Chapter 12
"Yes!!! One hundred million beri—finally saved up! Time to go find Arlong and buy back the village. After that… I want to keep adventuring with Jepack and the others! I wonder if they're still waiting for me at the tavern."
Nami daydreamed about the life she'd have after freeing Cocoyasi Village, completely unaware that a massive deception awaited her next.
Scene shift back to Jepack's group. The three stood on the coastline, watching Buggy's pirate ship grow smaller and smaller in the distance.
After leaving town, they hadn't waited at the tavern for Nami to return. Instead, they finished restocking supplies and came straight to the shore where the Ten'en (Heavenly Abyss) was anchored.
"That guy sure runs fast!" Jepack remarked, staring at Buggy's vanishing sails.
"Nami told us to wait for her at the tavern. Did she really leave the island?" Guina glanced back toward the town, then looked at Jepack questioningly.
"Yeah, she's already gone. But I know exactly where she's headed. Just follow me—you can trust me!" Jepack replied confidently.
"Really~? What if you guess wrong and we miss her~?" Guina still sounded worried.
"Trust me~~! I've got this locked down—100%!" Jepack wrapped an arm around her shoulders, radiating assurance.
Jepack and Guina walked ahead. Suddenly, Zoro called out: "Jepack! Guina!"
"What's up?"
Guina turned back curiously. Jepack's heart sank slightly as he thought: Sigh… so the day has finally come.
Zoro steadied himself and spoke slowly: "I think it's time we part ways here. I've stayed on your ship long enough."
"Huh~~? Aren't you already one of our crew? Aren't we supposed to adventure together?" Guina asked in genuine surprise.
Zoro shook his head. "No. I only said I'd ride along with you—I never agreed to join as a crewmate. Besides, with your strength now, you can already handle the Grand Line. I'd just hold you back. I'll stay in the East Blue, train for another two years, and make a name for myself."
Guina looked disappointed. "But… I thought the three of us would keep sailing and adventuring together…"
Jepack asked calmly: "Zoro, you're really sure you want to split here?"
"Yeah. You already knew how I felt. No need to try talking me out of it—I can't keep sailing with you."
Jepack nodded. "If that's your decision, then let's part here. With your talent and drive, we'll meet again on the seas someday. It's just… a little regrettable we can't travel together longer."
Zoro's expression softened with the same regret, but he remained resolute: "Life always leaves some regrets—you're the one who always said that, right? Besides, once I'm strong enough for the Grand Line, I might come find you guys."
"Hahaha! True. Regrets make life complete~ I hope one day we hear the name Roronoa Zoro echoing across the seas. And if you ever change your mind, our doors are always open!"
Jepack's earlier sadness vanished; he smiled brightly.
"If I haven't found better partners by then, I'll come looking for you."
Jepack pulled a chilled bottle of premium lager from his system storage and tossed it to Zoro. They clinked bottles. Jepack took a long swig and said: "Then it's a promise. If you haven't found a new crew, come find us."
"Got it!" Zoro nodded, taking a sip.
"Where's mine? I want one too!! We're the Shimotsuki Three Swordsmen! You two are having a farewell drink without me? No more juice—I want beer too!!~"
Guina demanded loudly.
"Fine, fine~~ Here you go. Just sip it slowly, okay?"
Jepack handed her a bottle with a warning.
Guina excitedly clinked bottles with both of them, took a tiny sip, and declared: "Yay! Let's make the Shimotsuki Three Swordsmen famous across the seas as Great Swordsmen!!! No one will ever look down on our bond!"
Her bright laughter lifted the heavy mood. Zoro and Jepack couldn't help grinning along.
Together, the three shouted: "Then let the Shimotsuki Three Swordsmen strive toward becoming Great Swordsmen!!!"
"This beer tastes awful~~~!"
After her second sip, Guina immediately toppled backward.
Whoosh—Jepack's reflexes kicked in; he caught her in his arms before she hit the ground.
"One-shot knockout! Little drunk cat… so cute when she's asleep. So soft… I just wanna cuddle her~ Haha~"
Jepack thought wickedly while keeping a perfectly straight face.
"She's drunk. I'll take good care of Guina. Alright—last sip, then we set sail!"
Zoro: "Got it."
The two finished their bottles.
Jepack crushed his empty bottle, tightened his hold on the now-kicking Guina to keep her from slipping, and turned with what he thought was a dramatic flourish.
"Big bro's off! The road ahead is yours alone—don't cry, okay? And don't miss me too much—I'm just a legend!"
Zoro: "Who'd miss you, you narcissistic pervert?! Get going already. Take good care of Guina—if you ever mistreat her, next time we meet I'll cut you down!"
Zoro watched their figures grow smaller, gripping his bottle tightly. His expression was resolute, yet his solitary silhouette carried a touch of loneliness.
The Ten'en slowly raised its sails and drifted away from the shore.
From the deck, a small figure waved vigorously, shouting something that sounded like: "See you!!"
Zoro stood coolly on the beach, three swords at his side, watching the ship shrink from a speck to nothing on the horizon. Then he glanced at the two remaining cases of premium lager, raised a hand in farewell, and quietly murmured: "See you."