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Chapter 44
"This water is ice-cold and really refreshing!"
At that moment, both girls suddenly felt something grab their calves underwater. Terrified of the unknown creature, they kicked wildly in panic.
After scaring them underwater for a bit, Jepack let go of their legs. He then turned to enjoy the beautiful, shimmering scenery beneath the water!
"So it was you, you jerk! How dare you scare both of us sisters!"
Nami figured it out. She immediately grabbed Jepack by the shoulders and yanked him up to the surface.
"I challenge you to a one-on-one!"
Nami glared at the water, her anger visibly skyrocketing.
Nami challenged Jepack to a duel. Jepack accepted.
The duel scene instantly switched to a sci-fi style.
"Jepack activates Phantom Charge, immediately followed by Warrior Skill! Nami counters—she launches an attack on you too!"
"Judgment in progress… Both sides reach a draw."
"You deal a Fatal Strike to Nami. Nami gains +1 Combat Experience."
"You throw a Spirit Bomb at Nami."
"Nami is completely defeated."
"Congratulations. You have defeated Goddess Nami."
Seeing Nami being "specially trained" by Jepack, Guina swam over toward him as well.
"What? You want special training too?"
Jepack looked at Guina and casually lifted Nami onto the shore first.
Guina couldn't stand Jepack's provocation. She shouted loudly at him:
"Who's afraid of who?! One-on-one it is!"
Hearing that, Jepack struck a stance and began another one-on-one duel.
The battle scene switched again—this time to an ancient martial arts style.
First round: Guina uses [Ruthless Sword Technique] against Jepack. Jepack counters with [Elbow Strike] block.
Second round: Taking advantage of Guina's dropping stamina, Jepack boldly unleashes [Tathagata Divine Palm], successfully breaking through Guina's solid defense.
Third round: Jepack activates the most mysterious combo in history, instantly overwhelming Guina!
Fourth round: Jepack goes straight into an unexplained combo, completely knocking Guina down.
Afterward, both returned to the shore. Nami had also recovered.
Seeing the training between the two still ongoing, she shouted:
"Big Sis Guina, I'm coming to help you!"
"The agreement was one-on-one—how did it turn into two against one?! But I'm not afraid either. Bring on the storm—make it even fiercer!"
Some time later…
The only one not collapsed from exhaustion was Jepack.
After waiting for Nami and Guina to recover some stamina, the three finally left the cave.
When they stepped out of the cave, they found the sky had already turned completely dark, so they headed straight back to Dadan's hideout.
Upon arriving at Dadan's place, they were surprised to find that both Garp and Luffy had already returned!
"Since you guys are back too, let's throw a party!!"
"Party! Party! Party!"
Dadan saw Jepack and the two girls enter and shouted loudly. Her subordinates echoed her enthusiastically.
...
Around the bonfire, people crowded together. Some ate roasted meat, some drank alcohol, and others sang, danced, and rapped.
The flames burned fiercely, as if devouring all the darkness surrounding Dadan's hideout.
Nami and Guina were asking Garp about things they encountered during training, leaving Luffy and Jepack sitting together eating roasted meat.
Jepack looked at Luffy—bruised, swollen, and wrapped in bandages—and grew curious about his training today. He asked:
"How did you get all these wounds? Did the old man Garp really say his training method today was just beating you up hard? He doesn't seem like the type to hit his grandson so brutally."
Luffy was frantically stuffing meat into his mouth. Hearing Jepack's question, he answered without even lifting his head:
"The wounds? They're from fighting three giant ferocious beasts today! The old man didn't beat me up himself—he just threw me into the jungle and told me to survive and make it out alive."
"Huh? I thought the old man would personally train you. So how did you escape from three ferocious beasts today?"
Jepack asked curiously, pressing further.
Garp was still using the ferocious beast method. But at this stage, Luffy could barely even fight beasts—he definitely couldn't withstand Garp's fists. If Garp fought personally, there would be no point in training.
Luffy, still head-down devouring food, didn't lift his head. Focused on eating, he stuffed more meat in his mouth, thought for a second, and replied muffled:
"Speaking of which… it's all thanks to the lunch you made today. While I was running away, the saber-tooth tiger clawed open the bento box on my back! Then I got really angry—that was my dinner!"
When he mentioned dinner, Luffy lifted his head, gritting his teeth, his expression turning ferocious!
"Uh! (─.─||)"
Jepack suddenly remembered Luffy's obsession with food. Sweat dripped from his forehead.
While Jepack was sweating, Luffy continued:
"I don't know why, but when I got angry, my movement speed suddenly became really fast. I could clearly feel their attacks. After that, I defeated those three guys pretty easily. When I got out of the jungle, I saw the old man sleeping under a shady tree."
After hearing the whole story, Jepack couldn't help but sigh inwardly: As expected of the genetically gifted future Pirate King Luffy! Awakening Observation Haki just because of a missed dinner? Looked like pushing through the East Blue beginner zone would be effortless from here.
While Jepack was deep in thought, Luffy suddenly seemed to notice something. He stared at Nami, then pointed at her and asked Jepack:
"Is that your crewmate?"
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