Lord Luo Ya, You First

Half a month passed in the blink of an eye. The atmosphere at the Training ground had become rather strange. Once free training time arrived, everyone's attention focused on Luo Ya.

Who would he call out today?

Under countless watchful eyes, Luo Ya walked up to Carroll and issued a challenge with a smile. "Senior Carroll, let's have a sparring match!"

"M-My stomach hurts!"

Carroll's expression changed dramatically as he hurriedly made an excuse to refuse, but Luo Ya seemed to have been prepared. He held out some antidiarrheal medicine.

Huh?

He had even prepared the medicine?

Big brother, could you leave me a way out?

With so many people he knew watching, couldn't he at least save him some face?

Seeing the innocent look in Luo Ya's eyes, Carroll's face alternated between green and white. Gritting his teeth, he picked up a wooden sword.

Damn New Recruit!

Did he really think Carroll was afraid of him?

Today, he would let this guy witness the might of "Purple Hair"!

"We'll compete with swords!"

"Fine!"

The two of them carried wooden swords toward the arena.

Seeing this, the other Veterans relaxed considerably. They let out sighs of relief in unspoken agreement, though some still looked shaken.

"It's Purple Hair Carroll!"

"Ah, poor Carroll."

"Let's hope he can last ten minutes."

"Ten minutes? What are you thinking? Three minutes at most!"

The Veterans still had lingering fears.

They were genuinely terrified!

Ever since Linus had opened Pandora's Box half a month ago, New Recruit Luo Ya had challenged them every day.

The more famous someone was, the more likely he was to be challenged!

Winning would have been one thing, but New Recruit Luo Ya was a monster. The vast majority of the Veterans were no match for him.

Even if someone managed to beat him once, he would definitely be beaten back the next day. It was no different from falling from heaven into hell.

Never mind the embarrassment of losing to a New Recruit—no one wanted to get beaten up for no reason. Linus, the first challenger, had spent a full three days in the hospital.

As for refusing?

If they turned down a challenge from a New Recruit, would they have any shame left?

"Ahhh!!!"

In less than three minutes, Carroll was rolling around on the arena, clutching his broken arm. His cries were louder than a pig being slaughtered.

The Veterans instinctively shrank their necks.

They couldn't afford to provoke him. They absolutely couldn't!

Fortress Tower, top floor.

Colonel Rhode looked down over the Training ground, rubbing his forehead with a headache.

"That kid really knows how to cause trouble!"

He knew very well what had been happening lately. The little reports piled on his desk were all complaints about Luo Ya disrupting military discipline.

Of course, he had not forgotten Luo Ya.

Young, hardworking, and talented.

It was hard not to like a New Recruit like that.

Originally, he had intended to let Luo Ya train at the branch a while longer and build a solid foundation, then cultivate him as a Backbone.

But in less than two months, the Veterans had been tormented into becoming timid and overly cautious. If he continued letting Luo Ya run wild, that brat's tail would be sticking up in the sky.

He had to find something for this brat to do!

Rhode pondered for a moment.

Sending him to fight Pirates was out of the question.

Other than powerful Pirate crews like the Black Cat Pirates, most Pirate crews avoided the Navy. Finding them was no easy matter, and without intelligence, the Navy would not launch an attack recklessly.

Besides, for a New Recruit to face Pirates on his first outing was far too risky. It was not a matter of strength. Fighting to the death was completely different from sparring.

New Recruits needed time to grow.

"Have them go to Syrup Village."

Rhode quickly made up his mind.

The branch had limited resources. Relying solely on support from the World Government, even replenishing weapons and ammunition was somewhat difficult. The Warship had also been through several battles and needed proper repairs.

They needed to pull in some sponsorship.

At dusk.

Luo Ya and Fullbody arrived at the dining hall. The previously noisy environment immediately quieted down considerably. When the Veterans in the serving area saw Luo Ya approaching, they voluntarily stepped aside.

Lord Luo Ya, you first!

Their deferential posture practically had those words written all over their faces.

Heh, it was as if he were bullying them.

"Thank you."

Luo Ya smiled and nodded. He did not stand on ceremony, grabbing the tongs and piling meat onto his plate. He now ate at least five times as much as an ordinary marine, and he got hungry especially quickly.

After getting his food, Luo Ya found that nearly every seat was occupied.

He would have to share a table.

Linus happened to be sitting nearby. Noticing Luo Ya's gaze, he jolted and instinctively stood up to offer his seat.

The helpless look in his eyes was especially pitiful.

"No, no."

Luo Ya hurriedly waved his hand, then carried his plate over to sit opposite Linus. Smiling, he said, "Senior Linus, sit down. I'll just share the table."

"Ah, uh, okay."

After hesitating for quite a while, Linus carefully sat down like a timid young wife. After holding it in for a long time, he finally whispered, "Brother Luo Ya, just call me Linus."

"That works for me. Then I won't stand on ceremony."

Luo Ya did not like calling people senior either. They were all ordinary soldiers, so why distinguish between seniors and juniors? Whoever was stronger was the senior.

Time to eat!

No matter how great heaven and earth were, a full stomach came first!

Luo Ya entered eating mode. The food on his plate vanished at a visible speed, leaving Linus somewhat horrified.

How could he eat even more than Linus did?

Seeing Luo Ya's plate nearly empty, Linus swallowed and suggested, "Brother Luo Ya, should I bring you another plate of meat?"

"Mmm, sure. Thanks!"

"Want some juice?"

"Yes!"

After eating and drinking his fill, Luo Ya let out a satisfied burp. Even Linus looked much more agreeable to him now.

"Linus, is there anyone else among the marines who is especially skilled with swords and hand-to-hand combat?"

"I'm afraid not."

Linus decisively shook his head.

The branch was only so big. The stronger Veterans were not much better than Linus, and Luo Ya had basically beaten every one of them already.

"No one?"

Luo Ya was somewhat disappointed.

Actual combat was the best way to improve. In the "World," he fought more than ten times a day, sometimes dozens of times, until he could no longer get back up.

That had rapidly improved his combat skills.

But the marines' level was limited. It had been days since he had faced an opponent who could make him feel pressured. What fun was a one-sided stomp?

Unfortunately, the opponents simulated by the "World" would not improve.

Linus hesitated before saying, "Brother Luo Ya, in the branch right now, perhaps only Sergeant Morgue and Colonel Rhode can be your opponents."

"I really do want to fight them."

Luo Ya was quite troubled.

The Lieutenant Officers in the branch had mostly risen through seniority. Compared to elite marines fighting on the front lines, their personal strength might not be much greater.

Morgue was an exception.

Looking across the entire branch, only Colonel Rhode could suppress Morgue. But Morgue did not seem like the sort to serve as his sparring partner, and Luo Ya rarely even ran into him.

Could he find an opportunity to manufacture a chance encounter?

Suddenly, the surroundings fell silent.

Luo Ya raised his head and discovered that the Morgue he had been thinking about had entered the dining hall. He walked straight toward Luo Ya, his expression extremely serious.

Everyone at Luo Ya's table hurriedly stood and came to attention.

Morgue said coldly, "New Recruit Luo Ya, and Fullbody. You two prepare yourselves. Tomorrow morning, you will set sail with the Warship!"

"Yes, sir!"

Luo Ya shouted his response, delight flooding his heart.

He could finally go to sea!

Morgue seemed to have come only to deliver this urgent summons. After speaking, he turned to leave. Seeing this, Luo Ya hurriedly stopped him.

"Please wait, Sergeant Morgue!"

"What is it?"

Morgue frowned.

Luo Ya took a deep breath, his eyes blazing.

"I want to challenge you!"

In an instant, the dining hall became deathly quiet. The marines all threw up their hands, so shocked their tongues practically turned into wavy lines.

Was this kid tired of living?!

Morgue stared at Luo Ya. After confirming that Luo Ya was not joking, he gave a slight nod. A rare smile appeared on his face.

"Training ground!"