Chapter 183
A few days later.
Today marked the final day of the year.
Factories across the islands gradually ceased operations, granting their employees holiday leave.
And Mock’s side... was no different.
"Let’s call it here for today!" Zephyr looked down at Mock, who lay sprawled on the ground with vacant, unfocused eyes and a slack jaw. He nodded slightly. "How do you feel?"
"I want to go back... to the New World! *Sob* I’m never coming back!"
"...Though the training was a bit grueling, I trust you’ve gained quite a bit in just these few days." Zephyr ignored the sight of this hulking figure sobbing and wiping his nose, pausing before continuing, "Furthermore, you still have room to grow. Keep training and you’ll definitely get stronger."
"I’m never training again! I’m never coming back! You’re all bullies!"
"I..." Zephyr watched Mock lying on the floor, not listening to a single word, with a annoyed look on his face.
It was only a few days of training. Was this really necessary? This man had a 1.5 billion Berries bounty! What kind of spectacle was this blubbering? And the training here came with various medicinal supplements to condition the body faster and better.
Especially that healing liquid Dante brought over a few days ago. Just one drop could heal injuries and dispel exhaustion. Such a rare treasure!
Even Marine HQ didn’t have this stuff.
With just one drop of that, plus the Aqua Ursa, even if you only slept an hour or two a day, your stamina would recover instantly, keeping you energized all day. You could get ten days worth of training in a single day! How could Mock not appreciate it? He had none of a strong man’s bearing.
Before Zephyr could express his frustration and say anything more,
"I’ll handle this." Garp, who had been snacking nearby, stepped forward with a grin. "To reward you for your hard training these past few days, your boss specially arranged an exclusive set meal at Romance Dawn. Only you qualify to enjoy it. If you don’t want to go, should I go in your place?"
As soon as the words fell.
"Wahahaha!" Mock, whose eyes had been vacant, performed a sudden flip and sprang up from the ground. The daze, emptiness, and exhaustion vanished instantly. He crossed his arms, his eyes sharpening. Under everyone’s speechless gazes, his bald head gleamed as he looked at the three before him, lips curving to reveal white teeth. "Want to join me? My treat!"
"..."
The three of them looked at him silently.
Seeing them remain silent, Mock, unable to wait any longer, turned his head with hesitation. "So... if there’s nothing else, I’ll be going?"
He took a step forward.
"I’m really going?"
Only when Zephyr and the rest truly didn’t stop him did Mock breathe easier. Realizing they hadn’t deceived him, he cheerfully made his way toward Romance Dawn.
After only a few steps.
*Whoosh-*
A familiar sound rang out.
Mock’s body instinctively dodged to the side. He turned to see Mihawk behind him, holding a small cross knife, and said with a grin, "This kind of attack doesn’t work on me any-"
Before he could finish.
*Whoosh whoosh whoosh-*
Several more slashes flew at him. Mock clutched his head and ran forward.
As he ran, he shouted, "You said it was over! Why are you still attacking?"
Only after Mock had run far away did Mihawk calmly pocket his small knife. "Some improvement, but not much. Still doesn’t meet the 1.5 billion Berries standard."
"It’s close enough. It’s only been a few days of training." Zephyr reflected for a moment. "According to that kid’s requirements, as long as he doesn’t get killed in one hit, he’ll be fine."
Though he didn’t know what other trump cards Dante still hid, with his current abilities, unless those particular individuals made a move, Mock shouldn’t be killed in a single blow!
"Perhaps." Mihawk didn’t dwell on the topic upon hearing Zephyr’s words.
He had only come to watch the excitement, without any other intentions. He hadn’t expected this place to have such unique medicinal aids for training.
"Mock has a peculiar ability." Mihawk wrinkled his nose in distaste. "He’s too overly familiar. You should have his boss talk to him. Rather than training, he should stop being so overly familiar with everyone, or he’ll get himself beaten to death!"
At his words.
Zephyr and Garp fell silent together. Even Garp, who had been cheerfully snacking, stopped.
After a moment.
Zephyr turned his head, frowning at Garp, and hesitated before asking agin. "Is he really the Pirate King’s son? How is he so talented?"
"Bwahaha!" Hearing Zephyr’s words, Garp came back to his senses and laughed heartily. He shrugged, continuing to snack as he smiled. "Who knows?"
He walked forward.
"I’m a bit tired too. I’ll go rest at Romance Dawn first. There’s a banquet tonight! Bwahaha, this place is interesting!"
As for Mock, he’d check on that brat after the banquet.
At that moment.
Mihawk, carrying his Yoru on his back, followed behind Garp with a blank expression. "I am a bit tired as well."
Zephyr paused, his lips curving slightly. "Fine, I’ll go rest too. Come to think of it, it’s been a while since we attended a banquet together. We’ll need to drink properly tonight!"
He sighed, his tone wistful. "Pity Sengoku and Tsuru aren’t here!"
"Bwahaha, don’t worry about those two. They probably prefer working anyway. I’ll drink their share!"
"...You’d better not say that to them when you get back." Zephyr shook his head with a helpless smile. "I don’t know if they like working, but they’ll definitely beat you to death!"
And so the three walked together toward Romance Dawn.
--**--**
Elsewhere.
As people arrived from various islands, Cocoyashi Town grew increasingly lively.
At that moment.
In front of a roadside flatbread stall.
A boy with short blonde hair and curly eyebrows stared at the banner across the stall, with curiosity.
But before he could say anything, the stall owner greeted him enthusiastically, "Want to try one? It’s the secret royal recipe from the Goa Kingdom, cheap and delicious! Even the Hero of the Marines, Marine Admirals, and Shichibukai have all tried it and praised it!"
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