Although a small incident had occurred in Syrup Village, it didn't affect Xia Yu's journey in the slightest.
Two days passed quietly.
Garp didn't stay the whole time. A call from Marine Headquarters forced him to leave early.
Of course, the old man had clearly "forgotten" about Xia Yu killing those corrupt Marines.
In his eyes, there was only one thing that mattered—
How to drag Xia Yu into Marine Headquarters.
Perhaps… he was deliberately avoiding the topic.
After all, no matter how much he favored Xia Yu—and even though Fleet Admiral Sengoku was curious about this young traveler—
If the matter were taken seriously, Xia Yu's actions had already crossed the bottom line of Marine law.
It could even be classified as a crime.
So after witnessing the villagers' support for Xia Yu—and feeling a sense of guilt toward Syrup Village—
Garp chose not to pursue it.
That was the wisest decision.
At the dock, as he prepared to leave with his men, Garp turned back to look at the villagers who had come to see him off.
He waved his hand and said loudly,
"Thanks for the hospitality! It's been a long time since I felt this relaxed!"
"Take care, Vice Admiral Garp!"
"Come visit again!"
"Marines, keep it up!"
The villagers clearly liked this group of Marines and sent them off warmly.
Hearing their voices, Garp burst into laughter again.
Then, scanning the crowd, he spotted Xia Yu—and his eyes lit up.
"Xia Yu, brat! I know you won't agree right away, but I'm willing to wait! I believe one day you'll become a righteous Marine!"
"Yeah, yeah, just go already."
Xia Yu waved casually with a smile.
"See you if fate allows, old man."
"At least give me a proper answer!"
Garp grew anxious.
"What's so bad about being a Marine?!"
"Well…"
Xia Yu blinked, adopting a mysterious tone.
"A mansion may have ten thousand rooms, yet one need only hang upon a single branch—
But I won't linger beneath it."
He waved again.
"Take care, old man. I'll be going."
With that, he turned and walked back toward the village, holding Kaya's small hand.
"…What does that even mean?"
Garp blinked blankly, then suddenly grabbed Stok beside him.
"Dung beetle! Explain what he just said!"
"I—I don't know, sir!"
Stok looked like he was about to cry.
"And please stop calling me dung beetle, Vice Admiral! I'm strong now!"
"Move aside!"
Garp shoved him away and pulled Bot over instead.
"You—explain!"
"Y-Yes, sir!"
Bot stepped forward, mentally reviewing everything he'd ever learned in his life.
Then his eyes lit up.
"I got it! He means… he doesn't want to hang himself on a single tree!"
"What?!"
Garp exploded.
He turned toward Xia Yu's retreating figure and roared:
"You brat! We'll see about that!"
Xia Yu couldn't be bothered with him.
Holding Kaya's hand, he walked leisurely through green fields and blooming flowers, breathing in the fresh air and enjoying the village's tranquility.
It was… peaceful.
"Mr. Xia Yu…"
Kaya finally couldn't hold back her curiosity.
She stopped, looked up at him, and asked softly,
"Why don't you want to be a Marine?"
"Because I don't want to be part of any faction's struggle."
Xia Yu stopped as well and smiled.
"But more importantly… compared to being this or that, I prefer being a free-spirited traveler."
"I see…"
Kaya nodded, half understanding.
"But… I don't want you to join the Marines either."
"Oh?"
Xia Yu looked at her in surprise.
"Why?"
"Because I want you to stay in Syrup Village."
She giggled.
"Ah… well…"
Xia Yu hesitated.
Of course, he would leave—and soon.
But seeing Kaya's bright, hopeful smile—
He couldn't bring himself to say it.
He simply looked at her quietly.
"Mr. Xia Yu?"
Kaya blinked, staring into his eyes.
Then suddenly, her face lit up.
"Wow… I just realized—your eyes are really beautiful!"
"…Really?"
Xia Yu paused.
That was the first time anyone had complimented his eyes.
…Wait, just his eyes?
"Mm-hmm!"
Kaya nodded seriously.
"There's no wind in your eyes, no moon, no stars…"
She paused, then smiled brightly.
"But there's Kaya."
"I'm so happy~"
She giggled, her face blooming like a flower.
"Hahaha!"
Xia Yu burst into laughter, clearly in a great mood.
"Who knew our little Kaya isn't just kind and brave—but also a little poet!"
"Keep it up~"
And under the gentle sunlight—
In that quiet, flower-filled village—
A traveler and a little girl continued walking forward, hand in hand.
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