Mount Colubo, Dadan's place.
Sephiroth glanced at the setting sun and smiled.
"It's getting late. Time to make dinner. Good timing—I ran into a tiger on the mountain today and took it down. We'll add it to the menu tonight."
Sabo laughed, a hearty, booming sound.
"Hah! There's more than ten of us here. One tiger wouldn't even fill the gaps in our teeth. Let's go back to the river and snag a couple of crocodiles!"
"Hmm? I think this tiger should be enough. But if it isn't, I've always got extra in my space..."
Sephiroth drew the butcher knife from his waist, opened his spatial pocket, and dragged out the giant tiger—over five meters tall and ten meters long.
Luffy's eyes instantly sparkled.
"Amazing! You actually beat a tiger that big, Sephiroth!"
Ace studied the tiger's size and markings, then blurted out in surprise, "This… this is the Master of Mount Colubo! The fiercest beast on this mountain!"
"What's so surprising? It's just a big cat. This world's full of powerful creatures." Sephiroth shrugged.
But he could feel it—the way the three brothers looked at him now was pure worship.
Normally, this tiger chased them all over the mountain. They'd suffered plenty because of it.
"Dadan, you don't mind if I use your kitchen, do you?"
He turned to look at Dadan, who stood a short distance away. She shook her head quickly, posture suddenly humble, gesturing for him to go right ahead. She'd clean up after.
Are you kidding?
Whether Sephiroth was really a Marineford Vice Admiral or not didn't matter. Just seeing him kill that tiger without a scratch proved he wasn't someone to mess with.
Dadan chose caution.
*
Inside the red-roofed wooden house, in Dadan's kitchen.
Machino watched Sephiroth process the tiger carcass with clean, decisive strokes—like a master butcher.
"I didn't know you could cook, too," she said, surprised.
"Of course. I have many talents. Once you get to know me better, you'll be even more surprised." His tone held a double meaning.
"Alright then. I'll look forward to it."
Machino smiled and nodded, pure-hearted, completely missing the fact he was stepping on the gas.
If it were Gion, that experienced driver, she would've instantly reacted and helped him floor it.
With Machino helping, about an hour later, the entire tiger had become over thirty different dishes. Even the bones were simmering into soup.
*
In the main hall, as dish after dish covered the long dining table, Luffy shouted, unable to wait any longer.
"I'm eating!"
The moment he spoke, Ace, Sabo, and Dadan's whole family rushed forward like starving dogs, devouring the food while shoving and competing.
Plates were knocked over. Food went flying.
Machino stood beside Sephiroth. He looked at the chaotic dining scene, brought a hand to his forehead, and didn't know what to say.
Seeing this, Machino covered her mouth to stifle a chuckle, then turned to the silver-haired young man beside her.
"It seems everyone really likes your cooking."
"Well~! Getting your praise makes it all worth it. Even if they ruined the dishes, I can't stay mad."
As he spoke, Sephiroth naturally raised his right hand and slipped it around Machino's slender waist. She leaned into his embrace.
Sabo held a piece of grilled tiger meat in both hands, and while gnawing on it, he said with emotion:
"Nothing beats good food when you're out at sea!
Once I set sail, the first thing I'm doing is finding the best chef to join my crew…"
Ace immediately leaned toward Sabo, puffing out his chest.
"I'm gonna be the first Pirate King.
Since your pretty little dream's doomed anyway, you might as well join my ship!"
Luffy overheard them and shot to his feet, refusing to back down.
"That's cheating! I'm gonna be Pirate King!
That means you've both gotta join my crew!"
At that moment, Garp materialized silently behind the three boys. He wore a red floral shirt and black shorts, his frame massive, his face dark as a storm cloud—like a beast ready to swallow them whole.
Pfft—!
The Dadan family, who'd been about to speak, sprayed their food and drink everywhere in terror, leaving the three brothers utterly bewildered.
"Hmph."
Garp straightened up, fists clenched, and let out a low, cold snort.
He'd heard every last word of his ungrateful grandson's rebellious declaration.
Ace and Luffy turned their heads stiffly, faces pale with fright. Garp's knuckles cracked. A vein bulged on his forehead. His expression was bitter, disappointed.
"Still spouting that nonsense!?
Don't you understand you're going to be Marines…!?"
Thwack! Thwack!
Two swift punches from Garp planted large lumps on Luffy and Ace's heads, sending them flat to the ground.
"Dadan!"
At his low growl, Dadan quickly set down her meat and wine glass, scurried to his side, and stood at attention, ready for the scolding.
But—
Thump!
What greeted her was a divine fist from Garp, planting a matching lump on her own head. She crumpled.
Dadan clutched her skull, face twisted in pain, and grumbled with genuine grievance.
"Mr. Garp, why do I get hit too…?"
Garp clenched his fists, his expression leaving no room for argument.
"Because you didn't raise these brats right, of course!"
His whole demeanor practically shouted that if she disagreed, she could take it up with his fists. Physical persuasion.
Sabo watched the domestic violence unfold and gulped, horror dawning on his face.
"That's Garp…? Ace and Luffy's grandfather?"
"Hey, kid. You were talking about setting sail too, weren't you?"
Garp's unfriendly gaze landed on Sabo in his blue suit. Sabo took a step back, too scared to answer.
But—
Little Luffy sprang up from the ground. In a stunning display of brotherly loyalty, he threw his new friend straight under the bus. Scowling, he shouted at Garp,
"He's not a kid! He's Sabo!
We drank brotherhood sake! We swore to become Pirates together!"
"Oh? So the number of little brats I need to straighten out just went from two to three."
Garp's knuckles cracked again. His smile grew increasingly 'kind.'
The next moment—
Thwack thwack thwack—!
Under the rain of Garp's iron fists, the three boys ran in circles, hands clamped over their heads, howling in pain.
Soon, Garp chased all three out of the house and into the woods.
He kept after them, beating them until their faces were bruised and swollen. Finally, they collapsed unconscious on the ground, their legs twitching faintly.
Sephiroth was speechless.
Garp's family education policy of beating you until you obey if you don't obey is so bad that even dogs would shake their heads!
A child raised like that has two fates: beaten into fearful submission, becoming timid and cowardly, or forged into unyielding stubbornness, walking a single path to its bitter end.
He didn't know whether Garp was trying to cripple his grandsons with this method, or was dead set on forcing them to become pirates...