Farewell, Friend

The next day, Sirius woke up very early, quickly got dressed, and headed to the dining hall to eat.

When he arrived at the dining hall, someone was already there—King and Queen.

"Yo, Uncle King, Uncle Queen."

Sirius greeted them, sat down right beside them, and helped himself to the food in front of them without hesitation.

"Muhahaha, you're pretty early today, kid."

Queen laughed. "What, can't wait to attend Kozuki Oden's execution ceremony?"

"Not interested."

Sirius's mouth was stuffed full, and he mumbled, "I made plans to go out and play with Yamato."

"That's fine. You two have been getting too close to Kozuki Oden these past few days."

King ate as he spoke coldly. "Even if Mr. Kaido doesn't mind, remember your place."

After learning that Yamato had gone to Mr. Kaido to plead for Kozuki Oden, King was furious. That little girl was supposed to shoulder the future of the Beasts Pirates, yet she felt sympathy for an enemy!

"Mm-hmm, mm-hmm."

Sirius nodded along perfunctorily.

Looking down at Sirius wolfing down his food, King thought to himself, Still too inexperienced. They both have extraordinary power, but in the end, they're just ordinary brats. To make them stand on their own, they needed more tempering.

Sirius suddenly shivered.

That ominous feeling was back again.

"Since you're not going to the execution, cherish your last moments of leisure, kid."

King finished eating, stood up, and glanced at Queen, who was still clutching a bucket of Oshiruko. "How much longer are you going to keep eating, you idiot?"

"Don't rush me, dammit! How can I do serious work without a full stomach?" Queen shot back immediately.

But despite his words, Queen still hoisted the bucket and poured all the Oshiruko into his mouth.

Then the two of them left, trading insults as they went. It was hard to tell if their relationship was good or bad.

Time was running short; they had no time to waste.

After gorging himself, Sirius had the chef pack up some food. Time to go find that certain ostrich.

Climbing the stairs, passing his own room, and taking a few more steps, Sirius arrived outside a certain door.

It was Yamato's room.

The door was still shut tight. Yamato, who usually got up early and came bouncing over to wake Sirius full of energy, seemed to still be sleeping today.

Sirius didn't bother knocking at all. He just called out, "Yamato, I'm coming in."

As he spoke, his right leg was covered in fur, partially entering Beast Transformation, and he kicked the paper door in front of him. The door panel burst open with a large hole.

Sirius strolled right in.

Yamato was already awake. She was lying by the window in her room, staring off at something.

"Breakfast."

Sirius walked up behind Yamato without ceremony, shaking the food in his hand.

"Sirius—"

Hearing his voice, Yamato finally turned around.

The little girl looked haggard today. Her hair wasn't tied up, hanging loose and slightly messy, with faint dark circles around her eyes.

She hadn't slept all night.

"Hey hey, little girl, not sleeping well is no good."

Sirius said helplessly. "If you don't get enough sleep, you won't grow up properly."

Yamato pouted aggrievedly and whispered, "But I just couldn't fall asleep."

Sirius knew exactly why she couldn't sleep. After all, today was the day of Oden's execution.

It was really tough on her. Even though she was sad inside, she'd kept a bright smile on her face these past few days.

She was an idiot, but not completely.

"Come with me."

Sirius grabbed Yamato's hand and dragged her out of the room.

"Huh? Sirius, where are we going?"

Yamato stumbled to keep up with Sirius's pace, asking in confusion.

"Somewhere to eat breakfast."

Sirius didn't look back, pulling Yamato straight to the top floor of the Tenshukaku—the place where the banquet had been held before.

Outside the banquet hall was a terrace. From the terrace, the entire Flower Capital was laid out in full view.

On the left side of the terrace, a massive, winding tree trunk curved upward as it grew.

The entire Tenshukaku was built atop a colossal tree; aside from the base serving as the castle's foundation, the rest of the trunk twisted and grew until it arched horizontally above the structure.

"Let's go up there!"

Sirius turned back and pointed upward.

As he spoke, his build began to stretch, his nose protruding forward, his mouth narrowing into a long slit, and sharp fangs extending.

Fine black fur spread across his face, his hair lengthened into glossy black locks, and a pair of pointed ears took shape on his head.

His arms grew longer, also covered in sleek black fur, and his nails sharpened into claws.

His legs transformed into reverse-jointed structures, and a tail wreathed in eerie black energy extended from his tailbone.

Sirius had become a werewolf; his former childlike, stubby form vanished instantly. He now stood about as tall as Yamato, with a lean, agile build.

"T-transformed!"

Yamato stared blankly at Sirius's change, marveling, "You look... so cool!"

This was the first time Sirius had assumed his Beastman Form in front of her.

"Alright, hold this, Yamato."

Sirius handed her the breakfast he'd been carrying, then grabbed her hand and leaped from the terrace edge.

His jumping power was astonishing; he easily cleared the long distance and landed directly on the trunk of the great tree beside Tenshukaku.

The sharp claws on his hands and feet dug straight into the wood, anchoring him in place.

"Whoa!"

Startled by his sudden move, Yamato clutched the food to her chest and shouted, "Sirius, what are you doing?!"

Sirius didn't answer, climbing upward with ease.

He even pulled his hands free from the trunk, relying solely on his legs to scale it as if walking on flat ground.

Soon, he brought Yamato to the top of the trunk.

Here, the trunk had nearly leveled out, and its thickness formed a small platform.

"Right here."

Sirius reverted to human form, hands on his hips as he gazed into the distance. "Look, Yamato."

"Look at what?"

Yamato set the food down and followed his gaze.

When she saw it, she froze for a moment, then couldn't help but gasp, "It's... so beautiful."

This was the highest point in the Flower Capital, far above Tenshukaku, and with no tall mountains ahead, the view stretched endlessly, nearly to the horizon.

"Beautiful, isn't it?"

Sirius said, "This is what Oden wanted us to do."

"..."

Yamato suddenly turned her head, staring at Sirius without blinking.

"Remember the promise with Oden?" Sirius looked back at her.

A mist of tears welled up in Yamato's beautiful eyes. She wrinkled her nose, pouted, and choked out, "Of course I remember!"

"Was it just a lie to comfort Oden and put his mind at ease?" Sirius asked.

"N-no way!"

Yamato shouted, "No way! I'll grow up properly and Set Sail! That's the promise!"

With that, she sat down, opened the breakfast Sirius had brought, and began devouring it with both hands. Mumbling through her food, she said, "I'll definitely grow up right!"

Sirius looked up, continuing to gaze into the distance. From the streets behind them came the sound of commotion. He said calmly, "It's only natural to grieve for a friend's departure. Remember this feeling of powerlessness, Yamato. Someday, we'll grow up and Set Sail."

"We'll become stronger than anyone, freer than anyone, and live our lives without regrets."

Yamato's mouth was stuffed with food, tears streaming from her eyes. She nodded heavily. "Yeah, no regrets!"

The noise behind them grew louder.

What was happening?

Had the execution begun? Was it still ongoing? Or had it already ended?

But Sirius still didn't turn back. He simply gazed into the distance.

All he could hear was the sound of Yamato eating and her quiet sobs.

Sirius let out a slow breath, feeling his nose sting.

Farewell, my friend.