East Blue, the Goa Kingdom, Foosha Village.
This was one of the most remote corners of the world—and the place where every story began.
A peaceful village. Quiet streets. Slowly turning windmills.
Whoosh...
Space distorted slightly.
Without causing any commotion, Tobirama appeared silently on the dirt road at the village entrance, accompanied by Hancock, Robin, and the two Snake Princesses.
"So this is Foosha Village?"
Robin looked around curiously.
She found it hard to believe that the legendary Marine hero Garp had chosen to settle in such an ordinary, defenseless little village.
"Let's go."
Tobirama offered no further explanation and headed directly toward the tavern in the center of the village.
He pushed open the half-closed wooden door.
Ring... Ring...
The wind chimes chimed softly.
There weren't many people inside. Only a handful of villagers sat around chatting leisurely.
The moment Tobirama and his group entered, the tavern fell completely silent.
Everyone froze.
Wine glasses hung motionless in midair.
The reason was simple.
They were too eye-catching.
The silver-haired man leading the group carried an aura of nobility that made him seem like a deity who had stepped out of a painting.
As for the women behind him, every one of them possessed breathtaking beauty that seemed almost unreal.
These villagers, who had rarely left Foosha Village in their entire lives, were completely stunned.
Behind the counter, the tavern owner, Makino, was equally surprised.
With her short dark-green hair, headscarf, and gentle smile, she embodied warmth itself.
"Welcome!"
Recovering from her daze, Makino greeted them with her signature smile.
"What would you like to drink?"
Tobirama walked to the counter and casually took a seat.
Immediately, Hancock pulled out a silk handkerchief and carefully wiped the stool before allowing him to sit down.
Then she stood obediently beside him like a devoted wife.
The sight filled the surrounding villagers with envy.
Who was this guy?
He certainly knew how to make an entrance.
"Five glasses of your best liquor."
Tobirama spoke casually while openly examining Makino.
Setting combat strength aside, if one judged solely by wife and mother qualities, Makino would undoubtedly rank among the best in the entire world.
A woman this gentle and caring was worth keeping.
"Of course. Please wait a moment."
Makino moved efficiently.
Soon, she returned with five glasses of golden rum.
Tobirama took a sip.
The initial taste was sharp and spicy, followed by a lingering sweetness mixed with subtle fruity and woody notes.
Although it couldn't compare to the divine wines of the Ninja World, it was exceptionally good for such a remote village.
"The wine is good."
He set the glass down and looked at Makino.
"And so is the owner."
Makino's cheeks reddened slightly.
"You're too kind, sir..."
At that moment—
BANG!
The tavern door was kicked open.
The poor wooden door flew off its hinges and slammed against the wall, sending splinters flying everywhere.
"Boss Lady! Business seems pretty good!"
A loud, arrogant voice echoed through the room.
A group of rough-looking men swaggered inside, weapons hanging from their waists.
The leader had a horse-like face, rat-like whiskers, and a vicious expression.
Higuma.
The infamous Mountain Bandit King.
A "great criminal" with a bounty of eight million berries.
"It's... it's Higuma!"
"Move! Get out of his way!"
The villagers instantly turned pale.
Some even tried to sneak out through the back.
Higuma strode over and planted himself heavily at the counter.
Resting his feet on the table, he slammed a broad-bladed sword down beside him.
"Makino!"
He grinned maliciously.
"Time to pay this month's protection fee."
"I've noticed business has been pretty good lately."
"The price is going up."
"Five hundred thousand berries."
"Not a single berry less."
"Otherwise, I'll smash this dump into pieces."
Makino's face paled.
She forced a smile.
"Mr. Higuma... didn't we just pay a few days ago? And five hundred thousand... I really can't afford that..."
"Can't afford it?"
Higuma's expression darkened.
He stood abruptly and reached for her collar.
"No money?"
"Then don't blame me for being rude!"
Just as his filthy hand was about to touch her—
"Oh?"
A faint chuckle sounded.
In the silent tavern, it was particularly conspicuous.
Higuma froze.
Turning his head, he glared at the silver-haired man sitting calmly at the counter.
"Who laughed?"
"You looking for death?"
The surrounding bandits immediately drew their weapons and surrounded Tobirama's group.
"Boss! It's this pretty boy!"
"I didn't like him the moment he walked in!"
Tobirama remained seated, slowly swirling the liquor in his glass.
Looking at the rippling liquid, he shook his head helplessly.
So this was the classic One Piece scenario.
Unfortunately...
He wasn't Shanks.
He had no interest in smiling after someone spilled wine on him.
In his eyes, creatures like this merely polluted the air.
"Bandits?"
Tobirama finally turned around.
His Rinnegan stared at them without the slightest emotion.
To him, they were nothing more than buzzing insects.
"An eight-million-berry bounty?"
"You insignificant ants who aren't even worthy of carrying a single strand of my hair dare bark in front of me?"
Higuma felt an inexplicable chill under that gaze.
But as the local tyrant, his anger immediately overwhelmed his fear.
"You bastard!"
"Do you even know who I am?!"
"I've killed fifty-six arrogant fools just like you!"
"Get him!"
"Cut him down!"
Roaring furiously, Higuma drew his sword and slashed toward Tobirama's head.
The other bandits followed suit, charging forward while pulling triggers and swinging blades.
Makino screamed.
"Watch out!"
Robin silently took a step backward.
Looking at the bandits, her eyes were filled with pity.
Why did they have to provoke him?
Faced with the overwhelming attack, Tobirama remained seated.
He didn't even bother lifting a finger.
"Since your mouths are so filthy..."
"Then keep them shut forever."
He opened his mouth.
Chakra instantly condensed and compressed to its limit.
Sage Art: Storm Release—Light Fang!
Sizzle!
A brilliant purple beam, no thicker than a strand of hair, shot out instantly.
Its speed rivaled light itself.
Its cutting power was enough to sever Truth-Seeking Orbs.
Flash!
The violet beam swept through the tavern like the scythe of a god of death.
The world froze.
Higuma remained locked in his slashing posture.
The sneer on his face never disappeared.
The other bandits were equally frozen in their attack stances.
One second.
Two seconds.
Crack.
The sword in Higuma's hand split cleanly in half.
A thin red line appeared across his neck.
"Urgh..."
His eyes widened.
He tried to speak.
Only a gurgling sound emerged.
Pfft! Pfft! Pfft!
The next instant—
More than a dozen heads rolled from their shoulders simultaneously.
Blood erupted like fountains, staining the floor and ceiling crimson.
Headless corpses collapsed like harvested wheat.
The tavern was instantly filled with the thick stench of blood.
The infamous Mountain Bandit King never even understood how he died before he was sent straight to hell.
An instant kill.
Trash of this level wasn't worthy of making Tobirama stand up.
"AAAAAHHH!"
The villagers screamed in terror.
Some fainted on the spot.
Makino covered her mouth with both hands.
Her face was deathly pale as she stared at the horrifying scene.
They were all dead.
Killed instantly.
Tobirama, however, remained as calm as ever, as though he had merely exhaled.
A gentle wave of his hand summoned a breeze that dispersed the bloody odor around the counter.
Then he turned to Makino.
His gaze was calm, yet his words carried unquestionable authority.
"Makino."
"This place is too noisy."
"Not suitable for drinking."
"My ship happens to be missing a professional bartender."
He pointed first at the corpses scattered across the floor, then at her.
"Since this place is already ruined..."
"Pack your things and come with me."
Makino froze.
She stared at the man who had massacred over a dozen people without blinking an eye, yet was now inviting her aboard as though discussing the weather.
Her mind went blank.
Refuse?
Looking at the still-warm corpses on the floor...
Did she even dare?
Before she could answer, Hancock snorted.
Though jealousy flickered in her eyes, she still spoke proudly.
"Why aren't you thanking him?"
"Being chosen by Lord Tobirama is a blessing you've accumulated over countless lifetimes."
"Once you're on the ship, remember to call me 'Big Sister.'"
Faced with this group of overwhelmingly powerful newcomers, Makino felt utterly helpless.
In the end, she could only nod weakly.
"Y-Yes..."
"I understand."
And just like that, the tavern owner of Foosha Village officially joined the crew.