Training ended later than usual.
Garp and Sengoku didn’t mind.
They would rather stay outside than go home and study.
The lessons were too difficult, and both of them felt sleepy whenever they heard them.
The two exchanged a glance, immediately understanding what the other was thinking.
Neither said it aloud in case Jiro heard and gave them another beating.
Tsuru still didn’t know how miserable the lessons could be.
She worked hard to complete her task and eventually reached the summit.
Once all three children had gathered, Jiro suddenly appeared behind them without warning.
“You all made it.
Impressive.” “Everyone was especially enthusiastic today, so to welcome Tsuru, you’ll be spending tonight surviving in the wilderness.” “The three of you will start in different areas.
Don’t think about staying together, though it’s fine if you happen to find each other later.” “Choose a direction.” Garp knew the surrounding forest well and wasn’t afraid of being there at night.
He shrugged casually.
“I don’t care.
Let those two choose first, and I’ll take whatever’s left.” As the big brother, he had to shoulder some responsibility.
Sengoku and Tsuru were stunned.
Neither had expected this to happen so soon, especially Tsuru.
She had only just arrived, yet she was already facing such a difficult challenge.
Tsuru raised her hand.
“Uncle, what exactly do you mean by wilderness survival?” “It means exactly what it sounds like,” Jiro explained.
“You’ll spend the night in the forest.
As for dinner, you’ll have to find it yourselves.” “You’re also responsible for your own safety.
Don’t say I didn’t warn you—the forest is dangerous at night.” “Many wild beasts come out to hunt after dark.
If you’re unlucky…” Jiro chuckled.
A forest at night, with all three of them separated.
It was a terrible start.
Tsuru’s face turned pale.
“Uncle, could we wait a few days before doing this?” Jiro grinned.
“What do you think?” He pointed toward the cliff.
“Who wants to go first?” They could jump on their own, or he could help.
Tsuru stared into the darkness below.
The cliff was terrifying enough during the day, but at night she couldn’t even see the bottom.
It was her first time standing up there, and fear quickly overwhelmed her.
Sengoku tried to reassure her.
“It’s okay, Tsuru.
It looks high, but it’s not actually that bad.” Garp nodded.
“Yeah.
There’s nothing scary about it.
I jump down six or seven times a day.
It’s completely safe.” Tsuru suddenly realized something.
“You jump from here, then return to the bottom and climb up again?” Both boys nodded.
Tsuru was speechless.
What kind of ridiculous way was that to get down a mountain?
“Uncle, someone could die from jumping off this cliff.” Jiro smiled and picked her up.
All the color drained from Tsuru’s face.
“Uncle, put me down!
I’m scared!” “Wait, Uncle!” “No!
Uncle!” “Uncle!” Jiro casually threw her from the cliff, sending her toward the farthest area.
Since she couldn’t choose a direction, he chose one for her.
Garp felt a chill run through him.
After noting where Tsuru had been thrown, he stepped toward the edge.
“I’ll jump myself.
You don’t need to help.” If his father threw him, he would probably end up hanging somewhere awkward again.
He didn’t want to embarrass himself.
Garp jumped, and after hesitating for a moment, Sengoku followed.
The three of them would be spending the night in the forest.
It was going to be miserable.
Meanwhile, Jiro went to provoke several wild beasts and make their survival challenge even harder.
The moment Garp landed, he rushed toward Tsuru’s location.
Sengoku did the same, since both boys instinctively wanted to find her.
They could protect themselves, but Tsuru couldn’t.
Garp will reach her before me, Sengoku thought as he ran.
This is my first time too, and I don’t know the forest well.
I need to stay with him.
The safest plan was to regroup first and decide what to do afterward.
Tsuru, meanwhile, was terrified.
She was hanging from a tree and didn’t dare climb down.
A pack of red-eyed wolves prowled beneath her, watching hungrily.
Fortunately, they couldn’t climb trees.
Otherwise, she would have been in serious trouble.
Their glowing eyes looked especially eerie in the darkness.
Tsuru knew they wouldn’t leave anytime soon, so she could only remain where she was without moving.
I have to wait for Garp and Sengoku.
Until they arrive, I need to keep myself safe.
She forced herself to calm down and searched the area for somewhere safer, but there was nowhere else to go.
The tree was her best option, and climbing down would only put her within reach of the wolves.
Uncle is awful.
He threw me before I was even ready.
Just wait until I become stronger.
I’ll definitely get revenge.
He could have at least given her time to prepare herself.
Being thrown without warning had nearly scared her to death.
“How much longer will Garp and Sengoku take?” Fifteen minutes passed without any sign of them.
Jiro had deliberately thrown her far away.
Another fifteen minutes later, she finally heard someone approaching.
Garp arrived first.
“Tsuru, I’m here!” “Garp!
I’m over here!” Her shout caused the branch beneath her to shake, and Tsuru began to slip.
“No!
Garp, save me!” The wolves gathered below with their jaws open, waiting for her to fall.
Before she reached them, Garp leaped through the trees and caught her.
He landed safely on another branch and looked at the girl in his arms with a silly grin.
“Tsuru, are you okay?” Tsuru was still shaken.
For a moment, she had truly thought she was done for.
“I’m fine.
Thank you, Garp.” He set her down and patted her head.
“It’s nothing.
I’m just glad you’re okay.” “That’s how my dad is.
Don’t think too much about it, and don’t be afraid.
You need to make decisions quickly, or he’ll make them for you.” “I’ve lost count of how many times he’s thrown me.
Getting this treatment on your first day is pretty rare.” They hadn’t done this kind of training in a while.
Sengoku had also received a warm welcome on his first night, but Tsuru’s arrival had inspired Jiro to change the method.
Tsuru huffed.
“I’m definitely hitting him back someday.” Garp nodded in agreement.
“Me too.
I can’t let all these beatings go unanswered.” Once they became strong enough, they would give him a good beating.
The two waited until Sengoku finally arrived.
All three children stood together in the tree, watching the wolves howl beneath them.
Before long, hunger appeared in their eyes as well.
Garp looked at Sengoku.
“What do you think?
We each take one down.
Tonight’s dinner depends on them.” Sengoku shrugged.
“No problem.
We’ll work together and kill them one at a time.” Fighting them together would be safer.
“Let’s do it.” “Let’s get them.”