Chapter 10: Another Seven Years
Thanks to Luo Lin's Oscar-worthy sob story, Kensuke was completely won over by the "tragic orphans."
Even Robin shot him a weird look—When did this guy get so good at lying? If I hadn't lived through it with him, I might've believed him too!
Kensuke arranged a place for them near his own house, bought them piles of food, and told them they were welcome to stay in Cocoyasi Village forever—no pirates would ever bother them here.
The two happily agreed.
That was the plan all along. But they had no intention of living in someone else's house—nothing beats your own home!
Early the next morning, they thanked Kensuke and headed to the western side of the village.
After scouting, Luo Lin confirmed this was the exact spot where Nami and Nojiko would later live with Bell-mere. Perfect—he was squatting the land early.
Then they started planning their own little house.
Cocoyasi had plenty of trees. Luo Lin quickly gathered enough timber and chopped it into planks with his sword.
Two small figures squatted in front of a giant pile of wood… and stared blankly.
"Umm… yeah, I have zero clue how to actually build a house."
"Then why'd you cut so many trees?!"
"I got excited—we're finally building our own home! Couldn't stop myself, hehe!"
Robin: …
"How about… we go back to the village, hire real carpenters, and make it a proper brick house? Sturdy and everything!"
Luo Lin suggested tentatively. Bonus: no manual labor. Robin, who just wanted to relax, instantly agreed.
Back in the village, they found Kensuke again.
"You want to hire carpenters to build a house?!"
Kensuke stared at the dozens of gleaming gold coins Luo Lin casually handed over.
Yesterday they were "poor shipwrecked orphans." Today they were commissioning a two-story brick mansion?!
"You little punks! You said you survived a shipwreck, got chased by pirates, and were dumped here with nothing! Where'd all this money come from?!"
"Hehe, the shipwreck was real, but my bag held every last coin our family owned. That's why the merchants brought us all the way here!
We have no relatives left, so we're settling down. Gotta have a proper house, right?"
Kensuke nearly choked.
He'd spent all yesterday pitying them—turns out they were richer than anyone in the village!
He almost had a heart attack.
Still, he didn't get any greedy ideas about two kids with a fortune. Instead, he sighed, turned around, and personally escorted them to the most trustworthy carpenters—introducing Luo Lin and Robin as "distant cousins" to kill any funny thoughts.
Luo Lin was genuinely touched.
…
In the end, a dozen or so gold coins built a luxurious two-story brick house with a backyard garden. The leftover planks became flooring and furniture.
A few more coins got water and electricity hooked up.
Luo Lin tried to force five extra coins on Kensuke—he refused anything more, saying, "Save it for when you're older. You've got plenty of years ahead!"
He had no idea those coins were pocket change compared to the mountain of treasure still hidden in Luo Lin's bag.
Standing in front of their brand-new home, Luo Lin was beaming.
They cleaned every corner, planted flowers and fruit trees in the front and back.
"Hey, Robin! This is our home from now on!"
"Mm!"
Life finally calmed down.
It felt like Ohara again—Luo Lin practicing swordsmanship in the front yard, Robin reading on the swing.
Only difference: no kind scholars around anymore.
…
Time flew.
Seven peaceful years passed in the blink of an eye.
It was now the year 1507 in the Sea Circle Calendar.
No Marines ever came looking—not because they hid so well, but because the moment the patrolling 16th Branch noticed them, Luo Lin bribed (and mildly threatened) Colonel Nezumi with money and muscle. The rat folded instantly.
Luo Lin was now 17. Robin was 15.
Both had shot up to a towering 180 cm, curves and muscles in all the right places. Robin already carried that future air of elegant intellect.
"Uncle Luo Lin! Big Sis Robin!"
A little girl's voice rang from outside the gate.
Five-year-old Nami and eight-year-old Nojiko!
The year after Luo Lin and Robin settled, Bell-mere had shown up with the two tiny girls.
She planned to leave when she saw the house was occupied, but Luo Lin convinced her to stay. She built a small cabin nearby and made a living selling mikan.
"Little Nami! How many times do I have to tell you—if you call Robin 'big sis,' you call me 'big bro,' not 'uncle'!"
Luo Lin sheathed his sword and glared helplessly at the tiny orange-haired gremlin.
"Nope! Bleh!"
Nami stuck out her tongue.
"You little—believe me I'll spank you!"
He advanced menacingly. Nami squealed and bolted behind Robin.
"Big Sis Robin, save me!"
Luo Lin was only twelve years older than Nami. The kids had grown up playing with them—more like little siblings than anything. Especially Nojiko.
(PS: Author's note—I'm 10 years older than my real sister; a high school classmate is 18 years older than his. We spoil them rotten.)
Of course, Nami had actually been spanked by Luo Lin before—many times. The moment he said the word, she panicked.
At first she'd run after being naughty. Didn't matter how far—Luo Lin always caught her in a flash.
Then her poor little butt paid the price.
She learned fast: hide behind Robin = safe.
So most of the time "uncle" was just to annoy him. When she was happy, she'd add "big sis" for Robin and drop the uncle.
Robin laughed gently, eyes curving into crescents. The two were adorable together.
"So? What brings you here?"
Nami peeked out from behind Robin.
"Bell-mere mama said to invite you for dinner! You always treat us—she says this year's mikan harvest was huge, so it's her turn to treat you!"
"Oh? Nice! Did you stock enough food for winter? You know I eat a lot."
"Of course! Don't worry!"
"Great. We'll come over tonight."
"Yay! We're gonna play!"
Nami grabbed Nojiko and zoomed off.
"Good thing she ran—I'm skipping cooking tonight. Watch me eat them into bankruptcy!"
Luo Lin growled. Robin just smiled—she wasn't going to call him out.
Over the years when Luo Lin was away, he had nagged Robin into learning both Armament and Observation Haki. She rarely used them, but she knew exactly how fast he was.
Catching a five-year-old? Please.
Luo Lin, meanwhile, was staring at Robin in a daze.
So beautiful… my goddess, as expected.
He suddenly scooped her up and planted a big kiss on her cheek.
By now they were the closest couple in the world.
Robin didn't even blush—she kissed him right back. It was their daily routine.
At first she was shy. Now it felt warm and sweet.
She was endlessly grateful she'd met Luo Lin. Without him, she'd still be running for her life—or long dead and forgotten at the bottom of the sea.
That night they went to Bell-mere's as promised.
Luo Lin really did make Nami cry—not by finishing the food, but by stealing every single thing she reached for.
He was 17. She was 5.
She couldn't fight back and got so mad tears welled up.
On the walk home, Robin glanced at the very satisfied Luo Lin.
"You seem awfully happy bullying Nami."
"Of course! That little brat always calls me uncle and hides behind you. Finally got to mess with her today—how could I not be happy?"
Robin: …
That's it? You're holding a grudge against a kindergartener? You're seventeen, big bro!
"Oh, right—Robin, I have to head out tomorrow. Might be gone a while."
"Mm. How long?"
"About three months, probably."
"When do you leave?"
"Tomorrow morning."
"Okay! I'll wait for you."
She didn't ask where or why—Luo Lin often traveled, always coming back with treasure (and once, randomly, an old man).
Robin trusted him completely. Whatever he did, she supported. Whatever he told her, she believed. She knew he'd never hurt her.
Of course, he told her everything he could.
Luo Lin figured Fisher Tiger, hero of the Fish-Men, was about to start his slave liberation campaign—a huge turning point in the original story. He wanted to help.
That night they fell asleep in each other's arms—still only kisses and cuddles. Luo Lin wasn't a creep. Robin was 15. They'd wait until she was legally adult.
The next morning, he grabbed his Great Grade Sword Shinrai, hopped into a small boat, and set off—not toward the Grand Line, but toward Windmill Village.
On the way, he checked his panel.
Host: Portgas D. Luo Lin Age: 17 Swordsmanship: Swordsman (Great Swordsman tier) Haki: Advanced Armament, Intermediate Observation, Intermediate Conqueror's Rokushiki: Full set (Probably on par with an Admiral! Let's fight!)
No active quests.
He hadn't been in real danger for years, so the system rarely bothered. Most of his growth came from self-training. If not for occasional chats, he'd have forgotten the trash system existed.
He sighed, then pulled out a Den Den Mushi.
"Moshi moshi!"
"Yo, Gramps Garp! Long time no talk!"
Yep—the snail was connected to Garp.
Four years ago, around the time Luffy was born, Luo Lin started visiting Windmill Village every so often, staying a few days each time.
Eventually he met Garp, tested the waters, and revealed his identity.
Garp didn't care about his bounty.
He refused promotion to Admiral because he hated the World Government. He already knew about Ohara and Luo Lin from Aokiji.
A kid who never killed Marines—just knocked them out—and a scholar who never hurt anyone? Garp even visited secretly and saw their peaceful life. No reason to arrest them.
But he was obsessed with Luo Lin's strength.
They sparred countless times. Garp was shocked every time.
Ever since, he'd been trying to recruit him into the Marines.
"Luo Lin, you brat! Finally decided to join the Marines? Perfect! I'll get your bounty removed! With your talent, living as a civilian is such a waste!"
"With you as an example, Ace and Luffy will definitely follow my dream and become Marines too! Wahahaha!"
Garp was already lost in fantasy. Luo Lin cut in.
"Hold up, Gramps! I'm not calling to enlist!"
"Huh? Then why call?"
The snail instantly changed to a smug face with huge nostrils.
"Uh… any fast way from the East Blue to the Sabaody Archipelago?"
"What're you planning, brat? Something bad?"
"Come on, when have I ever done anything bad all these years?"
"…True. Fastest way still takes a week. Join the Marines and I'll tell you!"
"No way! We're buddies—don't be like that! Tell me, or I'll just hitch a ride with some pirates!"
"You dare?! I'll arrest you first!"
In the end, Garp gave in. A monster like Luo Lin becoming a pirate would be worse than another Roger.
The method was simple: the Calm Belt was full of Sea Kings, but Marine ships coated their hulls with Seastone to pass safely.
Strong swimmers like Rayleigh could just swim across.
Garp's suggestion? Swim.
If Luo Lin wouldn't join the Marines, Garp wouldn't help any other way—that was his bottom line.
Luo Lin sighed and agreed.
Swim it was.
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