A little boy who looked somewhat like him when he was young hugged his leg, tears welling up in his eyes, "Daddy, how did you become like this?!"

"I..."

Gryphon was stunned for a moment, staring blankly at the child.

That's right, those are his wife and children...

"You're back alive."

Suddenly, a sound came from nearby, and several people came out of the dojo. They smiled at Gren and said, "I heard you took down a Celestial Dragon. That's amazing. You even defeated the famous Vice Admiral Kinni of the Navy. With such a strong person, no one will dare to mess with you anymore."

Those were his crewmates; they should have been the crewmates he gathered when he was a pirate. Why were they here?

"Yes, really? Is that what I did?"

Gryphon paused for a moment, wanting to reach out and touch his wife and children, but when he reached out, he realized he had no hands.

“But I don’t have hands anymore…” he said with a wry smile.

"What does it matter? We're here. The captain is so capable, so of course we have to become even stronger."

His partner grinned and said, "Isn't your dream to become a famous dojo master? We'll help you open dojos all over the world, and then we'll be your instructors."

Do I have this dream?

I...

I think I do have it.

"Let's go back first, I'll treat you." His wife gently grasped Grión's wrist and led him into the dojo.

That imposing, elephant-like body was pulled along by a slender woman, involuntarily walking towards the dojo.

Looking at his gentle wife, lively children, and his friends...

It's fine. Why think so much? This is good enough.

That's enough.

Griwoon's slightly open mouth trembled, gradually revealing a smile. In that instant, his bulging muscles seemed to melt away, and his demon-like, wrinkled face gradually transformed into the gentler, more handsome face he once had. He walked into the dojo with the others.

"Yes, I'm counting on you..."

He smiled and said, "I'm back..."

...

Thump.

Gryphon collapsed.

With a click, Kuro sheathed his sword, stood up, and without looking at him, said calmly, "The Illusionary Kill."

He paused for a moment before saying, "I don't know what kind of dream you had, whether it was good or bad, it's all what you were thinking. So be it, just indulge in your own dreams."