East Blue, Dawn Island.
Goa Kingdom, Windmill Village.
A Marine warship eased into the harbor. Sephiroth and Garp, cloaked in white justice, descended the gangplank and stepped onto the pier.
Not far off, a middle-aged man in a red-striped hat, yellow shirt, and matching pants leaned on a cane and called out:
"Garp! Long time no see!"
"Hahaha! Chief Woop, it has been a while!"
"Come back to see little Luffy again?"
"That's right! Have you spotted him?"
"I just saw him head into Machino's bar. Probably eating by now."
Chief Woop pointed toward a distant building with a sign that read "Partys Bar."
"Oh! Is that so?
I'll go see my grandson first, then... I'll find you for tea later!"
Garp laughed, waved, and strode off toward the bar.
Sephiroth followed, his gaze sweeping over the village's pastoral scenery. "Why leave your grandson in a remote border village like this?
With your influence, you could have settled him somewhere better."
"What's wrong with Windmill Village?
Everyone here knows each other. I trust them with Luffy.
But honestly, this is all Dragon's fault. Running wild out there, stirring up trouble..." Garp grumbled, his expression darkening.
"Ah. That's true. With Dragon involved, it does complicate things." Sephiroth nodded.
Garp had made enemies of countless pirates—that was one thing. But the Revolutionary Army's constant upheavals had stepped on the toes of entire kingdoms. If word got out that Dragon had a son, it might draw retaliation from all the wrong people...
With what happened to Zephyr's family as a precedent, even someone as carefree as Garp wouldn't risk exposing Luffy to the world's glare.
Soon, they reached Partys Bar. They pushed through the saloon doors and stepped inside.
Sephiroth's eyes landed on a black-haired boy perched on a barstool, spoon in hand, slowly working through a plate of fried rice.
Behind the counter stood a beautiful woman with long green hair, a headscarf, and a long dress, polishing a glass.
"Hey! Luffy! Grandpa's here to see you!" Garp announced with a grin.
"It's Grandpa."
Luffy glanced over at the newcomers, gave a flat acknowledgment, and went back to his food.
His expression was calm, almost cold, as if his grandfather ranked far below the fried rice in front of him.
"You brat!
Is that any way to greet your dear Grandpa?"
Garp stomped over, looking offended.
The next moment, his fist came down hard.
*Bang!*
A sizable bump swelled on Luffy's head.
"Ow ow ow! That hurts!"
Tears welling in his eyes, Luffy clutched his head and howled.
"What kind of Grandpa punches his grandson as a hello?!"
"This is my fist of love..."
"You rotten Grandpa!"
*Bang!*
Garp swung again, and the beating resumed.
Watching Garp's educational method—punch first, ask questions later—Sephiroth figured that even without Red-Haired Shanks, Luffy would probably run off to sea someday just to escape his Marine grandfather.
Ignoring the noisy, comical pair, Sephiroth took a seat at the bar and smiled at the green-haired woman.
"Beautiful lady, what's your name?"
"My name is Machino...."
"What would you like to drink, sir?"
"Do you have sherry?"
"I'm very sorry, we don't stock that."
"Then just a beer, please."
"Right away."
Machino smiled, took a clean glass from the rack, and pulled the tap on the beer barrel. She poured a full glass and set it before him.
Sephiroth raised the glass, tilted his head back, and took a long drink. He set it down with a casual air.
"Excuse the question, Machino, but do you have a boyfriend? A husband?"
"Uh? Why do you ask?"
The silver-haired young man's question seemed to catch her off guard.
"Nothing serious. I just think a woman as beautiful as you must be very popular. I couldn't help being curious."
"Then guess. Do I have a boyfriend?"
A charming, alluring smile bloomed on Machino's face. She leaned her hands on the bar, tilting her upper body forward. Her hips shifted subtly, and she brought her face closer to his.
"Hmm. I guess you don't."
Sephiroth smiled back. He put down his glass and met the green-haired beauty's gaze.
"Why?"
"Because if you did, I'd be very sad. Then I wouldn't have a chance to pursue you."
"Hahaha! You're quite the talker, young man. But please, don't say things like that anymore. If you keep it up, I might get angry."
Machino's scolding was light, still smiling.
Though she said that, Sephiroth's Observation Haki sensed no trace of resistance or anger from her when he'd praised her. On the contrary, she seemed pleased. A little excited.
*Hmm. This girl can be pursued.* The judgment formed in his mind.
"Luffy! Looks like you slacked off on your training while I was away! Keep this up and you'll never be the strongest Marine!"
Garp, having pummeled his grandson into a bruised and swollen state, seemed to have vented his "love" sufficiently. He plopped down on a barstool and ordered a cup of green tea from Machino.
"I don't wanna be a Marine. I want to be free."
Luffy hauled himself back onto his stool, picked up his spoon, and resumed shoveling fried rice into his mouth.
Hearing this, Sephiroth couldn't resist a comment, half-joking, half-serious.
"He's right. Being a Marine is hard work. Exhausting. No freedom. *Not* becoming a Marine is the smart choice."
"Yeah! Yeah! Big Brother, you get it!"
Luffy nodded vigorously, his favorable impression of the Marine beside him skyrocketing.
"Hey! Sephiroth! Don't you go putting weird ideas in my grandson's head!"
Garp shot him a fierce glare, his tone laced with warning.
Sephiroth could only offer a perfunctory consolation to the boy stuffing his face.
"Hahaha! Right, right, right... Luffy, ignore everything I just said. Being a Marine is actually great fun. When you grow up, you should become the Marine King. Reach the very top!"
"I'd rather be a Pirate and adventure freely on the sea."
*Thwack!*
Garp's fist connected with Luffy's head again, making him yelp.
Sephiroth didn't linger in Windmill Village long. After getting somewhat acquainted with Luffy, he excused himself, citing other business, and left.
In the days that followed, he would drop by the bar now and then for a drink and to flirt with the beautiful owner, Machino.
If he ran into Luffy, he'd offer a simple greeting and nothing more. They didn't interact much beyond that.
In the eyes of the villagers of Windmill Village, Sephiroth was just a young man who frequented the bar for drinks because he was trying to woo Machino.