Chapter 22
"Better late than never—I'm the perfect laborer for the job!"
Jepack grinned at the three girls.
"No need for you to show up early or late—we've got a professional team arriving any minute!"
A cheeky voice came from behind him—Genzo.
"I got dragged out at dawn to pick oranges and call the tree transplant team! You're so lucky, kid—skipped all the hard work and just slept on the ship!"
Genzo complained, naturally slinging an arm over Jepack's shoulder.
Jepack slapped the hand away and retorted: "I'm not like you—carrying so much daytime resentment. If Arlong's ghost knocked on your door at midnight, it'd probably run away scared from your bad vibes!"
He left Genzo behind and walked over to the girls, asking:
"Anything else you need help with?"
"Shouldn't be much left. We're just waiting for the machine to dig up the whole trees with soil."
This time, Nojiko—more familiar with orange trees—explained.
Jepack: "I can do that—no need to wait for machinery! Just point out which ones you want transplanted."
Nojiko pointed to six or seven trees, still skeptical: "Really? You need the soil too, you know."
Jepack nodded confidently: "No problem. Leave it to me!"
"I bet he's bluffing—what!"
Before Genzo could finish, Jepack drew Ten'en, made a few quick slashes, and carved a perfect cube of earth. With a flick of the blade, a complete tree with soil rose into the air!
Genzo's jaw dropped to the ground!
"See? Easy. Come on—follow me to the ship to plant it!"
Jepack lifted the tree in one hand, scooped Nami in the other, and Geppo'd back to the ship.
Nami had already chosen the spot—right above the captain's deck chair, perfectly shading the harshest midday sun!
"Nami-chan! So you've been plotting since the moment you joined the ship!"
Jepack teased her.
Nami's forehead glistened with a light sweat. She huffed arrogantly:
"Of course not! I just thought this spot was perfect! Hurry back—there are still more trees!"
Nami had clearly learned the art of tsundere from Guina!
Jepack stopped teasing, carried her back to the grove—but couldn't resist stealing a few sneaky kisses in the sky!
Back and forth six or seven times, all the trees were transplanted. Midway, Guina wanted to experience flying, so one trip included her. They stayed on the ship a bit longer—Jepack had gotten hot from running back and forth with Nami, so Guina took some time to pour him a cool glass of water!
For the final trip, Nami asked Nojiko if she wanted to try flying too. She shyly refused at first…
But after everyone's coaxing, Jepack scooped her up and took off. Nojiko lay quietly in his arms like a little lamb caught by a wolf.
Jepack: "What? Am I that scary?"
Nojiko panicked: "Of course not! I'm just… a little shy. Don't misunderstand!!"
Jepack: "Just teasing you~ You're just as important to me as Nami and Guina. Anything I can do for them, I can do for you."
In the end, he told Nojiko about the space gate and gave her a dedicated Den Den Mushi. Whenever she missed him, he could return instantly!
Nojiko tucked away the snail, beaming the whole way back—like she'd won millions of beri!
When they landed in the grove, she was still reluctant to let go!
Seeing Genzo's jaw still hanging open, Jepack teased: "Genzo, old man! See? Still think I'm bluffing? Pull your jaw up! And don't bother saying you won't take disciples… or mounts…!"
He helpfully lifted Genzo's chin back into place!
"Come on, girls! It's getting dark—time to head home for dinner. I'm starving again!"
Jepack slung an arm around Guina on the left, Nami on the right, and called the three girls home!
"Are you a pig? You ate so much this afternoon and you're hungry again?!"
Guina couldn't help but roast him.
Still, she helped Nojiko and Nami prepare a huge table of all Jepack's favorite dishes!
For the next three days, under the care of the three girls, Jepack lived an absolutely blissful life!
After spending a full night saying a proper goodbye to Nojiko, he emerged a little drained and faced Guina and Nami:
"Guina, Nami—are you ready? Time to head to the next stop!"
"Yes, Captain! We're ready to start our journey!!"
Guina and Nami answered in perfect unison.
"Raise the sails—prepare to depart!"
At that moment, villagers from Cocoyasi came running toward the shore!
"Wow, the villagers are so enthusiastic~ All coming to say goodbye!"
Guina said, moved.
Jepack, knowing the truth, nearly burst out laughing!
Nami pulled out a bunch of wallets and faced the crowd with a mischievous grin:
"Hee hee hee~ I'm taking all your farewell gifts!"
The arriving villagers shouted: "Little Cat Thief Nami! Give our wallets back, you little menace!"
Guina: "..."
Though they shouted "menace," their eyes shimmered with tears of farewell and faces full of reluctance.
Nami's cheeks also grew wet with tears. She turned away, whispering: "I hope everyone lives well…"
Jepack knew Nami had left all one hundred million beri to the village—and they must have found out, which is why they chased after her!
Watching Nami's fake-brave turn, Jepack thought warmly:
"Nami-chan has always been such a kind-hearted girl."
Guina, feeling like an outsider: "..."
Jepack patted the speechless Guina's shoulder, holding back laughter, then quickly chased after Nami!
As the Ten'en sailed farther away, two figures stood on a distant hill—Genzo and Nojiko—watching the ship disappear over the horizon...
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