"Not urgent?!" Sister Rouge grabbed Reid's ear, her voice filled with both anger and concern. "If it isn't urgent, why make it sound so dramatic? Bowing to everyone, entrusting things like that! Do you know how badly you scared us? We thought you were about to rush into so deadly battle and never co back!"
As she spoke, her grip tightened.
Of course, to Reid it felt no more than a light scratch, but he still played along and wailed loudly.
"If it isn't urgent, then why didn't you say so earlier? Why didn't you let prepare food for your journey? The sea wind is strong. Do you even have enough clothes? What about the dicine you usually take? Who knows how long you'll be gone? What if you get hungry, cold, or sick?"
"Sister Rouge, I an, I once was…"
"Little brother, listen to ."
Rouge's barrage of questions swept away the lingering sadness from earlier.
Roger stood beside them, clutching his stomach as he burst into laughter.
"Hahaha! Well said, Sister Rouge! This brat really deserves a good beating!"
Max, Shanks, Buggy, and the others also burst out laughing.
Reid, who was currently being scolded in front of the entire family, could only endure it.
Everyone watched the usually arrogant Uncle Reid get completely subdued by Aunt Rouge.
Bullet folded his arms. The corner of his mouth twitched slightly before he silently looked away.
Inside, however, he was secretly delighted.
Reid tilted his head, since his ear was still being pulled, and put on a flattering smile.
"I was wrong, Sis. I was really wrong! I just… I just wanted to look a little cooler… Ow!"
"Cool? What cool!" Rouge snorted and finally let go of his ear. She rubbed it casually, though it was not even red. "How old are you already, still playing tricks like suddenly disappearing? Wait here. I'll go prepare things for you right now. Try sneaking away and see what happens!"
With that, Sister Rouge hurried off, muttering to herself.
"The dried at must be packed. A few jars of the new jam too. Clothes… better bring a few thick ones…"
Watching her busy figure disappear, Reid rubbed his ear. The embarrassnt on his face slowly turned into a helpless yet warm smile.
The earlier farewell atmosphere had completely dissolved after that lively scolding.
Then Reid suddenly rembered sothing.
He turned toward Rouge, who was already counting the supplies she planned to pack for him.
"Sis, don't rush yet. I promised to take Ann sowhere. I want to fulfill that promise before I leave. I can't be an uncle who breaks his word."
Rouge smiled gently when she heard that.
"Of course you should keep promises made to children. Go ahead. I'll wait for you to co back and finish packing."
Reid's figure flickered and vanished.
The training ground was filled with the sound of whistling blades.
Ann gripped a training greatsword that was still slightly oversized for her, though its weight was actually a little light in her hands.
She was fighting Ace and Sabo at the sa ti, two against one.
Nearby, Kuina stood with the sword Wado Ichimonji in hand, quietly watching the match.
At that mont, Reid's cheerful voice suddenly rang out.
"Well now, that looks like quite a lively fight."
"Uncle Reid!"
The children imdiately turned toward him.
Reid walked over and helped Ann up from the ground, brushing the dust from her clothes.
"So, Ann. Do Ace and Sabo give you any trouble when you fight them?"
Ann shook her head vigorously.
"No!"
Even though she usually won, Ann had always possessed a natural longing for powerful weapons.
Ace imdiately protested.
"Hey! I'm not convinced! Ann, let's fight again!"
"Good," Reid said with a wide grin. "Do you rember that Uncle promised to find you a greatsword that truly belongs to you?"
Ann's eyes widened instantly.
They went from small circles to huge ones.
"Now?" she asked in disbelief.
"Of course!" Reid snapped his fingers. "Co on. Uncle will take you sowhere and find the best swordsmith in the world to forge a perfect greatsword just for you."
The mont he said that, Ace and Sabo rushed over.
"What?! A swordsmith? You're making a custom greatsword for Ann?" Ace shouted. "Uncle Reid, that's favoritism! I want one too!"
Sabo did not say anything, but the envy in his eyes was obvious.
Even Kuina looked over with interest. The title of "the world's best swordsmith" naturally caught her attention.
Seeing the children's jealous expressions, Reid deliberately put on a serious face.
"Alright, alright. Why are you all shouting? Ann is a girl, and she specializes in greatswords. As for you two, Ace already has sothing suited for him, and Sabo… I know soone who can give you a good weapon."
He ruffled Ace's spiky hair.
"Besides, even working together, you two still can't beat Ann, right?"
Ace puffed up his cheeks, but soon he grinned again. He was genuinely happy for his sister.
"Fine! Ann! Do your best! Get the strongest greatsword ever! We'll spar again when you get back!"
Sabo smiled encouragingly as well.
"That's right, Ann. I'm looking forward to seeing your new weapon."
Kuina walked over and spoke seriously.
"A sword that suits you is a swordsman's most important partner. Congratulations, Ann."
Ann looked at her companions.
They complained about favoritism, but their eyes were full of sincere encouragent.
She nodded firmly.
"Mm. I'll work hard."
"Then let's go!"
Reid lifted Ann into his arms as crimson mist gathered beneath their feet.
"Uncle Reid! Co back quickly!" Ace and Sabo waved and shouted.
Kuina nodded slightly in farewell.
"Got it!"
The crimson mist rose into the sky, carrying Reid and Ann as it transford into a streak of light racing toward a mysterious island deep within the Grand Line.
Ann clutched Reid's clothes tightly as she looked down at the rapidly moving clouds and sea below. Her eyes were filled with excitent for the new companion she was about to receive.
Reid looked down at the small girl in his arms, who was both excited and nervous, and smiled.
He had actually asked Tesoro long ago to locate this master craftsman.
As for the so-called "ultimate masterpiece," that was simply sothing he said to tease the kid.
After all, he had his own rival.
Ann's talent at this age was not inferior to his own when he was young.
The crimson beam tore through the sky and landed on a small, unremarkable island deep in the Grand Line.
The island was not large.
At its center stood a simple but neatly maintained wooden house.
Behind the house ca the rhythmic sound of heavy hamring, and the air carried the faint scent of burning charcoal and hot tal.
Reid carried Ann through the wooden gate as naturally as if he were returning ho.
This was not the first ti he had co here.
Their relationship was unusually close. Reid had once fulfilled a promise and helped make the greatsword Black Tide famous across the seas.
"Old Hamrhead! Old Hamrhead! You ho? I ca to visit!"
Reid shouted loudly as he strode inside the yard.
Inside the workshop, the blacksmith imdiately noticed the little girl in Reid's arms, who was staring at him with wide, curious eyes.
Reviews
All reviews (0)