Chapter 54

"Very well."

Garp grinned at Sengoku and said:

"In any case, there is nothing left for this old man to teach him."

The news that the Marines had specially recruited an 11-year-old trainee still failed to remain completely hidden and leaked out.

In the current seas, the title 'Four Emperors' did not yet exist.

However, the reputations of some powerful pirate crews were already widely known.

For example, the Whitebeard Pirates.

"A trainee specially recruited by the Marines, an 11-year-old brat? Kuahahaha."

Bai Huzi, looking at the newspaper in his hand, could not help but burst into loud laughter.

"That rigid and stubborn fellow Sengoku actually managed to do such a thing?! Kuahahaha."

Laughing heartily, he lifted a huge wine cup and poured its contents into his mouth.

On the shore of a small island, a pirate ship and a small boat shaped like a coffin were docked.

Suddenly, the sky darkened as two massive slash attacks collided, instantly splitting the entire sky above the small island into four parts.

"The duel between our captain and that fellow Hawk Eyes is as shocking as ever."

Lucky Roux, an obese man wearing small sunglasses, sat on a rock, eating while he spoke.

"Yasopp, who do you think will win this time?"

"It seems those two have never yet determined a winner between them."

Yasopp said while wiping the spear in his hands.

Above their heads, rings of black sword qi slashed by the Supreme Grade Blade, the black blade Yoru, spread outward in concentric layers, causing the seawater around the small island to churn violently.

However, this group of people had long grown accustomed to it.

Nearby, Ben Beckman, the Red-Haired Pirates' first mate, draped in a spiral-patterned cloak, with long gray hair tied back and a cigar dangling from his mouth, lay on a rock, calmly gazing at the newspaper in his hand.

Upon seeing that piece of information, a trace of surprise appeared on his usually calm face.

Noticing this, Lucky Roux could not help but ask curiously, "First Mate, is there some news that has caught your attention?"

"The Marines have specially recruited a trainee."

Beckman stated.

"A trainee? The Marines have trainees now?"

Yasopp asked, somewhat surprised.

Trainees were not uncommon among pirates, especially in large crews; both Shanks and Buggy had once been trainees of the Roger Pirates.

But trainees within the Marines were something heard of for the first time.

"Is there anything special about that trainee to warrant special recruitment by the Marines?"

Yasopp asked curiously.

"Very special."

Beckman said, "He is a brat named Luo En, very young, seemingly only 11 years old."

"An 11-year-old brat?!"

Yasopp and Lucky Roux exchanged glances.

Beckman gazed at the newspaper in his hand, his eyes carrying a hint of contemplation.

An 11-year-old brat actually caused Sengoku, the rigid and stubborn Fleet Admiral of the Marines, to break the rules and specially recruit him as a trainee...

Just how special is this brat?

Because the Marines broke their rigid rules and suddenly specially recruited a trainee, the name Luo En appeared for the first time upon the seas.

But after all, he was merely an 11-year-old brat.

Only a few attentive people secretly took note.

As for the majority, they dismissed it, assuming the Marines were just up to some trick again.

This news and this name did not stir up any waves across the seas.

In an instant, it was drowned out by other news from the seas.

Like a fleeting epiphyllum flower, it quickly vanished from people's memories.

46, Smoker's Plans, Tina is Very Curious (4/5)

Marine Headquarters.

Marineford.

Smoker lay in a ward by the window with a cigar in his mouth, his head, abdomen, and right arm wrapped in thick bandages.

"Truly unsightly; Tina never expected that you, who graduated in the same class as Tina, would be beaten so miserably; Tina is very disappointed."

Tina, sporting a head of dashing light pink long hair, wearing a red suit jacket draped with a Justice coat, possessing a sexy figure and a coldly beautiful, moving face, stood before Smoker's hospital bed with a thin cigarette in her mouth and her arms crossed.

"Who exactly beat you into this state? Tina is very curious."

Tina looked at Smoker and asked with some curiosity.

As a user of the Logia-type Smoke-Smoke Fruit, Smoker was stronger than her, not weaker, yet unexpectedly he had been beaten into such a state.

Moreover... it was said that he seemed to have received these injuries right here in Marineford, not while on a mission.

Tina was very curious about who had done this.

"It's none of your business; get lost immediately!"

Smoker gazed out the window, his face gloomy as he spoke.

"Hmph."

Tina snorted coldly at him, turned, and left the ward.

On her way back from the hospital, she casually spotted a black-haired boy in white training clothes, eyes closed, arms spread wide, walking barefoot along a long courtyard wall.

He was actually walking quite steadily.

"So this is the specially recruited intern? He really is very young."

Looking at Luo En, Tina felt a spark of interest.

"What are you doing?"

She called out to ask him.

"Cultivating."

The boy replied without opening his eyes.

"Can doing this train anything?"

Tina felt somewhat curious.

She walked alongside him, one beneath the courtyard wall, the other atop it.

"Training perception."

Luo En was attempting to train his perception through this method of walking with eyes closed, thereby comprehending Observation Haki.

Tina, however, did not know his intentions; hearing his answer, she assumed it was just a child engaging in Hu Nao and couldn't help but smile.

"Your name is Luo En, right?"

"Mm."

"My name is Tina."

Hearing this name, Luo En paused slightly.

Black Cage Tina.

So it was her...

"Do you have any favorite foods?"

With her hands behind her back, Tina continued walking alongside him.

"I like all delicious things."

"Then, would you like to accompany Tina on a shopping trip? I'll take you to eat something delicious."