"Time sure flies. It's been a year already. It's time to head back." Ares sighed wistfully, while also looking forward to tomorrow's arrival.
"Ares, big brother."
"Ares, big brother."
Two voices rang out, and two little tykes quickly ran to the spot beside Ares's head. They were none other than the Mink Tribe's Inuarashi and Nekomamushi.
Inuarashi gazed at Ares reluctantly and asked in a childish voice, "Are you leaving tomorrow?"
"That's right. Kaido and I are pirates. We can't stay here forever. Countless adventures and battles are waiting for us." Ares answered.
Although the two little tykes were only a year old, they had already grown to the size of ordinary three- or four-year-old humans.
Nekomamushi's large, black-and-white eyes were filled with pleading as he stared at Ares. "Ares, big brother, I don't want you to leave. I want you to stay."
"I want to learn how to fight from you. Can you stay and teach me?"
Through Ares's training, the two little fellows had also learned a few things. Ares and Kaido would often share some of their food with them as well.
Over time, the little fellows grew attached to Ares and Kaido.
Ares sat up and shook his head at them. "Sorry, I can't stay. I still have a dream to fulfill."
"Believe me, one day, we'll definitely meet again on the sea."
With a smile, Ares encouraged the two little fellows, "There are countless powerful people on this sea. Even I have opponents I can't defeat right now, so you'll have to train hard and become strong."
"That sounds amazing! There are actually people even stronger than Ares, big brother? I've decided! When I come of age, I'll definitely set out to sea and test myself against those powerful people!" Inuarashi's eyes sparkled as he