Yuma sits on the edge of a crate, shirtless, as Cani carefully examines the healing wounds on his chest and arm. Her brow is furrowed in concentration, her touch both firm and gentle as she inspects the deep slashes. The smell of ointment fills the small cabin, mingling with the scent of sea air drifting through the cracked window. Cani frowns.
"You're lucky you're still in one piece after your fight against Ikati." Yuma smirks, though it's half-hearted.
"Luck's a recurring theme today, it seems." Cani doesn't smile, her hands moving to his arm, tracing the blade marks down to the bone. She lets out a soft sigh.
"These cuts... they're healing, but slowly. You're pushing yourself too hard, Yuma." He winces slightly as she applies pressure to a particularly deep wound. His voice is tight but nonchalant.
"We don't have the luxury of slowing down… You know that as well as I do." She shifts her focus to his burnt arm, the skin still raw and angry despite her best efforts. Her fingers brush lightly over the burnt flesh, her voice dropping in a mixture of frustration and concern.
"And what happens when you push yourself to the point of no return? These burns—" she gestures to his arm and then the left side of his face
"—they're not something you just shrug off. You've got permanent damage here, Yuma." Yuma's expression hardens, but he stays silent. Cani's eyes flicker up to meet him, a rare flash of anger behind them. Cani looks up more firmly.
"I know you think you can handle anything. But you're not invincible… If you don't start listening to me, you'll be no use to anyone—least of all yourself." Yuma meets her gaze, his jaw clenched. The weight of her words hangs heavy in the air. After a long moment, he lets out a quiet breath, the fight in him dimming just a bit.
"I hear you, Cani. I do. But I can't just sit back while the world burns." Cani's hands still on his arm, her voice softening but still firm.
"I'm not asking you to sit back. I'm asking you to heal. You're no good to us dead. Let me do my job, so you can keep doing yours." Yuma leans back slightly, staring up at the ceiling for a moment before nodding reluctantly.
"Alright. I'll try to slow down… as much as I can… But it won't stop me from fighting or my Goal" Cani nods, satisfied, but she doesn't fully relax. She wraps his arm in fresh bandages, her touch lingering a bit longer than necessary, as if reminding him of his vulnerability.
"Good. Because next time, I might not be able to patch you up." Yuma lets out a dry chuckle, the corners of his mouth twitching up.
"I'll try not to make a habit of it." But the underlying seriousness remains, and as Cani finishes bandaging him, they both know it's only a matter of time before the next fight finds him.
"Ship Builders Island ahead!" Cani and Yuma jump a bit.
The sun casts long shadows across the training deck, where Kinsha and Ika square off in the middle. The wind sweeps across the deck, lifting Kinsha's short hair as she bounces lightly on her feet, while Ika stands more rigid, his fists clenched, eyes sharp. Ika gulps. 'If I can't beat Kinsha, I won't be able to go anywhere near Master Yuma's level!' Kinsha smirks. Yuma watches from the sidelines, letting the two figure out their own training.
"Are you sure about this? I don't want to break you, Ika." Ika's eyes narrow, a flicker of determination lighting them up.
"Keep talking, Kinsha. Let's see how confident you are when I've got you pinned." Kinsha's smile widens, and without warning, she darts forward, throwing a quick jab at Ika's chest. He dodges, just barely, and counters with a sharp right hook. Kinsha ducks under it easily, shifting to the side and delivering a swift punch to his ribs.
"Too slow." Ika grits his teeth, ignoring the sting in his side, and steps in closer. He feints with his left, then throws a sharp punch with his right toward her jaw. Kinsha blocks, but the impact sends a shock through her arm. Ika presses in, following up with a series of rapid strikes, forcing her on the defensive. Ika grins.
"Not so slow now, am I?" Kinsha backpedals, deflecting his punches, her gaze focused and calculating. She lets him push her, feeling the rhythm of his strikes. Just when he throws another right hook, she sidesteps, grabs his arm, and uses his momentum to flip him onto the deck with a thud. Kinsha smiles and laughs.
"Nice try, but you've gotta be smarter than that." Ika groans, but quickly rolls to his feet, his face flushed with effort and frustration. He wipes the sweat from his brow, determined not to let her get the upper hand so easily. Yuma jumps down.
"When fighting, it's not just about pure offensive, but defensive maneuvers. When finding your stance, find one that equals both offense and defense. Unless you can rely on pure speed like Kinsha' fast reflexes or my low defense by high offense." Ika nods.
"Got it." Yuma nods.
"Take me on, Kinsha," Kinsha nods.
"You sure? With your injury and all-" Yuma smirks.
"I don't care…" Yuma's left arm is limp, his right arm in his normal stance. Kinsha exhales, getting in a light stance. Ika lifts a hand.
"Begin!" In an instant Yuma jumps forward. Swinging his right fist. Kinsha dodges by jumping back. Yuma jumps forward, throwing another punch, redirecting to an uppercut. Kinsha flips backwards. Yuma jumps forward again, throwing a right hook, Kinsha dodges, but Yuma's right elbow hits her across the cheek.
"A feint?" Yuma quickly spins on his right hand, kicking Kinsha across the face. Ika was shocked.
"He's pushing her back so easily" Yuma spins, swinging his elbow towards Kinsha's exposed ribcage. Kinsha blocks it and fumbles backwards. Jumping forward and jabbing with her left hand. Yuma dodged easily, pushing her arm down and jumping to kick her in the chin. Instantly turning into a powerful right hook, sending Kinsha sliding backwards.
"That hurt" Yuma rose to his feet, lifting his right fist. This was the strength of a man with such a high bounty.
"I say this fight is over, I absolutely destroyed you" Kinsha exhales. Falling to the floor.
"Even at a disadvantage, I can't even touch you" They all sit in silence for a moment until Boombox steps out from inside the cabin.
"Hey, we're about to arrive at the island's port, prepare yourselves… I'm hearing a lot of cheers coming from over that way" Yuma nods.
"Okay, let's go team!" Their moment was interrupted as the familiar sight of the coastline came into view. The crew's spirits lifted at the sight of the rebuilt island, now shimmering under the sun like a beacon of hope.
"Look at it!" Ika exclaimed, pointing excitedly.
"It's even better than before!" Yuma nodded. As they approached the docks, a crowd gathered to greet them, cheering and waving banners. The townsfolk looked at them with admiration, their faces lighting up with joy. Children rushed forward, trying to catch a glimpse of their heroes. Kinsha took a deep breath, feeling a mix of anxiety and exhilaration.
"Do you think they really see us as heroes?" she asked, looking up at Yuma. Yuma exhales.
"I don't see a reason why," Cani exhales.
"You defeated a Demon Lord, of course they'd see you as a hero" She said confidently, stepping onto the dock with a firm landing.
"We fought for them. We rebuilt their homes. This is our victory." The crew disembarked, greeted by townsfolk who showered them with flowers and words of gratitude. Yuma looked around, putting his hands in his pockets and staying silent..
"Welcome back!" The crowd chanted and cheered. Yuma smirks. 'Puppeteer Dude… You wondered why the world is bright in contrast to the world's dark actions?...' Yuma looks up at the blue sky with fluffy blue clouds.
"The sky is blue for those who're willing to see its color" As the crew exchanged stories with the townsfolk, Yuma took a moment to reflect on their journey. The island had been a shadow of its former self, but they had returned to revive its spirit. Yuma fought in anger and rage for his own goal, and this was the aftereffect. Even if he had to murder and kill to see his friends smile like they are now, he'll do it.
"We're gonna throw you a celebration, so relax and enjoy your stay until your new boat is built" Yuma paused.
"What, no we still have to-" Cani bumped Yuma's shoulder.
"Let them do it for us, they think we've earned it." Yuma exhales.
"Fine… but make it brief, we have plans…" Yuma snorted, a smile breaking through his earlier frustration.