After talking to Tashigi, Yuta didn't leave right away.
Instead, he stood there for a moment and thought.
"…I need a boat."
There was no way he was going to carry her all the way to Shimotsuki Village for six days straight.
"That would be embarrassing for her…"
He paused.
"…though I wouldn't mind."
He shook his head lightly.
"Still… better to just get a boat."
With that decided, Yuta headed toward the docks.
Money wasn't a problem anymore.
"Ten million should be enough."
He walked along the harbor, looking at different ships. Some were too big, some were too old, and some just didn't feel right.
After a while, he found one.
Not too large, not too small.
Just enough space for around ten people.
Good condition, stable build.
"This one."
He bought it without hesitation.
Then stored it directly into his space.
After that, he went around buying supplies.
Food.
Water.
Basic necessities.
Enough for two people for a long trip.
When he finished, he checked everything once more.
"…That should do."
Then another thought came to him.
"…Sailing…"
He frowned slightly.
"…I've never actually done it."
Since coming to this world, he had only been flying.
Never once sailed a ship.
"…No experience at all."
He looked at the Log Pose in his hand.
"…At least I have this."
Shimotsuki Village was locked in.
"…Better than nothing."
With everything ready, Yuta rented a room for the night.
The next morning, he woke up early and went through his usual routine.
Exercise.
Push-ups.
Sit-ups.
Running.
Everything done smoothly.
Then he headed to the meeting spot.
He waited.
Calm.
No rush.
After about thirty minutes—
He saw Tashigi running toward him.
"Am I late?!"
She stopped in front of him, slightly out of breath.
"I'm ready! I already prepared everything—and I got permission to leave!"
Yuta looked at her for a moment, then nodded.
"You're fine."
He turned and started walking.
"Follow me."
As they walked toward the docks, Yuta spoke.
"I'll take you to Shimotsuki Village."
A short pause.
"You'll meet Kuina."
Then he added,
"I think you two will get along."
Tashigi blinked, then her eyes lit up.
"Really?"
Yuta didn't answer. He just kept walking.
When they reached the dock, Yuta released the ship from his space.
The boat appeared quietly in front of them.
Tashigi looked at it, a little surprised.
"…You already prepared a ship."
Yuta stepped on board.
"Get in."
Then said simply,
"We're heading to Shimotsuki Village."
Once they were out at sea—
The difference became clear immediately.
Sailing was nothing like flying.
The wind.
The waves.
The current.
Everything had to be considered.
Yuta stood there for a while, watching.
Then said,
"I'll leave it to you."
Tashigi turned to him.
"…What?"
"You handle it."
He said it casually.
"I have no experience."
She stared at him.
"…You're serious?"
Yuta nodded.
"I've only ever flown."
Silence.
Then Tashigi held her head.
"…You've got to be kidding me…"
From that point on, she took control of the ship.
And surprisingly—
She handled it well.
Adjusting sails.
Reading the wind.
Keeping direction steady.
After a while, she glanced at him.
"How have you survived this long without knowing how to sail?"
Yuta answered simply,
"I just go where I want."
"…I fly."
Tashigi froze.
Then sighed deeply.
"…I'm starting to get a headache…"
Yuta looked at her, then said casually,
"If I didn't buy the boat…"
He paused.
"I would've carried you all the way to Shimotsuki Village."
Tashigi instantly turned red.
"Y-you—!"
She looked away.
"Don't say things like that!"
Yuta didn't react.
"…Just saying."
Days passed.
Then weeks.
The sea stretched endlessly around them as the ship moved forward.
During that month, they talked a lot.
Naturally.
Without forcing anything.
Yuta told her about his hunts.
Pirates he had taken down.
Things he had seen.
Places he had been.
At one point—
While looking out at the sea, he spoke.
"…Not all Marines are clean."
Tashigi frowned immediately.
"That's not true."
"The Marines protect people."
Yuta didn't argue.
He just said calmly,
"Then what about Captain Nezumi?"
Tashigi paused.
"…What about him?"
"…A Marine captain taking bribes from pirates."
"…Ignoring crimes as long as he gets paid."
Silence.
Her expression stiffened.
"…That's just one person."
Yuta nodded slightly.
"Then let me say more."
He continued calmly.
"At Sabaody Archipelago…"
"…Slave traders operate openly."
Tashigi froze.
"…That's illegal."
"They capture people. Sell them."
"And the Marines?"
A short pause.
"They protect that place."
Yuta looked at her.
"Because that's where the Celestial Dragons go."
"The World Government allows it."
"And the Marines follow the World Government."
Tashigi clenched her hand slightly.
"…That can't be right…"
Her voice was weaker now.
Yuta didn't push.
He just said,
"The Marines aren't evil."
A pause.
"But they don't decide what is right."
"They follow orders."
"And those orders come from people who don't care about normal lives."
Silence filled the space between them.
Only the sound of the sea remained.
Tashigi looked down.
Thinking.
Struggling.
"…I…"
She couldn't finish.
Yuta turned forward again.
"You don't have to believe me."
"Just remember it."
After that—
He didn't bring it up again.
As the days passed—
Something changed.
Not just her thoughts—
But her attitude toward him.
At first, it was curiosity.
Then respect.
And slowly—
Something softer.
She talked more.
Stayed closer.
Smiled more often.
And without realizing it—
Her feelings began to shift.
Slowly.
Quietly.
The ship continued forward.
Cutting through the sea.
Carrying them both—
Toward Shimotsuki Village.