As the training camp neared its end, the heavy pressure faded, replaced by a lighter, more relaxed atmosphere. The students mingled, friendships blossod, and laughter filled the air.
They had absorbed all the knowledge they could.
Over two months of grueling training had dramatically increased their strength, yet the pace of their improvent had begun to slow. The future now lay in consistent, gradual growth.
Roya was no exception.
Even his extra evening sessions with Master Zephyr focused on refining basic techniques. He had advanced too quickly, creating flaws in his fighting style.
Master Zephyr put it bluntly: he couldn't even throw a decent punch!
During the day, Roya didn't push himself too hard. Instead, many students sought him out, including even Peacock.
After her humbling defeat, Peacock's attitude towards Roya had changed significantly. Although she seed reluctant to admit it, she clearly respected him.
At least she'd stopped calling him "little brother."
The training camp ended on a high note.
The warship was ready early that morning.
Roya eyed Lu Yun with suspicion.
"Are you really coming back to East Blue with ?"
"Absolutely!"
Lu Yun nodded, her voice full of conviction.
Roya was still puzzled. He definitely wanted her along; she was exactly the kind of person he needed as a subordinate.
His current subordinates, Fullbody and Jango, were seasoned but limited. They could handle basic tasks, but intelligence work and internal affairs were beyond them.
The others were even worse.
And Smoker? Ha! If he didn't argue with every day, it would be a miracle. How could I possibly rely on him for anything important?
Besides those three, the only one in Logue Town worth training was Tashigi, but she was too ditzy to entrust with serious responsibilities.
Oh, and there's the oafish Bartoloo and Zoro, who can't find his way out of a paper bag.
The more he thought about it, the more frustrated he beca.
I'm the base chief of Logue Town! Why are all my subordinates such misfits? Is there no one I can truly rely on?
Roya grabbed Lu Yun's shoulders, a surge of emotion welling up inside him. She's sharp as a tack; she knows following is the right decision.
"Aren't you supposed to go to the Marine Headquarters training camp?"
"I'm not that interested in getting stronger, and I know my limits."
Lu Yun smiled faintly, shaking her head.
As a budding researcher, she had a clear understanding of her own capabilities. No amount of training would make her more than a Commodore. Maybe with so high-tech weapons, she could boost her fighting ability a bit.
But that was it.
Instead of striving to beco a powerful fighter, she preferred to dedicate her ti to her passions. It made her happy.
Lu Yun pulled out a small gift box, barely bigger than her palm, and handed it to Roya with a smile. "Here, this is a gift for you!"
"What's this..."
Roya opened the box, his eyes widening in disbelief as he saw the tal sword hilt he had been longing for.
Holy crap, it's a laser sword!
Thwack!
Roya snapped the box shut, his gaze shifting towards Lu Yun. "Lu Yun, I will protect you for the rest of my life!"
"Hehe."
Lu Yun looked a little smug, smiling as she reminded Roya, "Don't use it outside, it attracts bugs."
"Don't worry!"
Roya would never use it carelessly. This was a treasure to be cherished, shown only to his most trusted friends.
----
Ti ticked by, and more and more people gathered at the Logue Town port.
Doll also ca to bid Roya farewell.
There was no sadness in their parting. They both knew they would et again soday, and neither of them were children.
Raise the sails! Set sail!
"Goodbye!"
On the warship's deck, the officers waved enthusiastically at the crowd on the pier, so of them wiping away tears.
----
Several days later, Logue Town port.
Having heard about Roya's return, all the Marines, except for Smoker, were already waiting at the port. The large crowd startled the townspeople, who assud so important dignitary was arriving.
The warship docked.
Roya led Lu Yun off the ship. The officers crowded the ship's railing, waving at Roya.
"Black Hair Bro, farewell!"
"If you ever have ti, co visit our 12th branch!"
"And our 38th branch!"
"And the 61st branch!"
The officers called out their branch base numbers, encompassing nearly every branch in East Blue. Their excitent made it seem as if they regarded Roya as their leader.
"Huh?"
The Logue Town Marines were stunned.
The officers on the warship were important figures from East Blue, holding ranks of at least Major. Many were branch base chiefs or second-in-command.
Why were these important figures so enthusiastic about Colonel Roya? Had he done sothing incredible?
The Marines straightened their backs and greeted loudly.
"Roya, welco back!"
"Mm."
Roya nodded with a smile.
Looking at the familiar town, he felt at ease.
"Let's go back."
"Yes!"
The Marines followed Roya back to the base.
A mont later, in the base chief's office.
"Yo, Smoker."
Roya greeted him with a smile, "You're in my seat."
"Hmph, you're finally back."
Smoker smirked smugly.
During Roya's absence, he had served as the acting base chief, so he had naturally taken over Roya's office.
The office had the best view, allowing him to observe the base and oversee Logue Town.
The two sat on opposite sides of the sofa and began playing Go, ostensibly for entertainnt, but their auras had already begun to clash.
Smoker agreed with Roya's approach, but he had no intention of becoming his subordinate. It wasn't just that he disliked taking orders.
Who would want to serve under soone weaker than themselves?
How could a re branch colonel from East Blue be a match for , an elite from Headquarters? If Roya hadn't been doing things more or less right, I would have flipped the table long ago.
Smoker held a white Go stone, asking casually.
"How was the training camp?"
"Not bad. I got first place."
The atmosphere instantly grew heavy.
Smoker slowly raised his head, staring at Roya.
"You defeated Peacock?"
"Mm, gave her a beating."
Roya calmly placed a stone.
Smoker stared at Roya, confirming that he wasn't lying, but he still found it hard to believe that Peacock had been defeated.
That girl is strong!
"What's your Dao Force level now?"
"I haven't tested it in the last two weeks, but it should be around 900."
Roya estimated. Master Zephyr's training hadn't increased his strength much, but his skills were much sharper.
For example, using Storm Leg used to cost 10 stamina, but now it only took 7 points to achieve the sa power.
Crack!
A chess piece shattered!
900 Dao Force!
Smoker's eyes were filled with disbelief.
How is that possible?
When he first ca to Logue Town, he had carefully observed Roya's training. At that ti, Roya had at most 300 Dao Force.
In just three months, he had beco ten tis stronger!
"Oh, right."
Roya raised his head, spreading his hands in a sowhat helpless manner as he added, "Master Zephyr insisted on taking as his disciple, saying he wanted to train into the next Marine Admiral. I had no choice but to agree."
"..."
Smoker stood up abruptly, veins bulging on his forehead.
Is this guy trying to be too arrogant!
"Colonel Roya, fight !"
"Sure."
Roya stood up, stretching lazily.
As the saying goes, one mountain cannot have two tigers. They had to decide who was on top. This small branch could only have one voice.
"Let's go to the coast. No one will disturb us there."
Mm, I have to let this guy save face.
*
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[T/N:
Latest Chapter translated on Patreon - Access up to Ch 247
Final Total Power Stone Collection : 245 PS
Goal : Reach 50 Total PS = 2 Bonus Chapters next day! 🚀
Here are the novels I'm currently translating:
-> Naruto Paradise: An Evil Uchiha's Rise
-> One Piece: I'm Destined to Be the Son-in-Law King!
-> Young Master, Please Beco Hokage!
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➡️ /Boundless_Beacon
]
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