The sudden appearance of Luffy and his companion left both Nami and Makino somewhat surprised.
However, compared to Nami, it was evident that Makino was even more taken aback.
Because the person who had suddenly appeared before her...
Was none other than Luffy, the little rascal who used to follow her around as a child!
Makino's eyes suddenly sparkled with a hint of light.
Seeing Luffy, the lively spirit from her village, in a foreign land filled her with immense warmth and nostalgia!
Makino waved her hand and smiled, just about to speak.
From a distance, Zoro suddenly grabbed Luffy's face, pulling the rubbery Luffy back in front of him.
He knocked on Luffy's head with the hilt of his sword, gritting his teeth as he said, "You idiot!!"
"Who carries something like that around?!"
"And besides, didn't we just hear in that town that this place is already under Buggy's crew's control? These people might very well be Buggy's men!"
"Eh... is that so?!"
Luffy's expression suddenly changed, and his gaze became a bit more cautious.
Although he had been daydreaming while the town mayor spoke earlier, he had a rough understanding of the situation in this town.
Regarding Buggy's crew, who had taken over the town and were causing trouble, Luffy only thought about punching them away!
Upon hearing Zoro's reminder, Luffy finally took a serious look at the three people not far away.
Then.
As his gaze swept over the gentle and dignified figure smiling at him with soft eyes.
Luffy suddenly froze!
His mouth twitched slightly, and his eyes slowly curved into crescents as he burst into genuine laughter, "Makino!! What are you doing here?!"
"You finally recognized me, Luffy~"
Makino laughed out loud and said, "Luffy is still as energetic as ever!"
"Ahaha! It really is you!"
Hearing the familiar voice, Luffy became even more excited.
He easily broke free from Zoro's grip, rushed forward, and warmly embraced Makino.
Makino gently patted Luffy's head with both hands, just like she did when he was a child.
Standing nearby, Tushan watched this scene with a slight sense of displeasure.
"I almost forgot that Makino and Luffy have an unusual relationship..."
"Even though I know Luffy is practically like a son to Makino, seeing him hug her like that is really annoying!!"
Tushan grumbled, finally putting on a stern face, and stepped forward to pull Luffy away.
"Alright, alright, I know you two have a great relationship, but you can't just leave me out, can you?"
Seeing Luffy being pulled away, Makino was momentarily stunned, but quickly realized Tushan's slightly jealous demeanor.
"Tushan, hehe, I guess I should introduce you. This is Luffy from our Windmill Village~"
"I consider him like a younger brother."
"I know this guy. But if he's really your younger brother... then doesn't that make him my brother-in-law?"
Tushan muttered, looking at Luffy with a bored expression.
Having just been pulled away, Luffy felt a bit annoyed.
He looked up at Tushan's indifferent expression, pointed at him, and shouted, "Hey! Who are you? I've never seen you in the village! Why are you with Makino?!"
"Why am I with Makino?"
Tushan raised an eyebrow.
He immediately pulled Makino into his arms and unceremoniously turned to kiss her.
"My wife, if she's not with me, should she be playing house with a little kid like you?"
Makino's face flushed from Tushan's public display of affection. She rubbed her cheeks and quickly explained to Luffy, "Luffy, his name is Tushan. We just got married recently..."
"Eh—?"
"Makino, married?!"
Luffy exclaimed in surprise.
Although he wasn't particularly interested in such matters, he knew it was a good thing.
But the person she married...
Somehow, it was just annoying!
And talking about playing house with a little kid.
Thinking this, Luffy continued to glare at Tushan with an unfriendly gaze.
At this moment.
Nami and Zoro, who had been watching from the side, also reacted and approached.
"So, they know each other."
Zoro withdrew his hand from the hilt of his sword and spoke calmly.
However, his gaze remained fixed on Tushan.
"This guy..."
He muttered to himself.
Zoro felt that Tushan gave off a very strange vibe.
As for what was strange about it, he couldn't quite put his finger on it...
While Zoro was observing Tushan.
Nami was also observing Zoro.
Unlike Tushan's restrained aura.
Zoro exuded a beast-like presence!
If it weren't for Makino knowing him, Nami would have been on high alert.
Just as the atmosphere among the group grew a bit awkward.
Buggy's crew, who had been lurking in the shadows, took action once more.
...
"Where did those two come from?!"
Watching Luffy and his companion meet with Tushan's group from the shadows, Buggy's brow furrowed into a '川' shape.
Having his territory invaded repeatedly over the past few days was truly frustrating!
"If I can't provoke Tushan, so be it!"
"If Nami is under Tushan's protection, so be it!"
"But now, two more people have intruded on my territory!!"
"If I don't teach them a lesson, won't it make me look easy to bully?!"
Buggy stomped his foot in anger.
This time, he saw that Tushan didn't seem to have a good attitude towards the newcomers.
Surely, they couldn't be Tushan's people again, right?!
Beside him, Cabaji's eyes were filled with a peculiar gleam.
His gaze was fixed on Zoro, who exuded a beast-like dangerous aura.
And the strange three swords strapped to his waist.
"Swords? Is he a swordsman..."
"But why carry three..."
As a 'swordsman,' albeit self-proclaimed, Cabaji had some understanding of other swordsmen.
He found Zoro's appearance quite peculiar.
After pondering for a while, Cabaji's eyes suddenly lit up.
He quickly approached Buggy and said, "That green-haired guy might be the infamous Three-Sword Style user of the East Blue, Roronoa!"
"Hmm? Roronoa..."
"Isn't that guy a pirate hunter?!"
Buggy furrowed his brow, clearly familiar with Zoro's reputation.
Mochi whispered from the side, "If he's a pirate hunter, then he probably sees us as his target!"
"Nani?!"
Buggy became even more enraged, baring his teeth as he growled, "Just two people dare to target me?!"
"Even if it's Roronoa, he's underestimating me too much!!"
Beside him, Cabaji's eyes gleamed with excitement.
Fighting a well-known swordsman was something he had always wanted to do.
Zoro's appearance seemed like the perfect opportunity to prove himself!
Thinking this, Cabaji suddenly sneered, "Hehe, I think this is a great opportunity for us!"
"If Tushan values even that mediocre little thief cat..."
"Then if we show enough strength, perhaps we can be openly invited by him to join in the treasure hunt!"
"Oh?"
Buggy pondered for a moment.
Soon, he clapped his hands.
"Yoshi!"
"Then let's use those two as an example to show Tushan our strength!"
"Everyone, attack!!"
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