Marco sighed helplessly as he looked at the small girl standing before him. He reached out, gently patting her head."Alright, alright… it won't happen again."
Anna looked up at him with sparkling eyes and suddenly threw her arms around him."Long time no see, Brother Marco!"
From the side, Thatch immediately butted in with a teasing grin."Yo, yo, yo, Brother Marco~ Look at that! She can't even see us—her eyes are glued to him! Guess we don't exist anymore!"
Izo chuckled, playing along."Yeah, seriously. We show up and she forgets all about us."
Anna spun around quickly, laughing nervously as she threw her arms around them both."Brother Thatch! Brother Izo! Brother Vista! Long time no see! I missed you all so much. I even brought the wine I brewed myself—come on, try some!"
Thatch crossed his arms, still pretending to pout."Oh, so you do see us now, huh? Only after we complained? We shouldn't have come along. We're just extra baggage. Marco should've come alone!"
Anna puffed her cheeks and leaned closer, her big round eyes shining."Don't say that, Brother Thatch! I really missed you guys!"
Thatch's act broke instantly. He laughed, scooping her up into his arms."Ahh, my adorable little Anna! I missed you too!"
He rubbed his stubbly cheek against hers affectionately.
"Ah—ahh! Stop! Brother Izo, help me!" Anna squealed, giggling helplessly.
Izo, seeing Anna's face turn red from Thatch's beard, stepped in quickly and pulled her away."Thatch, look what you've done! Her cheek's all red!"
Thatch blinked and shouted in mock panic,"Someone get the doctor! Don't let our little Anna's beautiful face be ruined!"
From the crowd, a calm voice spoke up."Let me take a look. I'm Hongo, the ship's doctor from the Red-Haired Pirates."
After examining her, Hongo smiled reassuringly."It's nothing serious. Just some mild irritation. She's got delicate skin, that's all. Try not to roughhouse with her next time."
Then, unable to resist, he lightly pinched her other cheek.
Anna yelped. Thatch immediately snatched her back."Hey! You just said her skin was delicate—why are you pinching her?!"
Hongo only laughed, stepping back as Marco sighed and rubbed his temples.He turned to Thatch and muttered, "Sorry about that. Please forgive him."
Hongo waved it off. "Don't worry about it," he said, heading back toward his drink.
Shanks burst out laughing from the side."This is hilarious! Come on, everyone—let's drink to celebrate Anna's perfect face!"
Before anyone could react, Beckman appeared behind Shanks and gave him a light punch on the head."Sorry about him too," he said dryly.
Marco and Beckman exchanged looks of mutual suffering.Having unreliable crewmates was a universal experience, apparently.
Anna clapped her hands to get everyone's attention."Alright, everyone, let's just sit down and have a proper drink!"
"Yeah! Drink! Drink! Nobody goes home sober tonight!" Shanks cheered, slinging an arm over Marco's shoulder and pressing a cup of wine into his hand.
Marco sighed but took a sip anyway."Fine. It's been ages since we've met, after all. Let's have a drink."
The party between the two pirate crews raged on deep into the night. Laughter echoed until dawn before finally dying down.When morning came, only Beckman and Marco were still sober.
Anna was fast asleep—half sprawled over Shanks' stomach while her foot rested on Thatch's head, snoring softly.
Marco rubbed the back of his neck, chuckling."Beckman, I'll take Anna back to her room. She's not like these guys—she can't sleep on the floor."
Beckman, cigarette dangling from his lips, nodded."Yeah, I'll handle the cleanup. Go on."
Marco carried Anna back to her room.
The next morning, sunlight streamed through the curtains.Anna groaned and held her head."Owww… so this is a hangover? It hurts… and my voice—why does it sound so raspy?"
Just then, the door creaked open and Marco walked in, holding a steaming cup."I figured you'd be in pain. Here—honey water. It'll help. Drink it, then come downstairs for breakfast."
Anna obediently took it, sipping slowly."Thank you, Marco."
Once she finished, Marco smiled faintly."Good. Rest a bit, then come down." He turned and left quietly.
Anna stretched, feeling the warmth in her chest."As expected of Marco. Always looking out for me."
After washing up and changing clothes, she headed downstairs.
The lively chatter of the Red-Haired Pirates filled the air. Her parents were busy in the kitchen, and everything felt warm and peaceful.
"Oh-ho! Look who's awake!" Shanks called out when he saw her descending the stairs.
Everyone turned toward her with grins.
"Good morning, everyone!" Anna said brightly.
"Good morning, little Anna!""Morning!""Morning, kiddo!"
She sat down between Shanks and Marco and began to eat breakfast.
Between bites, Marco spoke up."By the way, Anna, we didn't just come back to check on your training. There's another reason."
Anna tilted her head, puzzled.Another reason? Could it be… related to Kizaru's visit the other day? That didn't seem likely…
Shanks's tone turned serious."Things have been… unstable lately. Tell me, have any strangers come to the island recently?"
Anna blinked in surprise.Kizaru had asked the exact same question. Why?
If it wasn't about the Red-Haired Pirates, then what else could draw an admiral to a small, quiet island like this?He said it was about the wine—but that never made sense. Shanks coming for wine? Sure. But Kizaru?
"There weren't any strange pirates," Anna said slowly. "But… an admiral did come by a few days ago."
Marco's expression darkened."If that's true, the danger level here just went way up."
Beckman put out his cigarette, his eyes narrowing."Something big's brewing. For a navy admiral to show up here of all places… Marco, you heard anything?"
The cheerful morning suddenly felt a lot heavier.