Chapter 44

Kage stared at him, a flicker of doubt passing through his eyes.

"Luo En."

"Are you Sabo's friend?"

"You could say that."

Luo En met the gaze of the naval hero before him.

"I've answered your question; you haven't answered mine."

"Hah! A curious brat. Fine, since you're Sabo's friend, I'll answer your question."

Kage laughed loudly.

Then he lifted his beer cup, his expression darkening as he spoke:

"After I heard the news, I immediately asked a friend stationed on that ship to investigate and find out what truly happened that day."

"Sabo did offend a World Noble, but it was because he tried to save a little girl who had accidentally fallen and blocked the World Noble's path."

Kage said grimly.

"After being taken aboard the World Noble's ship, they seemed to have placed him and some slaves on a small boat, then destroyed it with cannon fire..."

"What!"

Machino instinctively covered her mouth with her hand, her eyes widening.

Kage downed the entire cup of beer in loud gulps.

Luo En said nothing and turned to leave.

"Don't tell Luffy or the others about this."

Kage looked at Machino.

Machino wiped the tears from her face: "I... I understand."

Kage turned his head, glancing at the small back figure.

"Is that boy Luo En from Windmill Village?"

"No, he came from another island. He arrived with a girl; both have stayed in Windmill Village for nearly two months."

Machino replied: "He's very close with Ace, Sabo, and Luffy. Ace and the others used to train with him. Mr. Kage, don't be fooled by Luo En's young age—his strength is formidable."

"Oh?"

Kage was slightly surprised.

He stroked his chin, intrigued: "Then I'd like to see it for myself."

The next morning.

When Luo En reached the foot of the mountain, Ace and Luffy were already there, along with Kage.

"Luo En, this old man is my grandfather."

Luffy, wearing his straw hat, pointed at Kage and introduced him to Luo En.

The next instant, a massive fist slammed onto his head: "Call me an old man?! Rude brat! Call him Grandpa properly!"

"Ow! Ow! Grandpa's fist hurts the most!"

Luffy rolled on the ground, clutching his swollen head.

Luo En watched this scene, his eyes flickering slightly.

That was... Haki?

Kage, while picking his nose, said to Luo En: "Luo En, train as you normally do. Don't mind me."

"Nobody cares about you anyway."

Ace muttered.

The next instant, he was punched flying.

Ace and Luffy, each with a bright red bump on their heads, followed Luo En as they began today's training.

Kage sat cross-legged on a rock, pulling out a rice cracker from his pocket and eating it while watching the three.

"Compared to last time, Luffy and Ace's physical strength has improved dramatically."

Kage thought to himself, his gaze settling on Luo En.

"That boy Luo En's training method is still somewhat crude, but it effectively strengthens his entire body."

"And..."

Kage's eyes locked onto Luo En.

What is this unnatural, overwhelming vitality?

A ten-year-old boy, roughly Ace's age, could grow this strong through such training?!

36, join the Navy, Luo En! (5/5)

After the massive physical training ended.

Ace and Luffy collapsed on the ground, drenched in sweat.

But Luo En looked as if nothing had happened.

Kage pondered for a moment, then stepped forward.

"Luo En, want to spar with me?"

"Huh?"

Ace and Luffy froze in surprise.

"Grandpa's going to fight Luo En?"

"Yes!"

Luo En heard Kage's words and reacted without hesitation.

He truly needed a powerful opponent now, one who would let him unleash his full strength.

Ace and Luffy stepped aside, eyes fixed on the two figures in the arena—one large, one small.

"Old man and Luo En…"

Ace swallowed hard.

To him, these two were the two strongest people he knew.

"Go, Luo En! Knock out that stinking grandpa!"

Luffy shouted into the arena.

"Luffy! Don't call me stinking grandpa!"

Kage roared at him.

Luo En, facing him, closed his eyes and took a deep breath.

Sun Breathing, Full Concentration!

After reaching 46% mastery, he could now perform Full Concentration Sun Breathing.

The vast, scorching qi within Luo En began to boil; his hair stirred without wind, and an invisible pressure rose from his body.

He intended to use this test to give his all, and gauge the full extent of his current strength.

"Oh?"

Kage couldn't help but glance over, stunned inside: "This kid has already mastered his qi to this degree?"

Luo En stamped his foot and vanished from Ace and Luffy's sight in an instant.

"He disappeared?!"

Both widened their eyes.

The next second, he appeared before Kage and lashed out with a brutal whip-like kick toward his neck.

Kage raised his arm to block the strike.

A violent shockwave erupted outward, sending the seated Luffy tumbling backward, rolling once.

"This speed… and this force…"

After blocking the strike, Kage grew even more astonished.

But before he could think further, Luo En, having his attack blocked, twisted midair and delivered another sharp knee strike toward Kage's face.

"And this combat style—clean, sharp, no hesitation…"

Kage leaped back, avoiding the strike; the ground where he had stood was cratered by Luo En's knee impact.

The normal adult's qi value is 30 points.