"But…"
Shirayama let the word hang in the air, drawing out the tension.
The village chief, who had been bracing himself for disappointment, suddenly perked up. His eyes sparkled with renewed hope as he stared expectantly at Shirayama, eagerly awaiting his next words.
"I can stay here for a year or two," Shirayama continued, a faint smile on his lips. "With me around, you shouldn't have to worry about pirates causing trouble anymore."
"Really?"
Before Shirayama could finish his sentence, he felt the chief's gnarled, skeletal hands latch onto his arm. The old man's grip was surprisingly firm, his face a mix of disbelief and elation as he tried to confirm whether Shirayama was serious.
"Haha, of course, I'm serious," Shirayama chuckled, nodding. "After spending five years as a ghost on Kuroro Island, I'm ready to live like a normal person again. Why not enjoy some peace and company for a change?"
Life on Kuroro had been a solitary struggle, without a soul to talk to. Now, the idea of living among others, sharing his days, was a welcome change.
Moreover, Shirayama knew his current strength wasn't sufficient for the perils of the sea. He aimed to grow stronger—at least to the level of a pirate with a 300-million bounty—before setting sail.
"Thank you! Thank you so much! This is the day we've been waiting for!"
The chief's reaction was almost childlike. Tears streamed down his weathered cheeks as he danced with joy, his frail figure swaying awkwardly yet jubilantly.
It was a scene both touching and amusing, yet it underscored a harsh truth about the world they lived in: the weak sought refuge under the strong, while the strong dictated the terms of survival.
"Thank you…"
From behind, Aki suddenly wrapped her arms around Shirayama. Her tears dampened his shoulder as she clung to him, like a bird finally finding shelter from the storm. Her face radiated relief and gratitude.
Under normal circumstances, Shirayama might have gently pushed her away. After all, such intimacy between a man and woman was usually reserved for those in a relationship.
But this time, he didn't.
In fact, Shirayama realized he had begun to develop feelings for Aki. Her simplicity and sincerity were qualities he found irresistible.
In his previous life, he had met many women, but someone as pure and genuine as Aki was a rare gem—like a solitary orchid in a field of flowers, unassuming yet captivating to those who truly noticed.
Besides, Aki's seaside charm, while not as dazzling as that of legends like Boa Hancock or Nico Robin, held a unique allure. And for Shirayama, that was more than enough.
"Shirayama, thank you so much!"
The villagers, one by one, emerged from their homes. They gathered around Shirayama, their faces alight with gratitude, their voices joining in unison to thank him.
"Ha! No need to be so formal," Shirayama said, laughing. "From now on, we're all family. If you ever need help, just ask—I'll do my best to assist."
"Of course," he added with a grin, "if I run into any trouble, I hope you'll lend me a hand too."
"Absolutely!"
The villagers raised their hands enthusiastically, their voices booming in agreement.
"Alright, alright, let's not linger too long. Everyone has their own work to do," Shirayama said, waving his hand to disperse the crowd.
"Got it, got it!"
With cheerful laughter, the villagers gradually returned to their homes, leaving Shirayama with a warm sense of belonging.
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