East Blue.
Windmill Village, Party's Bar.
Sephiroth sat at the bar, swirling the sherry in his glass. He asked casually,
"Machino, I haven't seen Luffy in a while.
Where'd he go?"
Behind the counter, Machino paused in wiping the polished wood. She wore a white long-sleeved shirt and a red skirt. With a soft sigh, she said,
"I heard Mr. Garp dumped him with the Dadan family. Mountain bandits, up on Mount Colubo…"
"He what? Threw him to bandits?" Sephiroth blinked. "Garp's got nerves of steel."
He said it lightly, but privately, Sephiroth suspected Garp's motive. The old man was probably worried news would spread about Luffy eating the Gum-Gum Fruit.
Garp might act the fool all day, but that was just cleverness disguised as slowness. He understood exactly what needed understanding.
He just preferred to act on impulse—that's why he came off as a buffoon.
Windmill Village was still a village with its own small port. Merchants from north and south used it as a layover. With Luffy's mischievous streak, if he'd stayed, he'd have shown off his rubber abilities all over the place.
Before long, the World Government would've learned the fruit they wanted back had been eaten.
Given the Government's usual contemptible methods, Garp had no doubt they'd make trouble.
Pirates suddenly attacking Windmill Village, slaughtering everyone. A boy who ate the Gum-Gum Fruit just happened to be among the victims—body never found. That sort of thing.
"Yes," Machino agreed, a hint of complaint in her voice. "Mr. Garp always does things like that.
He even forbade us from visiting Luffy privately."
Sephiroth downed the rest of his sherry. A smile touched his lips.
"Oh? You want to visit him?
How about we go take a look?"
Machino nodded, her expression brightening.
"Okay. I was just about to bring Luffy some clothes…"
...
Mount Colubo.
Birdsong wove through the lush forest. Shadows of wild beasts moved between the trees. The air hummed with quiet danger.
Machino walked beside Sephiroth, a basket in hand, her face lit with a warm smile.
"Thank you for coming with me, Sephiroth.
Mount Colubo has too many dangerous animals. I'd never dare come alone…"
"Don't thank me." He shook his head, amused. "Getting to stroll through the woods with someone like you is its own reward."
"Oh, stop." She gave his shoulder a light, playful punch, more to hide her fluster than anything. "You always say things like that. It makes me overthink."
Roar!
A black shadow burst from the undergrowth. A tiger's roar shook the trees, scattering birds into the sky.
Before them stood a tiger over five meters tall. Its cold, predatory eyes fixed on the two humans.
Machino's face went pale. The basket slipped from her hand, spilling clothes onto the dirt.
Instinctively, she grabbed Sephiroth's left arm, her voice trembling.
"Ah! That's… that's the Master of Mount Colubo!"
"Don't be afraid." His voice was calm, soothing. "I'm here."
Roar!
The giant tiger bared its bloody maw and roared, then launched itself at them, its powerful limbs propelling its full weight forward. Machino's mind went blank.
In the next instant, an orange-red blade light flashed through the air, tracing a perfect arc. The tiger's body crashed to the ground with a heavy *thud*.
By the time Machino regained her senses, Sephiroth was already sliding the Nether Flame Blade back into its sheath with his right hand.
"Sephiroth, you're amazing!"
Her eyes sparkled. Overcome with excitement, she threw her arms around his neck, rose onto her toes, and kissed him squarely on the lips.
"Ah!… I'm so sorry! I just… I just…"
The rush faded instantly, replaced by a sharp awareness of her own boldness. Her cheeks flushed a deep red. She stammered, unable to find her composure.
Seeing her adorable embarrassment, the corner of Sephiroth's mouth lifted into a faint, wicked smile.
"Miss Machino, you must understand… an apology alone won't settle this."
"Then… what should I do?"
She lowered her head slightly, her fingers nervously twisting the hem of her white shirt.
"Of course… like this."
With that, he pulled her slender waist against him, lowered his head, and captured her soft, pink lips.
"Mmm~!"
Machino's eyes flew wide with shock.
Sephiroth often said ambiguous things to her, but he'd always been proper—never crossing the line or acting impolite. This sudden move was completely unexpected!
After the initial surprise faded, she didn't resist. Instead, she began to respond, matching his rhythm. Soon, her heart swelled with a sweet, dizzying happiness.
She'd been captivated by a man like Sephiroth for so long. How could she not feel anything? She'd already given him her heart in secret.
She'd just been waiting for him to confess properly.
But…
She never imagined it would start like this.
Before long, under Sephiroth's skilled and practiced touch, her vision grew hazy…
Sensing the change in her, Sephiroth broke the kiss. He lifted his head, letting her catch her breath as she rested against his chest.
After a long moment, Machino finally recovered. She stepped out of his embrace and picked up the fallen laundry basket and clothes.
Then, quite naturally, she slipped her arm through his and smiled up at him, her expression sweet.
"Let's go! We should go give Luffy the clothes…"