The Invincible Morgue Fell

153rd Branch training ground.

The marines stood frozen, unable to believe what they were seeing.

"The invincible Lieutenant Morgue fell!"

In just ten minutes, Lieutenant Morgue, the 153rd Branch's ace fighter and the man all the marines trusted, had been defeated head-on.

There had been no suspense in his defeat.

And the one who defeated Morgue was neither a towering, brawny man, nor a notorious Pirate, nor a veteran marine. She was merely a seventeen- or eighteen-year-old girl.

So strong!

"Strength alone isn't enough, you know."

Isca flicked her blade, a playful smile rising on her face.

Her opponent had been strong, especially in terms of power. He could easily split the ground apart, but that was all. It was nowhere near enough to defeat her.

Well, it was a remote branch after all. Defeating Kuro had most likely been luck. She should not have expected too much.

Isca rested her longsword on her shoulder and smiled at Colonel Rhode. "Colonel Rhode, do you have any stronger opponents?"

"..."

Colonel Rhode raised his head at a forty-five-degree angle and stared at the sky.

He looked unfathomable, but inwardly, he was sighing helplessly.

Even Morgue was no match for the girl, so the other marines stood no chance.

The girl's swordsmanship was sharp, and her movements were exceptionally nimble. Throughout the entire fight, Morgue had not even touched the hem of her clothes. Even Rhode himself could not have done any better.

Luo Ya?

That brat could not even beat Morgue.

Being humiliated by marines from another branch felt awful.

But there was nothing he could do. Compared to the remote 153rd Branch, the island where the 32nd Branch was stationed lay in the middle of the East Blue. Its resources were far beyond what the 153rd Branch could compare to.

If not for their outstanding achievement in taking down Kuro, the 32nd Branch probably would not have paid the 153rd Branch any attention at all, much less joined them in a coordinated campaign against Pirates.

He had actually realized long ago that the gap between branches was truly greater than that between people and dogs.

Just as Rhode was at a loss, a commotion erupted at the branch entrance.

"Second Lieutenant Luo Ya is back!"

The marines automatically made way, watching Luo Ya arrive. Every one of them wore an aggrieved expression.

Even the invincible Morgue had fallen. Even if Second Lieutenant Luo Ya had returned, there was no way he could be a match for that woman, right?

"Yo, what's going on here?"

Luo Ya was completely baffled. He had just returned and found everyone gathered at the Training ground. Had something major happened?

Huh, so many unfamiliar faces.

Luo Ya looked toward Isca, his eyes lighting up.

Since joining the Navy, this was the first time he had seen a female marine, and she was quite beautiful too, possessing a valiant sort of charm.

Her orange-red short hair looked crisp and capable. Her fitted uniform made her waist look incredibly slender, as if it could be held in one hand, and she was even wearing strikingly short shorts!

Damn, those legs looked good.

From the 32nd Branch?

Isca looked at Luo Ya, a dangerous glint flashing through her eyes.

"You're Second Lieutenant Luo Ya?"

"That's right."

Luo Ya nodded calmly.

Clang!

The tip of a sword appeared before his eyes.

Luo Ya lowered his gaze to the blade inches from him, his eyes narrowing slightly.

The girl's sword was an uncommon rapier. Its blade was slender and long, and it should have been very light, suited for a fighting style centered on thrusting. It also demanded considerable skill from its wielder, or it could easily snap in battle.

A technique-and-speed type.

"I'm Lieutenant Isca of the 32nd Branch."

After giving him a small show of intimidation, Isca withdrew her rapier and challenged him, "Second Lieutenant Luo Ya, duel me. Whoever wins gets to call the shots for the upcoming mission. How about it?"

"..."

Luo Ya narrowed his eyes but did not answer immediately.

So that was it.

She wanted to compete with him for command.

There were few capable Warriors who were not competitive, and he was no exception. The Navy was a military organization, after all. A personality that was too gentle was not suited for dealing with brutal Pirates.

Besides, a commander bore responsibility for the safety of his subordinates. One foolish decision could send everyone to their graves.

No marine was willing to entrust his life to someone he did not trust!

Luo Ya looked toward Colonel Rhode.

Colonel Rhode subtly shook his head, signaling for Luo Ya not to act rashly, while his gaze flicked to the side.

Following his gaze, Luo Ya saw Lieutenant Morgue being supported by others. He froze for a moment, then quickly understood what had happened.

The invincible Morgue had fallen!

No wonder the atmosphere was so strange.

"Fine!"

To the surprise of every marine, Luo Ya agreed at once.

"But if I win, then for the duration of the mission, you must obey all my orders unconditionally. Agreed?"

"No problem."

Isca snorted coldly.

There was no way she could lose!

"Then it's settled. Come on."

Luo Ya walked toward the center of the Training ground.

A month had passed since the battle against Kuro, and he had not slacked off during that month.

Because more than anyone else, he understood that in this utterly terrible world, power and status meant nothing. If he wanted to live brilliantly, strength was his greatest asset.

He could defeat Morgue now too!

Clang!

His blade left its sheath!

Luo Ya held his new sword horizontally before him. His face reflected in the snow-bright blade, and his dark pupils held nothing but the desire for victory.

"Let's begin, Lieutenant Isca!"

"..."

Isca stared intently at Luo Ya. Suddenly, she felt an indescribably immense pressure. She had never felt anything like it, not even when facing the branch's School Officials.

He was far stronger than that big idiot!

"Damn it, he actually looked down on me!"

Seeing Luo Ya standing still on the spot, waiting for her to make the first move, Isca took a deep breath. Her legs explosively propelled her forward, and she shot out like an arrow loosed from a bow!

When the distance between them narrowed to three meters, she thrust her sword out with all her strength!

"Drawing Rain!"

In an instant, the slender rapier thrust out more than a dozen times. The sword tip reflected in Luo Ya's eyes, like scattered raindrops rushing at his face!

Fast!

But not fast enough!

Luo Ya's pupils contracted.

"I saw it!"

During those long nights, repeatedly facing Kuro's Silent Step had gradually allowed his eyes to keep up with the high-speed movements that deceived vision.

The rapier's thrusting trajectories were as clear as though they had slowed down. Though they appeared to strike simultaneously, they actually varied in speed, leaving patterns to follow.

He swung his blade!

Clang clang clang clang clang!!!

The sharp longsword flashed rapidly before him, forming an indistinct barrier that blocked every incoming rapid thrust. The sounds of clashing blades merged into one continuous burst.

He blocked them!

The marines from the 32nd Branch who had accompanied Isca stared in shock. This was the first time they had seen Lieutenant Isca's sword technique blocked head-on.

The 153rd Branch marines, including Colonel Rhode, were equally stunned speechless. For those who knew Luo Ya well, shock was no longer enough to describe what they felt.

Second Lieutenant Luo Ya had gotten stronger again and again and again!

Just how fast was he improving?!

"This guy!"

With all her attacks blocked, Isca sensed trouble and quickly leaped backward to open the distance. Then she rapidly circled Luo Ya, sliding into position behind him.

Without pausing for even a moment, she leaned her body sharply forward until she was nearly parallel to the ground. At the same time, her left hand pressed against the ground, working with her feet to launch her forward.

Charge!

Thrust!

"Swift Rain · Flash!"

Her entire body transformed into a streak of sword light, thrusting forward at her strongest and fastest. Even rock could be easily pierced by this attack!

As Luo Ya drew closer and closer, so close that he could not possibly evade this strike, a thought rose in Isca's heart.

I won!

Boom!

The sword tip tore through the air, and the airflow it carried kicked up a huge cloud of dust.

She missed!

Isca's pupils widened as she searched for Luo Ya. At the instant before she was about to pierce his back, he had suddenly vanished.

What happened?

Smack!

The hand holding her sword was seized.

"Silent Step."

Luo Ya appeared behind Isca, almost pressed against her. His left hand gripped her wrist, while his right held his blade horizontally against her neck.

"I won."

Hearing his laughter from behind her, the girl's cheeks reddened at a visible speed.

But it was not embarrassment. It was anger!