Chapter 2
At night, Jepack lay in the side room, exploring his child-sized body while deep in thought. It's been days since I arrived—where's my golden finger? How am I supposed to live from now on? I'm just a big ant. The moment I leave this village, someone could squash me without even trying.
The more he thought, the more fired up he got—his fists clenched. Fine. No golden finger? Then I'll start training my body. I've read plenty of novels where transmigrators without cheats did exactly that. Follow the predecessors—can't go wrong. When you're here, make the best of it.
With that resolve, drowsiness finally crept in—until faint rustling sounds from the courtyard chased it away.
"Damn it! Who's bold enough to disturb my sleep?"
He pushed open the door and saw Guina practicing sword swings under the moonlight, her cute little face etched with determination.
When she noticed the door open, she turned and stared at Jepack without a word.
"Good evening! Haha! Guina, still training this late? Want a sparring partner?" Jepack said awkwardly.
She looked him up and down, her eyes full of disdain—as if to say, Can you even handle two swings from me?
"You? You'd just get hurt. No thanks," she said after sizing him up for a moment.
Oh, hell no.I've survived three days adrift at sea, you know. So what if I look pretty? You got a problem with pretty boys? Do I need facial scars to earn respect? No man backs down from a challenge like that. Besides, you can't see my future eight-pack yet—your loss!
"I'm good," he declared, grabbing a training wooden sword at random and stepping opposite her.
Perhaps impressed by the stubborn fire in his eyes, Guina nodded. "All right, get ready. Here I come. Try to last a little longer—I don't like guys who finish too fast. It ruins the fun of training."
Three minutes later, Jepack was sprawled on the ground, meeting her slightly disappointed gaze. Damn, she really looks down on me now.
Gritting his teeth, he stood back up. "Again!"
Ten minutes later: "I... need... a short break..."
Soon after, he lay flat, eyes blank, too embarrassed to meet hers. The last thing he remembered was her expression seeming to say: Come on, skinny boy. Yes or no? Make up your mind—why the break?
Jepack felt utterly defeated. He lay there for ten minutes until most of his strength returned, though his whole body still ached. Sitting up, he watched Guina continue swinging her wooden sword with full force—her ponytail whipping back and forth, sweat flying from her brow.
He observed quietly for a while. Eventually, whether from fatigue or sensing his stare, she stopped.
"I'm done for tonight—I'm exhausted, not a drop of sweat left!" he quickly called out as her eyes turned to him.
The corners of her mouth slowly curled upward, like she was about to burst out laughing.
"That's enough for today. Will you... spar with me again tomorrow night?"
Her cheeks flushed, she asked softly, then reached out and pulled him up from the ground.
Looking into her bright, clear eyes and cute face, he couldn't help but agree. She hopped happily back to her room, her voice echoing: "Same time tomorrow night—I'll be waiting right here!"
"Damn... how did a little girl charm me like that? And what about this full-body soreness?"
Dragging his feet to the bathhouse, a cold shower relaxed his muscles considerably. Is this a perk of transmigration? My recovery speed is insane! So it's not all bad.
Feeling optimistic, he returned to his room and quickly fell asleep.
The next morning, he woke up with no lingering pain—body light, even feeling a bit stronger. Mornings were free time; he had no chores yet.
"Hey, wanna come train with me?" Zoro asked.
"Sure, let's see your routine," Jepack replied casually.
He followed Zoro on two laps around the island and five climbs up the tallest hill. By the time they reached the dojo gate, Jepack's legs felt like jelly. Leaning against a pillar and gasping, he said, "You go on... huff... I'm done... huff..."
"You? Train with me? Who are you again?" Zoro shot back before running off.
"Damn it, despised by another kid! I swear I'll never lie on the ground looking up at you brats again!!!"
Lie down? Even dogs don't lie down! Fine, dogs don't—I will! Lying down gives the best view anyway.
And so he flopped down.
One starry night, he ended up flat on his back again—after being knocked down by a single swing, staring up at the endless sky.
That afternoon he'd secretly copied the students' forms, then cleaned up after practice. Evening brought another defeat.
"You're improving a lot—lasted twenty minutes today. I actually felt a little thrill from training!" Guina said, drenched in sweat, cheeks red.
Jepack entered full sage mode: all he wanted was to lie still and do absolutely nothing.
This routine continued for a month. By day, Jepack could now keep pace with Zoro physically.
By night, his stamina grew from ten minutes to matching Guina until she was exhausted. The two would collapse side by side, stargazing.
"Jepack, after training come to the inner dojo with Zoro."
(End-of-chapter teaser in original: This mini-chapter isn't over—click next page for more excitement!)
Just as Jepack and Zoro were about to head out for their run, Koushirou's voice stopped them.
"Yes, sir."
"Yes, Master."
Their replies overlapped, but Jepack bolted out first.
"Hahaha! Suck it, Zoro—you're losing today!!"
"You cheated! Sneaking a head start—I won't lose to you, idiot Jepack!!!"
Watching their fading figures, Koushirou smiled faintly, his gaze deep and meaningful.
After training, Jepack and Zoro returned laughing to the inner dojo. Koushirou was speaking with an elderly man while Guina sat quietly in the back.
"Master! Grandpa Koushirou!" Zoro greeted beside Jepack.
So that's the real Koushirou—the one who escaped Wano, the only surviving member of the Shimotsuki family strong enough to crush an ant like me without effort. The manga never showed his true strength.
"Master, Mr. Koushirou, Miss Guina!" Jepack followed Zoro's lead.
"Are these two the promising swordsmen you mentioned?" the elder Koushirou asked.
"Yes. Zoro is a child with extraordinary persistence and passion for the sword. And Jepack—I've never seen anyone with such exceptional learning ability, recovery speed, and sheer willpower. He will definitely become a fine swordsman."
"I'll consider it carefully."
With that, the elder vanished in a flash.
"Zoro, spar with Guina in a bit—I'll watch and point out your weaknesses.
Jepack, come here. This is your pay for the month—take it." Koushirou pulled out some beri and handed it over.
"Yes, Master!" Zoro replied happily.
"Thank you, Master." Jepack accepted the money with both hands.
Ding! Pirate world currency detected. Recharge System activated! Host, would you like to recharge the 50,000 beri in your hand?