"So it's you, girl. If it's you, then it's no surprise."
"I heard about your family's troubles before, but since Slab was helping out, I didn't interfere further."
"Makino, how are you living now?" Garp asked seriously. "If you need anything, just tell Slab."
"If he can't handle it, I'll step in."
Moses observed Garp, sensing something different in his attitude toward Makino, and couldn't help but feel curious.
Garp noticed.
"Before Dragon turned ten, he was raised in the village. He and her father grew up together. Our families have always been close."
"By the way, Makino," Garp turned to her. "You're not a child anymore, living alone. How about coming with me to Marineford? It'd be easier for me to look after you there."
Makino smiled and shook her head. "No need, Mr. Garp. I'm doing just fine here."
"And thank you for before. I heard a group of thugs had their eyes on my place, and you came back to teach them a lesson."
"Tch, that big-mouthed Slab again."
Makino covered her mouth, giggling, then looked at Moses and Garp.
"So, what about you two?"
Garp said, "This is Moses—you know him. I'm his grandfather."
"Your real grandson?" Makino asked curiously.
Moses smirked. "Grandson, but adopted."
Makino's eyes widened in surprise.
Hearing Moses' reply, Garp frowned, displeased with the interruption.
"Adopted? What, am I wet or something?"
"You little brat, haven't I treated you like my own flesh and blood?"
"Looks like you're asking for another beating."
Moses rolled his eyes and sighed.
"Fine, fine, I was wrong. I apologize. Sorry. Can we just move on, old man? Consider my sincere repentance."
Pfft!
Makino burst into laughter at Moses' childlike appeasement, her shoulders shaking. "Hahaha—you're so funny, little Moses. Why don't you be my little brother instead?"
"No." Moses refused flatly. "Hard pass."
"Huh?" Makino pouted. "Why not?"
"I, Moses, am born rebellious and unruly. How could I ever bow to someone as a subordinate? Even if I did, it'd be lip service. I'd betray you sooner or later."
He glanced at Makino. "Want to be my boss? Then be prepared for my backstabbing."
Makino blinked, then laughed again. "Never mind then. I don't want to die from your betrayal, only for you to kneel and beg me not to."
Garp watched Moses with a strange expression, sensing something more behind his "rebellious" remarks.
Moses stared at her deadpan until she finally stopped laughing.
"I'm leaving. Going somewhere else. This deer is for you."
Makino pressed her lips together, assuming Moses had begged Garp to hunt it—after all, Moses couldn't even fish. Her gaze dimmed slightly.
"A whole deer is too much..."
But seeing Moses' resolute expression, she asked, "Will you come back to Foosha Village? I'd like to treat you to another meal."
"And then I'll bring you another deer?"
Moses grinned.
Makino suddenly said, "Then it's a promise."
"Next time you visit, I'll treat you to a meal if you bring me a deer."
"Dream on, it's not even dark yet."
Moses rolled his eyes at her, while Makino smirked and said, "That's why they call it a sweet dream—because dreams are beautiful."
"More like a nightmare."
"A sweet dream."
"Whatever you say." Moses shrugged. "Anyway, I'll stop here. Next time I'm in Windmill Village, I'll come find you."
Makino smiled. "Alright, it's a promise then."
Moses nodded at her with a grin before turning to Garp. "Gramps, time to hit the road. We should get going."
Garp's face darkened, and he punched Moses on the head. "You little brat, what kind of nonsense is that? We're not 'hitting the road'—we're setting sail!"
After smacking Moses, Garp turned to Makino. "If anything happens while I'm gone, go find Slab. Take care of yourself. We're off now."
"Mm, have a safe trip. Let me walk you out."
...
The two arrived at the warship.
On the deck, Bogart had been waiting impatiently.
The moment he saw them—
"You're late, Vice Admiral Garp."
Garp waved it off with a carefree grin. "Quit nagging. Let's set sail now—we're heading for the Paradise, Drum Island."
Bogart acknowledged the order and went to instruct the helmsman and navigator.
The warship slowly reversed from the dock, turned around, and its sails billowed.
Riding the wind and cutting through the waves, it headed toward the Calm Belt near Loguetown.
A week later,
Thanks to the warship's speed, they took a shortcut and safely crossed the Calm Belt once again.
Along the way, there were a few minor incidents.
A few days prior,
A Zebra Sea King with a head spanning a hundred meters burst from the sea, jaws wide open as it lunged for the warship.
Then, Garp leaped up and threw a punch in the direction of the ship.
The terrifying force of his fist created a massive vacuum, pressing the warship into the sea as if it had sunk into a trampoline, only to rebound with tremendous force and shoot straight into the sky—
Escaping the Sea King's bite.
Even now, remembering it sent a surge of excitement through Moses.
But that wasn't all. In Garp's punch, Moses had "seen" something else—a special kind of power.
Lying on the top deck of the warship, Moses squinted at the white clouds drifting across the blue sky.
"Armament Hegemony, huh?"
"A biological energy fused with intense willpower—or perhaps emotional force—manifesting as something akin to vigor, vitality, cellular energy, or life force."
"Fascinating."
"It is fascinating, but it's still too early for you."
"Too much curiosity isn't a good thing." Garp sat down beside Moses, his expression serious. "Ever heard the saying, 'Curiosity killed the cat'?"
"Hey, Gramps, if 'Hegemony' is an innate power, and Observation Haki can awaken naturally, what about Armament? Or Conqueror's?"
"The world is full of wonders. If something exists, there's a reason for it. There will always be those born extraordinary, standing apart from the rest."
Garp spoke as if reminiscing.
"Heh."
"Just remember—let it come naturally. You already understand the concept of 'Hegemony.' When the time comes, you'll awaken it. Don't force it."
Garp reassured Moses, "Don't think what I did that day was anything special. When you grow up and experience more, you'll be able to use it too."
Moses said, "Who knows what the future holds, but somehow I feel you have more confidence in me than I do in myself."
"Who knows~," Garp chuckled.
Moses laughed along, then added, "Next time you return to the East Blue, remember to take me with you. Unless something unexpected happens—"
"No problem."
The next morning.
In the distance, an island came into view, its snow-white landscape dominated by eight towering pillar-like mountains.
「Drum Island」
As the warship entered these waters, the falling snowflakes quickly painted its deck white.
Crystalline snow drifted from the sky.
A breathtaking sight.
Moses, now bundled in winter clothes, stood at the bow and said to the man beside him, "Uncle, saying goodbye in advance."
Bogart smiled. "Alright. Until next time."
The warship didn't dock.
It simply anchored near the shore. Watching the ten-meter gap between the ship and the island, a tall figure appeared beside Moses.
Garp grabbed Moses' right arm with his own, grinning widely. "Fly, kid~."
With that, he hurled Moses through the air in a perfect arc, landing him on the island.
Mid-flight, Moses adjusted his balance, letting the momentum carry him until his feet touched the snowy shore.
He turned back and waved at Garp.
"Moses, stay safe on your way back alone. Grandpa won't accompany you this time. Give my regards to that woman Dory."
"Got it!"
The next moment, Garp tossed Moses' luggage bag over.
Moses caught it effortlessly.
Inside were his clothes and several bottles of packaged plum wine—a different brand from what Kureha had tasted in the East Blue. He wondered if she'd like it.
Watching the warship drift away with the current, Moses began his trek home.
He'd been at sea for over a month.
It was already mid-October. In less than two months, Moses would grow another year older.
The familiar scent of snow and wind.
Cold gusts mixed with snowflakes brushed against his face as he trudged through the deep snow.
Moses wasn't taking the village path but cutting through an uninhabited forest.
Though he hadn't walked this route before, he wouldn't get lost. The island's best landmarks were its eight towering pillars.
The eight 「Drum Mountains」.
No matter how long the journey, it always ends. Half an hour later, a treehouse came into view, and Moses quickened his pace.
Before he reached the door, it cracked open, and a black-and-white head peeked out.
The next second, Bear Cub squeezed through the gap, his round body waddling excitedly as he let out happy "ying ying" cries and dashed toward Moses.
"Whoa!"
Moses grunted as the bear's head collided with his stomach, sending him sliding back half a meter.
"You trying to kill me?" Moses grabbed Bear Cub's chubby cheeks, staring at his gleaming white teeth.
Standing on his hind legs, Bear Cub draped his front paws over Moses' shoulders, nuzzling his face while chirping joyfully.
Moses turned his head, meeting the bear's gem-like black eyes, then hugged his soft, fluffy body.
A faint scent of soap lingered on his fur.
His coat was glossy and immaculate—jet black and snowy white, perfectly distinct without a single stray hair.
At that moment, Kureha's voice rang out from inside the house, "Aren't you cold?"
"What are you doing standing at the door? Hurry up and come in. The little warmth left is being wasted by the two of you."
Moses stuck out his tongue, and Bear Cub mimicked him. One after another, the boy and the bear entered the house.
As soon as they stepped inside, they saw Kureha sitting in a chair by the fireplace.
Moses grinned and said, "Doctorine, I'm back."
With a faint smile curling at the corners of her lips, Kureha chuckled, "Back is back. I'm not blind. Go wash your hands—there's bone broth simmering in the kitchen."
Moses nodded and headed to the bathroom to wash up.
After cleaning his hands, he went to the kitchen and helped himself to a large bowl of the bone broth.
Bear Cub sidled up beside Moses, eyes fixed longingly on the bowl.
Seeing this, Moses handed the large bone from his bowl to the cub, who clamped down on it with a single bite, crunching and gnawing noisily.
Savoring the marrow, Bear Cub swallowed with a satisfied expression on his furry face.
After a sip of the broth, warmth instantly spread through his body. By the time he finished the bowl, waves of heat coursed through him.
Smacking his lips, Moses silently recited the names of several nourishing herbs in his mind.
He then shoved the half-gnawed bone into Bear Cub's mouth.
The cub didn't mind at all, happily chewing away.
After washing the bowl, Moses left the kitchen just as Kureha approached.
"Come with me to the second floor. I need to check you over."
With that, Kureha walked upstairs alone.
Moses didn't think much of it.
Nor did he need to.
Most likely, it was about recording his Breath.
Moses climbed the stairs and entered the laboratory.
With practiced ease, he stripped off his clothes and lay down on an operating table.
Kureha said calmly, "Begin your Breath."
Following her instruction,
Moses adjusted his breathing rhythm within a few breaths, entering the state of Unity of Heaven and Man.
Unconcerned with Kureha's presence, he synchronized his Breath with Observation Haki, meticulously sensing the inner workings of his body.
He roughly observed the "flow direction" of inhaled oxygen within his system, using his Breath to perceive the movements of his stomach and intestines.
The food he had just eaten was rapidly broken down inside him, streams of energy pulsing through his body—an utterly fascinating sight.
Unconsciously, Moses became engrossed, deepening his perception in pursuit of even subtler changes.
But.
No luck.
Eventually, Moses opened his eyes. At the same time, Kureha withdrew the fingers of her left hand from his side and stopped recording with her right.
"Not bad! After a month apart, your Breath has shown significant improvement and refinement."
"Doctorine, we always just call it 'Breath.' It feels a bit plain. What if we gave this special breathing method a new name?"
"Oh?" Kureha replied indifferently, "Suit yourself. I don't really care."
"You're the one who developed it. You name it."
With a resigned chuckle, Kureha said flatly, "From what I gather, you've realized a state of mind through Breath—something you call Unity of Heaven and Man.
The ability to sense the breathing rhythms of all things in nature.
Like those swordsmen who talk about the 'breath of all things.'
Nature, the universe, heaven and man, tranquility—these terms sound quite lofty.
So, let's call this breathing method the 'Effortless Breathing Technique.'"
Moses blinked, surprised by Kureha's naming choice. But "Effortless Breathing Technique"? It worked.
"That's good. Our breath is innate and free-spirited to begin with. 'Effortless' is fitting, so let's call it the 'Effortless Breathing Technique'."
'Effortless' for now, and when the level gets higher in the future, we can just add a 'Great' to it.
A natural progression.
With a thought, the light screen panel appeared before his retinas.
Bestowed Ability section.
[A+ Rank Blessing: Breath]
The name had been altered, now transformed into:
[A+ Rank Blessing: Effortless Breathing Technique]
The name of the Blessing had changed, but its effects remained the same.
Kureha chuckled, shaking her head with a strange expression. "You... always full of clever ideas. That name was just something I said offhand."
"Yeah, I figured. Anyway, I was just saying it casually too. Effortless, free and unconstrained."
Moses spoke, laughing along with her himself.
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(End of Chapter)