It didn't take long for the old man to somehow gather all the strength he had by dragging you, the islanders drawing their attention back to a lightly colored house that looked to be painted a pale yellow or a beige color. ( although you would call it more of a modest yet large hut due to the strong yet sturdy looking roofing. ) Some of the other houses had intricate symbols. No, symbols isn't the right word. They looked more like patterns with triangles and swirls inside of diamond shapes and thin lines. Your gaze flicked over the buildings, the old man started explaining you were going to the main building called the Wharenui. The houses kept catching your eye, especially when you finally reached this Wharenui, your eyes grew round.

"Wow!"

The old man grinned, wrinkles and all as he nodded at the building. The roof was red, the roofing being more obvious due to the roof practically framing the front of the building and the front door. Atop the roof at the point was what looked like to be a warrior figurine with a sword, the walls along the side having some carvings into it as well from animals to weapons to plants. Even the door frame had those similar patterns from earlier, the art impressing you with the intricate detail. You can perfectly tell the cicada carving from where you were, from its large wings to each spot that represents their eyes.

"Impressive, yes? This is one of our proudest works, besides our curry of course." The young girl who you met earlier—you believe she was called Azu— all loud mouthed and blunt with spiky red hair that shows she didn't brush it said flatly their curry is third best. The old man ignored her. Putting a hand to a pillar with the carvings, covering a fierce looking boar. "We are an island of tradition. Proud of our ancestors in whatever they have in the past. And each carving represents that we remember them. The boar is my personal favorite."

You looked at the boar, walking closer to the wharenui, blinking as you leaned in. Looking at all the other carvings that were engraved into the wood with love and precision.

"A boar? Isn't the lion cooler?" You pointed at the one all the way at the top of the wooden pillar, the animal's face in a roar and posture proud, fangs flashing.

Azu waved an arm towards you, pointedly looking at the old man.

"See? Even the weird marine lady thinks Raiona is cooler than crazy Koki."

Eh? Weird? What did I do?

Before you thought much on it, the old man slammed the end of his cane down, face firm as he stared down at Azu.

"Don't talk like that! Kokori did a lot for this island more than that foolish bullheaded Raiona!" Azu was silent, face in a deep frown as she looked down and at the side. The old man's voice softened somewhat, sighing. "Raiona only thought of war. But Kokiri—Kokiri was the one that put us on the map. We are an island of spices and should focus only on the art of making others smile! Not create destruction. Do you understand, Azu?"

Azu was silent, only nodding as she continued to stare at the ground, brows furrowed.

The old man sighed again, before throwing you an airy smile, eyes curious.

"I may have to agree with Azu however, Marine. You came out of nowhere. Where's your warship with the rest of your crew?" Unbeknownst to you, a figure came from the back of the wharenui, leaning against the wooden walls as they listened in stoically. "Did you perhaps volunteer to scout ahead?"

"Oh, uh. No." You were sweatdropping, hand scratching the back of your head as you laughed sheepishly. "I kind of just got thrown here." Azu's and the old man's face morphed into confusion but you kept going, dropping your hand as you stared at them with interest. "But you guys mentioned a Yonko? What exactly is happening? I can still help."

This can still work out. Maybe Shanks is here after all! Wait, what sea are you in again?

The old man didn't seem interested to talk to you about that yet though, him pulling your arm once more.

"We can get to that later, young marine."

You rose a disbelieving brow as the man tugged you around.

"We can?"

"Yes, we have to show you the island first! You know, our curry is famous for our use of nutmeg."

"It's not," Azu pointed out quite unhelpfully. "We're more famous for being third than being famous for that, Ojii-san."

The old man's smile turned strained as a small sweatdrop went down the back of your head.

This might be a long day.

The figure that stood by the wharenui kept their stoic eyes on your form, wary. Before they disappeared into the forest, the bandages on their fist tight.

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

Or maybe not at all.

Instead of bringing you into the wharenui, which you thought was the old man's home due to the amazing size and beauty, you were brought into a humble sized house with the straw roofing. Although this one did appear a tad bigger than the others, and the use of clay for the house seemed to be a different kind as you looked around. Sitting at the dining room table made completely from wood, along with the rest of the kitchen when it came to the shelves. The table you sat in was small, Kuroi ten'nosabaki being on the wall behind you so you can sit more comfortably, chairs squeezed close together of four with yours having to be brought in from the living room.

For the kitchen made up the majority of the house.

The counter was stone and it was sleek, although now it was covered by pots and pans and plates with ingredients you can't begin to name. You just waiting as you watched in interest at seeing the old man prep with Azu nearby to hand him tools or ingredients. Knife cutting, water boiling, fire burning and spices beginning to tickle your nose.

You don't quite remember the last time you had a home cooked meal. Outside what Kokoro messily gave you at her house, you haven't had one in years. The Tower at Enies Lobby having their own cafeteria and having that kind of food doesn't really count. And campfire food doesn't count either. Whatever Garp would try to make is too embarrassing to even call home cooked.

Your throat felt oddly tight for some reason recalling those memories. You ignored it.

Your stomach gurgled, craving clear.

The old man—which you figured out his name was Mayor after the villagers kept calling him that(weird name)—threw you an amused look as he stirred.

"Hungry, are you? Don't fret, the food will be ready soon. But it's really my son that we need to finish this off. Actually, where is that young man—" The door to the house opened, your eyes turning towards it in attention but instead of a young man, it was a young girl who looked over at Mayor and Azu with a smile—red hair to match except it being lighter and it being wavy instead of spiky like Azu. She looked like she was in her early twenties. "Ah! Aiko! Have you seen your brother?"

"Ah?" The young woman's voice was quiet yet crisp, perfectly content as she further went into the house and put down a basket she was holding of fruits and vegetables onto an open space on the kitchen counter. "I thought I saw him earlier. The bonfire is tonight so I figured he was out helping gather the wood for it."

A brow arched as you turned towards the woman called Aiko, her wavy hair framing her face with a band that was red, black and white above it in her hair, said hair going down up to her bare tanned shoulders, her dress having thin straps holding it up while the pattern on it was different colored thick lines. You couldn't but observe she seemed to have a kind face.

"Bonfire?"

Aiko turned to you, mouth forming an "o" as she put a hand to it from surprise.

"Oh my! A guest!" Her eyes, which you took note was an interesting shade of orange mixed with red, squinted at you. "And a marine? Ah, are you here to help us? Please say you are! They just keep coming back no matter what we do and we can't handle them anymore!"

Your brows furrowed, frowning at her words.

That doesn't sound like Shanks...

Before you could get further into that, Mayor quietly shushed her, saying that no daughter of his should be worried. And before you could even question that(what age did he have her anyways? Fifty? Why does he look so old?), the old man explained briefly the importance of their bonfire atop the cliff at the edge of the island.

"We're a proud country, and so we now must celebrate it! We dance around the fire and have our drums while we throw our spices into the fire. It's so our ancestors can smell it too, when the smoke crackles and the fire collects and goes up to the sky..." Mayor smiled, eyes proud and distant and crinkling around the edges. It made him look younger, you think. "They can still feel like they're home. They just have to smell it."

Home, you repeat, gaze lowering to the grains of the table your arms were casually leaning on. Just smell it, huh?

For a moment, you felt as if instead of your nose being tickled with spices, you smelled wood and earth instead. Of reassurance and love and smiles  and words you'll never forget as the flicker of vanilla could be sensed.

You tasted salt. Even though there was none.

Azu comes over to you, whispering loudly into your ear by cupping her hand around her mouth.

"It is pretty cool. The fire gets really big."

You snapped out of it, half smiling as you made a noise of interest as Azu nodded. This is the most impassioned you've seen the girl you think, as she spoke of the bonfire and the amount of food they have to pile on where it's bigger than any of their houses. How it can be seen from every part of the island and it smells the greatest that night. You listening, a hand to your chin as your smile slowly grew at how Azu's eyes seemed to gleam in excitement while Mayor and Aiko watched with fond smiles.

The door opened again, your eyes turning away in interest as Mayor greeted...his son?

You stared.

The son couldn't be any older than Aiko, also in his early or mid twenties at the latest. His red hair seemed to be the darkest out of the whole family, and definitely a darker shade than Shanks. His bangs framed his bandaged covered forehead, appearing like silk with how straight it looked. His attire was different from the other villagers too. While some of the men went bare chested to proudly show their intricate tattoos and only had flax kilts on their waist with a belt to hold, and others would cover it with a thick feather cape over their shoulders like what Mayor is doing, this man chose a different approach. Instead of the use of flax or fur, his clothes seemed to be more of cotton or polyester quality, the color being black and almost seeming to have a high collar. His arms were uncovered, the shirt being a messy sort of tank top where he seemed to rip the sleeves of what was previously a sleeved shirt. Bandages covering from his hands to his biceps, looking a little worn. His legs being covered by black pants and with that, you're sure he is the most covered up you've seen in this village.

He doesn't have tattoos, you observe quietly, glancing between Aiko who had the diamond line patterns on some parts of her face and some on her wrists to the young man again, focusing on his bandaged arms. Not anything out anyways.

Weird, since everyone seems to proudly show it.

You glanced back up at the young man, to notice he's been stoically staring at you. Eyes carefully blank and hard to read.

You paused, jaw loosening a pinch.

He looks like Lucci like that. Before.

Your mind flashed with dark eyes, that was akin to a dead fish when you first joined CP9 years ago and held back a displeased shudder.

I hate that look. He doesn't seem to like me.

"I like you," the young man said flatly and your eyes popped out your head.

"WHAT?!"

Mayor looked at his son(Seriously, how does that work? His kids look too young!) disapprovingly over his shoulder, letting go of the cooking utensil.

"Zuko! Don't be rude! This marine is going to help us with those poauau pirates!" Zuko didn't look over at his father, only staring at your gobsmacked face with that intense quiet look. "We have to show her respect. She's a marine! They finally answered our letters for help and sent her to us from Marine HQ. So we must show her the Karé hospitality! Which we're famous for by the way." Mayor added pleasantly while looking at you.

Azu, who moved from helping her grandpa appeared behind you on the chair with a mild frown, sipping tea calmly.

"We're not actually. Oh, and matua kēkē Zuko says he likes people but actually he doesn't. He actually only likes people if he says I don't like you, instead." Azu explained, not paying attention to Mayor's tight smile at her words of how not famous their island is while Aiko threw her brother a frown as Zuko continued to stare at you. "It's strange. But it's okay. He cooks good."

How does one have to do with the other? You think with a mild sweatdrop as you glanced at her before focusing back on the cherry colored hair man.

So you were right. He doesn't like you.

You wonder why?

"Is that true?" Zuko questioned, tone neutral as your brows furrowed. "You came from Marine HQ? They sent you?"

"I'm here to help," you say, resolute. "It would help if you guys told me which Yonko and what division too actually—"

"No time!" Mayor cut in, appearing before you with the end of his cane to your face as your eyes crossed at it. He turned towards Zuko. "Zuko! Show the Karé hospitality!"

Zuko was silent in his answer, instead going to the kitchen counter and picking up a large stirring spoon. That's where the magic happened, your eyes focusing on the way his arms and hands seemed to move quick. From putting spices to stirring, to finishing up chopping and prepping the meat to searing. And, you observe Zuko's face and see how his flat lips looked a tad more relaxed along with the rest of his expression, he looks happy doing this. In his element.

By the time he finished, Aiko, Azu and Mayor moved to sit by you—all your knees touching or parts of legs due to his close the chairs were. Azu seeming to shift excitedly in her seat although she tried not to be while Aiko smiled fondly down at her.

"Have you ever had curry?" Mayor questioned in interest, as Zuko put bowls in front of you. The smell wafting to your nose and making your mouth water at all the scents of cumin, ginger, garlic and pepper and plenty of other scents you can't place. The sight was beautiful too. The colors were vibrant due to the peppers you could see. From red to to green and you think you see celery as well. "Not many other countries or islands I know of have it as their signature dish. But you must've travelled a lot."

"I have." You answer distantly, trying to hold back your drool as you picked up a wooden spoon and stared at the bowl in front of you. "Travelled I mean. Curry though," you took a spoonful, and watched the liquid and the glistening colors on it, fascinated. "I don't think so. I don't quite remember everything I've eaten but I feel like I would remember this. Ah," you stared up at Zuko, who stood above you by the table, his face staying neutral as he met your gaze. You put the spoon back, and put your hands together in a loud clap, your head bowing. "Thank you for the food!"

Zuko's eyes rounded a pinch. But you didn't pay attention, you just dug in. Your eyes gleaming at the wonderful flavors bouncing in your mouth.

"Ah! It's goofh!" Azu stared at you, pointing at her chin. You used the back of your hand, catching some stray curry and licked it before going in again. Not paying much attention as Azu stared at you with a baffled face and her mutter that your napkin was right there. Mayor looked proud though, while Aiko's kind face formed into a bright expression as she laughed softly behind her hand. Zuko maintaining his quiet stare at your sitting form as you ate his meal enthusiastically. You finished the dish, clean and done with a content smile on your face as you stared up at the man. "Thanks again! You're a pretty good cook by the way. Is all your curry like that?"

Zuko stayed silent but Azu answered for him as she tugged your sleeve. You looking down at her and spotting her prideful expression.

"Matua kēkē Zuko is one of the best at the island! If not the best. He's one of the ones like Ojii-san with the most of our ancestral tattoos and he gets to have their—"

"Azu." Zuko cut in, Azu freezing at his tone as he minutely shook his head. "No."

He turned around, looking as if he was about to leave. As he did, you noticed the back of his black shirt, there was a symbol of what looked like a soaring raven with its wings spread out with that diamond and thick lined pattern to outline it. Karasu glinted in interest at your hip.

Once he was out the door, Mayor let out a sigh, a hand to his face. Azu looking down with a bitten lip and having let go of your sleeve.

"That boy...Sorry about that." Mayor gave you an apologetic smile, straightening and shifting in his seat. His shoulders looked heavy all of a sudden, you think. Aiko put an arm towards Azu, giving her shushed words of comfort. "You're probably wondering what that was about. You see," the old man lifted the fur around his shoulders, showcasing the many tattoos upon his person. You could spot the boar that you saw earlier in that building, as well as others. "This isn't just to look and showcase our famous beauty—" Azu, still hurt, stayed silent. Making Mayor momentarily frown but kept going. "It's not just for pride either. Although my son has made it all about his. We can seek our chosen ancestor's tattoos guidance. But it's only for their chosen dominion. And others only get to only have one or two ancestral tattoos. But since I'm the island's leader..."

"You get to have more," you quietly realized, looking in awe at the tattoos. "Guidance? Does that mean you hear voices in your head?"

Hopefully not like mine, you think with an internal wince. Although maybe it's just a part of me that I can't seem to get rid of...like an opposite of a conscience. I just want to be like Shanks.

Mayor snorted while Azu threw you a disbelieving look.

"Are you stupid?"

"Hah?"

"Don't be rude, Azu." Aiko shushed, hand going through Azu's spiky hair. Aiko gave you an apologizing smile. "Don't mind my daughter. As you could tell before, she's quite blunt. She says what's on her mind as it comes."

You waved it off.

"She's fine. I was like that when I was younger too." You thought of harsh words and scowls towards an old hero, of curses and being picked up by the collar and a hit to the head in reprimand. You swallowed, eyes momentarily hidden beneath your cap before looking back up at the old man. "What do you mean than?"

Mayor explained briefly. How it was more of a feeling from the ancestor, a quiet guidance than just a voice in their head. It was like instinct that got turned on they never knew was there or existed before they asked the ancestor. However, only certain ancestral tattoos can be on at a time.

"As you can see," the Mayor pointed the tattoo of the boar, similar to what was seen in the wharenui. With diamonds and thick lines and thin lines and all filling in the outline of the tattoo making up the shape of the animal. "This is of Kokiri—our first founders. If not the first. Things