CHAPTER 29 — Lanterns by the Sea
📅 18 May, S.C. 1510
👦 Ren — 7
📍 Windmill Village → Central Square
Windmill Village rarely held festivals.
Their lives were simple—fishing, farming, drinking, talking. But every once in a while, when the weather turned gentle and the fishermen returned safely, the villagers celebrated life itself.
Today was one of those days.
Colorful cloths hung from the windows.
Children ran barefoot on the sand.
Lanterns swayed gently in the warm spring breeze.
Ren stood near Makino's bar, clutching a small list of herbs he meant to dry later—but Kiro grabbed his wrist and pulled him toward the square.
"Come on, Ren! You can play for once!"
Ren blinked.
"I… don't really—"
"No excuses," Kiro insisted.
Luffy jumped from the bar counter, nearly landing on Ren's head.
"FESTIVAL MEANS FOOD!!"
Makino came out holding a basket of fried snacks.
"Ren, take a break. You've been in the shed all day."
Ren hesitated a moment.
Then nodded.
"…Okay."
Makino smiled warmly.
"Good boy."
Ren felt heat in his cheeks.
PART 1 — VILLAGE FESTIVAL BEGINS
The music started—simple flutes and a drum made from stretched hide.
Children spun in circles, shrieking with laughter.
Adults drank ale and clapped to the rhythm.
Kiro dragged Ren toward a group of boys practicing a rough version of sumo wrestling.
"Come on, Ren! Try it!"
Ren blinked.
"No."
"Coward!"
"I'd rather not break my spine."
Luffy ran headfirst into the ring yelling,
"I WILL BE CHAMPION!!"
He instantly slipped and crashed into the sand nose-first.
Ren covered his mouth.
"…Why is he like this?"
Kiro shrugged.
"Nature."
The villagers roared with laughter.
PART 2 — REN AMONG PEOPLE
Ren drifted through the crowd slowly.
Mrs. Muri waved at him, handing him a steaming rice ball.
"Eat, Ren! You're far too thin!"
Mr. Wolt called out,
"Boy! Made a good catch thanks to your trap!"
Others shouted:
"Ren fixed our pot!"
"Ren's new salt batch is amazing!"
"That kid's gonna make this village famous!"
Ren's face reddened.
He wasn't used to praise—never had been, in either life.
He clutched the rice ball tightly.
Is this what belonging feels like?
Makino approached gently, carrying another lantern.
"You seem overwhelmed."
Ren swallowed.
"…A little."
She crouched to meet his eyes.
"You deserve every compliment. Don't run from it."
He nodded slowly.
Makino smiled and placed the lantern in his hands.
"This is for you."
Ren blinked.
"For me?"
"Of course. Everyone else has one."
It was small, handmade, with red and white paper strips tied to the sides.
Ren whispered,
"…Thank you."
Makino brushed a stray hair from his forehead.
"You're part of our village too."
PART 3 — A GIFT FROM THE VILLAGE
As the sun dipped below the horizon, the village chief stepped onto a wooden crate.
"Everyone, gather up! We have a small announcement!"
Ren was pushed forward gently by Kiro and Makino.
The chief smiled down at him.
"This past month, a young boy in our village has worked hard—helping fishermen, improving tools, making salt, and even caring for a wounded creature."
Ren stiffened.
People began whispering warmly.
"That's Ren."
"He's the little genius."
"Makino's boy."
"A blessing to the village."
The chief continued.
"To show our appreciation, we have prepared something."
Mrs. Muri stepped forward holding a wrapped bundle.
Ren blinked.
"What is…?"
She handed it to him.
Ren opened it carefully.
It was a handcrafted leather-bound notebook, thicker and better quality than anything he owned.
The pages were cream-colored, smooth, ready for writing.
The chief smiled.
"For your ideas. You're full of them."
Makino leaned down and whispered,
"Go on. Say something."
Ren swallowed hard.
He wasn't good with speeches.
But he looked at the people—
at Makino, Kiro, Luffy covered in sand, the fishermen, the old men, the women who watched him grow these past weeks—
And his chest tightened with something warm and unfamiliar.
"I…" Ren began slowly.
"I don't think I deserve this. I'm just doing what I like."
The villagers chuckled.
Ren looked down at the notebook, then back up.
"But… thank you. For helping me. For believing in me. For making me feel like… like I belong here."
Makino placed a hand on his shoulder proudly.
The chief raised his lantern.
"To Ren!"
"To Ren!" everyone echoed.
Even Luffy threw his arms up.
"TO RENN!! AND MEAT!!"
Kiro shoved him.
"No one said meat."
PART 4 — LANTERNS BY THE SEA
As night fell fully, the villagers walked toward the shoreline.
One by one, they placed their lanterns on the water's edge and released them.
Small glowing lights drifted across the sea, reflecting like floating stars.
Ren stood silently, watching the lantern he placed drift into the waves.
Makino came up beside him.
"Make a wish," she whispered.
Ren thought for a long moment.
Then he closed his eyes and whispered softly:
"…I want to protect this place. These people. My home."
Makino smiled knowingly.
"You will."
Behind them, Zemo lay resting near the bar doorstep—
eyes half-open, watching Ren quietly.
As if he sensed Ren's wish.
As if he shared it.
END OF CHAPTER 29