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Partyz Bar, Makino
🕑 Added 2024-10-11 08:55:36 +0000 UTC--- Chapter 372 ---
Upon entering Partyz Bar, Toki couldn't help but shout.
"H-How could you be here?"
Toki was stunned. She couldn't believe her eyes.
Behind the bar's counter is a warm-looking young woman. She has dark green hair tied with a yellow-blue patterned strip and deep brown eyes.
She wore clean yet charming clothes, a long-sleeved yellow shirt, and a navy blue pleated skirt. She also wore a white apron over her shirt to prevent liquor from dirtying her clothes.
However, the most noticeable feature is the young woman's warm smile.
To Toki, seeing that warm smile reminded her of that tragedy.
Toki clenched her hand and murmured, "Makino..."
Yes, the young woman is none other than Makino, Toki's step-sister.
The same step-sister who sacrificed herself to protect Toki from Imu's cunning scheme. She has died and reincarnated into Tiny World's native, forgetting her roots as the Great Toki Royalty's descendant.
Seeing her like this made Toki feel complicated.
Toki was happy and sad.
Makino's current life seems peaceful, which makes Toki feel relieved her step-sister is doing well after reincarnation.
However, Toki also felt saddened because Makino's sacrifice to protect her was futile. After escaping Imu, despite the injury, Toki's main body forgot about her heritage and died not long after.
The current Toki is not the same Toki who died in Wano. She's Time Remnant revived by her benefactor, Huo Yuhao.
"Hmm, have we met before?" Makino leaned on the counter, finding Toki very familiar for some reason.
Toki forced a smile, "No, we don't."
'I suppose you have forgotten about me.'
"This is our first time meeting each other."
"Is that so?" Makino rubbed her chin. "Well, what about a free drink?"
"Partyz Bar just opened a month ago. We didn't have many customers because Elwood is a strangely competitive field among merchants and bar owners, so we need loyal customers now."
'I see, so this is what happened.' Hearing Makino's words, Toki realized something. It is what Rossweisse has been saying for years.
The change in timeline creates an unknown future.
At this time, Makino should have stayed in Foosha Village, a rural place in East Blue. However, Huo Yuhao arrived two years ago in this timeline and turned Tequila Wolf, the sad camp where lives weren't appreciated, into essentially a paradise.
This safe haven kept the Marine and World Government away, allowing people who wanted safety to migrate and live here without fear.
Foosha Village is 'solely' protected by the Marine's Hero, Vice-Admiral Garp.
But the Marineford War and Ace's Death changed everything for Garp. He couldn't trust Marine's false security, so he moved Foosha Village's residents to Elwood.
Of course, some stubborn residents, like elders, stayed in Foosha Village because it was where they were born and raised. They are not moving anywhere with that mentality. Well, it's not like those elders could live longer than the youth like Makino.
After thinking about some possibilities, Toki sat by the counter and ordered, "Give me a mild one."
"One free mild right away!" Makino replied cheerfully, grabbing a pine and placing a napkin on the counter.
Toki watched Makino serving her a drink and couldn't help but recall their old days in the Myriad Heaven Realm. Makino is one of ten geniuses, possessing a calm and gentle personality.
But being a genius also comes with a bonus. Yes, a twisted and disgusting bonus is known as death.
"There you go, one mild." Makino placed a pine on the napkin. She filled to the brim with a mild beer.
Toki nodded and drank the beer, tasting the fruitiness and mild alcohol content.
"Good beer." She mumbled, widening Makino's smile even more.
Toki and Makino chat with each other, enjoying the silence of the crowdless bar.
They talked about many mundane things until someone called Toki's name.
"Oh, so you're here, Toki."
Toki glanced back and saw Rossweisse in her new dress. She clicked her tongue because this woman was becoming more beautiful than ever.
'Did I even have a chance to be with Yuhao-sama?' Toki thought to herself.
Then, Toki hurriedly shook her head. Although Rossweisse is a goddess, she also could become one with her hard work in cultivation.
Rossweisse only had a small headstart. Who said I, Toki, couldn't surpass her?
She coughed, "I was just enjoying some drink."
Rossweisse smiled at Toki knowingly and glanced at Makino. This young woman piqued the goddess of magic's interest.
So, Rossweisse sat by the counter as well and ordered her drink.
As Makino went inside to look for the drink, Rossweisse chuckled and said, "Toki, don't you think this is fate?"
"You met your reincarnated step-sister here. A place where Yuhao-sama built for this world's natives."
"Too much of a good coincidence isn't it."
Toki was speechless. Rossweisse is right. If Yuhao-sama hadn't helped her and built Elwood, she wouldn't have met Makino here.
Rossweisse knew her words left Toki pondering and asked, "So, what are your plans with your step-sister? Are you going to be an ordinary person from now on?"
"Or do you want her to join Dragon Nest? As you know, Elwood will be the Dragon Nest's base soon."
"Being an ordinary person isn't bad... She could live in ignorance and bliss, not afraid of any danger."
"However, this world." Rossweisse gave Toki a bitter look.
Although Tiny World hasn't entered the Cultivation World era, the danger still loomed in the shadows. Being an ordinary person is no different than being an animal on a chopping block.
Toki knew this better than anyone. "Will Yuhao-sama help if I ask for his help? I've owed him too much favor." She sighed and rubbed her forehead.
"I don't want to burden him."
"Pfft, burden." Rossweisse scoffed at her. "Who doesn't feel burdened by Yuhao-sama's favors these days? Forget about paying him back, so doing your best to service him is more than enough."
"Also, don't think about easing Yuhao-sama's heavy burden. His matters are not something we can't put our noses into."
"Just be a good servant and do insignificant jobs, allowing him to focus more on important matters."
After hearing this, Toki finally gave Rossweisse a nod. "You're right."
"We can't interfere with Yuhao-sama's matters, but if we help him with mundane things, we can relieve him of the small matters."
'It will also help me gain his affection.' She silently added her mind.
"I'm back. Here is your drink!" Makino returned with a pine for Rossweisse.
Rossweisse smiled, "Thank you."
"How much for this drink and hers?"
Makino waved her hand, "It's on the bar today. I haven't had any customers for a while now, so today's drinks are free."
"Hehe, of course, next time you need to pay."
Rossweisse was stunned by Makino's words before giggling because no wonder Toki looked troubled. Such a friendly person shouldn't get dragged into a chaotic mess of others.
"Well, thank you very much for the drink then," Rossweisse replied, drinking her beer joyfully.
Toki shook her head helplessly and drank her beer.
Makino took a stool and asked, "Toki-san, Rossweisse-san, I haven't seen people like you in Elwood before. I don't know how to put it, but you possessed this otherworldly aura..."
'Ah, she might lose her memory, but not her talent.' Toki thought after hearing Makino's question.
Rossweisse nudged Toki, giving her a 'this is your problem' look.
Toki placed her drink down and said, "We are here for a mission. You will know about it soon."
"Eh, I'm curious now." Since Elwood is known as the City of Peace, Makino is curious about Toki's mysterious business. After all, Makino had already served one of Yonko, so she wasn't nervous about this kind of thing.
Toki was speechless by Makino's determination.
"You see... Elwood will change in a few days but don't worry. It's a good chance for everyone in the city." A voice entered the bar.
Before Makino could react, she saw a handsome young man lean on the counter with a faint smile. He looked dashing and made Makino's heart skip a beat.
"Yuhao-sama!" Toki and Rossweisse were surprised by his sudden appearance.
"W-Who you might be?" Meanwhile, Makino couldn't help but ask.
Huo Yuhao tapped his finger on the table gently and replied, "Nice to meet you. My name is Huo Yuhao."
"Can I order a drink?"
