CHAPTER 11 — The Village That Accepted Him
📅 9 April, S.C. 1510
🎋 Location: Windmill Village, Dawn Island
👦 Ren's Age: 7 years, 10 months
Morning sunlight warmed the rooftops of Windmill Village as Ren stepped out of Makino's bar, his hair still messy from sleep. The scent of the ocean drifted through the air, carrying the sound of fishermen shouting cheerfully on the docks.
For the first time since waking up on this island, Ren felt… calm.
Grounded.
Almost normal.
Makino was sweeping the entrance, humming softly to herself.
"Morning, Ren."
"Good morning," he replied, rubbing his eyes.
She paused, giving him a warm look. "You look better today. Yesterday's training didn't break you after all."
Ren let out a tired exhale. "I think gravity broke me."
Makino laughed lightly. "Gravity breaks everyone."
The Village Calls for Help
Ren barely stepped off the porch when an old fisherman waved wildly.
"Boy! You there! Makino's helper lad!"
Ren blinked. "Me?"
"Yes, yes, come here! Our net's torn again!"
Kiro jogged up behind him. "Congrats. You're famous now."
Ren frowned. "For what?"
"For existing."
Ren sighed. "…That seems unfair."
Kiro grinned. "Welcome to Windmill Village."
Helping the Fishermen
The dock was lively—men lifting crates, boats rocking gently, gulls circling overhead.
The fisherman shoved a tangled net at Ren.
"Fix it! It's ruined!"
Ren examined it. The cut was clean. Too clean.
"This was scissors," he said flatly.
The fishermen froze.
One scratched his beard. "The sea king had scissors?"
Ren stared.
Kiro coughed. "Just… fix the net, Ren."
Ren accepted his fate.
He sat on a crate, patiently weaving the rope together. His fingers fumbled at first, but muscle memory kicked in from when the fishermen tested him days ago.
Within minutes, the net looked whole again.
The old men gasped.
"Ren! You're a genius!"
"He repaired it faster than my wife!"
"Don't tell your wife that!"
Ren blushed. "It was simple…"
They slapped his back so hard he almost fell into the sea.
Children's Toy Crisis
Ren didn't get two steps away before a group of kids swarmed him.
"Ren! My wooden horse lost a wheel!"
"My top won't spin!"
"My toy boat sank!"
"Fix my toy chicken! It doesn't cluck anymore!"
Ren blinked. "Why do you think I can do all this?"
A little girl beamed. "Makino said you're clever!"
Ren froze.
Makino… said that?
He swallowed, cheeks warm. "I—I'll try."
He sat cross-legged under a tree while the children formed a chaotic circle around him.
He reattached wheels, tightened screws, replaced strings, even repaired the toy chicken's broken hinge.
One by one, the toys came back to life.
The children erupted in joy, hugging him without warning.
"Thank you, Ren!!"
Ren stiffened like a startled cat.
Then, slowly… he relaxed.
"…You're welcome."
The Chicken in the Tree
Next, a frantic woman ran toward him.
"Ren! Help! My chicken's climbed a tree!"
Ren blinked. "Chickens… climb trees?"
"They do when they're stupid!"
Kiro burst out laughing. "Good luck."
Ren sighed deeply and followed the woman.
And yes, the chicken was in the tree. Somehow.
It stared at Ren with condescending poultry judgment.
Ren muttered, "This feels personal."
He climbed carefully.
The chicken jumped onto his shoulder triumphantly.
Ren froze. "Please don't peck me."
He climbed down stiffly, returning the chicken safely.
The woman bowed dramatically. "Thank you, Ren! You're an angel!"
Kiro whispered, "You look like a tree spirit."
"I want to go home."
Luffy Brings a New Problem
As Ren caught his breath, Luffy barreled toward him waving frantically.
"REEEEEEEN!!! HELP!!"
Ren panicked. "Who did you fight?!"
"No one! My hand's stuck!"
He lifted his arm.
His entire hand was covered in thick, sticky tree sap.
Ren blinked. "…Why?"
"I touched it."
"Why?"
"It was shiny."
Ren took a very long breath. "Of course."
He tried pulling Luffy's hand free.
It stretched.
And stretched.
Ren stared. "Is that… normal?"
Luffy shrugged. "Maybe!"
Before Ren could panic, Makino arrived.
She sighed. "Luffy… again?"
Ren groaned. "Please tell me this isn't permanent."
Makino smiled gently. "Just soak it in warm water. He'll be fine."
Ren whispered, "Why is he like this?"
Makino whispered back, "We don't know."
The Village Accepts Him
As afternoon settled, Ren helped an old woman carry vegetables, assisted a carpenter in measuring boards, and returned lost pets to owners who should NOT own pets.
Everywhere he went, villagers greeted him with familiarity.
"Ren! Over here!"
"Can you help with this?"
"Makino raised a good boy!"
"You're part of the village now!"
Ren kept blinking in disbelief.
Kiro nudged him. "See? Everyone likes you."
Ren lowered his gaze. "I'm… not used to this."
Kiro softened. "Get used to it. You belong here."
Ren swallowed hard.
Belong.
Such a simple word.
Such a heavy meaning.
Makino's Words
That evening, as Ren helped Makino serve tea, she paused and looked directly at him.
"Ren," she said softly. "Thank you for helping everyone today."
Ren hesitated. "I just… didn't want to disappoint anyone."
Makino walked over, placing a gentle hand on his head.
"You didn't help because you had to. You helped because you're kind."
Ren froze.
Makino smiled warmly.
"You make this village brighter."
Ren's chest tightened.
His throat stung.
He looked down, whispering—
"…Thank you."
Makino whispered back, "You're part of us now. Remember that."
Ren nodded, a small smile forming.
"I will."
Nightfall
Ren stood outside as the sun dipped behind the trees.
Children laughed in the distance.
Fishermen cleaned their nets.
Smoke rose from chimneys.
The village glowed softly in the fading light.
Ren exhaled slowly.
This place…
These people…
This life…
He wasn't just surviving anymore.
He was living.
And for the first time, he truly believed—
He belonged.
End of Chapter 11 (9 April, S.C. 1510)