Chapter 73 Capítulo 73 Makino's Capitulation

Makino found Haguya’s sweet words increasingly difficult to resist.

It felt as if a fire was burning in her heart, both sweet and agonizing.

She knew she was falling deeper step by step, yet she couldn’t resist this heart-pounding sensation.

For all these years, she had lived a life as calm as still water, never imagining that someone would so boldly barge into her world and bring such fervent emotions.

Haguya felt the delicate body in his arms grow softer, as if she were about to melt into his embrace.

He leaned close to Makino’s ear and tentatively said, “I won’t go back tonight. How about I stay here with you.”

Makino’s ear tips instantly turned crimson. She frantically struggled out of Haguya’s embrace, her fingers unconsciously twisting the edge of her apron.

“N-no… that’s too fast…”

Her voice was so soft it was almost inaudible, and her gaze flickered uncertainly toward the darkening sky outside the window.

Haguya refused to give up easily. He gently took Makino’s slightly cool hand.

“I just want to spend more time with you. I won’t do anything else.”

His eyes were sincere and deep, softening Makino’s heart even more.

Just then, the bar’s wind chimes suddenly rang.

The two turned their heads simultaneously, only to see a young boy wearing a straw hat burst in quickly.

“Big Sister Makino! I’m hungry!”

Luffy’s loud voice shattered the intimate atmosphere.

Makino sighed in relief and hurried forward to greet him.

“Luffy, why are you coming so late today?”

“Huh? Old man! Why are you here?”

Luffy recognized Haguya and asked, his face full of surprise.

A vein popped on Haguya’s forehead. If this idiot hadn’t burst in suddenly, he might have successfully completed his objective tonight and could have left Foosha Village tomorrow.

Now that the atmosphere was ruined, he had to readjust his plans.

Haguya forcefully suppressed the irritation in his heart and squeezed out a deadly smile: “Luffy, long time no see.”

Makino skillfully tied on her apron and began preparing Luffy’s favorite steak.

Soon, the sizzling sound of frying meat came from the kitchen, and the aroma filled the entire bar.

Luffy lay sprawled on the bar counter like a puppy, staring intently toward the kitchen, practically drooling.

“Old man! You suddenly left last time! You still haven’t told me where Shanks is! How is he doing now?”

Haguya took a deep breath, fighting the urge to hit him right there, and said, “I only know he’s currently in the second half of the Grand Line. I don’t know the specifics of how he is. If you want to know how he’s doing, go out to sea and see for yourself.”

“I will! Shanks and I made a promise that when I become a powerful pirate, I’ll return the straw hat to him!”

Luffy excitedly waved his fists, his eyes sparkling brightly.

Hearing this, Haguya thought of a way to vent his frustration.

“Oh? Then you’d better work hard.

Two years have passed. Has your strength improved?

How about we meet in the small woods tonight? I’ll test your strength.”

As soon as Luffy heard this, he instantly leaped off the chair, excitedly waving his rubber arms.

“Great, great! Don’t regret this, old man! I’m really strong now!”

“The same small woods. Come alone, and don’t tell Makino, or she won’t let us spar.”

Luffy nodded vigorously.

Soon after, when Makino came out carrying the steaming steaks, she noticed the strange atmosphere between the two men.

She looked suspiciously at Haguya, then at the ravenously eating Luffy, and asked softly.

“What are you two talking about that makes you so happy?”

“Nothing much, just catching up.”

Haguya smiled as he took the cue, pouring Makino a glass of juice.

“It’s getting late. I’ll head back now and come see you again tomorrow.”

Haguya took one of Makino’s hands and kissed it lightly.

Makino did not pull away, allowing him to kiss the back of her hand, a faint blush rising on her cheeks.

Inside the bar, Makino gazed distractedly at Haguya’s retreating figure until Luffy’s muffled shout pulled her back to reality.

“Big Sister Makino! Another serving!”

The boy patted his bulging stomach, his rubber arm already stretching out to reach the rum behind the counter.

“No drinking alcohol! Drink juice.”

Makino quickly slapped Luffy’s hand away and pushed the juice toward him.

Luffy pouted, but obediently drank the juice anyway.

In the dead of night, Haguya and Luffy stood facing each other in the small woods behind Foosha Village.

Haguya rotated his wrists, a dangerous curve twisting his lips.

“Are you ready, kid?”

“Hehehe, bring it on, old man!”

Luffy adopted a fighting stance, his rubber arms already coiled and ready.

In the next second, Luffy’s fist shot out like a cannonball.

A flicker of disdain crossed Haguya’s eyes. Armament Haki instantly coated his arm, and he steadily caught the punch.

Luffy tried to pull his fist back, but he couldn’t break free at all.

In the next second, Haguya pulled hard, and Luffy was yanked toward him like a rubber band.

The smile on Haguya’s lips deepened. He raised his other hand, and pitch-black Armament Haki coiled around his fist.

“Kid, let me show you what real power is.”

Before he finished speaking, a heavy punch smashed fiercely into Luffy’s abdomen.

The power of the Gum-Gum Fruit caused Luffy’s body to indent dramatically. The intense pain made his eyes widen, and spit uncontrollably flew out of his mouth.

“Uwah!”

Luffy flew backward like a cannonball, finally stopping after consecutively breaking three large trees.

“So painful!

Old man, why does your punch hurt as much as Grandpa’s?”

Two years ago, when Luffy fought Haguya, although he was constantly being hit, it didn’t hurt much.

But now Luffy realized that the old man in front of him had punches that hurt just as much as his grandfather’s.

“This is called Armament Haki. It is a very powerful strength.”

“Armament Haki! Can you teach me, old man?”

Luffy scrambled up from the ground, looking at Haguya with an excited expression.

“To possess Armament Haki, you need an extremely strong physique.

With your current strength, you cannot yet master this power.

Let’s continue.”

As he spoke, Haguya swung his fist and rushed toward Luffy.

“Bang, bang, bang…”

The sounds of fierce fighting and Luffy’s screams continuously echoed through the woods.

Luffy’s body was sent flying repeatedly, yet he stubbornly climbed back up every time.

Haguya controlled his strength carefully, ensuring Luffy felt intense pain without sustaining any real injury.

Moreover, Haguya deliberately avoided Luffy’s exposed skin. When he finally finished venting his anger, Luffy was pitifully collapsed on the ground.

However, all the bruises on his body were hidden beneath his clothes, making him look completely normal from the outside.

“That’s enough for today.”

Haguya shook his wrists and looked down condescendingly at Luffy sprawled on the ground.

“If you want to learn Armament Haki, first solidify your fundamentals.”

Luffy gasped heavily. Although his entire body ached, his eyes were astonishingly bright.

He struggled to sit up and grinned.

“Old man, you really are strong! Next time, I’ll definitely become stronger and challenge you again!”

Haguya gave a soft snort and vanished into the depths of the night.

…

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