Chapter 34 - The look of Youth

It only took Ernie a second to recognize both of them, even if they looked different. After feeling their warmth for an entire minute Ernie let them go.

He was a head taller than them now, but the two of them had matured into fine women. Hina's short hair was a bit longer now as it came down to the end of her neck. A lot of her excess fat from being a child was now gone. It wasn't as amazing of a body as Vivi had in One Piece, but it was still nice.

Himari's hair stayed long and she had a chest now, but it was still small. Ernie glanced at it quickly and it looked like it would be able to fit in the palm of his hand.

Compared to Hina's which was twice as big, but that didn't really matter to him much.

He was more interested in how the two progressed.

In the center of their forehead was a crescent moon.

"You have been missed as well. Now, where is she?"

Hina asked with a smile.

"Who?"

Ernie was confused.

"Did you not take another wife while we were away?"

Himari crossed her arms and asked Ernie with a doubtful look on her face.

Ernie's entire face started sweating. While the two were showing him kind faces, he could tell they were emitting a strong fearful aura. Now that he looked at them, they seemed a lot bigger than before.

"Of course not… I would never."

Ernie said with a slight struggle.

'What did that brat tell them?'

Ernie asked himself as he could already see Nija grinning to herself now. He knew that she must have told them some wild tale that wasn't true.

"Oh yeah? Then who is Nozomi?"

Hina asked as she leaned closer to Ernie.

Hearing the name Nozomi Ernie already understood.

He laughed weakly.

"Honey… you misunderstand. Nozomi is not my lover…"

"So you have been spending time with a girl?"

Ernie raised both his hands.

"I can explain… truly."

Before he could say anything both the girls started giving him a mouthful.

"Uncle Ernie!"

A young voice called out as a small child ran over to Ernie and hugged his leg.

She was just the cutest little thing ever.

"Nozomi by darling! I told you I would stop by later."

Ernie said as he reached down and picked her up.

Hina and Himari were both confused.

"This is Nozomi?"

"Aww. Let me see her, she's so adorable!"

Seeing that Nozomi wasn't a woman Ernie would be able to marry, the two of them changed in a heartbeat. They started touching Nozomi's fat cheeks and tickling her side.

"As I said, I can explain. Saito one of close friends i've made over the years had a baby girl when they came to the village. I felt drawn to her so I decided to take her as my niece and Saito agreed. Isn't she just the best?"

Ernie explained, but both girls were too busy playing with Nozomi.

'Why bother?'

Ernie shook his head as he asked himself that question.

"What have you been doing for three years?"

Himari asked him as she continued to tickle Nozomi.

"Training and developing the village mostly, but i've made quite a name for myself in this land. Sadly, all the work we've put in has gone to waste as we have to leave for a new land."

Ernie said.

"Why? What happened?"

"The daimyo here doesn't want us to be the leaders of the village, instead he wants to pass it to the Kamizuru clan."

"That bastard!"

Himari shouted, but swiftly covered her mouth as Nozomi was by and glanced in her direction.

"We can't take this sitting down. We should give him a proper beating, ya know? Let him know who's boss."

Himari commented.

Ernie shook his head.

"That's not the way to do things, especially in this situation. We kill him no place in the world would be safe. Instead, we play the hand we've be given and move on."

Ernie motioned for the two girls to follow him as he stepped into the village hall.

The two of them were stunned by the sight, there were various items on the wall, and even a map. When they came into the village they didn't even think it was the same place as before. Seeing so many people they almost got lost, however on the way in they met Aito. He told them where they would be able to find Ernie.

Although he grew a beard and his hair was a spiky now, the two could still tell who he was.

Seeing the village Ernie built being taken away made it feel like their heart was being torn out. However, Ernie did not seem that bothered by it.

Ernie stopped in front of a large map on the wall.

"This is a map of the world, we are currently here and these are all the other countries. Our plan is to move here to this area since that place has no daimyo. We have to restart, but it works out for us anyways. The committee in the village has already agreed on building a tower with five floors as the main village hall, as well as moving around some districts so it would be easier to move around in the village. Moving places gives us a lot more ideas for planning the future of our village, and this place while it's large it isn't enough anymore. We are slowly reaching the mountains and it'll limit our growth in the future. At least this way we can now build the training area for the children."

Ernie explained to the girls.

Still, even if he was being limited by the mountains that surrounded them it still hurt him to lose all this progress. But, looking at the map he did have a plan for the future. But, it was best for him to keep it to himself for now.

"You seem to have thought about this a lot. I'm glad that you have another plan laid out."

Hina said with a soft smile as she sat Nozomi down on the ground.

Ernie nodded.

"Yes. I've been meaning to ask, but that mark on your forehead is due to your training right?"

Hina nodded her head.

"Yup! It helps us keep a youthful appearance while also boosting our strength once we undo the seal. Bashira has taught us a lot, we are so grateful for having met her."

"It was all due to your luck or maybe she was right and it was fate that brought you there. I'm curious to know how strong you have gotten."

Himari giggled.

"Why don't we find out?"