Morning arrived quietly over Shimotsuki Village.
Golden sunlight slowly crept above the horizon.
The ocean stretched endlessly beneath the clear sky, waves gently brushing against the shore.
When Ian opened his eyes, the first thing he noticed was—
Two children sleeping on the beach.
One green-haired boy.
One young swordswoman.
Both completely exhausted.
They had clearly trained until their bodies finally gave out.
Ian stared at them for a moment.
Then a small smile appeared.
“Since we’re leaving soon…”
He stretched lazily.
“I might as well make you two something good.”
With that, he walked toward the shoreline.
As always, he stretched first.
An old habit.
Then his eyes drifted toward the endless sea.
A thought suddenly crossed his mind.
“Actually…”
A grin formed.
“Why not test yesterday’s improvement?”
After integrating the Complete Assassin Seven Template, his Conqueror’s Haki had undergone a significant change.
He wanted to know exactly how much stronger it had become.
Ian slowly raised his hand.
His relaxed expression disappeared.
The carefree traveler vanished.
For a brief moment—
A terrifying presence erupted.
The ocean trembled.
Ripples spread across the water.
Something beneath the waves reacted instantly.
Creatures scattered.
Others froze.
They sensed something far beyond their understanding.
Then—
BOOM!
The sea exploded.
Countless creatures were launched from beneath the waves.
Fish.
Crabs.
Strange sea creatures Ian couldn’t even name.
One after another, they crashed onto the beach.
Every single one of them had rolled-back eyes.
Unconscious.
Ian looked over the results.
Then nodded.
“Not bad.”
He smiled.
“Definitely stronger.”
“The improvement is obvious.”
A traveler needed supplies.
And the ocean had just provided breakfast.
Half an hour later.
Zoro woke up.
The first thing he noticed was the smell.
His nose twitched.
Once.
Twice.
Then his eyes widened.
“Whoa!”
“What smells so good?!”
The green-haired boy shot upright and immediately rushed toward the source.
Behind him, Kuina slowly opened her eyes.
The shouting had dragged her awake.
She rubbed her face sleepily.
Then looked ahead.
“Hm?”
“Mr.
Ian…
what are you doing?”
The two children quickly gathered around him.
A large pot sat over a small fire.
Steam rose into the morning air.
The rich aroma alone was enough to make their stomachs growl.
Ian smiled.
“Seafood hot pot.”
He stirred the broth.
“Since I’m leaving today, I figured I’d cook you two one last meal.”
Zoro’s eyes lit up.
“Master really is the best!”
Kuina immediately bowed politely.
“Thank you very much, Mr.
Ian.”
Ian laughed.
“Don’t make it sound like we’re strangers.”
Soon, the beach was filled with the smell of fresh seafood.
The two children attacked the meal with the enthusiasm of starving wolves.
“Hot!
Hot!”
Zoro blew on his food.
“But it’s amazing!”
“Kuina!”
“You’ve never eaten something this good before!”
The girl laughed softly.
“You’re exaggerating.”
Then she took another bite.
Paused.
And quietly admitted—
“…Actually, you’re right.”
Ian watched them with satisfaction.
A meal shared with friends.
Sometimes that was the best part of traveling.
Thirty minutes later.
Two exhausted children lay sprawled across the sand.
Both held their stomachs.
Neither looked capable of moving.
“I’m finished…”
Zoro stared at the sky.
“I ate too much.”
Kuina’s cheeks turned slightly pink.
“I probably looked embarrassing eating like that…”
Ian waved dismissively.
“Relax.”
“My disciple has never exactly been known for elegance.”
“Hey!”
Zoro immediately protested.
The others laughed.
Their voices blended with the sound of the waves.
A peaceful moment.
A simple moment.
The kind that travelers remembered long after leaving.
Because moments like these never lasted forever.
Ian looked toward the horizon.
“Time really passes quickly.”
He sighed.
“It’s hard to believe I’m already leaving Shimotsuki Village.”
For some reason…
This place felt different.
Between Windmill Village and Shimotsuki Village, he found himself preferring this one.
The people were warmer.
The atmosphere was calmer.
And the alcohol was definitely better.
Kuina lowered her gaze.
“You could stay longer.”
The sincerity in her voice was impossible to miss.
Ian smiled.
“Maybe.”
“But the next destination is already waiting.”
His eyes turned toward the endless sea.
“A traveler can’t remain in one place forever.”
Zoro tilted his head.
“So…”
“Does that mean travelers are pirates?”
THUNK.
Ian’s fist landed on his head.
“Ow!”
“What kind of ridiculous conclusion is that?”
He sighed.
“Pirates.”
“Marines.”
“Revolutionaries.”
“Those are all different paths.”
He pointed at himself.
“I’m just a traveler.”
Zoro rubbed his head.
Then grinned.
“Then someday I’ll become a traveling Great Swordsman!”
Ian stared.
“…”
Kuina immediately burst into laughter.
The afternoon passed quickly.
Eventually, Ian walked the two children back to Isshin Dojo.
Someone was already waiting there.
Koushirou.
The moment he saw Kuina, he stepped forward.
His eyes carefully examined her.
Her face.
Her arms.
Her condition.
Only after confirming she was unharmed did his expression relax.
“Kuina.”
His voice softened.
“I’m glad you’re safe.”
He already knew about the bandit attack.
After returning, he had immediately arranged for the remaining criminals to be dealt with.
Kuina nodded.
“Father…”
She looked toward Ian.
“If it wasn’t for Mr.
Ian, the village would’ve been in serious danger.”
Koushirou’s expression changed.
His gaze moved toward Ian.
The gratitude in his eyes deepened.
“Mr.
Ian.”
The swordsman bowed slightly.
“Thank you.”
“I never expected someone with such extraordinary swordsmanship to also possess such a kind heart.”
Ian smiled.
“It was nothing.”
“Just something anyone should have done.”
Koushirou shook his head.
“Perhaps our beliefs differ.”
“But as a father…”
“And as the person responsible for protecting this village…”
“I still owe you my gratitude.”
The bow that followed was sincere.
Ian accepted it calmly.
After all…
The gratitude was deserved.
A moment later, Koushirou raised his head.
“Kuina told me you intend to leave.”
Ian nodded.
“Yes.”
“I’m a traveler.”
“So naturally…”
“I continue traveling.”
Koushirou smiled faintly.
“I envy you.”
“I have remained in this village for many years.”
Ian shrugged.
“Everyone chooses their own path.”
Simple words.
But true ones.
Then—
A new presence approached.
Heavy.
Powerful.
Familiar.
Ian turned.
Dragon stepped forward.
The leader of the Revolutionary Army.
His eyes carried obvious interest.
“Traveler.”
“Are you really leaving?”
Ian looked at him.
And for the first time in a while, he felt a trace of caution.
There were not many people in this world who gave him that feeling.
So far…
Only two.
The Marine Vice Admiral from Windmill Village.
Monkey D.
Garp.
And the man standing before him now.
Monkey D.
Dragon.
The leader of the Revolutionary Army.
The strange part?
They were father and son.
The world truly was unpredictable.
“Yes.”
Ian answered calmly.
Dragon studied him.
“A man with your strength…”
“Yet you choose to simply wander?”
A faint smile appeared.
“Not a pirate.”
“Not a Marine.”
“Then why leave your talent unused?”
He stepped closer.
“Join me.”
“The Revolutionary Army could use someone like you.”
The offer was direct.
No manipulation.
No hidden conditions.
Just a genuine invitation.
Koushirou remained silent.
Watching.
Waiting.
Ian looked at Dragon.
Then shook his head.
“Sorry, Dragon.”
His tone was polite.
But firm.
“I’m used to being free.”
“I enjoy traveling.”
“The sea.”
“The people I meet.”
“The stories I collect.”
A small smile appeared.
“As for everything else…”
“Pirates.”
“Marines.”
“Even your invitation.”
Ian shrugged.
“I’m not interested.”
The answer was simple.
Clear.
Completely sincere.
Dragon stared at him for several moments.
Then quietly laughed.
Perhaps he had already expected this.
After all…
Some people belonged to organizations.
Some people belonged to causes.
And some people…
Belonged only to the road.