Chapter 56

Huang Yuan, hands in his pockets, glanced at him with the corner of his eye and asked.

"Gorosei knows my hatred and intent toward pirates. If I speak up, he'll consider more."

Zefa said in a deep voice.

"I rarely see Teacher Zefa care this much—you must really value that intern. What's so special about that kid named Luo En? Or… has something happened we don't know about?"

"Porusarino."

Zefa cut him off, turning his back and saying, "I can't tell you much about him. You only need to remember: whether he joins the Navy or not doesn't matter—but if one day he shows any sign of siding with the pirates…"

Zefa slightly turned his head and glanced at Huang Yuan.

"I hope you'll eliminate him immediately!"

Huang Yuan slightly turned his head, glancing at the stern-faced Zefa behind him, and wore his signature smile: "Teacher Zefa… you're really terrifying."

…………

After hearing Huang Yuan's words and suggestion, Gorosei summoned Admiral Tsuru and Sakazuki, who had just returned from a mission, along with the idle Karp, to discuss it.

"Send that kid Luo En to Zefa's ship?"

Karp froze upon hearing this.

"Yes, it was Huang Yuan's suggestion. I called you here to discuss whether it's feasible."

Behind the table, Gorosei crossed his hands and placed them before him.

"Boring. You called me over just for this? That brat—let him do whatever he wants."

Sakazuki said coldly, his expression utterly dismissive.

"Let him witness the evil of pirates firsthand…"

Admiral Tsuru pondered briefly. "Huang Yuan's suggestion is indeed good."

"If he can see the true evil of pirates by Zefa's side and decide early to become a Navy member, we can have Zefa train him sooner, helping him grow into a powerful force capable of supporting our Navy."

"I support this proposal."

Admiral Tsuru expressed agreement.

Gorosei nodded and looked at Karp: "Karp, what about you?"

"I have no objection—but have you asked the kid if he even wants to join Zefa's ship?"

Karp crossed his arms and said, "Didn't you all say before that you wouldn't force him into anything?"

"Hmm… then Karp, go ask him for his opinion first."

"Again, it's me?!"

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48, then let's fight (1/5)

Luo En's residence.

"Send me to Zefa's ship?"

Luo En, upon hearing Karp's words, was startled.

"Gorosei sent me to ask if you're willing."

Karp scratched his head. "If you don't want to, you can refuse."

Luo En thought for a moment, then looked at Karp and asked: "Old man, do you think I should go?"

"If you ask me…"

Karp nodded at Luo En before him.

"If you want to grow stronger, you should go."

"Forget everything else. Just consider Zefa—he loves mentoring promising juniors. His teaching methods may be brutal, but they're top-tier."

"Once you board his ship and leave Marineford, he'll inevitably take the initiative to teach you. This is an excellent chance to boost your strength."

"Sailing with him, you'll surely encounter many powerful pirates. Fighting them in real combat will greatly hone your abilities."

After hearing Karp's words, Luo En's eyes flickered slightly.

Finally, he nodded.

"Fine, I'll go."

…………

Three days later.

Zefa brought Luo En, who carried the named sword Lei Qie, aboard his warship.

Everyone on the warship were this year's Navy recruits.

"This is Luo En."

Zefa introduced Luo En to the group.

"That special-recruit intern?"

A slender, graceful girl with smooth, wavy sea-blue hair and a long sword at her waist looked at Luo En curiously.

Seeing Luo En's gaze turn toward her,

she smiled at him: "I'm A'in, one of Teacher Zefa's disciples."

"I'm Binzi."

Binzi, dressed like a ninja, pointed to himself beside her.

Luo En had some memory of these two—they had never abandoned Zefa after he left the Navy.

"Hey, are you a swordsman?"

A'in, noticing Lei Qie on Luo En's back, asked curiously.

Luo En nodded.

Not far away.

"Just as the rumors say, he's just a little brat."

"Why does Instructor Zefa let a special recruit like that come along with us?"

A new Marine recruit stood not far away with arms crossed, looking at Luo En, speaking with some dissatisfaction.

"Xiuzhi, better say a little less. If Instructor Zefa hears about it… he'll definitely punish us."

"But I'm not wrong, am I? What can a little brat like that do on this ship? Didn't he only get specially recruited through connections?"

The Marine named Xiuzhi said indignantly, "The pirates we're going to deal with this time are vicious and ruthless — we don't have the mind to look after and protect a little brat like that."

"You seem very dissatisfied with my decision, Xiuzhi."

A familiar voice sounded behind him.

It made his whole body stiffen.

His companion beside him broke out in a cold sweat, looking at that tall, burly figure and saying, "I-Instructor Zefa."

Although Xiuzhi was also very afraid inside, his hands trembling, he looked at the little brat in the distance chatting with Ain.

He still clenched his teeth and turned around, looking straight at the Instructor Zefa he feared and respected most, and said: "Yes! Instructor Zefa, I think letting a little brat like that board the ship and go with us to hunt down pirates is a completely wrong decision. When we're fighting pirates with our lives on the line, that kind of guy will only be dead weight."

Zefa, with his purple short hair and sunglasses, stood with arms crossed, looking down at his indignant new recruit, and said expressionlessly: "Dead weight? Don't overthink it, idiot. His strength is far above yours."

Xiuzhi was stunned for a moment, then said with a face full of disbelief: "That little brat's strength is above mine? How could tha—"

"You can try and see."

Xiuzhi, hearing Zefa's flat words, couldn't help but clench his teeth.

He clenched his fists, ignoring his companion's dissuasion, and turned to walk over there.

"You're Luo En, right?"

Luo En looked up. A burly young Marine stood before him, head lowered, his gaze fixed tightly on him.

"Have a fight with me."

Ain's brow furrowed.

"Xiuzhi, what are you saying?"

"Ain, this has nothing to do with you." Xiuzhi didn't even look at him, just stared fixedly at Luo En.

"Everyone on this ship is staking their lives to fight pirates. I absolutely won't allow a dead weight with no strength who needs others to protect him on board!"

"I see."

Luo En nodded. "Then let's fight."

…………