Do you want to bet that I’ll go and take a piss on your grave?

The next day, at the Navy hospital, Xuanye had kept watch throughout the night. Fortunately, in the middle of the night, the monkey and the other two had regained consciousness; although they were still weak, they were no longer in any life-threatening danger. This brought an involuntary sense of relief to Xuanye.

"Squeak... am I dreaming? Why is this bastard here?"

Opening its eyes, the monkey saw a pristine white ceiling. Turning its head, even the monkey knew it must be in a human hospital. But why was this jerk by the bedside? It closed its eyes, opened them, closed them again, and opened them once more. It could never mistake that dead-pan face—it was definitely the same bastard who had seduced and abducted it.

Xuanye, who had been guarding the bedside, was initially happy to see the monkey wake up, but upon hearing that mutter, his face darkened like the bottom of a scorched pot.

"Squeak... could I be dreaming?" Back and forth, the monkey blinked until its eyes ached, but the expression on the man's face seemed to grow increasingly livid, and it felt so real—too real.

"Are you dead yet? If not, make a sound," Xuanye muttered in a low voice, suppressing his inner joy and rolling his eyes.

"Squeak... you tell me to make a sound, and I just do it? Who do you think you are? You're dead, yet you still want to bully me? You just wait, once I recover, I’m going to piss on your grave!" Lying in the hospital bed, the monkey looked at him with disdain, thinking that since it was a dream, it was time to turn the tables and be the master.

Well, that joy in his heart was ruthlessly extinguished. Xuanye stood up, raised his fist, and brought it down directly amid the monkey's look of contempt.

"Bang!" The room shuddered. The monkey clutched its head, tossing and turning on the bed, squeaking incessantly, "It hurts! It hurts... it hurts..."

Silence. The monkey clutched its head, sat bolt upright, and stared at Xuanye with wide, fixed eyes. It was clear and sharp; a stinging sensation was radiating from its head. It looked up and saw that the bastard’s fist was still steaming. Could it be... was this real?

Helplessly, the monkey swallowed hard, staring at Xuanye in a daze.

"Long time no see. You’ve grown quite bold, haven't you? Daring to piss on my grave." Xuanye narrowed his eyes, looking at the monkey with a strange glint.

"Squeak... you're not dead... you're not dead..." The monkey's expression changed dramatically as it pointed at Xuanye in disbelief.

"Do you wish I were dead?" Xuanye said, his face darkening, speechless.

"Squeak... you're not dead, you're not dead!" Extremely excited, the monkey lunged at Xuanye, clinging to him in a frenzy.

"That's right, I'm not dead. I'm sorry for worrying you." Xuanye reached out and hugged the monkey tightly, feeling a warmth in his heart.

"Squeak... what is going on here?" The monkey pushed Xuanye away and stood on the hospital bed, dancing and gesturing, completely overwhelmed by this surprise.

Undoubtedly, the monkey had come to view Xuanye as family. Ever since it had left with him, it was destined for the two of them to roam the world together.

"It’s a long story..." Once again, Xuanye gave a brief explanation.

On the other two hospital beds, Ain and Binz had also woken up, disturbed by the monkey's loud noises. Once the explanation finished, the room fell silent. As for Ain and Binz, they looked at Xuanye with curiosity, having heard about him often from their master and the monkey. This man was their senior apprentice brother, and he was quite famous.

"Brother Monkey, he must be the Master's last disciple, right?" Ain asked from her bed, her large eyes wide and her cheeks slightly flushed, looking at Xuanye with admiration.

"Yes, little Ain, this is that bastard," the monkey said, standing tall with its hands on its hips, pointing at Xuanye in an overbearing manner.

"Nice... nice to meet you, Senior Brother!" Ain's eyes sparkled, and she tried to sit up to greet him, looking quite adorable.

"Your injuries haven't healed yet, don't get up," Xuanye said, quickly stepping forward to stop her.

"It's our first time meeting. If you don't mind, you can call me Senior Brother," Xuanye said, walking up to them and offering a smile.

"Nice... nice to meet you, Senior Brother!" Ain raised her pretty face and extended a slender, frail hand.

"Nice to meet you, Senior Brother!" Binz also reached out and shook Xuanye's hand gently.

Just then, the door pushed open, and Z appeared carrying a lunch box.

"You're all awake!" Z said, setting the box down and letting out a heavy sigh of relief.

"Squeak... Master." Ever since Xuanye's "death," the monkey and Pekoms had stayed by Z's side. Their strength now was vastly different from a year ago. Moreover, Z had come to regard the monkey as family, so the monkey now addressed Z as Master.

"Master!"

"Master!"

Ain and Binz also greeted him with reverence.

"It's good that you're awake. I brought some food, have a little," Z said with a smile, opening the container.

"Master, let me handle it," Xuanye stepped forward to help.

"Master, your hand!" Ain said, her eyes welling up with tears, filled with self-reproach.

"Silly girl, it's alright!" Z stepped forward and patted Ain on the head to comfort her.

"Master, don't worry, I will definitely avenge you," Binz said from the side, gritting his teeth in anger.

"Eat! Only by recovering your strength will you have a chance," Xuanye said, placing a food container into Binz's hands.

"Yes..." Binz replied with red eyes, holding the box blankly.

"I assume you've all met?" Z asked, looking at the three students and the monkey.

"Yes, we just introduced ourselves," they nodded.

"Good. Since that's the case, I have a request. Binz, Ain, from now on, I want you to follow Xuanye," Z sighed as he looked at them.

"Master, why?" Ain asked anxiously, her large eyes turning red.

"Silly girl, don't worry. I'm sure you've heard of Xuanye. Following him will be dangerous, but also safe. Staying by the side of a disabled old man like me only hinders your freedom. It's not worth it," Z said with a gratified look.

"It is not a waste of time. We wouldn't be who we are without you, Master," Ain said, pouting in grievance.

"Yes, Ain is right," Binz nodded in agreement.

"Squeak... you two idiots, don't you want to avenge Master?" the monkey chimed in, hands on its hips, full of blame.

"That's not it! We will definitely catch that pirate," Ain retorted, glaring at the monkey angrily.

"Squeak... then following that bastard is the right choice. He's very strong," the monkey pointed at Xuanye, acting arrogant.

"Eh?" Ain and Binz were stunned.

"Be quiet for a moment. It's their decision to make," Xuanye said, his face darkening as he felt embarrassed by the monkey's lack of shame.

"Squeak... fine!" The monkey grunted and sat cross-legged on the bed.

"Alright, let's not dwell on this for now. There will be plenty of time later," Xuanye said, glaring at the monkey once more before turning to Z. "Master, is there any possibility of your right arm being restored? Perhaps via a Devil Fruit?"

"No need. Sengoku has already made arrangements. I'm going to Vegapunk's laboratory tomorrow," Z shook his head.

"Vegapunk!" Xuanye narrowed his eyes, hesitated for a moment, and said, "Master, let me accompany you tomorrow."

"Suit yourself," Z replied, having no objections.