shanks asked later.
"Yep!" Luffy said, chewing meat.
"He was visiting relatives for a while," Makino explained.
"So that's why I didn't see you before," Shanks said.
"Shanks!" Luffy suddenly said. "Take me with you next time! I want to be a pirate!"
Shanks laughed. "You're too young."
"I'm almost seven!" Luffy protested. "I'm already a man!"
"Alright, alright," Shanks chuckled. "I'll treat you to meat."
"YES!"
Shanks pointed at him. "See? Still a kid."
"HEY!" Luffy yelled angrily and stomped away.
Later, Luffy stared at Shanks' straw hat.
"It's cool…"
Shanks smiled gently. "This hat is important to me."
"I see…" Luffy said quietly.
From that day on, whenever the Red‑Hair Pirates returned, a small boy would always be waiting on the dock.
And each time—
Shanks would smile.