Now he thought that even with the sea stone on board, it was a miracle the ship was still afloat.
Turning away from the lively harbor, Bill descended the steps, planning to head down there soon.
Looking around, he noticed that there were three small buildings next to the house, one of which had a chimney. Considering the state of the main house, he assumed it was the kitchen.
Indeed, as Bill approached the door, Yoko stepped out carrying a tray with sausages and fruits, almost as big as she was.
"Mister! Dad said you need to rest, I was going to bring you some food! You're a patient, so be patient!"
Seeing the energetic child, Bill relented, and while she chatted away, they went back into the house to eat.
The amount of food was equivalent to a regular big lunch. Although for a man who could eat his weight even before his transformation, it was just a snack.
"Hey! Dad said you really beat up those pirates! When I grow up, I want to become a Marine too!"
As the girl spoke, Bill continued eating and kept up the conversation. Maybe the decades spent acting as a grandfather had instilled something in him about interacting with children.
The meal was small, but if anyone could see what was happening inside his body, they'd be astonished.
Previously, Bill could direct nutrients through his body. Back then, he needed to detect and be aware of it, but now his body seemed to operate on its own.
Since he didn't know the entire situation, he wanted to maximize the energy he got from the food, so his body stored carbohydrates and other nutrients in ultra-dense fat cells.
On the outside, he looked normal, but inside, he was changing himself at a cellular level!
After finishing his meal, he got up with the dishes while Yoko continued talking about the island.
"My dad is the best, and he's very strong! When the pirates come, he protects everyone in the tunnels!"
When the girl said this, Bill recalled the cave he was heading to, and as they walked to the kitchen, he asked, "Oh, are there tunnels in that cave?"
Seeing her energetic nod, Bill turned his head and saw Captain Ryudo coming out of the kitchen with another tray, this time with an appetizing bread casserole.
Seeing this, a smile appeared on his face, and memories of his past life surfaced in his mind.
Bill was born during the Great Depression, and since his family was poor, they had to economize. One way was a constant diet of macaroni and cheese for dinner and what his father called "poor man's pudding" for breakfast.
It was a simple breakfast made from stale bread layered with a bit of milk, brown sugar, and a few raisins. After baking the mixture for a while, it turned into bread pudding, which, though cheap, tasted quite pleasant. Looking at the tray in Ryudo's hands, Bill remembered a dish he hadn't had in a very long time.
Once again, he failed to leave as he went back inside and started a conversation with Captain Ryudo. Eating the pudding slowly, Ryudo didn't talk as much as Yoko, but the trio conversed as if they had known each other for many years.
Spending more time chatting than he had planned, Bill learned that the captain studied at the Marineford Cadet Academy, and after obtaining his rank, he found the love of his life on this small island on his way to the East Blue. Marines generally provided their officers with a lot of freedom, so Ryudo's request to be transferred to this island was quickly granted. It was even easier for him since the island's residents happily embraced the idea of having a marine captain live among them, and everyone participated in building his home.
Ryudo no longer mentioned his wife, and Bill didn't ask. Some people like to talk about those they've lost, but for others, it's like a time bomb; better not to touch it if you're a stranger.
After a while, Bill bid farewell to his hosts and promised Yoko that he would play with her later. Once he left the house, his first stop was the beach, where, as expected, hundreds of pirates were supposed to be.
Since he had eaten and felt great, Bill didn't hold back. He jumped twenty feet into the air and surged forward swiftly. He moved quickly, and his descent matched the natural terrain of the island.
Shortly thereafter, the beach came into view, and Bill was surprised by what was happening. Work was underway everywhere. Despite the wooden barricades built around, holding many pirates, there were just as many outside the barricades, moving about freely.
Landing softly at a distance from the workers, Bill noticed that for every group of three or four people, there was one Marine. Surprised by this development, Bill called out to the nearest sailor, a man with the faded insignia of a senior non-commissioned officer.
"Hey, you there!"
Hearing his call, the Marine and his three companions turned their heads. Seeing Bill approaching, the man did the same. As they got closer, he replied with a smile, "Lieutenant! Glad to see you're up and about! How can I assist you, Sir?"
Hearing such a response, Bill couldn't help but smile because it wasn't easy for a sixteen-year-old boy to earn the respect of older men. It was something Bill thought about, so he never mentioned his rank; he simply worked harder than everyone around him. And now, after everything that had happened, the entire crew knew who he was and respected him despite his age.