Capítulo 25: 25. Makino's Hug!
A month later, at night, inside Makino's tavern—
Makino, Robin, and Rob had just finished their day's work and practice. The three of them, along with the children, were enjoying a meal together. Robin and Makino were chatting animatedly.
With Makino's gentle and cheerful presence, Robin felt happy every day, her mental state recovering to how it was back in Ohara.
"Nah—"
Robin looked expectantly at Makino with a gentle smile as she ate her Sea Kings meat fried rice.
"Sister Makino, would you like to get on the boat with Oni-chan and me? How about traveling around the world together? There are so many interesting islands, beautiful scenery, and fascinating people out there! You would definitely love the sailing life!"
Since leaving Ohara, Rob had taken Robin to find Olvia, then Crocus, and eventually to the peaceful East Blue. Along the way, they had seen many strange islands and interesting sights. Robin genuinely wanted Makino to join them on their adventures.
Hearing Robin's invitation, Rob chimed in:
"Makino, do you want to come? Let's explore the world together and experience the vastness of the sea! Our boat is quite spacious, and with just Robin and me, it can get a bit lonely sometimes!"
Makino, who had become good friends with both of them, was momentarily stunned by their invitation. She then pondered for a moment and said:
"Going to sea? That does sound appealing!"
After a pause, a gentle smile appeared on Makino's face:
"But I have to run the tavern left by my mother, so... I'm sorry, I can't accept your invitation. But I truly appreciate you both wanting me to join you!"
Makino's tavern was a legacy from her mother, who had passed away a year ago. She felt a strong responsibility to keep it going, which was an understandable reason for her refusal.
Everyone in this world has something they hold dear.
Makino's priority was the tavern her mother left her.
Hearing Makino's refusal, Robin was a bit disappointed but understood:
"Is that so? Then let's forget it!"
Rob, on the other hand, just smiled and said:
"That's really a pity!"
He didn't want to force Makino into anything she wasn't comfortable with. He reached out and gently rubbed Robin's head.
"Even without the boat, Makino is still our best friend, isn't she?"
Feeling Rob's gentle touch, Robin smiled and nodded, her spirits lifting.
Watching their interaction, Makino maintained her usual smile and remarked:
"What a gentle Oni-chan!"
She would have loved Rob to stay in Foosha Village for her, just as he would have liked her to join him and Robin on their journey. However, they both understood that their paths were different.
Another half month passed.
On this day, at the port of Foosha Village—
Rob, Robin, Makino, and the village chief, who had grown quite familiar with them, were busy loading many nautical supplies purchased in the village onto the small sailboat.
They waited for a month and a half, but Vice Admiral Garp never returned, and Rob, who had other plans, decided not to wait any longer.
Next—
It's time to set sail again.
"Thank you, Makino, Village Chief!"
After loading all the supplies, Rob and Robin thanked Makino and the village chief for their help.
The village chief had a hearty smile on his face:
"Hahaha... this small thing is not a big deal! Kid Rob, if you have time, come back to Foosha Village to visit!"
Rob nodded and said:
"We will be back! Hahaha..."
After speaking, Rob looked at Makino with a reluctant smile.
Nodding and smiling, he said:
"Makino, take care of yourself. Next time we meet, I hope you'll still be as gentle and kind as you are now!"
Makino gently nodded, opened her arms, and gave Rob a hug:
"Bon voyage, Mr. Rob!"
Though surprised by Makino's hug, Rob didn't hesitate. He raised his hand to hug her back, then let her go.
After Robin also said her goodbyes to Makino, the two boarded the small sailboat, set sail, and left.
As the little sailboat departed, the village chief looked at Makino, who was standing beside him with a look of reluctance:
"Actually, you know you could leave with them. I would take care of your tavern and ensure it doesn't close down!"
Makino shook her head, restraining the reluctance on her face:
"No, it's fine. And Mr. Rob said they will come back!"
The village chief nodded and didn't say much, just walked leisurely towards the village with his hands behind his back. Regarding these children's matters, he knew it wasn't appropriate for him, as an adult, to interfere.
...
On the small sailboat, Rob was at the helm. Robin, who stood beside him, recalled the hug Makino had given her Oni-chan just before they left Foosha Village. She couldn't help but feel that the hug seemed more than just a friendly gesture!
Robin looked at her Oni-chan—
His maturing face was losing the immaturity of a little boy and becoming more handsome and attractive.
She spent so much time with him day and night, occasionally feeling fascinated by her Oni-chan's presence, let alone other people.
"What's wrong?"
Noticing that Robin was looking at him, Rob turned to look at her.
Robin quickly looked away and said with a slight smile:
"Nothing at all!"
After a pause, Robin asked again:
"Where are we going next, Oni-chan?"
Rob looked up, thought for a while, and his eyes became determined as he said seriously:
"Shimotsuki Village!"
He was already a strong swordsman.
It was time to—
Obtain a very high-quality famous sword.
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Check out advanced chapters on P@treon: p@treon.com/CosmicKaminari
Capítulo 26: 26. Kozaburo: Pay more!
After a few days, they finally arrived at the island where Shimotsuki Village is located.
Despair!
Stepping onto the beach, Rob held the straight sword he had bought in the small town of Keluoluo, with Robin by his side.
Looking at the island ahead, Rob turned to Robin:
"The destination is here! We might need to stay here for a while."
Hearing this, Robin nodded slightly:
"Okay, Oni-chan!"
After securing the small sailboat, Rob and Robin walked toward Shimotsuki Village. It didn't take long to reach the village, which was very different from the open and welcoming Foosha Village. Shimotsuki Village had a slightly exclusive atmosphere.
This was understandable, as this village was formed by people who had escaped from Wanokuni, which was known for its closed-off nature. It was natural for a small village formed by former Wanokuni residents to have a similar xenophobic atmosphere.
Rob didn't mind the villagers' xenophobia. He took Robin directly to the Isshin Dojo, which occupied a large area and had a distinct Wanokuni architectural style. There, they met Shimotsuki Koshiro, who was very young but had already begun to manage the dojo.
"Are you two here to learn kendo?"
Shimotsuki Koshiro, with his squinting eyes and smiling face, looked at Rob, who was holding a long sword, and Robin, who was following him, and asked in surprise.
Looking at the squinting Shimotsuki Koshiro, Rob didn't use Observation Haki, but he could still sense something special about him—the unique sharpness of a skilled swordsman.
Obviously, Koshiro was a good swordsman, but it didn't intimidate Rob. In fact, Rob felt that Koshiro's strength might not be on par with his own.
"I'm here to become an apprentice!"
Rob said bluntly:
"But I didn't come to learn kendo. I came to learn the art of sword forging! I heard from a senior that the legendary swordsmith, Shimotsuki Kozaburo, is here!"
Affirming that Shimotsuki Kozaburo was at the Isshin Dojo, Rob's eyes were firm and serious, making it clear that it would be useless to hide the information.
Of course, Shimotsuki Kozaburo wasn't a wanted criminal or a person with many enemies, so there was no need to conceal his location.
Upon hearing what Rob said, Koshiro froze for a moment but maintained his smile:
"Eh? You're here to find my father? Hahaha... kid, I don't know what your friend's name is. Is he an old friend of my father's?"
This was Koshiro's way of probing. He wanted to see if Rob and Robin had genuinely heard about his father by accident or if they were sent by someone else who had also left Wanokuni.
"Oda."
All the troubles in this world can be entrusted to this name!
Regarding Koshiro's probing, Rob had some guesses but didn't mind. He directly mentioned a name:
"Oda—whether it's his real name or not, I'm not sure. Can I meet Mr. Kozaburo? I've prepared an apprenticeship fee."
While speaking, Rob opened a secure box that Robin was carrying and pushed the piles of berries inside toward Koshiro.
"Ten million berries!"
Unlike Crocus, who lived a carefree life with no desires, Koshiro had a family to support. Additionally, he was connected with the Revolutionary Army in the plot, so there was no reason for him to refuse the money. The fact that he opened a dojo and accepted apprentices indicated he didn't mind sharing his skills.
"Eh!"
Seeing the ten million berries pushed by Rob, Koshiro was stunned.
"Are children nowadays so rich? This is ten million berries!"
Hearing Koshiro's words, Rob smiled.
"Not all children are rich, but my sister and I are well-off!"
Koshiro nodded, coming back to his senses. He took a deep look at Rob and then said:
"I understand your intentions. However, my father hasn't forged a sword in a long time. Whether you can gain his approval and learn the sword forging technique depends on your own ability."
Hearing this, Rob remained indifferent.
"I see."
Soon, under Koshiro's guidance, Rob and Robin went directly into the backyard of the large Isshin Dojo. In a well-arranged courtyard, they saw Shimotsuki Kozaburo, with his gray hair and wearing a bathrobe.
"Um?"
Seeing Koshiro approaching with the two children, Kozaburo showed some doubt in his eyes. After casually glancing at Robin, he focused his gaze on Rob, who was looking at him with intense eyes.
Squinting his eyes, Kozaburo didn't wait for his son Koshiro to introduce them. Instead, he puffed on a dry tobacco pipe and said:
"Boy, the way you look at this old man is like a suckling child seeing his mother!"
Hearing Kozaburo's words, Koshiro's face showed a bit of embarrassment, unsure of how to respond. On the contrary, Rob remained calm and stepped forward.
"For me, your forging technique is indeed as attractive as that! Mr. Kozaburo!"
Kozaburo smiled, looking directly at Rob.
"Are you here to learn the sword forging technique from this old man?"
Rob didn't deny it and admitted directly:
"That's right! I want to build myself a top-notch famous sword and then take it with me to conquer the sea and become the world's number one swordsman! I don't know if Mr. Kozaburo is willing to teach me the sword forging technique. I'm willing to pay ten million berries for tuition!"
Exhaling a smoke ring, Kozaburo looked at Rob.
"'World's Number One Swordsman'? Interesting goal! My sword forging technique is an ancestral skill that can forge renowned swords at the level of Great Grade Blades..."
Listening to Kozaburo's words, Rob didn't interrupt. Soon, Kozaburo looked at Rob seriously and spoke again:
"Ten million berries is too cheap! You need to pay more!"
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Check out advanced chapters on P@treon: p@treon.com/CosmicKaminari
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