After parting ways with Karim, Jiro entered the tavern and bought a barrel of wine.
It was so expensive that he nearly lost the desire to drink altogether.
After paying for it, he barely had any money left.
He also bought two donuts as a reward for that troublesome son waiting at home.
Carrying the wine in one hand and his other purchases in the other, Jiro set off to find Garp.
As he entered an alley, three men blocked his path.
The local thugs brandished small knives and grinned at him.
They were known for targeting children and anyone else who looked too weak to fight back.
Their leader stepped forward and pointed at Jiro.
“Put down the wine and hand over your money.
Do that, and you can leave.” “Don’t try anything.
No one’s coming to save you.” Jiro tilted his head and calmly watched their performance.
Judging by their confidence, they had probably robbed the previous owner of this body more than once.
Relying on their numbers, they were certain they had him cornered.
A red-haired thug smirked.
“Don’t expect Karim to save you.
She’s already gone.” “Hand over the money, Jiro.
If you don’t have any, you’re getting a serious beating today.” “Be smart and give it up, or you’ll be carried home.” Jiro smiled.
“And what if I refuse?” These three weren’t worth taking seriously.
He merely wanted to amuse himself and add a little excitement to his otherwise ordinary day.
Perhaps these young men could use some “care” as well.
“You’re all still young.
Wouldn’t it be better to find honest work instead of robbing people?” “You have working arms and legs, yet you refuse to earn your own money.
Are you really that useless?” He pointed at the red-haired thug.
“Yes, you.
What are you staring at?
Do you think dyed hair makes you impressive?
You look like an idiot.” “All three of you refuse to learn anything useful and spend your time picking up bad habits instead.” After delivering the entire lecture without pausing, Jiro realized that he was showing considerable promise as a teacher.
Ever since he had begun teaching Garp, he had grown increasingly fond of the role.
[Ding!
These young men have strayed from the proper path and chosen laziness and crime.
They require a little love to guide them.] [How can a teacher tolerate being robbed?
Show them the value of honest work and help these lost souls return to the right path.] [Mission: Educate the three thugs and make them understand that they cannot gain something without working for it.] [Rewards: Iron Body +1, Shave +1, Moonwalk +1.] A mission had appeared.
Even a few insignificant thugs could trigger one.
Apparently, anyone could become a target of his “care.” It wasn’t limited to his son.
Jiro could spread it to others too.
“Damn it, Jiro!
You must have a death wish!” “Get him!” “How dare you insult us?
Brothers, attack!” The three rushed him together.
They knew better than to take turns when they had the advantage in numbers.
Even a skilled fighter could be overwhelmed by a chaotic group attack.
“Shave.” Jiro vanished.
He reappeared directly in front of their leader, tossing everything in his hands into the air.
“Finger Pistol.” He lightly thrust a finger into the leader’s chest.
Thud!
The man flew backward and slammed against the wall.
Jiro disappeared again, causing the other two thugs to strike nothing but empty air.
“Shave.” “Finger Pistol.” “Finger Pistol.” A moment later, all three men were crumpled against the wall, groaning in pain.
Jiro returned to his original position just as the items he had thrown began to fall.
He calmly reached out and caught everything.
Then he walked over to the leader and held out his hand.
The man curled up in pain, struggling to breathe after the Finger Pistol strike.
“You… How did you become so strong?” Jiro smiled.
“Enough nonsense.
Hand it over.” The leader hesitated.
Jiro raised his finger again.
“Finger Pistol.” A hole appeared in the wall beside the man’s head.
“Tell me.
What do you think would happen if this finger struck your skull?” The leader trembled and didn’t dare answer.
The other two thugs were equally terrified.
If his finger could pierce a solid wall, their heads certainly wouldn’t survive it.
“We’ll give it to you!” “Take everything!” They hurriedly emptied their pockets and threw all their money onto the ground.
Jiro nodded, satisfied with their attitude.
He crouched and patted the leader on the shoulder.
“Good.
You’re learning.” “If I catch you robbing anyone here again, you won’t get another warning.” At that moment, Jiro looked like a demon.
The three men shuddered.
The threat in his voice was unmistakable.
They scrambled to their feet and fled, no longer daring to continue their lives as thugs.
[Ding!
Mission complete.] [The lost lambs have found their way.
They now understand the value of life and honest work and have resolved to abandon their criminal ways.] [Iron Body +1, Shave +1, Moonwalk +1.] With the additional level, Jiro’s Iron Body reached a new stage, greatly strengthening his defense.
The thugs had also contributed a modest number of coins.
It wasn’t much, but it was enough to cover his expenses for the day.
Jiro returned to the shops and bought two sets of clothes for Garp, along with several other household necessities.
Now that he had some money, their lives could become a little more comfortable.
The trip had been worthwhile.
After finishing his shopping, Jiro found Garp sitting alone.
His friends had already left, but the boy still didn’t want to return home.
“Garp, let’s go.” Garp pretended not to hear him.
Going home meant facing another terrifying lesson.
Jiro narrowed his eyes.
“Are you coming, or do you want a beating?” Garp immediately stood.
Then he noticed everything his father had bought.
His eyes lit up when he saw the barrel of wine.
Dad is drinking again!
This is wonderful!
He then spotted the clothes and donuts in Jiro’s other hand.
They were all things he liked.
Garp grabbed both donuts and stuffed them into his mouth, one after the other, a blissful expression spreading across his face.
After going hungry so often over the past few days, he had desperately missed them.
Unfortunately, he hadn’t had any money to buy his own.
“Did you buy these clothes for me?” “That’s right.
Try them on when we get home.” Garp reluctantly set the clothes back down, already eager to wear them.
Then he noticed another bag.
He opened it and looked inside.
His good mood vanished instantly.
“Dad, let me help you throw away this trash.” Jiro brought his fist down on Garp’s head.
“Ow!” “What trash?
These are valuable supplies.
They cost me quite a bit.” Paper and pens were expensive on the island.
Supplies were scarce, and anything difficult to obtain naturally cost more.
Jiro understood exactly what his son was trying to do.
Garp’s hatred of studying clearly needed to be corrected.
“From now on, you won’t have to worry about running out of paper or pens for your homework.
Aren’t you happy?” Garp gave him a dry laugh.
“What do you think?” Jiro patted him on the head.
“I think you’re too happy for words.” Garp fell silent.
He didn’t want to speak to his father.
He needed some time alone.
His father had actually spent real money on paper and pens.
Tonight was destined to be another sleepless night.
Excuse me, but am I allowed to run away from home?