Chapter 25 — Homecoming
The mission was complete. The objectives achieved.
Now, it was time to go home.
He had left in haste, but on the journey back, there was no need to rush.
Halfway through the voyage, the warship even stopped at a large island. There, Eiger took his time to buy a few sets of winter clothes for Nico.
The weather along the Grand Line was mild—warm, even—but winter still lingered over the Sibia River Archipelago.
And as for Nico's measurements… Eiger remembered them perfectly.
The voyage home was uneventful. After sailing through the night and most of the next day, the 315th Marine Branch warship finally reached the Sibia Archipelago.
As the ship docked at the harbor, Eiger once again refused Colonel Enchi's invitation to return to Marine service. Instead, he slung his axe over his shoulder, gathered the packages he'd bought, and stepped off the ship.
He'd offered to let Enchi and his men rest on the island before heading back, but Enchi declined—he still had reports to file and cleanup to handle at the base.
Eiger had barely jumped off the ship when something seemed to occur to him. He turned around and shouted toward the departing vessel,
"Wait a second!"
The unexpected call made the warship slow to a halt. Colonel Enchi leaned over the railing, confused.
"What is it now? I told you, no need for invitations—we're in a hurry! I still have to finish the mission report for Headquarters!"
"Not that."
"Then what? Don't tell me you've finally agreed to come back?"
"Also not that." Eiger raised an eyebrow at the commander's opportunistic tone and replied dryly,
"I'm talking about payment. Don't forget my cut—and the bounty from the Iron Fist Pirates."
"..."
Enchi's expression twitched, and the excitement on his face instantly turned into exasperation.
"Yeah, yeah! Got it! Now get the hell off my dock!"
He kicked a nearby marine for good measure.
"And you! Why are we still sitting here? Move this damn ship already! You want to write another report? This mission cost me one-point-five billion Berries, you hear me?!"
"Sir, this operation can be reimbursed by Headquarters!"
"Too much talking! MOVE!"
"Yes, sir!"
Eiger couldn't help but chuckle as he listened to the familiar chaos echoing from the deck.
He understood perfectly well what Enchi meant—behind the shouting and insults, the man just wanted him back in the Marines.
Only when the warship finally disappeared over the horizon, heading toward the 315th Branch, did Eiger turn away.
He adjusted the bundle of clothes under his arm, hoisted his one-handed axe onto his shoulder, and began walking toward home.
It had only been two days since he'd left, yet somehow it felt like much longer.
There was a strange mixture of anticipation and melancholy in his chest—
as if he were returning after months, not days.
Maybe… this was what it felt like to have a home to return to.
Meanwhile, back at home.
After Eiger's departure, Nico continued her days as usual. She wore his oversized gray coat, tidied the small house, and spent her free hours sketching out plans for the new distillery.
She seemed to have grown accustomed to this quiet, simple life—
and she had to admit, it felt good.
Still, deep down, Nico knew better than anyone that this peaceful routine might not last forever.
The Marine who had once chased her across the seas could appear at any time—today, tomorrow… who could say?
That was why she wanted to finish the distillery's plans as soon as possible.
Even if she had to leave, the Sibia Archipelago's dream of a working winery would live on.
Of course, when alone, she sometimes used her Devil Fruit powers to… help out here and there—saving time by letting an extra pair of phantom hands do the chores.
She had discovered, to her surprise, that she enjoyed this kind of busyness.
When idle, her mind wandered too easily—to dark, anxious places.
Alone, she would start to worry.
To fear.
Sometimes she even wondered… maybe it wouldn't be so bad if she never recovered her memories, if she could simply live quietly like this forever.
But she knew—
as the last survivor of Ohara, peace was never truly hers to keep.
Still, her thoughts drifted to Eiger, and the tension in her heart eased a little. Then, inevitably, another worry crept in.
Would that Marine Admiral find him?
Would Eiger run into danger while away?
Would he… discover who she really was?
And just like that—her mind began to spiral again.
Sitting at the table, Nico sighed, setting down her book. Her worries made her smile despite herself. She pulled Eiger's coat tighter around her, took a slow sip of tea, propped her chin in one hand, and murmured softly with a wistful smile,
"So this is what being married feels like…?"
No sooner had she spoken than a faint sound caught her attention. Her expression shifted—alert, cautious—and she quickly stood up.
At the same moment, one of her conjured hands darted from the table, swiftly tucking away the open book.
Sure enough—before she even reached the door, there came the familiar creak of hinges.
"Creak."
And there he was—Eiger, framed in the doorway, his shoulders dusted with snow.
Seeing him, Nico's face lit up with a warm, genuine smile.
"You're back, darling."
"I'm back," Eiger replied, smiling in return. Setting down his axe, he lifted a bundle from his arm and held it out to her.
"I bought you some winter clothes on the way back. Not sure if they'll fit, but you should try them on."
"—?!"
He… bought her clothes?
For a heartbeat, Nico just stood there, frozen, staring at the bundle in disbelief. Then she slowly reached out and took it, dazed.
Her stunned look made Eiger blink.
"What's wrong?" he asked, puzzled.
"Nothing," she said softly after a pause. Then, clutching the clothes tightly against her chest, she smiled faintly.
"They'll fit perfectly. My husband's taste is… quite good—just like last time."
No one had ever bought her clothes before.
Her chest felt warm.
He really was too kind.
"It's getting late," she said after a moment, a playful glint in her eyes. "I'll go heat some water. Do you want a bath first, darling? I can help you if you'd like~"
"...???"
In an instant, all trace of fatigue vanished from Eiger's face. He straightened up, righteous and determined.
"Yes. Absolutely."
---
Back on the Sibia Archipelago, life soon returned to its calm rhythm.
Eiger once again fell into his routine—sleeping in, training daily, resting early, and occasionally chatting with the ever-energetic Village Chief Marin.
Despite the bitter winter chill that still blanketed the islands, the villagers moved with boundless enthusiasm.
Snow still covered the ground, yet everyone was bustling about, scouting locations for the distillery.
"This spot!"
"No, that one!"
Back and forth they went, arguing and laughing—no one entirely sure what progress they were making, but working tirelessly all the same.
Compared to the chaotic yet joyful scene of the archipelago, the world beyond the sea had grown far more turbulent—
storms gathering, forces moving,
and somewhere out there, the winds of change were beginning to stir again.
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