Chapter 203 - 204: Setting Sail

Words : 1075 Updated : Sep 23rd, 2025

Chapter 203: Chapter 204: Setting Sail When Jotaro woke up, it was probably a day later. Even though he had consumed a huge amount of energy these past few days, he hadn’t been unconscious for too long. Just like before, he was placed in Nojiko’s house. When he released his Conqueror’s Haki, he had consciously avoided the people of Cocoyasi Village. Although they were still affected, they woke up much faster than the fish-men. After waking up, they restrained the fish-men and contacted the nearby Navy, having them all arrested. The matter of Captain Nezumi colluding with the fish-men was also reported. As for Jotaro, a government-wanted man, the people of Cocoyasi Village kept their mouths shut and did not reveal his whereabouts. "You should rest a little longer," Nojiko advised with a hint of helplessness when she saw Jotaro trying to get up. "According to the doctor, an ordinary person losing this much blood would have died long ago. The fact you’re alive is nothing short of a miracle." Jotaro moved his finger joints; his body indeed felt a bit weak. However, he didn’t listen to Nojiko’s words, slowly moved his body, and sat up. He looked around and asked, "Where’s my coat?" "It’s drying outside. It was covered in blood, so I washed it," Nojiko said, stopping what she was doing. "If you need it, I can bring it in for you." "No need." Jotaro stood up and walked out himself. "Really, you just love pushing yourself," Nojiko complained, quickly following behind Jotaro. The worn school uniform was hanging on the drying pole, swaying in the wind. When Jotaro got closer, he saw that all the tears had been clumsily patched up. He took the uniform into his hands, glanced at Nojiko, and said softly, "Thanks." Nojiko waved her hand in dismissal. "Don’t thank me, Nami’s the one who fixed it. I’m not that good with needlework." "Nami?" Jotaro was a little surprised. Nojiko nodded. "She’s very grateful that you saved Cocoyasi Village. She’s never been able to forgive herself for deceiving you before." During the time Jotaro was unconscious, Nami had been here taking care of him. But thinking about what she had done before, which was indeed unkind and practically biting the hand that fed her, she felt deeply guilty and had no idea how to face Jotaro. "Tell Nami we’re even." Jotaro gave a faint smile, then unfolded the school uniform, put it on, shoved his hands in his pockets, and strolled outside. Knowing Nami’s tragic past, he wasn’t so petty as to punish her again. Besides, if Nami hadn’t brought the people of Cocoyasi Village into the fight at the critical moment, creating a huge commotion that drew all the fish-men on the island over, he wouldn’t have won so easily. "You’re leaving already?" Nojiko stood where she was and called out loudly. She didn’t follow him. A strange sense of loss spread through her heart, and her legs felt like they had no strength at all. "Mm, my companions are still waiting for me." Jotaro raised a hand in farewell and didn’t stop. His tall shadow stretched longer and longer over the golden earth, until finally his figure disappeared from sight. At that moment, Nojiko felt a slight suffocating sensation. "At least let us see you off." Her voice was a little weak. She knew that, without realizing it, she had fallen in love with Jotaro. She also knew that this feeling was destined to have no result. She would never leave Bellemere’s orange grove. And Jotaro would never stay on this island forever. Perhaps sensing her feelings, Jotaro had chosen to leave just like that. A love with no outcome, the longer it fermented, the more painful it would become. Footsteps sounded beside her, and Nojiko turned her head. "Nami? You’re back?" Nami smiled and nodded. In the morning, she had visited Bellemere’s grave, then gone to the doctor’s to change a bandage. After that... "You’re here to say goodbye too?" Nojiko asked, studying her with a faint smile in her brows. "If he sets sail at this time, I just know he’s clueless about navigation," Nami said, looking up at the sky and murmuring, "The air’s humidity is dropping, the air pressure’s falling too. A heavy rain’s coming soon." "They say the Grand Line’s weather is even more unpredictable. Without a professional navigator, he could easily lose his way at sea." Nojiko patted Nami’s back and encouraged her. "Go on, if you don’t catch up now, he might be gone for good." Nami and she had different personalities and different dreams. She had long expected that one day, Nami would leave this small island to adventure into a wider sea. If she could stay by Jotaro’s side, Nojiko would actually feel more at ease. ——— By the shore, Jotaro found that old ship again. The hull had been altered again, and it no longer looked like a Navy warship. He guessed the people of Cocoyasi Village had done it deliberately to confuse the Navy. Otherwise, if the arriving Navy saw the ship, they’d definitely take it away. He noticed a crowd gathering not far away. Hearing he was leaving, the people of Cocoyasi Village had all come to see him off. "ORA!" With the power of Platinum Star, Jotaro jumped directly onto the deck. He frowned, looking at the items placed on the deck. "What’s this?" He checked the crates and found they were full of hand-drawn nautical charts. Just as he was puzzled, Nami’s voice came from the distance. "Set sail!" She was running toward him, leaping down from a high platform, and along the way, snatching a wallet from a villager’s pocket. "You damn thief, give that wallet back!" Although the villagers cursed, their faces were either smiling or full of tears. Jotaro was a bit stunned. The scene before him reminded him of his farewell with Joseph and Josuke, making him sigh inwardly. He quickly came back to his senses and asked Nami, "What are you doing?" Nami smiled brightly. "Didn’t I promise to be your navigator? You’ve already paid me." She didn’t give Jotaro a chance to argue, turning to say goodbye to the villagers on the shore. "Everyone, goodbye! I’m leaving!" Jotaro stood tall beside her, closing his eyes helplessly. "Yare yare..." ═❀═❀═❀═❀═❀═❀═ patreon.com/XenosX ????Joining Patreon keeps me motivated and eager to work diligently, so please consider joining.????

Chapter 203 - 204: Setting Sail

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