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Chapter 34
At that moment, heavy footsteps "thump thump thump" echoed across the deck.
"You little punk—sleeping for three whole days and nights, and the first thing you do when you wake up is call me old geezer? Looking to die, huh?!"
Garp appeared at Jepack's cabin door, having heard the noise.
"So it's you, old man… Wait—no—why are you still on our ship?!"
Jepack had been calm at first seeing Garp in the doorway, but suddenly realized three full days and nights had passed—yet this old man was still here.
"Didn't I already say I'd hitch a ride on your ship? Did Bogard beat you so hard you got amnesia?"
Garp picked his nose casually while speaking.
"Don't worry about Bogard—he's already up running and jumping. His physical condition is way better than yours, kid!"
Garp pulled a doughnut from who-knows-where and munched on it while updating them on Bogard's condition.
"I don't believe you, old man—not a single honest word comes out of your mouth. He was hurt worse than me—how could he recover that fast?!"
Jepack weakly grumbled at Garp from the doorway.
"Hahahaha! You little brat! Sure, the medicine and equipment on the dog-head warship are much better than on your ship, but he's already moving around and handling tasks. Just admit he recovered faster than you!"
Jepack responded with a middle-finger gesture toward the door. Garp didn't understand the specific meaning but clearly recognized the disdainful look. Still, he didn't care and kept eating his doughnut.
Jepack stopped bickering with Garp and turned to ask Guina and Nami:
"Guina, Nami—what sea area are we in now?"
Nami, who had recovered her composure first, answered:
"Because of your coma, we rested for two days. We're currently heading toward Loguetown—it'll probably take another two or three days to arrive."
"Good. Then set course for Loguetown! Old man Garp—how long are you planning to stay on my ship?"
Jepack first replied to Nami, then turned to ask Garp at the door.
"I'll stay at most two more days—don't worry, I won't disturb you! Kid, are you really not considering becoming my disciple and joining the Navy?"
Garp was still reluctant to give up. He genuinely admired Jepack's talent.
Jepack thought for a moment, then spoke firmly and seriously to Garp:
"No need to persuade me anymore. The Navy's 'justice' is just shackles to me. You all talk about justice, but it's really just your own ideal world! For me, my justice is protecting my crewmates and traveling the world with them!"
"I won't become a pirate—but if I encounter Navy like that rat colonel, I'll step in when I see injustice!"
"As for staying on the ship—you can stay as long as you want. I can't beat you anyway!"
"You really won't reconsider…?"
Garp clearly hadn't given up and wanted to persuade him again.
But after saying that, Jepack closed his eyes and lay back down—making it clear the topic was closed for good.
"You little…"
Garp still wanted to say more, but Guina interrupted.
"Grandpa Garp, Jepack needs rest. If you want to persuade him, wait until tomorrow. Let him recover properly now!"
With that, she ushered Garp out onto the deck and shut Jepack's cabin door.
Jepack had originally planned to just ignore Garp with his eyes closed—but once they shut, he quickly fell asleep.
On the deck chair, Garp lay thinking: This kid is dead set against joining the Navy.
"He really reminds me of Roger back in the day—another interesting kid with all three types of Haki. Fine, fine… I won't force him into the Navy. He's already said two or three times he won't become a pirate. Guess I'll just let him adventure freely. Looks like the seas are about to gain another strong one."
Meanwhile, Jepack slept deeply—so deeply it felt like heaven and earth had gone dark.
When he woke again, the sky was already pitch black.
He stretched his body—feeling almost fully recovered—then lazily walked out onto the deck.
Seeing Garp snoring loudly on the adjacent deck chair, out of basic kindness, Jepack draped a blanket over him.
Then he quietly checked on Guina, who was diligently training in the dojo, and Nami, who was still drawing charts in the navigation room. He didn't disturb either of them.
He cooked himself a bowl of Kangshifu Spicy Beef Noodles (with two eggs, two sausages, and a big crab he'd casually caught earlier) and returned to his favorite deck chair to eat.
The aroma must have been too tempting—Garp actually woke up.
"Smells amazing! What is that?!"
Rubbing his eyes and fully waking, Garp saw Jepack slurping noodles with relish. His stomach immediately growled loudly. He asked:
"Kid—what are you eating? It smells incredible—got my appetite going wild!"
"Kangshifu Spicy Beef Noodles—this stuff is way tastier than your doughnuts and rice crackers! Want some? I've got extra!"
In truth, Jepack had cooked extra portions on purpose so he could share with everyone later. But right now, he dangled an unopened pack in front of Garp to tease him.
Garp reached out to snatch it, but Jepack swiftly dodged.
"You old geezer—letting you stay on the ship is already generous. Now you want free food too? Aren't you afraid I'll publish all your embarrassing stories and ruin your Navy Hero reputation?"
Jepack scolded Garp righteously—though really, he was just messing with the shameless old man.
"You little punk—threatening me now? Your skin's itching for a beating, huh?"
"And now you've added another charge: threatening an injured person to steal their food!"
"You… you… fine… I'll pay you! That's acceptable, right?!"
Garp, cornered by Jepack's words, fumbled around his clothes—only pulling out a pile of doughnuts and rice crackers.
He stared blankly at the noodles in Jepack's hand, clearly thinking of trading his snacks for a bowl.
Jepack saw through his intention and cut him off early:
"Don't even think about it. I don't want your overly sweet junk food!"
A disappointed expression spread across Garp's face.
"I… don't have any beri on me. Can you give me just one bowl to try? When we reach Loguetown, I'll definitely pay you!"
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