By the time they returned home, it was already late.
Garp and Sengoku followed behind Jiro.
Sengoku looked excited.
He could finally eat the barbecue Garp had claimed was delicious.
More importantly, he could train alongside Garp and become stronger.
He wanted to become just as powerful as his friend.
He hated being weak and powerless.
Being young was an excuse for now, but if he still accomplished nothing by the time he grew older, he would feel like a failure.
“Garp, I’m hungry.” Garp turned around with a bright smile.
“The barbecue will be ready soon, Sengoku.
Hold on a little longer.” Inside, he couldn’t stop laughing.
Sengoku, you’re finished.
As your best friend, how could I let you suffer alone?
We’re brothers.
Whatever comes, we face it together.
“Sengoku, don’t worry.
I won’t leave you behind.” Sengoku was nearly moved to tears.
What a good friend.
What a true brother.
They were only a step away from embracing each other.
Jiro prepared a barbecue to welcome Sengoku.
Garp’s friend—and the future Fleet Admiral—was currently still just a child who played in the dirt.
Naturally, Jiro wanted to make a good impression.
Once Sengoku had eaten and drunk his fill, the nightmare could begin.
“Wait a little longer.
Don’t be so impatient.” Sengoku stood in front of the barbecue with drool gathering at the corner of his mouth.
He hadn’t eaten barbecue in a long time.
With the aroma of roasting meat filling his nose, he couldn’t bring himself to move away.
Garp nudged him.
“Wait a little longer.
It’s not ready yet.” “I know.” Sengoku scratched his head, but his eyes remained fixed on the meat.
He was afraid they might forget to call him when it was time to eat, and he was determined not to miss this meal.
Fifteen minutes later, the barbecue was ready.
The three sat down and ate together.
Jiro looked at Sengoku.
“How long are you planning to stay?” Sengoku was too busy eating to answer, so Garp spoke for him.
“He told his parents he’d stay for a month.
We’ll see what happens after that.” A month.
His parents must have been quite at ease letting him stay here.
Still, a month was about right.
By then, even if Sengoku wanted to leave, he might not be able to.
Sengoku swallowed his food and said, “I told them a month, but I can stay as long as I want.
My parents won’t care.” Jiro looked puzzled.
“They’re really busy right now and don’t have much time for me,” Sengoku explained.
“Most days, they leave me home alone to watch the house.
It doesn’t really matter whether I’m there.” “They were worried about leaving me by myself, so they were happy when I said I’d be staying with you.” His parents worked hard to earn a living and were busy every day.
Sometimes, they didn’t return home for several days.
Sengoku was often left alone, and his safety was their greatest concern.
Knowing Jiro would look after him naturally put them at ease.
Jiro understood.
They were simply trying to make ends meet.
The meal lasted half an hour, and they ate a great deal.
Sengoku was completely stuffed.
He rubbed his bloated stomach and lay back on the ground, staring happily at the sky.
“This is great.” “Garp’s dad is so nice.” The barbecue had been delicious.
After cleaning up, Garp pulled Sengoku to his feet and led him to the place where he usually had lessons.
Sengoku looked around in confusion.
“Garp, why are we here?” Garp grinned.
“For class.
Didn’t you want to experience my happiness?” “We’re brothers.
Good things should be shared.” Sengoku was moved once again.
Garp really remembered me.
I’m so touched.
For the next two hours, Sengoku wanted to kill him.
Studying.
Copying.
His hand never stopped moving, while every part of his body resisted the lesson.
What was Jiro even talking about?
Why couldn’t he understand any of it?
His eyelids grew heavy, and all he wanted was to go to sleep.
Then he noticed the wooden stick in Jiro’s hand.
Beside him, Garp was studying with complete concentration, not daring to let his mind wander.
“Uncle, can I go home?” Jiro narrowed his eyes.
“What do you think?” “I don’t think I’m suited for studying, Uncle.” Jiro smiled.
“I think you’re perfectly suited for it.
What do you think?” I don’t care what you think.
I care what I think.
Garp snickered.
Brother Sengoku, don’t even think about running.
Now that he had entered this place, how could he possibly leave?
Jiro’s strictness frightened Sengoku.
He didn’t want to study, but he had no choice.
That stick could come down at any moment.
He could only accept the teacher’s “care.” Son or not, there was always enough care to go around.
Jiro had no intention of letting him leave.
Since Sengoku had come, the two boys could train together.
Training one child was training.
Training two was still training.
There was hardly any difference.
Besides, Sengoku seemed much smarter than Garp.
How could the future Fleet Admiral fail to understand the importance of education?
“If you don’t study today, you’ll become useless tomorrow.” “You need to study every day.
Is finding two hours really that difficult?” “Time is like water in a sponge.
You have to squeeze it out.
If you can’t, I’ll help you.” “Playing is for little kids.
You two are already growing up, so you need to learn some discipline.” “Don’t think about running or trying any tricks.
You won’t escape.” Jiro looked directly at Sengoku.
“Especially you.
Now that you’re here, you might as well settle in.” Sengoku felt miserable.
He had planned to pack his things and leave the following morning, but Jiro’s words crushed that hope.
Garp grinned.
“Sengoku, give up.
Just stay here quietly.” “Look at me.
I’ve never even thought about running away.” There was no point trying when escape was impossible.
Another torturous night followed.
After finally finishing his work, Sengoku glared angrily at Garp.
“Why didn’t you tell me about this?” Garp scratched his head.
“You didn’t ask.” Sengoku fell silent.
It was infuriating.
He wanted to hit someone.
“You didn’t bring me here on purpose, did you?” This wasn’t the kind of training he had imagined.
He wanted something completely different.
Garp placed a hand on his shoulder.
“Don’t worry.
You’ll find out tomorrow.” “And don’t think about running.
You’ll soon experience all my happiness, my good brother Sengoku.” The smile on Garp’s face made Sengoku uneasy.
Things clearly weren’t that simple.
There was some kind of trap waiting for him, and he didn’t know what it was.
“I’m doomed.
I walked straight into a den of thieves.” There was no escape.
He had fallen into Garp’s trap.
As expected, Garp couldn’t be trusted.
[Ding!
Mission complete.] [You successfully “cared” for Sengoku.
As the future Fleet Admiral, he must study hard.] [Rewards: Devil Fruit Development +2%, Iron Body +1, Armament Haki +1, Observation Haki +1.] It was an enormous haul.
The rewards from caring for Sengoku were remarkably generous, and Jiro couldn’t have been more satisfied.
He had even obtained Observation Haki.
The moment he claimed the reward, he learned how to use it.
Suddenly, he could sense the sounds and movements around him far more clearly.
The world seemed completely different.
He could even sense what the two boys were doing inside the room.
“Even basic Observation Haki is this useful.” Jiro smiled.
“You two little brats are going to be very happy tomorrow.” He had already arranged their training.