That was right.
Sean planned to kidnap them!
Try to reason with Luffy and Ace? Forget it. That was a complete waste of time. Those two were exactly the kind of stubborn idiots who were impossible to talk sense into.
So, what was the solution?
Simple: just snatch them! He'd bring them back and slowly brainwash them... ahem, he meant "re-educate" them.
Then, a thought occurred to him. Didn't he need a good chef to improve the meals at the 16th Branch? Makino seemed like a wonderful candidate. Plus, she was certainly easy on the eyes.
Maybe... he should just kidnap her too?
Standing on the bow of the ship, Sean rubbed his chin, looking seriously tempted.
"Reporting, sir!"
Just then, a marine came jogging over and shouted.
"What is it?"
"The pirate locked on the warship says he wants to see Captain Lucci!"
"Lucci, has that guy still not given in?" Sean asked, immediately knowing who the marine was talking about.
"I spoke with him previously and gave him three days to consider," Lucci replied. "It's about time."
Lucci nodded and continued, "However, Commodore, if he still refuses to cooperate, I suggest we send him to Impel Down. While his talent for physical combat is impressive, there's no need for us to waste too much energy on him."
Sean nodded. "Fine, handle it however you see fit. If he's still that stubborn, don't bother with him any further."
"Yes, Commodore!"
'''
Nearly twenty hours later, the warship arrived at Foosha Village.
Because Garp frequently returned home to visit family, and because he always traveled on that massive, dog-headed super-warship—which was too large for most small harbors to accommodate—Garp had paid out of his own pocket to build a larger port for Foosha Village.
After all, the man had been in the Marine for decades and spent almost none of his money on anything other than rice crackers; he had accumulated quite a fortune. Expanding a harbor was a trivial expense for him.
As a result, Foosha Village's port was significantly larger than those of most villages in the East Blue. Sean's medium-sized warship docked there without taking up much space at all.
"Lucci, you're coming with me. Let the others handle their own training."
"Yes, Commodore!"
"Oh, and bring that guy along too!"
"That guy?"
"The little lackey you just picked up!"
Lucci realized his Commodore was referring to Gin.
'Since when did he become my lackey?'
However, Lucci didn't bother wasting his energy arguing with Sean. After spending some time together, Lucci had developed a keen understanding of the Commodore's personality. Attempting to correct Sean on matters like this was completely pointless.
'''
The arrival of the Marine caused no commotion in Foosha Village. In fact, perhaps because of Garp's influence, the locals were remarkably comfortable around the Marines.
"This should be the place," Sean noted.
A few minutes later, the three of them arrived at the bar in the center of the village. Sean looked up. It wasn't just similar to the original story; it was identical. He pushed the door open and stepped inside.
The moment he entered, a woman's voice rang out.
"Welcome!"
Anyone who heard that voice would feel the same first impression: gentleness. It was a sense of absolute, pure gentleness.
"Three Marines? Is this your first time in Foosha Village?"
"It is. Could you prepare some lunch for us?"
"Of course. Please wait a moment!" Makino smiled and began preparing the food.
"Commodore, didn't we just eat Sea King jerky? Do we really need another meal?" Lucci asked.
"Lucci, a man must learn to enjoy life. Besides, don't you think the 16th Branch is missing something?"
"Missing what?"
"A chef. The two cooks we brought along can keep us from starving, but as for the taste..."
"Commodore, taste isn't important. As long as it fills the stomach and meets the body's nutritional needs, it's sufficient."
"Sigh..."
Hearing this, Sean let out a long sigh. Trying to discuss food with Lucci was a lost cause.
Soon, three plates of mixed rice were served. They looked ordinary, but the aroma drifting from them was so enticing that even Lucci, for once, was heard swallowing hard.
"Please excuse the simple fare," Makino said.
"To make simple dishes taste this good is already an incredible feat, Makino!"
"Oh? Did I mention my name?" Makino paused, looking surprised. From the moment the three men entered, she didn't recall introducing herself.
"Don't be nervous. I heard it from old man Garp."
"Ah, now I remember! No wonder you looked familiar. You're the youngest Commodore in the Marine mentioned in the papers, aren't you? I believe your name was..."
"Sean Campbell."
"That's right! I think the news said a few days ago that you've become one of the ten richest men in the East Blue," Makino said cheerfully. Perhaps because Sean mentioned Garp, she became even more welcoming.
"By the way, Makino, do you know where Luffy and Ace are?"
"At this hour, they should be arriving soon. Are you looking for them for some reason?"
"Yes, because Garp..."
'Bang!'
Just as Sean was about to explain, the bar door was pushed open with great force. A boisterous boy walked in, followed by another boy who looked a few years older.
Who else could they be but Luffy and Ace?
The two of them walked straight to the bar and sat down.
"Makino, lunch!"
"Coming, coming! Just sit for a bit and I'll get it ready for you. We'll finish our chat in a moment, Commodore Sean!" Makino nodded with a smile and headed back to prepare more mixed rice.
"Hey, Ace, Makino just called him 'Commodore.' Is he a Marine like Grandpa?"
"Idiot, can't you see they're wearing Marine uniforms? What else could they be?"
"Oh no! Do they know you're planning to set sail as a pirate in three months? Did they come to arrest you?"
"Luffy, you absolute idiot!!!"
Ace was nearly driven to madness by the remark. To announce, right in front of a Marine Commodore, that he was going to be a pirate in three months? Talk about throwing someone under the bus!
Ace glanced over at Sean and his companions, only to find the three of them still focused entirely on their food. He breathed a sigh of relief.
Shortly after, Makino brought out two more plates of mixed rice. Thus, the five people at the bar all entered "eating mode."
Before long, Sean and his group finished their plates, putting down their spoons with expressions of complete satisfaction. Although Makino's mixed rice looked simple and didn't have a complex flavor profile, it was delicious.
For some reason, there was something deeply satisfying about the meal. Even Lucci found his appetite whetted.
"Phew... Miss Makino, this risotto is delicious!"
"Thank you. Oh, right—you mentioned you were looking for Luffy and Ace..."
Luffy didn't react; when it came to eating, he had total tunnel vision. Ace, who had been eating just as frantically, suddenly froze. His head turned in stiff, robotic increments until he was staring at Sean to his right.
"Yep. Old man Garp mentioned his two grandsons won't stop shouting about becoming pirates, so he asked me to come by and help him... 'educate' them."
"Luffy, run!"
"Agh! My lunch!!!"
Startled, Ace lunged for Luffy, grabbing him by the arm and bolting for the exit.
However...
"Lucci!"
"Understood!"
'Bam! Bam!'
Before they could even reach the door, a blur appeared in their path. Two lightning-fast whip-kicks slammed into them, sending both of them flying backward toward the bar.
Lucci controlled his strength perfectly, however; instead of smashing into the counter, the two simply crashed onto the floor in front of it.
"Commodore Sean, what is the meaning of this?"