Chapter 7
"I acknowledge you, Jepack. I'll allow Guina to set sail with you!"
Koushirou turned and walked back toward the dojo. A thin trail of blood slowly trickled from the corner of his mouth.
Seeing Koushirou turn away and cough up dark blood, Jepack realized the elder was barely holding himself upright—completely drained of strength. Yet he still forced a stubborn front: "Thank you, Mr. Koushirou. I'll wait until Guina is ready to leave before we set sail. I swear I'll treat her well!"
With those words, Jepack collapsed backward. He braced for the hard ground—but instead landed on something soft and warm.
First thought upon impact: So soft! I really underestimated you, Guina!
"Jepack! Are you okay?!"
Guina had caught him from behind, hugging him tightly and asking with worry.
"I'm fine… just completely out of energy. Let me lie here and rest for a bit~"
Jepack burrowed deeper into her embrace without lifting his head, mumbling incoherently.
"Since you're fine, I'm going back to training."
Zoro's voice came from the side, sounding distinctly unhappy—like someone stuffed full of dog food.
"Huh?! Zoro, when did you get here?!!"
Jepack finally looked up in surprise.
"You jerk, Jepack!! I've been standing here for half the day! All you see is Guina—you old pervert! I won't interrupt your lovey-dovey moment. I'm out! Once you recover, fight me seriously—I want to know exactly how big the gap is between us!"
Zoro stormed off.
"You idiot Jepack!! If you're resting, then rest properly—stop turning your head!!!"
Guina's voice scolded him from above.
"Haha, I'm too tired to move. I'm stuck in your arms like this!"
"You jerk! I was so worried about you! Hurry up and recover so you can stand on your own. Stop squirming—it's uncomfortable~!"
Guina tried to sound stern, but her face was bright red.
Maybe it was too comfortable, or maybe he was just that exhausted—Jepack fell asleep right there in her arms without realizing it.
When he woke up, it was already the next morning. His clothes had been changed.
Jepack stretched with a yawn: "Still a bit weak… internal injuries need more time. Wait—who changed my clothes?!"
"You're finally awake! Come eat something quick. Last night if I hadn't heard you breathing, I would've thought you were dead!"
Guina's excited voice came from the doorway.
"Morning, Guina~ I was just too tired and passed out. Thanks for everything! So… who changed my clothes?!"
The more he asked, the weirder Guina's expression became.
"Who else could it be?! Zoro left ages ago, and I'm not asking Father to do it!"
She finished speaking and lowered her head in embarrassment.
"So it was you… Then… you have to take responsibility! You didn't do anything weird, right~~~?"
Jepack teased the blushing girl.
"You jerk! I was being nice helping you… and you say something like that?! I think you're asking for a beating!!"
"If I'd known, I would've just broken your arms and legs last night!!"
Guina growled menacingly.
In her mind, last night's scene flashed back: This jerk's body is actually amazing… Is this really what a teenager should look like? Disciplined men are terrifying…
Remembering that, Jepack suddenly shivered.
"Hey, don't joke like that! Guina is the kindest person in the world to me—she'd never do anything weird, right???"
He asked cautiously.
"Who knows~~ Maybe I did~~"
Guina burst out laughing at his nervous expression.
Right then, Jepack's stomach growled loudly.
"Fine, eat already. If you don't, you'll starve to death."
Jepack took the food from her, set it on the table, then pulled her into a hug.
"You're the best! I love you forever!"
"You jerk, so gross! Just eat already!"
She ran out blushing.
Happy days pass quickly. Before long, the day arrived when Guina was finally allowed to set sail.
Jepack had prepared a modest-sized ship and painted a unique flag on it: red background with a bright yellow star.
Yellow mind, red heart—classic.
"Guina, it's time to go!" Jepack called from the deck.
"So soon…? I… I need to say goodbye to Father."
Guina looked a little sad—leaving the place she grew up in was hard.
Jepack gently patted her head. "Don't worry—we'll come back someday."
"Guina!"
Koushirou's voice came from the shore. Two figures slowly approached.
"It's Father and Zoro!"
Guina waved excitedly.
They walked up to the pair. Koushirou spoke first:
"Guina, this is Wado Ichimonji—the sword your grandfather left behind. He said if you ever set sail, you should take it with you. Now it's yours. Cherish it, understood?"
"Father! I understand. I'm going to sea with Jepack. Please take care of yourself!"
Guina accepted the famous blade with tears in her eyes.
"Father will be fine. You take care of yourself too. If this brat ever mistreats you, come straight back—I'll deal with him properly."
Koushirou glared fiercely at Jepack.
"Father~!"
Guina started crying.
Koushirou patted her head gently.
"You've grown up. No more crying all the time. You have your own life to live now. Go—find the adventure that belongs to your swordsmanship."
"Mind giving me a ride partway?" Zoro asked Jepack.
"Of course. Wait—you're not coming with us on the adventure?"
"No. I don't want to be stuck eating your dog food the whole trip. Plus, both of you are stronger than me in swordsmanship. I don't want to keep getting suppressed or end up with your styles influencing mine. I need to forge my own path. Next time we meet, maybe you won't be able to beat me anymore!"
Zoro said confidently.
"The sky's getting dark. Time to set sail! Jepack—treat Guina well."
Koushirou said seriously.
Jepack nodded solemnly. "Yes, sir. Take care!"
"Father, take care of yourself!"
"Master, take care!"
Jepack turned to Guina and Zoro: "Full sails—raise anchor! We're off! The sea awaits us!!!"
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