The morning sky was calm.
No storms.
No warnings.
Just a quiet sea breeze rolling in from beyond the shore.
The small ship was already prepared near the dock.
Supplies loaded.
Barrels of water secured.
Food stacked carefully.
Carina checked the ropes again.
"…If this breaks mid-sea, I'm blaming everyone."
Kevin stood at the edge of the dock, looking at the ocean.
Silent.
Kuina was beside him, holding her sword.
Not resting.
Just present.
Koshiro stood behind them.
Watching without expression.
"…You are leaving."
Kevin nodded.
"…Yes."
A short silence followed.
The wind moved between them.
Koshiro continued.
"…The dojo will remain."
Carina muttered.
"…Obviously…"
Koshiro ignored that and looked directly at Kuina.
"…You chose this path."
Kuina replied immediately.
"…Yes."
No hesitation.
No doubt.
Koshiro nodded once.
"…Then do not return as the same person."
Kuina lowered her head slightly.
"…I won't."
Koshiro then looked at Kevin.
Long pause.
Measuring.
"…You carry something unnatural."
Carina blinked.
"…That sounds concerning…"
Kevin replied calmly.
"…It is controlled."
Koshiro narrowed his eyes slightly.
"…For now."
Kevin did not deny it.
A final silence settled over the dock.
Then Koshiro stepped back.
"…Go."
No ceremony.
No farewell speeches.
Just permission.
Carina exhaled.
"…Finally."
She stepped onto the ship.
Kuina followed after her.
Careful step.
No hesitation.
Kevin was the last.
He paused for a moment at the edge of the dock.
Looking back once.
At the dojo.
At Koshiro.
At the place where everything had been rebuilt.
Then—
He stepped onto the ship.
The ropes were released.
Slowly.
The ship drifted away from shore.
The village grew smaller behind them.
The dojo shrinking into the distance.
Carina leaned on the railing.
"…So this is it. Sea life."
Kuina stood quietly beside her.
Watching the horizon.
Kevin stood at the center of the ship.
Still silent.
Still focused.
But now—
The training ground was gone.
The sea was in front of them.
And the world beyond it—
Was waiting.
Carina looked at Kevin.
"…So what now?"
Kevin replied calmly.
"…We move forward."
Kuina added quietly.
"…Stronger."
Carina sighed.
"…Of course that's the answer."
The ship sailed farther into open water.
No island in sight yet.
Only waves.
Only wind.
Only possibility.
And behind them—
Shimotsuki Village disappeared completely.
The journey had truly begun.