After four days, Ato and Kojo were relaxing inside Faramis's lab when Faramis suddenly came running toward them.
Faramis: "Oi, Ato! Kojo! I made it!"
Both of them looked at him, confused.
Ato & Kojo: "Huh?"
Faramis grinned proudly.
Faramis: "Idiots! I made the ship."
Both of them lit up with excitement.
Ato & Kojo: "Let's go!"
Faramis: "Come on, follow me—fast!"
They rushed behind him, and after some running, they finally reached the shore. Standing there was an enormous ship.
Faramis: "So, this is the ship—the nightmare of all ships. I haven't thought of a name yet, but I'll explain its features. The ship has three parts. The upper part is where everyone can walk around. It even has a small garden and the ship's wheel. The middle part is for living: twelve rooms, one meeting room, and a kitchen. Every room has its own bathroom. The last part is my control room, from where I can control everything—except the ship's wheel."
He looked at them seriously.
Faramis: "So… does either of you know how to cook or use the ship's wheel?"
But Ato and Kojo were so shocked by the ship that they could only stare with their mouths open.
Faramis: "Oi! I'm asking you guys!"
Ato snapped back to reality.
Ato: "Oh—sorry. And no, I don't know how to cook or use a ship's wheel."
Kojo: "Why are you looking at me? I'm not even part of the cre—"
Ato suddenly interrupted.
Ato: "First, we have to set everybody's body and soul free. But before that, we must make everyone forget everything."
Kojo: "How are we supposed to do that?"
Faramis: "Easy. We'll give the villagers food. I'll mix a potion into it that will make everyone forget what happened from that day onward."
Ato: "And what about the people trapped in the capsules? How will we erase their memories?"
Faramis: "Don't worry. They'll forget everything from that day too."
Ato: "Alright. Let's go to the lab."
The three of them rushed back to the lab. After some time, Ato and Kojo went to the village and gave the villagers food mixed with the potion. Soon, everyone fainted.
Ato: "They'll regain consciousness in two hours. But the chief didn't faint. Let's go to his house, Kojo."
They entered the chief's house and found him sleeping. At first, he didn't wake up, but after some effort, his eyes slowly opened. When he saw Kojo, he panicked.
Chief: "O–Oh! Kojo sir! Did you kill the monster behind all this? And who is that young man behind you?"
Suddenly, Ato grabbed the chief by the collar.
Ato: "We know everything about you."
He dragged the chief outside.
Ato: "Now tell us—why did you do it?"
Chief: "I don't know what you're talking abo—"
Ato cut him off.
Ato: "Don't play dumb. For that, you'll receive a little punishment. It's called Death Runner. You must run faster than the swordsman behind me."
Chief (thinking): "I don't know what to do… but if I throw sand in his eyes, I might have a chance."
Ato pointed to a distant tree.
Ato: "You just have to touch that tree and return. On your marks… get set—GO!"
The chief started running. He scooped up sand and threw it toward Kojo's eyes—but in the blink of an eye, Kojo had already reached the tree, touched it, and returned.
The chief froze in shock.
Chief: "How—"
Ato interrupted him.
Ato: "Looks like you lost. Come with us."
They locked the chief inside a cage and placed him among the monsters.
Ato: "Our work here is done. Let's go, Kojo."
They ran back toward the lab. After some time, they arrived.
Faramis: "Oh, you're back. I'm about to set everyone free—but before that, I have to destroy this giant tree. Are you ready?"
Ato: "Yesssss!"
Faramis pressed a red button. The giant tree began to explode. After a while, nothing remained—not even the forest surrounding it.
Faramis: "Now… everyone will be set free."
All the people fell out of their capsules, and their souls returned to their bodies.
Faramis: "They'll regain consciousness soon. We need to leave the island—my lab will be destroyed after that explosion."
They escaped and soon reached the ship waiting at the shore. Ato and Faramis stood on the deck.
Kojo: "It's been nice knowing you."
Ato: "What are you talking about? You're coming with us, right?"
Kojo: "Idiot. I'm not in your crew. You never asked me. And I don't want to trouble you."
Ato: "You won't trouble us. And now I'm asking—will you join my crew?"
Kojo stayed silent for a while.
Kojo: "If you ever stand in my way of becoming the best swordsman in the world, I'll cut you down."
Ato smiled.
Ato: "Deal."
Kojo jumped onto the ship.
Kojo: "My answer is yes. I'll join your crew."
Faramis: "Pulling the anchor! We're setting sail into the ocean!"
Ato ran to the front of the ship and shouted:
Ato: "I'm very happy to have both of you on my crewwwwww!"
Faramis and Kojo smiled at the same time.