Unable to resist Makino's enthusiasm, Ezra ended up staying in Windmill Town for three months.
During this time, Luffy and Ace underwent a full three months of training. Although they still couldn't touch Ezra, their reflexes and reaction times had improved dramatically.
One early morning, Ezra looked at the still-energetic boys and raised his right hand.
"All right, that's enough for today."
"Huh? Wha why?"
"We haven't even touched you yet!"
Ezra waved his hand.
"It's not your fault. It's been over three months, and my vacation is ending."
Luffy and Ace fell silent. Though they had only spent a short time together, Ezra had already carved out a place in their hearts.
"Uncle… will you come back?" Luffy asked, his voice tinged with worry.
Ezra smiled.
"Don't worry, Luffy. I'll come back. The outcome of this challenge will have to wait until next time. Until then, I want you both to keep training hard."
The boys nodded eagerly in response.
By noon, Ezra, accompanied by Makino and the others, walked toward the port.
"All right, this is as far as I go. I'm not disappearing forever."
Windmill Town's residents had been so enthusiastic, and everyone laughed heartily.
"See you off, you little rascal! Are you shy now?" Dadan chuckled.
Ezra shrugged.
"Well… maybe a little."
Everyone laughed again.
"All right, I'll be off now. Take care of yourselves! Keep training hard!"
Hearing their well-wishes, Ezra strode toward the port. Just as he was about to board the ship, a voice called out.
"Uncle! Uncle!"
Ezra turned. It was Ace. He slowed his pace.
"What's up, Ace?"
Ace bent over, hands on his knees, panting.
"Uncle… I just remembered something!"
Ezra tilted his head, curious.
"My grandfather told me that you saved my mother and me! Thank you so much!"
Ace bowed deeply. Ezra's face softened into a gentle smile.
"Portgas D. Ace."
Ace looked up.
"Uncle… why did you suddenly call me by my name?"
"That name… I gave it to you."
Ace blinked in shock.
"Really?!"
Ezra nodded calmly.
"Ace, I don't know what Uncle Garp had in mind, but I want you to remember: you have a great mother and a great father."
Ace froze, touched by the words.
Ezra turned and boarded the ship. From behind, Ace shouted loudly:
"Thank you, Uncle!"
Ezra waved and left Windmill Town.
"Admiral Residual Fire, should we head back to Marineford?"
"No, first we'll stop at Shimotsuki Village."
"Yes, Admiral Residual Fire!"
Ezra had two reasons for going to Shimotsuki Village: to check if Dragon was there and to visit Kuina. Little did he know, a surprise awaited him there.
Several days passed in transit. Ezra made sure to travel slowly as he instructed, and finally, they arrived at Shimotsuki Village.
"Admiral Residual Fire, we've arrived."
Ezra stood on the sand, stretching.
"Finally… you all take a short rest. I'll be back by tomorrow at the latest."
"Yes, Admiral Residual Fire!"
With that, Ezra left the ship in a flash step and soon arrived at the village's rear hills.
[Isshin Dojo]
Seeing the nameplate, Ezra's lips curled into a faint smile. He stepped inside.
As he entered, a brash voice called out:
"Hey! Uncle! This is a private dojo!"
Ezra raised his brow, glancing toward the training area. A green-haired young man glared at him it was Roronoa Zoro.
"Huh? You're new here?" Ezra asked, smiling.
Zoro frowned.
"Uncle, don't act like you've been here before. I've been training here for over a year and never seen you!"
Ezra waved his hand.
"Well, my last visit here was seven years ago."
Zoro smirked.
"Yeah, right. Liar."
Ezra's lips twitched. This Zoro still had some growing up to do.
"Anyway, where's Mr. Kurosaki?" Ezra asked.
Zoro raised an eyebrow, clearly recognizing the name.
"Uncle, wait here. I'll go get Master."
"No need. I'll go in myself." Ezra had already sensed Kurosaki's location.
"That's not allowed! You stay here!" Zoro protested.
Ezra shrugged.
"Fine, then go notify him."
Zoro darted inside. Soon, Kurosaki and Kuina emerged.
Kuina's eyes lit up at the sight of Ezra.
"Brother Ezra!"
She leapt into his arms.
"Well, well… Kuina, you've grown so much!" Ezra ruffled her hair, smiling.
"Weren't you supposed to visit more often, Brother?"
"You liar," she teased.
Ezra scratched his head awkwardly.
"Ahahaha… I've been busy, haven't I? But here I am now."
He turned to Kurosaki.
"Master Kurosaki, long time no see."
Kurosaki smiled warmly.
"Ezra, it really has been a long time. Come, let's go inside."
Ezra nodded slightly and carried Kuina indoors. Zoro watched, stunned. When had Kuina ever seemed so gentle?
Inside, he chatted casually with Kurosaki.
"Has Dragon come by here recently?" Ezra asked.
Kurosaki shook his head.
"Since he resupplied last time, he hasn't been here for a while, just like you."
"I see… I thought he might have come here to lay low."
Kurosaki blinked. Ezra explained his recent encounter with Dragon.
"Hahaha, looks like you really scared him!" Kurosaki laughed.
Ezra waved his hand.
"Who knew he would run off without even wanting to fight?"
As they laughed together, Ezra's Den Den Mushi rang.
"Sorry, Master Kurosaki." He stepped into the courtyard and answered the call.
"Uncle Sengoku, what is it? I told you, I'm on vacation…"
On the other end, Sengoku's voice came.
"Ezra, how much do you know about Jinbe?"