https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-25-Doubling-Down-Before-the-Dungeon/12808829/
Chapter 24: Makino
Chapter 24: Makino
In Windmill Village, Luk owned a property. A year and a half ago, he moved here with the intention of staying for the rest of his life. He even planned to marry Makino, have a couple of kids, and live a peaceful, settled life.
But things didn't go as planned. Just as Makino's affection for him started to grow, his golden finger arrived, and he eagerly left for the Frost Moon Dojo. Fate can be cruel.
"Hey, Luffy, is your grandpa home?" Luk asked casually.
Luffy's face fell, and his enthusiasm vanished. "Why do you ask?"
His dream was to become the Pirate King, while Garp wanted him to join the Marines. The conflict between their aspirations made their relationship tense, despite their deep bond. Arguments were inevitable whenever they were together.
"Is he here or not?"
"He's leaving in a couple of days."
Hearing that Garp was in town, a smile spread across Luk's face. It would be a shame not to learn a thing or two from such a powerful warrior. At the very least, he should get some Haki training.
"Let's go eat."
"Yay!"
The prospect of food instantly lifted Luffy's spirits. They hurried to the restaurant, and Luffy quickly took his seat, knife and fork in hand, tapping the table and shouting for meat.
The owner, a man with a cigarette dangling from his lips, approached and took a moment to recognize Luk. "It's you, Luk! You've changed a lot; I almost didn't recognize you. When did you get back?"
Windmill Village was small, with only a few buildings: Makino's bar, Party's Bar, Mr. Jiru's fish shop, and the restaurant. Everyone knew each other, and it was hard to avoid running into familiar faces.
"Just got back," Luk nodded in response.
"Back and already eating at my place, huh?" The owner smiled warmly; no chef disliked a customer who enjoyed their food. He handed Luk a menu. "What would you like?"
Luk scanned the menu. "Two of everything on the menu, please."
"Everything?"
"Add more if it's not enough."
"..."
Considering Luffy's appetite and Luk's build, the owner didn't think it was too outlandish. He tossed his cigarette into the trash and headed back to the kitchen.
Each dish brought out was quickly devoured by the two big eaters. They finished each course in seconds, and Luffy kept urging the owner to bring more. The owner's hands were practically on fire by the time the meal was over, which took about two hours.
"Total comes to 100,000 berries," the owner said, wiping his sweat and holding out his hand.
Luk fished through his pocket and handed over a few of the remaining berries, feeling a mix of emotions. Thankfully, the prices in Windmill Village were low, or he wouldn't have been able to afford the meal.
He grabbed Luffy by the neck, pressing down hard, and gritted his teeth. "Luffy, you better make sure your grandpa pays me back for all that food."
"What, you're buying me another meal?" Luffy tilted his head, confused.
Why did this kid become so shameless as soon as the topic of food came up?
"I'm going to visit Vice Admiral Garp at your place later."
"You don't have to be so formal. You can call him grandpa too, just like me," Luffy said, as docile as a well-groomed golden retriever after a good meal, allowing Luk to drag him along.
"I'm not your sworn brother."
Luffy thought for a moment. "When Ace gets back, we can drink a brotherhood toast together."
"Forget it. I don't want to die on the same day as him."
Luk rolled his eyes. Ace, three years older than Luffy, set sail at 17, just like Luffy. He had only been in Windmill Village for a few days before Ace left. They hadn't interacted much, but by now, Ace had likely earned his "Fire Fist" reputation and might even be taking a beating on the Whitebeard ship.
Luk pulled Luffy to the front of Party's Bar. The sounds of laughter and conversation spilled out, making the bar the only lively spot in the otherwise tranquil village. Everyone enjoyed coming to Party's Bar to have a drink, share stories, and gossip.
They pushed open the door, and two figures, one large and one small, stepped inside.
"Luk, did you bring me here to buy me a drink?"
"Are you sixteen yet?"
"Sure, sure, I'm sixteen in age."
“
"Martina, a beer, and a juice."
A tall and well-built figure walked in, his handsome face easily fooling the girls around him. The contrast between him and the ordinary patrons and the peculiar creatures made him stand out even more. Couched with his muscular, perfect body and a polite smile, he instantly became the center of attention in the tavern.
"Is... Luk? No, right?"
"Even though he looks a bit like him, Luk shouldn't be that handsome."
"Ugh, I hate handsome guys; the moment they appear, all the girls' attention is on them, not me."
"Stupid, even if they don't appear, the girls' attention wouldn't be on you?"
The patrons in the tavern chattered, curious glances directed at the two men. Or rather, the male patrons felt a natural repulsion towards such an overwhelmingly handsome man.
The women, on the other hand, were already thinking about how to reel in the men.
But Martina just smiled and greeted Luk.
"Long time no see, Martina."
Martina, dressed in her work attire, didn't seem surprised by the change in Luk, just smiled faintly and placed his drink on the bar.
"Long time no see, Luk."
The two men greeted each other casually.
Luk admired Martina's beautiful eyes and gentle smile, feeling a flutter in his heart.
"We pirates should have our own swords!"
He found that such a charming and gentle attitude towards women made them completely defenseless.
"Martina, I came back to see you."
Luk said with deep affection.
"But, the first stop was supposed to be the restaurant."
Luffy was about to protest, but before he could speak, Luk covered his mouth. Luffy widened his eyes and tried to pry Luk's hand off, but to no avail.
"What's going on? How can Luk have so much strength?"
But Martina remained calm, showing no emotional fluctuations, just smiling without a word.
"Is my room still available for me?" Seeing Martina not respond, Luk changed the topic, hoping to stir her memory.
Back when Luk was a bouncer at the tavern, Martina had once given him an empty room to stay in. They got along well, and they were fast friends.
"Sorry, not long after you left, Aunt Elina moved in. Her room is hers now."
Martina shook her head apologetically, her gaze directed at a young woman sitting nearby.
"Aunt Elina is now a tavern helper."
Luk raised an eyebrow, about to see who had taken his place, when a shadow rose and walked over, blocking his view.
Martina didn't respond, nor did anyone else.
A bold young woman stepped forward, starting to flirt with him. It was Rila, the owner of the village's fishing shop. At thirty years old, she was beautiful and her figure adhered strictly to the pirate world's female standards, making a big impression!
The younger girls, seeing the situation, were already starting to curse.
"Damn it!"
"Little Luk, how come you're so fit after a year? I've been working out recently. Can you teach me a few moves?"
Rila bit her lip, eyes flashing with a playful gleam. She moved closer to Luk, trying to wrap her arms around his solid biceps, while giving a challenging look to the women glaring at her.
The young girl, who had a thick skin, didn't go for the obvious flirting, but she was different from the other girls who had tasted her meat.
Only a woman of her age would know what was best. Just seeing Luk's physique, she knew this was a good man to make her swoon, let alone his face.
But soon her smile froze, as her hand failed to catch the target.
Luk dodged Rila's hand, laughing and refusing, "Sis, I'm just practicing on my own. I can't teach others, and I've been busy with many things lately."
But if Rila changed the location, it would be a different story.
He glanced at Martina, who had been flirting without any effect, and took a sip of beer, holding a glass of juice for Luffy.
"Going to visit Grandpa now, Luffy."
"Everyone says you just need to call Grandpa."
"But I won't be so polite."
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
