"We're not selling fake wine anymore."
Seeming to notice Ian's confusion, Chief Martin beside him said with a chuckle: "Didn't you start selling wine again two years ago? That kid, Gini, came over here and asked everyone whether they wanted to resume operations, either as the old factory or as a branch factory."
"With such a good thing, how could everyone disagree? So now this place is already a branch brewery."
"Gini?"
Hearing Chief Martin's words, Ian was momentarily stunned. He had not heard Gini mention this.
Then, as if he thought of something, he turned his head to look at Robin beside him.
Robin seemed to have known about it long ago and smiled as she nodded. "I asked you about it before, and you told me to handle it as I saw fit!"
Ian: "..."
As soon as these words fell, everyone looked at Ian with speechless expressions.
So it had already been mentioned long ago, and it was just that he himself had not paid attention?
Even Chief Martin looked at him helplessly.
After leaving the Sibia River Archipelago, did this guy really not care about this place at all?
"Ahahaha."
Being stared at by everyone, Ian laughed awkwardly and hurriedly said, "I remember now. I did say that. I almost forgot about it."
As he spoke, he directly pretended not to see the strange looks from the people in front of him and turned his head to look around. "This place has become quite lively. In the past two years... The marines didn't come to trouble you, did they?"
"They did come, but they didn't cause us trouble."
Chief Martin's face returned to a cheerful smile. "They just came to ask about our relationship with you and some things about you. But everyone said they weren't familiar with you, and after that, they didn't ask again."
"And Miss Tashigi is quite nice too. She comes by from time to time. It's just that her superior always has a sour face, and the children get scared, but they're all good marines."
"Those two are indeed good marines."
Although he had already stood on the opposite side of Marine Headquarters, Ian did not deny all Marines.
There were still quite a few good Marines within the Marine Headquarters who were unaware of many things.
Even when facing unreasonable demands from the World Government, they would still do their best to uphold justice in their hearts.
Even Sengoku, that Fleet Admiral, was likewise a good marine!
Ian never labeled himself as righteous. From the moment he came into this world, he had his own objectives.
Joining the Marines had also been intended as a springboard, but his strength had not allowed it at the beginning. Still, he would not go so far as to deny the justice of those marines.
Led by Chief Martin, the group walked along like this.
From time to time, when they saw a familiar place, they would stop and talk about past memories.
The two children would also occasionally ask: "Where is this?" "Did daddy and mommy meet here?" "Did uncle Kuma treat a patient here?", adding quite a bit of joy for everyone.
This stretch of road, which was clearly not very long, was walked for quite some time at everyone's leisurely pace.
It was only after the sun had set that they arrived at Ian's former wooden house.
When the door was opened, there was no feeling of dust rushing toward them, nor was there any foul, rotten smell.
Although it had been several years since anyone came, the inside still looked especially clean, causing both Ian and Robin to be stunned.
"Della comes by from time to time to clean it up."
Chief Martin said with a smile. "She said you would come back someday, and when that time came, you would definitely still live here."
"Della?"
Hearing Chief Martin's words, Ian and Robin seemed to recall something and could not help but smile.
That little girl from back then!
Ian turned his head to look at Chief Martin and said with a smile, "By the way, where is Della? Why haven't we seen her?"
"Not long after you left, Della joined the Marines, just like you back then, not listening to me at all."
Speaking of his granddaughter, Chief Martin's face was filled with emotion and complexity. After shaking his head, he continued: "If you had come back a couple of days earlier, you would have seen her."
"She came back on leave a few days ago, cleaned the house, and then returned to the marine base. I heard that Marine Headquarters issued a summons, and her entire fleet has to go over there. She probably won't be able to come back for a while."
"... May I ask which marine base Della joined?"
"The 315th Branch! Where else could she go? It's a pity Captain Enchi has already left. Otherwise, we could have said something to Captain Enchi."
After saying this, Chief Martin seemed to notice that Ian's expression was a bit off and asked in confusion: "What's wrong?"
"Nothing."
Hearing Chief Martin's words, Ian also pulled his thoughts back.
Marine Headquarters... Damn it, don't tell me she's going to participate in a public execution!
But Ian also understood that saying these things now would be useless and would only make Chief Martin and everyone worry.
Later, he would give Garp and Kuzan a call to see if he could have the two of them look after her a bit.
Looking at Chief Martin, who was staring at him in confusion, Ian continued to smile and said, "I just didn't expect it to be such a coincidence."
"What's so surprising about that? Although that girl has always missed you all, when she comes back from her next leave..."
"Stop, you don't need to say those things."
"Why are you acting so strange?"
Seeing Ian interrupt him, Chief Martin was even more confused. However, he did not continue.
Instead, he glanced inside and said with a smile: "Looks like you're planning to stay here, so I won't disturb you."
"If you need anything, just say the word, and I'll have people deliver it. Oh, right, don't forget the banquet later. As for the others, those who want to stay can stay, and those who don't can come with me. Everyone's houses are still there!"
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