Luo Ya picked up a branch and drew a circle on the ground, about five meters in diameter. That meant each person only had a range of roughly two and a half meters to move around in.
It was not even as big as a fighting ring.
"Whoever steps out of the circle loses. No problem with that?"
"Fine!"
Ace's heart sank.
Fighting in such a small circle meant the battle would be several times more intense. To avoid stepping outside, they would have no choice but to take some attacks head-on that they could otherwise dodge.
This Marine was completely different from his previous opponents. Even in a simple spar, he carried the intent to crush him completely.
Just what I wanted!
Ace's gaze burned.
As long as he defeated the Marine before him, it would mean he could survive on this sea. This would be the starting point of his fame spreading across the world!
Luo Ya's eyes burned just as fiercely.
By cutting off every avenue of retreat and fighting in the simplest, most direct way, if he lost to Ace, it could only mean he was inferior.
But if he won...
Would that mean he had truly caught up to these children of destiny and could truly reach the greatest stage?
The two stepped into the circle.
The next second!
"OOOH!!!"
"AAAH!!!"
Time passed swiftly.
The sun set, and the moon rose.
Luo Ya and Ace's battle continued.
Like martial artists, they stayed close and fought at point-blank range. Their vicious blows landed fist to flesh, leaving both covered in injuries, yet they fought with exhilarated abandon.
Without weapons, unless there was an overwhelming gap in strength, it was difficult to end a battle quickly.
Judging by the course of the fight, their strength and speed were extremely close. Luo Ya's attacks were more disciplined, while Ace's were filled with wildness.
And besides, neither of them wanted to lose!
Fullbody and the others' fight with Luffy had long since ended.
Luffy's strength was quite good. A charged Gum-Gum Pistol could shatter rocks, but his age was what it was, and he lacked reaction speed and combat experience.
Rubber was not all that difficult to deal with either. Though he was immune to blunt strikes, there were still plenty of ways to win, such as grappling and hypnosis.
It was even easier for Zoro to beat Luffy. Slashes were the perfect counter to rubber.
The four sat beside the battlefield, watching Luo Ya and Ace beat each other up with great interest. As if by agreement, they all sighed in admiration.
"They're incredible!"
Whether it was Luo Ya or Ace, both displayed astonishing resilience. They were clearly covered in wounds and so exhausted they could barely stand, yet neither had any intention of stopping.
Worse still, the two seemed to have reached an understanding. Neither was willing to retreat even a single step. When facing the other's attacks, they either blocked, took them head-on, or returned blow for blow.
As a result, their physical condition deteriorated rapidly. Aside from their clean backs and buttocks, there was not a single uninjured spot left on their bodies.
Just watching them was exhausting.
"Yaaawn..."
They all yawned at once.
"How long are they going to keep fighting?"
Someone knew the answer.
Garp suddenly appeared inside the circle and knocked Luo Ya and Ace flat with two BAM! BAM! Iron Fists. Fist-sized bumps rose on their heads, trailing wisps of smoke.
"Pwahahaha, time to eat!"
Not long after.
A mountain boar four or five meters tall was mounted over a bonfire, giving off an irresistible aroma as the firewood roasted it.
Luo Ya raised a roasted boar leg twice his own size and took a huge bite, tearing off a massive chunk. After chewing a few times, he swallowed it directly.
His already ravenous stomach greedily absorbed the nutrients, digesting at more than ten times its usual speed.
Only that way could he eat more food.
CRUNCH!
Even the bones were bitten apart and swallowed.
In less than five minutes, the roasted boar leg, larger than a person, had completely disappeared into his stomach.
Across from him, Ace, as if competing with him, desperately gnawed through an entire boar leg as well. His belly had swollen into a giant ball.
Late at night.
Everyone slept soundly around the bonfire. Garp and his three grandsons seemed to be competing, each one's snoring louder than the last.
Zoro hugged his swords and leaned against a tree trunk.
"I'll keep watch."
"Yeah."
Luo Ya nodded and walked alone into the forest. He casually found a quiet place and silently recited in his heart.
"The World!"
The World slowly unfolded.
Inside the training ground, "Ace" looked over with slightly vacant eyes.
Luo Ya walked toward Ace, light shining in his eyes.
Before fighting Ace, he had always carried a question in his heart: could effort truly make up for the gap in talent?
After setting sail, Ace had needed only one year to earn the name Fire Fist. His strength had reached the level of a Shichibukai, and his bounty had climbed as high as 500 million Beli.
Luffy was even more impressive. He became one of the Four Emperors in just two and a half years.
Their training from childhood played a role, but more than that, it was their astonishing inborn talent that allowed them to undergo step-by-step transformations in such a short time.
Luo Ya was certain that this body of his possessed no special bloodline or talent. He was merely an ordinary human.
But now, he had truly caught up to a genius like Ace.
Now that he thought about it, having more time than others was also a kind of talent—and the most powerful talent of all.
Besides, The World was not merely something that extended time. It held many unknown abilities still waiting for him to uncover.
"What Devil's Son? What Sun God Nika!"
"It's all bullshit!"
"The World is the strongest!"
Unshakable belief was strength!
An aura invisible to the naked eye radiated from Luo Ya's body as he walked toward Ace step by step. That intimidating gaze was completely different from how he had craved recognition during the day.
It was the gaze of a hunter looking at prey!
Early the next morning.
Inside the dueling circle!
BANG!!!
Luo Ya's fist smashed viciously into Ace's cheek!
"Pfft!"
Ace spat blood. His molars shattered, and his eyes gradually rolled white.
"My consciousness... is about to be beaten apart!"
What had happened?
In just one day, why had this guy's fists become so hard? It was like facing Grandpa's fists.
In the distance.
Fullbody and Jango clenched their fists excitedly, while Luffy was beside himself with worry.
"Lieutenant Commander Luo Ya has the advantage!"
"Ace, you can't lose!"
The battle that had been evenly matched yesterday had clearly tilted today. Luo Ya was gradually suppressing Ace.
Garp exclaimed in shock.
"Haki!"
"Huh?"
The three looked at Garp in confusion, not understanding what Haki was.
Garp did not explain.
For these little brats, it was still too early to come into contact with Haki. Only after tempering their hearts, bodies, and skills until they were strong enough would it be the best time to learn and master Haki.
"That brat's fists are coated in Haki!"
Garp saw it clearly. Haki wrapped around Luo Ya's fists. Though it was still very weak and his method of using it was extremely crude, it undeniably existed.
"Did he comprehend it on his own?"
Garp found it somewhat unbelievable.
He was certain that Luo Ya had absolutely not mastered Haki yesterday. Judging by his current performance, his strength had not changed much either.
It was a change in mindset!
That brat's will had become firmer. His fists carried an unshakable conviction that he would win, and that had drawn out his Haki!
That damned brat, where did he get the confidence to defeat Garp's grandson?!
Garp's expression turned strange.
He had originally thought Luo Ya was merely a somewhat clever recruit with decent talent. There were countless Marines like that at Headquarters.
But now...
Marines who could awaken Haki on their own were incredibly rare. Could this brat actually be a genius whose talent was no weaker than his grandson's?
Impossible!
His grandson's talent was the strongest!
Aaargh, I'm so angry!
"Come on, Ace!"
Garp cupped his hands around his mouth and shouted, "Ace, if you lose to that brat and disgrace your grandpa, your grandpa will punch you flying!"
"..."
Ace nearly failed to catch his breath.
Damn old man!
Damn it, who wanted to lose?!
Before you continue