Survival Trial

After leaving Marine Headquarters, the warship sped across the sea at full throttle.

The journey was smooth, and the warship soon reached the Calm Belt on either side of the Grand Line. It came to a stop in a bay on an island.

It was a medium-sized island. Far away, a mist-shrouded mountain rose at its center.

The island was lush with all kinds of plants. Every so often, the roar of a beast echoed from within, making the Marines tense up.

"This is Monster Island, the site of the first stage of your New Recruit Camp Survival Trial!"

"Take care, kid. Don't get yourself killed!"

Hearing the instructor, the Marines' expressions changed.

By the time Luo Sa's shipload of Marines had disembarked, the instructor in charge of this assessment was already standing at the head of the formation.

The instructor turned out to be Momonga, a Marine Headquarters Vice Admiral. Luo Sa took a few extra glances at him. After all, Momonga was a character from the original story, and immensely powerful!

Luo Sa had made a habit of studying every powerful Marine he encountered. After all, no one knew if they might become an enemy one day!

"Next, I'll briefly explain the Elite Camp Assessment. It's simple, and can be summed up in one sentence: survive!"

"That's right. This Elite Camp Assessment is a Survival Trial. All you have to do is last one week on this island, and you'll pass!"

Momonga began explaining the rules with a grave expression.

"We just have to survive for a week?"

The Marines began to consider their options. In that case, all they had to do was find somewhere safe and stay alive.

If they didn't have to fight, they could avoid a great many dangers!

Momonga looked at the Marines below, their eyes shifting as they pondered the rules. A knowing smile tugged at his lips. Was it really that simple?

Luo Sa happened to notice Momonga's expression and began to suspect there was more to this Survival Trial than met the eye. He couldn't afford to be careless!

"Now, come collect your Distress Flares in numerical order. They're practically a second life, so make sure you keep them safe!"

Momonga waved, and his subordinates brought over a box of Distress Flares to hand out.

"Remember, when you're in danger, set off your flare immediately. If you wait too long and we can't get to you in time, you'll die for nothing!"

"Of course, anyone who uses a Distress Flare will be disqualified. But it's better not to take unnecessary risks than to lose your life!"

After he finished speaking, Momonga stepped aside. He looked at the confident Marines and sighed inwardly. How many would survive this time?

A trial of life and death—something every strong person had to face on the road to power.

Ordinary Marines, of course, would never be put through a Survival Trial like this. But every Marine here had volunteered.

They wanted to join the Elite Camp. They coveted the chance to become strong!

Soon, every Marine had received a Distress Flare, and they set off toward the island's interior.

After all the Marines had left, Momonga returned to the warship.

Inside the warship was an enormous cabin. Screens covered its walls, displaying footage from all over Monster Island.

They had told the Marines to set off their flares if they wanted to survive, but they couldn't simply stand by and watch them face danger.

They monitored everything on the island through the screens. If a Marine ran into danger and could no longer fight back, the rescue team, already on standby, would rush out and bring back these future hopes of the Navy!

In the room, Garp was uncharacteristically alert, watching the screens intently as he searched for Luo Sa.

He had absolute confidence in Luo Sa's strength, but he still couldn't help worrying!

Zephyr stood behind Garp and shook his head helplessly. His gaze swept across the screens, keeping an eye on the Marines.

Although anyone who wanted to enter the Elite Camp had to place in the top three of the Ranking Tournament, Zephyr, as the Elite Camp's head instructor, had the authority to admit promising Marines directly.

They were what people called "hidden gems." Every Marine class had them, so many Marines weren't competing for the Ranking Tournament at all. Their goal was simply to give the best possible performance!

Deep in the forest.

More than thirty recruits had formed a circle, with Luo Sa standing in the middle.

"Hmph, Luo Sa, is it? You made us all wait for you today. Don't you have anything to say for yourself?"

Sakartam crossed his arms and sneered at Luo Sa.

"Hm?"

"So the recruits who rode on the same ship as me today came looking for trouble!"

Luo Sa understood why they were there and slowly shook his head.

"Come at me together. Time is precious, and I don't have time to play with you!"

"You!"

All the Marines were furious. They glared at Luo Sa, each stepping forward.

"Hmph!"

"I can handle you by myself!"

Sakartam snorted and darted forward.

"Is that so?"

Luo Sa's amused voice rang out.

Just as Sakartam's attack was about to hit Luo Sa, Luo Sa's figure abruptly vanished!

Whoosh.

Luo Sa appeared behind Sakartam. Just as his fist was about to reach him, Sakartam abruptly vanished too!

"Hm?"

"This power... Soru?"

Luo Sa narrowed his eyes. A recruit had mastered one of the Marine Six Styles. It seemed Sakartam had good reason to be so arrogant!

"Hmph!"

"Now you see how good I am?"

"Too bad... it's too late!"

Sakartam shouted and darted forward again, his hand forming a blade as he slashed fiercely at Luo Sa!

Boom! Boom! Boom!

Luo Sa met his hand blade with one of his own. The two clashed again and again, like sharpened blades striking each other, each impact ringing out like a thunderclap!

"So strong!"

"They're both so strong!"

The recruits watching from the sidelines looked on in admiration as the two fought barehanded.

"Damn it, how is this transfer student so strong? Looks like a normal fight won't be enough to put him in his place!"

Sakartam's expression darkened. He was getting frustrated after failing to take his opponent down for so long.

Suddenly, his eyes flickered as if he'd made up his mind, and he darted forward once more.

Luo Sa was getting caught up in the fight too. It was the perfect chance to test how much he'd improved lately.

Boom!

Luo Sa threw a punch, intending to meet Sakartam head-on.

Rip!

Suddenly, Luo Sa's expression changed. A chill shot through his fist, and he hurriedly stopped his attack and leaped backward.

Lowering his head, he immediately saw a bead of blood on his knuckle!

Luo Sa's gaze sharpened as he looked at his opponent.

Sakartam had a small knife tucked between his fingers!

If Luo Sa hadn't reacted quickly, he would have suffered far more than a small cut!

"You're asking for death!"

Luo Sa's gaze turned cold. He had thought this was just a bit of roughhousing.

But now that his opponent had drawn a weapon, things had changed!

Whoosh!

Suddenly, Luo Sa's ears twitched. He clearly felt a breeze brush past him from behind.

"Trying to sneak up on me?"

Luo Sa smiled disdainfully and vanished in an instant.

"Monkey, look out!"

Sakartam suddenly shouted in alarm.

Monkey was startled. He had just begun to react when a sharp pain struck him.

The next moment, his body was hurled through the air. He spat out a mouthful of blood, the bright red spray tracing an arc behind him.

"Hm?"

"A Devil Fruit User?"

Luo Sa looked at the figure curled up on the ground and raised an eyebrow.

"Luo Sa!"

Sakartam roared and charged forward, flipping his hand to reveal a gleaming dagger.

"Hmph. You really think I wouldn't dare kill someone?"

Luo Sa snorted. Instead of retreating, he rushed straight at Sakartam.

In that instant, he was more than twice as fast as before and reached Sakartam in a flash.

He shot out his right hand and seized the wrist holding the dagger.

With a sharp twist, the dagger slipped free. Luo Sa caught it in his left hand!

"Hmph. You really think I wouldn't dare kill you?"

Luo Sa pressed the dagger to Sakartam's throat, sneering.

"No, don't! You can't kill me! My uncle is Sakazuki, the Admiral Akainu! You can't kill me!"

Sakartam was finally afraid. Cold sweat slid down his forehead. In Luo Sa's eyes, he saw a murderous fury that bordered on madness!

"Saka...zuki!"

Luo Sa froze, his face darkening.

His hand rose and fell, rose and fell, repeating the motion several times.

He snorted and kicked Sakartam away. Trees in the forest came crashing down one after another.

"It's all because I'm too weak. One day, I'll take my fate firmly into my own hands!"

Determination filled Luo Sa's eyes. He turned and walked deeper into the forest.