Jin gently rocked the child in his arms, his eyes filled with tenderness and emotion.
"Dragon, you old dog, you actually went and had a big, fat son without a word."
His voice carried a hint of teasing, but more than that, it was filled with joy and admiration for his old friend.
Tengetsu Toki stood beside him, her gaze softly fixed on the little baby, her fingers gently playing with his tiny hand.
The child's delicate skin felt warm and soft, and her smile gradually widened, as if the whole world was illuminated by this small life.
"Yes, we didn't even know when this child was born."
Tengetsu Toki said with a smile, her eyes reluctantly moving from the child's face to Dragon's, "How old is he? What's his name?"
Dragon still maintained his serious demeanor, but in front of Jin and Tengetsu Toki, he couldn't hide a rare hint of relaxation between his brows.
He replied in a low voice, "Luffy... Monkey D. Luffy."
As he said this, the corners of his eyes lifted slightly, revealing a nearly imperceptible smile, "He's two months old."
The little baby in his arms seemed to understand the meaning of his name, and he grinned, revealing a pure smile, babbling and gurgling with a voice that was both tender and full of vitality.
The navy colleagues surrounding Jin and the others also had genuine smiles on their faces.
These people were all Jin and Dragon's closest friends, and they had deep feelings for this father and son.
Each person's face was adorned with sincere blessings, and they all congratulated Dragon.
Jin looked at the crowd and felt an indescribable emotion in his heart.
He looked down at Luffy in his arms, and a hint of anticipation welled up within him—anticipating what kind of path this child would take in the future, and what kind of fate he would meet.
Looking at his son in his arms, a hint of hesitation flashed in Dragon's eyes, his gaze shifting several times between Jin and the baby, before finally settling on his inner thoughts.
He cleared his throat, as if searching for the right words to say next.
Finally, he took a deep breath and looked at Jin with firm eyes: "I have a request to make..."
Hearing this, Jin couldn't help but smile, he patted Dragon on the shoulder, his eyes filled with trust and ease.
"Dragon, do we still need to stand on ceremony between us? Just say whatever you need."
He knew that Dragon was always a thoughtful person who would not ask for help casually, and his request must carry a heavy weight, but no matter what, Jin believed that he could help this old friend.
Dragon's gaze became even more determined, and he seemed to have made up his mind, finally gritting his teeth and saying the request that had been brewing in his heart for a long time:
"I want to entrust Luffy to you to raise..."
After saying this, it was as if a huge weight had been lifted from his heart, and he seemed much more relaxed.
"Ah?"
Jin looked at Dragon in surprise, the smile on his face freezing for a moment.
He never expected Dragon to make such a request.
Jin knew that Dragon had always been a man with great ambitions, but entrusting his child to someone else to raise was undoubtedly a huge decision for Dragon.
Dragon noticed Jin's surprise and explained:
"You also know that my life is destined to be on the move, unable to stay in one place for a long time."
"And my father and the others, although they can take care of Luffy, they also have their own missions and don't have much time to look after the child."
He paused, a hint of helplessness and guilt flashing in his eyes, and then continued, "Besides, Shanks was also raised by you, I think..."
Hearing this, Jin couldn't help but laugh, he shook his head, although he was very touched by the other party's trust, he still interrupted Dragon.
"Forget about me, Dragon, Shanks wasn't strictly raised by me. It's all thanks to Kuma and Ginny. You probably know about these things."
His words carried the warmth of memories, but more than that, a sense of responsibility.
And most importantly, he is now closely monitored by the World Government, and there are too many uncertainties in the future.
Seeing this, a hint of disappointment flashed in Dragon's eyes, but he patiently waited for Jin's advice.
Seeing the slightly disappointed expression on Dragon's face, Jin's heart softened, and he then said:
"However, I do know a place that is very beneficial to a child's growth."
He paused deliberately, and when he saw Dragon's gaze refocus on him, he continued, "It is a sanctuary for researchers, and the people there are not only knowledgeable, but also particularly good at taking care of children."
Hearing this, the disappointment in Dragon's heart vanished instantly, and a hint of hope and anticipation flickered in his eyes.
"Where is it?"
"It's a nameless island," Jin said softly, "The scholars there are knowledgeable, have broad horizons, and their parenting methods are very unique, allowing children to grow up in a relaxed and happy environment."
"I think that Luffy will not only receive a good education there, but also learn many important principles of life."
Dragon pondered for a while, his eyes gradually becoming firm.
"Since you say so, I will trust your judgment." He nodded slowly. "However, I will still try to make time to be with Luffy."
Jin patted Dragon on the shoulder and smiled: "Don't worry, Luffy will have a good environment to grow up in there, so you don't have to worry too much. Just come back and see him when you have time."
Dragon nodded gratefully, and Jin, looking at the innocent child in his arms, couldn't help but feel a sense of responsibility.
He knew that the future Luffy might have an extraordinary destiny, and he himself would do his best to provide help and guidance in this journey of growth.
He just didn't want Luffy to go down the path of a pirate.
Nurturing the next generation was one of the important purposes for Jin to save the scholars of Ohara at all costs.
This world is full of crises and pirates are rampant, and Jin knows that what can truly change the future is not only powerful force, but also the inheritance of wisdom and knowledge.
The scholars of Ohara are the most knowledgeable people in this world, and the knowledge they possess can be said to be priceless.
However, Jin's heart was not at ease.
He looked at the little Luffy in his arms, and a trace of worry flashed in his mind.
He knew that the environment has an immeasurable impact on a person, especially on a child's growth.
Ohara is indeed a sanctuary full of knowledge, but at the same time, it is far from the battlefield, far from adventure, and far from the experiences that can temper one's will.
"I just hope that Luffy doesn't become a bookworm in the future," he murmured in his heart.
Luffy's innocent smile seemed to respond to Jin's concerns, the child's big eyes were full of curiosity and longing for the world, but also with a trace of naive innocence.
