After Tuziku had woken up and the situation was explained to him, Prīōra went to get Kutcher.
A while later, both Tuziku and Ryōkōjū were deemed fit to be discharged. However, the old man was forbidden from moving around too much while he recovered.
After Kutcher and Prīōra returned, they all went back to the old man's house.
At the old man's house...
Tuziku scratched his head.
"Old man... I think it's about time I got out of your village."
"What are you talking about, boy?" said Ryōkōjū as he sat in an old rocking chair, rocking back and forth.
"You're welcome to stay in this village for as long as you'd like!"
"In fact, the villagers would like to hold a festival tomorrow to express our gratitude for saving our tribe," he explained.
"A festival?!" Tuziku's eyes lit up with excitement.
"That sounds amazing!" Prīōra said with a bright smile.
"A festival, huh?" Kutcher scratched his chin.
The old man stroked his long, grey beard.
"Well, what do you say, Captain?" he asked Tuziku.
Tuziku clenched his fists.
"As tempting as it sounds, I'll have to decline!"
His expression hardened.
"What?!" Prīōra shouted.
"Oh... how come?" Ryōkōjū asked.
Tuziku's expression remained serious.
"I shouldn't be receiving any thanks for this!"
"And why is that?" Ryōkōjū asked.
"It's thanks to you that the village is safe... and besides, this wasn't my battle to begin with," said Tuziku.
The old man folded his arms.
"Well, you're right about it not being your battle, and I'm sorry you had to deal with all of that, but..."
He tilted his head.
"What did I have to do with saving the village?"
Tuziku let out a grin.
"If you hadn't taught me the Hakashi Technique, I wouldn't have been able to go up against Nēgus. I probably wouldn't have even been in this village right now," he explained.
"...I should be the one thanking you!" Tuziku admitted.
"Tuziku..." Prīōra mumbled.
"Hmph!" Kutcher wore a proud grin.
Ryōkōjū chuckled.
"I see... so that's how it is..."
The old man let out a grin.
Tuziku slowly nodded.
"Besides... if I hadn't come here, none of this would've happened! That goes for my crew as well!"
He turned toward Prīōra and Kutcher.
"Boy... don't you think you're overthinking this a bit?" said Ryōkōjū.
Tuziku took a deep breath.
"No..."
"I've thought about it carefully."
"It's time we get out of this village."
"What about your Hakashi training?" Ryōkōjū asked.
"I've managed to learn a great deal from you already... it wouldn't be right to stick around after that entire commotion that took place," Tuziku said with a grin.
"I see..." Ryōkōjū stroked his long, grey beard.
The entire room went silent for a moment.
Then—
"Where do you guys plan on going next?" the old man asked.
Tuziku scratched his chin.
"Well, I'm not exactly sure about that part..."
Suddenly, Kutcher stepped forward.
"Tuziku, if we're going to continue our journey as Underdogs, we're going to have to find a few more crew members," Kutcher explained.
"That's right!" Tuziku came to a realization.
"Well then, I guess that's the answer to your question, old man."
He glanced toward Ryōkōjū.
"I see..." Ryōkōjū stroked his beard, still sitting in his rocking chair.
"That does make sense."
"Very well, then," he said.
Tuziku wore a troubled expression.
"...Old man, before we leave, can I see Nēgus?" Tuziku asked.
"Nēgus? What for, Tuziku?" Prīōra asked.
"There's something important that I'd like to ask him," he replied.
Ryōkōjū gazed at him curiously.
"Well... I'm guessing it shouldn't be a problem," Ryōkōjū replied.
Tuziku's eyes lit up.
"Really? Then—I'd like to visit him now, if possible!"
Suddenly—
"Then I'm guessing you're going to need a guide!"
A familiar voice interrupted from outside.
Dr. Harlock walked into the house.
"Dr. Harlock!" Tuziku called out.
The entire room turned toward him.
"Don't bother explaining. I already understand the situation," said Dr. Harlock.
"Do any of you wish to see Nēgus as well?" he asked.
"I'll pass," Prīōra replied flatly.
"I think I'll pass on that offer as well..." said Kutcher.
"What about you, Ryōkōjū?" Dr. Harlock turned toward him.
"You can't seriously be asking me that, Harlock!" Ryōkōjū snapped.
"It can't hurt to ask," Dr. Harlock shrugged.
Ryōkōjū glared at him.
"In any case... Tuziku, I'll take you to where Nēgus is being monitored, since I also have to check up on him as his doctor," Dr. Harlock explained.
"Let's go!"
He turned and walked off.
Tuziku nodded before turning toward Kutcher and Prīōra.
"I'll be back in a while. I suggest you say your goodbyes while you have the chance, you two."
Kutcher and Prīōra remained silent.
"Tuziku, hurry up!" Dr. Harlock shouted.
Tuziku quickly walked off.
A few moments later...
Dr. Harlock and Tuziku arrived at the location where Nēgus was being monitored while unconscious.
It was the largest building in the entire village, and it stood directly in the center.
At first glance, many would perceive the old wooden structure as nothing more than a simple abandoned house.
However, this building served an important purpose within the Hakashi Tribe.
"What is this place?"
Tuziku's legs trembled.
"This is where Nēgus is being detained," said the doctor.
"It gives off an eerie feeling, doesn't it?"
He grinned.
Tuziku's eyes widened in disbelief.
"You feel it as well?" he asked.
"No. I can't feel anything at all," Dr. Harlock replied flatly.
"However, I'm sure that's different for you..."
He stared at Tuziku curiously.
Tuziku's feet trembled.
"This building... it feels like..."
It feels like when I stood before those Fuyu Generals!
Except... it's much stronger!
Dr. Harlock walked straight toward the building and stood in front of the door.
"Among our people, there's an old legend that has been passed down," said the doctor.
"Apparently, a really long time ago..."
"The devil visited this village."
Tuziku's expression turned pale.
"The devil?"
Dr. Harlock nodded.
"Apparently, he suddenly appeared inside this building for a brief moment before mysteriously vanishing."
"As to why and how he came, well... that's a mystery."
"But after that day, this building has been cursed!"
"T—that story doesn't make any sense at all!" Tuziku stuttered.
"The devil? Curses?"
"Haha—ha!"
Tuziku let out a nervous laugh.
Dr. Harlock gazed at him with a neutral expression.
"Perhaps it's because you also possess demonic powers, but you can feel it, can't you?"
"The unnatural aura that this place gives off!"
Tuziku gazed at the building as he tried to process everything.
"Since none of the members of the Hakashi Tribe possess an Abyssal Ability, we can't sense it at all," the doctor continued.
"However, this building..."
He paused.
"It drains the life force of anyone who steps inside!"
"W—WHAAAAAT?!"
Tuziku shouted at the top of his lungs.
CHAPTER 65 END