Makino's face was full of weariness, yet her lips still curled into a gentle smile.
"A man like you must have no shortage of exceptional women around you..."
"But being able to hold a place in your heart is enough for me."
"..."
She was lost in her own thoughts.
Finally, Makino, unable to withstand her exhaustion, drifted into a sweet slumber.
Meanwhile, on the other side.
Tushan was still awake.
Despite being the one who had been busy all day, he seemed full of energy.
"Building an empire is simple..."
"The trouble is finding someone to love..."
"Well, it's not that difficult. Just gather all the beauties in the world!"
"Since there's a BIGMOM who built a 'nation' by having children, I, Tushan, will create an empire of my own!"
"As for the next step..."
"I remember the East Blue..."
"..."
After a while, Tushan finally drifted into sleep as well.
The bustling Windmill Village gradually fell into silence.
...
At this moment, in the New World.
On an unknown small island.
A big, fat man named Lucky Roo was holding a huge piece of meat, devouring it while looking at Shanks, who was drinking sullenly in front of him, and laughed, "Hahaha, you're so embarrassed, boss!"
"Hmm? What?"
Shanks raised his head slightly, responding casually, while taking another big swig from his jug.
Yasopp shrugged beside him, "Ah, you clearly liked her but didn't dare to admit it early on. Now you're drinking alone because she's married... Such childish behavior from a dignified Yonko, if word gets out, you'll be laughed at~"
"Eh? Which Yonko? It can't be me, I'm not drinking alone!"
"Hehe, then what's with that gloomy face of yours?"
"I'm just a bit regretful that I can't attend an old friend's wedding."
"Oh? Is that really the case?"
Yasopp suddenly squinted and smiled, speaking softly, "I say, aren't you curious about the guy who married Makino?"
"Not curious at all, why should I care who that guy is?"
Shanks responded decisively.
Then he raised his jug again.
But seeing the people around him smiling at him, he pursed his lips, coughed lightly, and said, "What, do you guys know?"
"Hahaha! I knew you cared!!"
Hearing this, Lucky Roo and the others burst into laughter.
Instantly, Shanks roared, "Hey!!"
"You bastards!"
"I was just curious and asked casually!!"
"Pfft—casually asked, hahaha!!"
"You bastards—"
"Stop it."
Ben Beckman, who was sitting on a high tree branch smoking, suddenly spoke to interrupt the commotion below.
Once it quieted down a bit, he looked at the somewhat foolish captain and said, "Are you really just casually asking? What if I told you I know that guy is actually a scoundrel, and Miss Makino was forced to marry him?"
"What?"
Upon hearing this, Shanks' demeanor instantly turned cold. He stood up, almost unleashing his Conqueror's Haki, and squeezed out a sentence through gritted teeth, "If that's the case, I will kill him!"
"..."
Ben Beckman took a deep look at Shanks and slowly exhaled a puff of smoke.
Then—
"Hahahaha! And you say you don't care!!"
"How would I know what that guy's identity is!"
Seeing Beckman had tricked Shanks again, Yasopp and the others below laughed uncontrollably.
"Haha, he's probably just an ordinary person, and the boss wants to do something evil!"
"How embarrassing!"
"Hahaha~"
Seeing everyone like this, Shanks' face turned a mix of blue and white, but it was clear he couldn't explain himself, so he simply sat back down, raising his jug once more.
"Hmph."
"If that's really the case, then fine."
"But if I find out that guy is truly a scoundrel, I still stand by my words!"
"Makino..."
"Sigh..."
...
——
Windmill Village.
The next day, it seemed to have returned to a state of tranquility.
Tushan got up early and soon returned from outside the village.
He brought back two unfortunate Sea Kings.
In the East Blue, Sea Kings were not as massive as those in the Calm Belt, but they were still terrifying enough here.
Tushan casually tossed the two Sea Kings onto an empty spot in the village.
Looking at the approaching village chief, he said calmly, "I don't know if Sea King meat is tasty, but this is all I can offer for now."
The village chief looked at the two giant creatures, feeling no strong emotions anymore.
The previous five Sea Kings had been dragged to the seaside by the villagers with great effort, leaving only one leg of a Sea King to try cooking.
Although it tasted good, with two more now, how could they possibly finish it all...
But the village chief didn't dare say much about Tushan's goodwill, only expressing his gratitude repeatedly.
Tushan nodded, then took out a flag that he had asked Makino to prepare in the morning.
He handed it to the village chief.
"Makino and I will be leaving soon. After I leave, place this flag in the most visible spot in the village, and no one will dare to target this village in the future."
The village chief was taken aback. This kind of territory declaration seemed like something only pirates would do.
He had no idea what Tushan's true identity was.
But he didn't dare to delay, accepting the flag while asking softly, "You're leaving? Taking Makino with you?"
"Yes. We're going on a journey, and I'll carve out something with my fists."
Tushan replied casually.
Right now, aside from Makino, he had nothing.
He couldn't just stay in Windmill Village like a live-in son-in-law without moving.
Now that he and Makino were married, it was time to take the next step.
Of course, Makino had to come along.
He promised not to leave her behind, and he wouldn't.
Besides, with his strength, Makino wouldn't be a burden even if she followed!
As for the next target...
Tushan had already decided.
Syrup Village.
He wondered if the girl named Kaya was still there...
The village chief nodded slowly.
He had no right to interfere in Tushan's affairs.
Seeing Tushan turn and leave, the village chief curiously unfolded the flag, only to see two large, crooked characters scrawled on it—
"Uh, 'Lord Tu'...?"
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