Chapter 48

He even accidentally found a hidden treasure on an island, apparently buried by some former pirate crew, with vast amounts of gold artifacts; Luo En roughly estimated that just this one treasure could be exchanged for 300 million Berries.

In short, Luo En no longer had to worry about money at all for the time being.

Thus, Luo En occasionally took Gu Yina aboard merchant ships to visit other islands, and sometimes he would teach a lesson to foolish pirates and mountain bandits.

The remainder of the year passed in the blink of an eye.

From some unknown time onward, the tale of the traveler Luo En and the blue-haired female swordsman spread among the folk of the Goa Kingdom and surrounding islands of the East Blue.

……

That day.

Snow fell over Windmill Village.

Inside the tavern, Machino hosted a banquet, inviting the Dadan bandit family, Ace, Luffy, Luo En, and Gu Yina.

It was wildly lively.

Luffy, who had never seen so much meat before, his eyes sparkled; he ate until his belly swelled to bursting, still couldn't stop, and finally collapsed from overeating, falling asleep on the spot while mumbling things like "I love banquets!" and "The meat is so delicious!"

Ace sat by the window, smiled at Luffy, then turned to gaze at the snowflakes outside, his eyes carrying a hint of longing.

"Sabo… are you alright?"

After the banquet ended.

On the second-floor balcony.

Gu Yina and Luo En leaned against the railing, watching the town gradually blanketed in snow.

"It's already been a year since we came here…"

Luo En said with a touch of nostalgia.

"Yes… it feels like the day we arrived was just yesterday."

Gu Yina rested her arms on the railing, her chin on them, and turned her head to smile at Luo En, who leaned back against the rail: "I'm glad I made the decision back then to leave the dojo and come here with you, Luo En. Otherwise, I never would've met Sister Machino, Chimi, Ace, and Luffy."

Then her gaze dimmed slightly: "But in the end, we must part ways."

Luo En looked up at the swirling snow and smiled: "We'll meet again. Separated for our own goals, when we reunite, the joy will be even greater!"

"That's true."

Gu Yina smiled again.

She turned to look at Luo En and said:

"Luo En, you've decided to go with Mr. Garp to the Navy, haven't you?"

Hearing this, Luo En hesitated for a moment, then nodded at her.

"Mm."

"Then we'll part ways for now."

Gu Yina smiled at him with crinkled eyes.

Then—

Something astonishing happened.

Gu Yina reached out and embraced him tightly.

In the winter night's snow.

On the brightly lit second-floor balcony of the tavern.

A girl with short blue hair hugged the bewildered black-haired boy.

Bewildered, Luo En scratched his cheek with his fingers:

"I'm not joining the Navy—just going there as a naval intern for a while; it won't be long…"

"I know," Gu Yina whispered close to his ear, her arms wrapped around his neck: "You've trained and pushed yourself relentlessly, just like me, because you're chasing some great goal. Because I understand that, I'm never surprised by any choice you make."

"So don't worry about me, don't let my father's words affect you."

"Even if we're apart, I'll keep moving forward, toward my ambition."

Gu Yina released Luo En, smiled at him with glistening tears in her eyes: "When we meet again, I'll be a female swordsman so strong you'll be stunned."

"I'll be looking forward to that day."

Luo En smiled at her.

"Let's sail together again then."

Gu Yina wiped the tears from her eyes and nodded at him with a smile.

"Mm! It's a promise!"

40, Separation, the Resolve to Grow Stronger (4/5)

Soon, spring arrived.

Luo En turned eleven.

It had been nearly three years since he arrived in the pirate world.

Before the snow had fully melted, Garp, wearing a dog-head cap and a righteous greatcoat, arrived on a warship to pick up Luo En.

"I'll go ahead then."

Luo En, carrying his long sword and pack, stood beside Garp and waved farewell to Gu Yina, Ace, Luffy, Machino, and the others.

"Yeah, in a few years I'll set sail too."

Ace grinned at him: "Let's meet again on the open sea, Luo En."

"Thank you so much, all this time."

Little Luffy waved vigorously at Luo En, grinning widely: "Luo En, remember to come back and visit! Oh, and if you see Sabo, be sure to write me a letter!"

"Mm."

Luo En smiled at the two of them: "Even after I'm gone, don't slack off. When we meet again, I don't want you two still unable to land a single punch on me."

"Don't worry, I'll definitely knock you flying when the time comes!"

"I've brewed some new wine—it should suit your taste. Take it with you."

Machino stepped forward and handed Luo En a wooden box containing bottles of wine.

Luo En thanked her.

"Thank you for looking after me all this time, Machino."

Machino smiled and wiped away the tears at the corner of her eye, gazing at Luo En with her usual gentle smile: "I look forward to hearing your name on the open sea one day, Luo En."

Luo En turned last to Guina; she said nothing, only smiled and extended a fist toward him.

Luo En understood what she meant.

Don't forget our promise… right?

"Have you said your goodbyes?"

Karp, arms crossed, asked him.

"Yeah."

"Then let's go."

Luo En nodded, waved to everyone, then turned and followed Karp down the path, gradually fading into the distance.

Guina stood in place, watching for a long time.

"Guina, let's go back."

Machino placed her hand on Guina's shoulder and whispered softly.

"Sister Machino, am I really that weak?"

"No, you're already very strong."

Guina shook her head: "It's not enough—I can feel the gap between us growing wider every day. That's not what I want."

Machino didn't know what to say.

"If I keep going like this, I'll lose sight of his back entirely—let alone stand beside him..."

Guina's eyes were utterly resolute.

"I must become stronger!"

……………………

On the warship.

After placing his luggage and long blade in the cabin, Luo En stood alone at the railing, watching the island shrink farther away.

Behind him, several navy members gazed at the small figure and whispered among themselves.

"Is that the navy intern rumored to have been personally recruited by Marshal Zen?"