Of course, the excited Hera didn't notice the change in Kuina's tone; she just tilted her head and said, "Honestly, patting my head will stop me from growing taller."
Next, she introduced the rooms below, of which there were a full ten. Hera explained, "I've thought about it; we should find at least ten companions. And we won't need ordinary Marines. The Argo is a hero's ship, and besides, we don't need anyone else to help us clear out Grunt Soldiers."
On one hand, Kuina and Ain were happy to have their own rooms, but on the other, they felt a bit lonely at the thought of not living with Hera. Noticing this, Hera continued her introduction, "Don't worry, the living quarters can be connected." With that, she pressed a button, and the walls retracted upward.
Kuina and Ain's eyes lit up, and they both expressed their desire for the rooms on either side of Hera. Hera immediately agreed. After giving them some time to pack their belongings, they agreed to meet directly on the ship.
Hera had finished packing long ago. After thinking it over, she decided to say goodbye to Grandpa Garp and returned to Garp's home with Kuina.
Seeing Kuina start packing upon her return, Garp realized what was happening and said to Hera, "Are you ready to set out?"
"Yes, the ship has arrived. I plan to head to the East Blue first."
Garp nodded upon hearing this. "You don't need to tell me what you're going to do. I could tell since you were little that you're an assertive child. But you must remember one thing: this will always be your home. Even though your grandfather is a bit older now, my child isn't someone just any random nobody can bully."
Garp's aura flared up. "Don't be afraid of causing trouble; just go for it. But be careful not to violate the justice in your heart."
"You have my den den mushi. If there's anything you can't handle, don't be embarrassed to call. You are the future hope of the Marine."
Hera said solemnly, "Don't worry, Grandpa. I won't violate my principles. Besides, my survival abilities are so strong, how could anything happen to me?"
Garp cautioned Hera, "Don't underestimate the powerhouses of this sea. I can see your ambition is not small, so you must act with even greater caution. The World Government is not simple, nor are those people from CP0."
Seeing that Kuina had finished packing, he waved his hand. "When you get to the East Blue, find some time to visit Luffy and Ace. If those two brats still want to be the Pirate King, give them a good thrashing for me."
Hera said as she left, "Don't worry, I'm going to be the woman who becomes the Marine King. When the time comes, I'll catch both of them and bring them back to take care of you in your old age."
Garp waved Hera away and sighed emotionally, "She is not one to stay settled. Is a storm coming to this sea?"
After Hera and Kuina met up with Ain, who had finished packing, on the ship, Hera stood at the bow and gave her first command: "argo, towards the East Blue, set sail!"
Far away in the East Blue, in Foosha Village, Ace was saying goodbye to Luffy. Both seemed to feel something as a sudden chill washed over them, and they both sneezed simultaneously.
Luffy asked Ace, "Aren't you going to wait for Hera? Calculating the time, she should be out of the Marine Training Camp by now. She'll definitely come back to the East Blue."
Ace said, "I'm not waiting. If I wait for her to return, I'll definitely get a beating. The old man will surely ask her to punch us. Besides, I'm already 17, the age we agreed upon."
Ace's eyes were full of fighting spirit and a longing to set sail. Luffy said, "You wouldn't be afraid of her, would you?"
Ace hit Luffy hard on the head. "Afraid? How could I be afraid of my little sister? I haven't spent these past few years idling away."
"I'm just too excited. I can't suppress my desire to set sail anymore," Ace said calmly, then waved to Luffy and boarded the simple boat he had built himself.
Looking at the sad Luffy on the shore, Ace said, "Don't worry, in two or three years you'll be 17 and it'll be your turn to set sail. I'm just heading out a step ahead. I'll make a name for myself in the sea, and I'll be waiting for you there."
With that, Ace raised his hand and thumped his chest heavily. Faintly, it seemed as if black Armament Haki was flowing. "Luffy, we will eventually reunite in this sea. A man who wants to be the Pirate King won't cry just because his companion is stepping onto the path of their dreams."
Luffy held back his tears and raised his fist in response to Ace. "I'm the man who's going to become the Pirate King! Ace, just you wait; I'll catch up to you very soon in two years!"
Ace waved his hand and chose to set sail.
14-year-old Hera and 17-year-old Ace both chose this day to begin their voyages.
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