Whispers (Seeking Follow-up Reads!)

Even though the Navy's warships were sunk in batches during every major event.

As the World Government's most powerful enforcement agency, the Navy had stood tall on the seas for over eight hundred years.

Similarly, warships, as the standard vessels of the Navy, had also undergone eight hundred years of iteration and upgrades.

Over eight hundred years, the Navy had experienced all sorts of natural disasters at sea. And warships, through their construction process, had absorbed eight hundred years of accumulated craftsmanship, making their resistance to natural disasters absolutely excellent.

Warships, especially those used by Vice Admirals, were absolutely superior to the sailing ships of ninety-nine percent of Pirate Crews.

Even higher-class warships were something Blackbeard himself desired, offering the uniquely positioned Bonney in exchange.

But unfortunately, the Navy officer who came to negotiate with him was named Sakazuki.

And Blackbeard could only leave in dejection in the end.

As for Louis's current demands, he wasn't asking for much, just a warship standard for a Captain Officer of a Branch would suffice.

In the calm East Sea, a warship capable of housing hundreds of Navy soldiers and Captain Officers was enough to meet all the needs of Louis and the other two during their voyages.

Later on, if they invited more companions during their travels, they would simply switch to a different ship.

It could be a brand new vessel purchased with a large sum of Belly, or a second-hand warship salvaged from the Navy.

Yelena and Uta didn't have any particular opinions upon hearing this. In their view, obtaining a warship was a relatively simple matter.

With the strength of Louis and Yelena, they could almost sweep across the East Sea.

As for why "almost"?

That was because the East Sea would occasionally spawn a Dog Hat Guy.

One day later, in the waters near Asca Island.

Louis and the others did not stop their training because they had set sail. All of them, being in a rapid developmental stage, understood that to become strong, one could never slack off.

This was something even Uta, who had the worst talent in terms of physique, understood. Even without the active invitation from Louis and the other, she gritted her teeth, picked up a lighter One-handed sword, and joined the training.

She had changed into light, sports-appropriate clothing and shorts, her two-colored long hair tied up. On her sweat-drenched face, her purple eyes revealed an extremely serious demeanor.

Just as she had said, she truly wanted to play the role of a qualified companion, reliable like Shanks's companions.

Beside her was Yelena, undergoing ultra-high-intensity training.

After leaving the harsh environment of the plateau, Yelena's appearance had changed from her previous sallow, dry, and rough skin.

Her features were deep-set and exquisite, with soft, clear facial lines. Her skin was like snow, almost flawless.

A pair of red eyes, like perfect rubies inlaid in her sockets, exuded a resolute demeanor.

Beneath the sports vest, her body's curves were gracefully full and undulating, with distinct lines, showcasing feminine softness and elegant charm.

Her smooth, lustrous white hair was tied into a high ponytail, swaying naturally with her strenuous movements.

Yelena felt that due to illness, she had missed a lot of time during her prime for training. To catch up with the top powerhouses of the sea, she had to temper herself with training intensity many times greater than that of ordinary people.

As she moved vigorously, beads of sweat slid down her face, tracing a path along her neck and into the deep curves enveloped by the sports vest.

Her entire body was drenched in sweat, reflecting a golden sheen under the twilight, her perfect body curves faintly visible.

"Hoo... Hah..."

"Heh..."

The intense training left Uta and Yelena panting, their bodies utterly exhausted.

"That's enough for today!"

"We can already see the next island ahead." Louis was the first to stop his training, gently placing the barbell, the size of a small mountain, onto the Island Cloud.

Immediately after, Yelena also put down her barbell, letting out a long sigh.

She tucked the messy white hair from her forehead behind her ears, shaking off the muddy sweat from her hair tips.

"Okay, I'll go prepare dinner for today..."

As the eldest among them, Yelena naturally took on the responsibility of cooking and taking care of the other two.

Louis and Uta had suggested taking turns with these tasks, but Yelena had always refused.

Always gentle, she seemed to enjoy taking care of Louis and Uta, finding a special pleasure in it.

Louis didn't understand this, but he eventually accepted it.

Louis watched her retreating back, her white ponytail swaying, and then conjured a ball of golden light in his palm, sending it towards Yelena's back.

Instantly, a faint light enveloped her, rapidly washing away her fatigue.

Yelena paused, then turned her head, smiling at Louis and saying, "You go wash up first, dinner is almost ready."

Louis nodded, "Okay!"

Then, Uta also stopped her training, collapsing onto the Island Cloud without any regard for her appearance.

Her clothes were soaked with sweat, her hair disheveled, and her eyes filled with exhaustion.

Louis shook his head, stepped forward, and gently helped her up. He then slowly infused a mass of Life Energy into her body, healing the wear and tear from training and most of her fatigue.

Uta felt as if she were soaking in a hot spring, her whole body warm and gradually becoming relaxed.

Fully revived, a charming smile reappeared on her face. "Thanks, Louis!"

With that, she walked into Cloud Cave with light, brisk steps, humming an unknown little tune, ready to wash away the sweat from her body.

As for Louis, after the two entered Cloud Cave, he slowly approached the edge of Abonte Heim.

He quietly gazed into the distance, at the island that was continuously enlarging in his line of sight.

"An ominous aura, very dense..." A flicker of confusion flashed in Louis's eyes. He whispered in the wind, "What in the world is this..."

Within Louis's Observation Haki, deep within the distant island, something was emitting a scarlet glow, and faint murmurs could be heard intermittently.

"Come here..."

"Hold me in your palm... I'll give you... infinite power..."

"Give me power?" Louis scoffed at this. "It's more like you're begging me for power!"

If it had infinite power, why would it need Louis to hold it in his palm? Couldn't it just slaughter everything on its own?

Louis felt that such powerless temptations could at most tempt those with weak wills or those pushed into a corner.

Just then, Uta's shout echoed from the depths of Cloud Cave, "Louis, it's time for dinner!"

Louis took a deep look at the approaching island before turning to leave.

This series of murmurs led Louis to make a guess about that thing.

In this world, there was only one kind of thing that emitted an ominous aura and could bewitch people's hearts.

"A Cursed Blade!"