After preparing the water for the bath, Makino stepped out and saw that Alex D. Ivanov had finished eating.
"Are you full? I've prepared hot water for you to bathe and clean clothes for you to change into," she said with a kind smile.
Alex looked at his condition and realized he really needed to clean himself up. Makino's understanding and kindness deeply moved him.
She was such a kind-hearted woman that Alex couldn't help but feel admiration for her. Although there was an age difference between them, it didn't matter. In his mind, Makino was a special person, someone who radiated warmth and generosity.
However, when Alex looked at her with a certain intensity, Makino noticed something in his eyes that made her blush.
"Boy! Go take a bath right now!"
With her cheeks flushed, Makino quickly left the bar to calm herself. She didn't understand why she felt so embarrassed being looked at by someone younger than her. Perhaps it was because she had reached an age where she started thinking about marriage and her future.
Inside the bath, Alex found a large wooden barrel filled with hot water. It was the traditional way of bathing in this world. Without a second thought, he undressed and submerged himself in the water.
"Ah! This feels amazing," murmured Alex, completely relaxing.
The warmth of the water seemed to dissipate the weakness he had been feeling in his body. In this peaceful environment, Alex couldn't help but fall asleep.
Outside, Makino began to worry. It had been over an hour, and there was no sign of Alex.
"What's going on? Did he faint?"
Worried, she decided to enter the bath. There, she found Alex asleep in the barrel, breathing softly.
"Alex! Are you okay?"
As he felt someone shake him, Alex slowly opened his eyes.
"Huh? Makino? What happened?"
Seeing that he was fine, Makino blushed again and quickly backed away.
"Sorry! I thought something had happened to you," she said, covering her face.
Still confused, Alex realized the water had already turned cold. He got up, dressed in the clothes Makino had prepared, and looked at himself in the mirror.
"Well, not bad," he thought, smiling at his reflection.
When he stepped out, Alex found Makino sitting at the bar.
"Makino, can I ask you a question?"
He needed to know where in the timeline he was. This was crucial for his future plans.
"Sure, go ahead," Makino replied with her usual kind smile.
"Do you know Luffy? Do you know if he has already set out to sea?"
If Luffy had already been at sea for two years, Alex would need to adjust his plans. But if he had just left, there would still be opportunities to intervene in certain events.
"Yes, Luffy left for the sea yesterday. I'm still worried about him," Makino said, a hint of sadness in her voice.
Alex nodded, feeling that he had arrived at the perfect moment. He could now head to Orange Town and help Nami free herself from Arlong. However, he doubted his ability to face the fish-man tyrant with his ice magic.
"Are you planning to become a pirate too?" Makino asked, curious.
Alex smiled.
"Yes, this is the beginning of a great era. I can't miss it."
Makino nodded, understanding his determination. Then, she pulled out a stack of bills from the counter and placed them in front of Alex.
"Here, this is for you. It's 100,000 berries. Use it to buy supplies for your journey."
Alex tried to refuse, but Makino insisted.
"Please, accept it. If you see Luffy or Ace, send them my regards. And if they're in danger, help them if you can."
Moved, Alex accepted the money.
"Thank you, Makino. I'll pass along your regards."
In his mind, Alex was already planning how to change the course of events, especially Ace's fate in the Marineford War.