Cocoyasi Village.
Bell-mère, with her red hair and checkered shirt, sat quietly at the dining table, knitting clothes.
Beside the table, little Nami—only seven or eight years old and having just returned after getting into trouble—was eating the meager food on the table while sneaking glances at Bell-mère with her bright, watery eyes.
Next to her, Nojiko, who had just turned ten, also looked toward Bell-mère from time to time.
"Um… Bell-mère."
Little Nami, with her beautiful orange hair, put down her fork and asked cautiously, "Why aren't you eating?"
"I'm on a diet right now."
Bell-mère smiled and continued, "Girls need to maintain a good figure, you know!"
"I won't eat either!"
At that moment, ten-year-old Nojiko set down her fork, lowering her head with a hint of emotion.
Though she and Nami were still young, they knew their family was running out of food. That was why Bell-mère had recently been eating only one meal a day—to save food for the two of them.
"What are you two sulking about?"
Seeing both Nami and Nojiko put down their forks, Bell-mère didn't get angry. Instead, she explained, "Kids should eat properly. You mustn't go hungry."
"You're lying."
Nojiko lifted her head, her emotions surging. "It's because our family has no money that you're not eating, right? You're enduring it yourself, but making us—"
"I'm on a diet."
Before Nojiko could finish, Bell-mère cut her off immediately. She even raised a hand to her face and said narcissistically, "Don't underestimate the beauty benefits of tangerines… The reason my skin is still so radiant at thirty is all thanks to them!"
"But your hands are turning yellow!"
Sitting to the side, Nami looked at Bell-mère's hands and said seriously, "That's because you're not getting enough nutrition, right?"
"Just eat your food!"
Hearing Nami say her hands were turning yellow, Bell-mère instantly exploded, shouting at her, "This is my natural skin tone, okay?! For saying that my skin is yellow, you're punished—eat another bowl of rice!"
Before Nami could react, Bell-mère immediately switched to a cheerful expression and held up a finished piece of clothing excitedly. "Ta-da! This is Bell-mère brand high-end fashion. Nami, do you like it?"
"…!!!"
Looking at the clothes Bell-mère held up, Nami pouted and complained, "It's just something Nojiko already wore—"
Before she could finish speaking, a burst of noisy chatter suddenly came from outside.
"Really? That newcomer wants to contract a tangerine grove in Cocoyasi Village?"
"Wow, that's great! I was just worried we wouldn't be able to sell our harvest."
"Quick, let's go take a look! If the price is right, I'll do buy one get one free!"
"I'll do buy one get two free!"
"Hey, hey, you can't do that! Can't we work together and sell at a good price?"
"I'll do buy one get three free!"
Hearing the voices fading into the distance, Bell-mère's eyes suddenly lit up.
Contracting a tangerine grove?
This was a golden opportunity!
If she could lease out her grove, they might just get through this crisis.
Without hesitation, Bell-mère stood up decisively and said excitedly, "Nami, Nojiko, let's go take a look too!"
Meanwhile—
The arrival of Arashi and Mihawk caused quite a stir in Cocoyasi Village.
It wasn't because anyone recognized them, but because as soon as Arashi entered the village, he found a child and spread the news that he wanted to contract a tangerine grove.
To the villagers, this news was nothing short of incredible.
This year's tangerine harvest was abundant, leading to an oversupply. Not only were prices low, but there was even a risk that the fruit would rot unsold.
So at a time like this, the appearance of a contractor was like timely help in a crisis.
After spreading the news, Arashi came to a densely populated area of the village, found a place to sit, and calmly waited for the villagers to come to him.
"Aren't you a traveler?"
Although Mihawk was extremely unwilling to continue following Arashi, losing his ship left him no choice but to tag along to Cocoyasi Village.
He originally thought Arashi wouldn't stay here long, but when he heard that Arashi actually planned to contract a tangerine grove, he almost couldn't resist slashing him.
What happened to traveling?
"Of course I am!"
Arashi blinked and said with a smile, "The true meaning of traveling isn't just about where you've been—it's about truly understanding the places you visit. Especially the local customs and culture. But that only makes you a superficial traveler."
"Only by blending into the local way of life in every place you go… can you be considered a true… traveler!"
"?????"
Hearing Arashi's words, Mihawk felt as if he had been struck by lightning again, nearly coughing up blood.
This guy really didn't follow any kind of logic!
Sparring meant rock-paper-scissors, and traveling meant contracting a tangerine grove?
Mihawk felt his brain struggling to keep up with Arashi's pace. If this continued, he was afraid he would truly be led astray.
Most importantly, he never should have boarded Arashi's ship in the first place.
He should've just cut down both Arashi and his ship back then—it would've been much simpler!
And besides, what did blending into local customs have to do with contracting a tangerine grove?!
This had to be intentional.
Stay calm. Don't get angry. Absolutely don't get angry…
Mihawk took a deep breath and asked, "So, are you planning to settle here, or what? Just tell me—how long do you intend to stay?"
"It won't take too long."
Arashi waved his hand casually. "It's harvest season right now, so… about three to five months should do!"
"Three… five months?"
Mihawk took another deep breath, then decisively turned around and walked away.
"Farewell!"
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