After a bit of playful commotion, Belmeru finally felt a sense of warmth, recalling the days when she had been in the Navy. She no longer felt so restrained around Ezra.
Once Ezra instructed his subordinates to prepare some food, he followed Belmeru, alongside Kuzan, to her modest home.
The house wasn't large, but it radiated a cozy, welcoming warmth. In the yard, a few orange trees were planted.
"Admiral Vale, I'll have Nami and Nochi go to the orchard on the hill to pick some for you, but you can enjoy the ones from the yard first."
Ezra nodded and, together with Kuzan, picked a few oranges.
"Mmm… these are really sweet."
Kuzan had already popped an orange into his mouth, swallowing it whole. Ezra raised a brow.
"Indeed."
Watching Belmeru bustling about in the kitchen, Ezra asked, "By the way, Belmeru, aren't you planning to live in Marineford?"
Belmeru smiled.
"Admiral Vale, don't joke. The Navy headquarters wouldn't casually allow a retired veteran to live there."
Ezra stroked his chin thoughtfully.
"That's not a problem. I can handle that. The real question is whether you want to go back to Marineford."
Belmeru paused, wrestling with her thoughts. After a moment, she shook her head.
"Admiral Vale, if it will trouble you, I'd rather stay here in Cocosia Village."
Ezra raised a brow.
"It's no trouble. Besides, you have to think about Nami and Nochi. When they grow up, do you want them to spend their entire lives tending fruit trees?"
He bit into an orange and continued, "And your personality… carefree as it is, how do you think it would shape theirs?"
Belmeru remained silent. Ezra shrugged, not pressing further.
"Think it over. You can tell me later. I'll be here in Cocosia Village for the next couple of days."
With that, he and Kuzan returned to picking oranges.
What Ezra had said was genuine. Nami was a prodigy navigator, and with proper training, she would surpass any self-taught sailor. Nochi, with her impressive physical strength, would be wasted if she didn't join the Navy.
As Belmeru contemplated, Nami and Nochi returned, each carrying a large sack of oranges.
"Belmeru! We're back!"
Belmeru smiled.
"Go ahead, give the oranges to those two uncles."
"Uncles? I heard that," Ezra said, raising a brow.
The girls approached timidly. Belmeru laughed.
"Nami, Nochi, don't be afraid. Just call him Uncle."
A braver Nami finally spoke.
"Uncle! These oranges are for you!"
Kuzan and Belmeru almost laughed out loud at the scene, while Ezra's lips twitched.
"Uncle, huh? That's a bit much," he muttered.
Still, he ruffled both girls' hair.
"But this… is a reward."
Then, as if by magic, he pulled a handful of candies from his pocket.
"Admiral Vale, don't give children too many sweets. They'll get cavities!" Belmeru said, concerned.
Ezra shrugged casually and winked at the girls.
"Don't listen to her. How can a girl ever refuse candy?"
"Thank you, Big… Brother!" the girls chorused.
Ezra smiled.
"That's the way to behave."
After enjoying a meal at Belmeru's home, they returned to the ship. Before leaving, Ezra reminded Belmeru about Marineford. She promised to consider it over the next two days and give him an answer. Ezra didn't push.
Two days passed in a flash, and Cocosia Village had begun to regain its old vitality. At the very least, its people were no longer living under the shadow of Evil Dragon and Kuroobi.
Kuzan leaned against the railing of the ship, watching the villagers below gather around a bonfire.
"Pirates… do they really need to exist in this world?" he murmured.
"Who says?" Ezra replied, holding two bottles of alcohol as he approached Kuzan.
"Uh… thanks, Admiral Vale," Kuzan said.
"No, I just need your help chilling these."
Kuzan's deadpan gaze met Ezra's, but he obediently cooled the drinks.
Ezra laughed, handing one to Kuzan.
"A joke. Here, this one's for you."
They clinked glasses, and as the cool liquor slid down Ezra's throat, he hummed in approval.
"Mmm… the orange wine from Cocosia Village is exceptional."
Kuzan nodded in agreement.
"By the way, what made you ask such a question earlier?" Ezra asked.
Kuzan looked at his glass, choosing his words carefully.
"Well… the villagers of Cocosia wouldn't know this kind of joy if Evil Dragon and the others were still oppressing them, would they?"
Ezra shook his head.
"You don't understand them. Before Evil Dragon came, this village held bonfire nights almost every week. Their lives were simple sell more oranges, support their families. Nothing complicated."
Kuzan pondered this. Ezra continued.
"And my goal is to bring every pirate in the world to justice."
Kuzan raised a brow.
"Why haven't I heard you say this before?"
Ezra shrugged, crimson eyes scanning the horizon.
"I used to just get by. But now, I have the power to change the world. And defeating pirates… isn't that something I actually enjoy?"
Kuzan smiled, genuinely happy.
Meanwhile, Belmeru, carrying an enormous backpack, led Nami and Nochi to the port. The three looked up at Ezra on the ship, a faint smile on his lips.
"You really came, Belmeru."
The soldiers allowed them passage, and they were temporarily settled in a room on the ship. As they unpacked, Ezra knocked on the door.
"May I come in?"
Belmeru rolled her eyes.
"You're already in here, aren't you?"
"Have you decided to go?"
"I have. Even if I'm not thinking about myself, I have to think of Nami and Nochi."
Ezra nodded.
"I'll prepare a home for you in Marineford, but how you live there is up to you."
With that, he turned and left.
Belmeru watched him go, a smile in her eyes.
"That's more than enough, Admiral Vale."