Start your adventure from Pirate World

That night, the fire did not break out.

The next day, after the three of them visited Windmill Village, they went to the only tavern in the village [Banquet Tavern] to rest.

The owner of the tavern is called Maginot. She is a beautiful girl with a gentle and cheerful personality. She is kind to others and takes good care of the three newcomers.

And because the Banquet Tavern is one of the few entertainment venues in Windmill Village, they visited it frequently in the past two days and quickly became familiar with it.

"Sister Maginot, I want a cup of hot milk with sugar!"

"Mine too, but without the sugar."

"And a glass of iced Coke, please."

"Okay, I know."

Looking at the three people sitting at the bar who made requests, Maginot smiled slightly and suggested to Luffy and Ace beside her:

"How about you also drink milk? If you drink more milk, you will grow up faster."

"Then I want milk!"

Luffy opened his hands excitedly when he heard this. Ace was also a little excited, but he folded his arms in a mature manner and said:

"Whatever, I can."

Maginot smiled softly when he saw this: "Okay."

In addition to drinks, Noel and the others also ordered some food. Maginot went backstage to prepare, and soon brought everything out, while also frying steaks for Luffy and Ace.

While eating, Maginot would also remind the two of them or help them wipe the stains from the corners of their mouths.

Luffy was used to this kind of treatment and was enjoying Maginot's service honestly, while Ace felt very awkward and even blushed, but even so he was still very honest and showed no signs of resistance.

When he was a child, Ace was strong, arrogant, and awkward. When he grew up, Ace was sunny, optimistic, and gentle. In terms of personality, he was a completely different person.

And the reason why Ace has made such a big change must be attributed to Maginot.

In addition to bringing them new clothes and food, Maginot often teaches them some etiquette and cares about their problems.

Bandit Dadan is their adoptive mother, and so is Makino.

In addition, not only Luffy and Ace, but Wuming and Kuina, who are about the same age as them, also enjoy the same treatment. Judging from their expressions, they should like this atmosphere very much.

Noel found this scene very interesting and smiled at Maginot:

"I always feel like Miss Maginot is both a sister and a mother."

"Maybe that's true. Maybe I prefer taking care of children."

Maginot smiled tenderly, and after hearing the conversation between the two, except for the very nervous Luffy, the other three were touched.

mother?

Suddenly Noel realized that, excluding Maginot, the five people in their row seemed to be as incapable of making a mother as he had complained about before.

Good guy!

Of course, he has been a human being in two lives. Although he was an orphan and was raised by Ken in this life, his parents were healthy and his family was happy in his previous life, and he has no regrets about this.

But Wuming and the others are different. The word mother has more or less special meaning in their hearts.

Speaking of which, it was reasonable and unexpected to meet Luffy and Ace again here. Noel didn't expect to meet them again so soon.

Because of this, Ace was a little wary of their existence, but Luffy didn't think too much about it and started chatting with Noel carelessly.

He asked curiously:

"Noel, are you pirates?"

"Pirates?"

Noel grinned: "We are adventurers, part-time bounty hunters."

"Adventurer? Bounty hunter? What is that? I don't understand. My name is Luffy, and I am the man who wants to become the Pirate King! He must be awesome!"

Luffy introduced himself with a smile, while Ace on the side held his forehead speechlessly.

Noel also laughed dumbly, which was very interesting:

"You want to be a pirate, but do you know what a bounty hunter does?"

Luffy tilted his head and asked, "What do you do?"

"It's designed to capture pirates and hand them over to the navy for money."

"Wow--!"

Luffy's mind instantly imagined the image of him being caught by Noel and handed over to Garp. He screamed in fright and rolled down from his seat.

"Don't hand me over to grandpa!"

"Hahahaha, don't worry. If you want me to catch you, at least I have to wait until you have a reward in the future."

Noel couldn't help but laugh at Luffy's amusement, and then joked.

Wuming on the side said curiously:

"It's really strange that there are still people who want to become pirates."

"What's so strange? Pirates are the coolest! Pirates are the freest people on the sea!"

Luffy retorted.

Guina said she couldn’t understand:

"Is it the freedom to burn, kill and loot?"

"certainly not!"

"what is that?"

"Forehead......"

After Luffy thought hard for a long time, his eyes suddenly lit up and he grinned proudly:

"Of course you can hold banquets freely! You can also eat meat as you like!"

"?"

Wuming and Guina looked at each other, speechless. Does this have anything to do with being a pirate?

Hearing this familiar argument, Noel couldn't laugh or cry, "Shanks, you're doing a lot of harm to people!"

In addition, looking at Ace who was silent on the side, Noel smiled and asked:

"What about you, are you quite a pirate too?"

"...Yeah, can't you?"

For some reason, Ace's attitude was a bit stubborn.

"Of course, no one can dictate other people's dreams, just be firm in your own will."

Noel smiled.

The world of pirates is not about preaching. If you don't like it, you can have a fight or simply kill the opponent. But if you talk, you can avoid it.

Ace was startled when he heard the words, and seemed to be touched. Not only did his mood calm down a little, but after struggling for a long time, he squeezed out two inaudible words from between his teeth:

"Thank you."

Noel smiled and said nothing more.

Ace was the character he felt was most regrettable in his previous life. In fact, according to the traditional lineage theory of Japanese comics, putting Ace in Luffy's position may be more in line with the protagonist's setting.

However, Ace did not become the protagonist in the end, and even died trying to protect Luffy, probably because the goal he pursued was never the Pirate King.

After all, Luffy always says "I am the man who wants to become the Pirate King" to everyone, but Ace talks about his brother Luffy, which is evident from this.

Next, the three of Noel spent some leisurely time in Windmill Village. Guina was temporarily unable to practice swordsmanship due to her injured arms. With Noel's affirmation, she took a short break and hung out with Wuming to relax.

Luffy and Ace have been coming here often recently, mainly because Luffy accidentally discovered the existence of the Free Flying Bird. After being shown off by Wuming, both of them were extremely envious.

Time passed quickly, and finally at sunset one day, Noel, who was blowing the wind on the deck, suddenly smelled an unusually unpleasant smell—as if garbage was burning.

As soon as he looked up, the other side of Gorbo Mountain, which separated the Kingdom of Goa and the Windmill Village, suddenly glowed with orange fire, and huge plumes of smoke rose into the sky, polluting the entire sky.

"It's finally started."