With the Doriki Value test over, the Ranking Tournament finally began!
"The first round of the Ranking Tournament is now underway. The top-ranked recruit will face the recruit ranked fiftieth. Please come up to the stage."
The referee took his place on the dueling platform. Without announcing any names, he simply declared the contestants' rankings.
"The top-ranked recruit faces the one ranked last?"
Luo Sa was taken aback. No wonder everyone said rankings were so important.
This was basically making the lower-ranked recruits go through the motions!
Normally, how could the recruit ranked last possibly beat the one ranked first?
Still, this seemingly unfair way of matching contestants was also the fairest.
That way, two powerful recruits wouldn't face each other right at the start and eliminate a recruit with boundless potential!
Luo Sa was ranked first, so he was the first to take the stage.
Just as he'd expected, his opponent was only there to make up the numbers!
His opponent didn't think so, of course. Like most people, he thought Luo Sa's results were fake!
If he could defeat Luo Sa, he'd become the top-ranked contestant in the tournament!
Of course, the ideal was beautiful, but reality was harsh!
The battle ended almost as soon as it began, with Luo Sa completely overpowering his opponent!
All the spectators looked on in disbelief, and one by one they fell silent!
As time passed, the third round soon began!
Drake had a bye this round, while Luo Sa, still ranked first, was once again the first to take the stage.
When he saw his opponent, a strange light suddenly appeared in his eyes!
He'd actually been matched against Sakartam!
"We're finally facing each other again!"
"This time, I won't lose!"
Sakartam's expression turned serious. The moment the match began, he used Soru and shot toward Luo Sa.
"Hmph!"
"You still want to fight?"
"Looks like you've forgotten the lesson you learned last time!"
A savage grin spread across Luo Sa's face as he charged straight at him!
Boom! Boom! Boom!
The two of them traded punches and kicks, both choosing to meet each other head-on!
"Think I'm still the same as last time?"
"I paid a heavy price to get the power I needed to beat you!"
Sakartam narrowed his eyes and stamped down hard, throwing a punch straight at Luo Sa!
It was a very ordinary move, so Luo Sa didn't hesitate to throw a punch of his own!
But just as Luo Sa tried to step forward, his body suddenly lurched to a stop. His left foot, which he'd planted with all his strength, sank as if it had stepped into a swamp!
Boom!
In a flash, Sakartam's fist slammed into Luo Sa and sent him flying!
"Devil Fruit?"
In midair, Luo Sa managed to steady himself before landing awkwardly.
"Heh heh ha ha ha! That's right! The only difference between us was a Devil Fruit!"
"Now I have a Devil Fruit too, so we're starting from the same place!"
Sakartam looked at the slightly battered Luo Sa and grinned triumphantly.
"So that's it. You can control the ground? I wonder if it's a Paramecia or a Logia!"
Luo Sa's expression grew serious, and a white glow began to rise from his body.
Since his opponent had used his Devil Fruit ability first, Luo Sa had no reason to hold back!
"Winged Gull, full beast form!"
Luo Sa transformed in an instant, becoming a bird and soaring into the sky.
"Trying to run?"
"Get down here!"
Suddenly, a shout rang out from behind him.
Luo Sa turned instinctively—and saw Sakartam shoot into the sky and charge straight at him.
Boom!
Luo Sa couldn't react in time. Sakartam struck him in the stomach and sent him flying once again.
"Mud Prison!"
Sakartam grinned triumphantly. Mud began pouring from his body, and then he lunged with his mud-covered form, sweeping Luo Sa up inside it and enclosing him in a prison of mud!
"Ah ha ha ha!"
"It's over, Luo Sa!"
Sakartam's triumphant laughter rang out from inside the prison!
"Get off me!"
Suddenly, Luo Sa's voice rang out, furious and humiliated. The tightly sealed mud prison bulged, as if something inside were about to burst out!
Boom!
The next moment, the mud prison exploded. The mud seemed to have been diluted with water, turning into muddy water that scattered through the air.
Splash!
It rained down across the entire fighting platform like a sudden downpour!
Two mud-covered figures fell with it, crashing heavily to the ground!
"What happened?"
"What's going on?"
The spectators stared in astonishment, craning their necks to see what was happening on the platform.
"How can you control water?"
Sakartam struggled to his feet and looked at the equally battered Luo Sa, his eyes flashing.
"Water?"
"I don't know what you're talking about!"
Luo Sa's gaze sharpened, and his body transformed into a Winged Gull as he shot into the sky!
Just moments ago, the mud had completely bound him, leaving him on the brink of death!
At the crucial moment, he'd gambled on one last move. Fighting through the weakness that gripped his entire body, he'd used Water Gun!
He had managed to use the move, but with his body completely drained of strength, the Water Gun had no power at all. It couldn't even form a proper attack!
Fortunately, the mud prison had been completely sealed, allowing the water to dilute the mud and turn it into flowing sludge!
"Air Slash!"
The Winged Gull flapped its wings, and two Air Blades instantly formed and slashed toward Sakartam below!
Luo Sa had no intention of giving Sakartam even a moment to ask questions!
"Hmph!"
"So you can control the wind?"
"Then..."
"Let's see which is stronger: wind or mud!"
"Mud Wall!"
Sakartam gave a cold snort, and the mud covering his body instantly formed a wall.
Boom!
The blades of wind collided with the wall. An explosion rang out, scattering mud in every direction!
The mud wall shattered, and the blades of wind dissipated at the same time!
But...
Once everything had settled, Sakartam had vanished from the platform!
Luo Sa narrowed his eyes and looked around.
Suddenly, he heard a rush of air behind him. He whipped around and saw a huge ball of mud hurtling toward him!
Boom!
Caught off guard, Luo Sa was struck by the mud ball and plummeted from the sky!
"Got you!"
Suddenly, a voice came from beneath the ground. A figure shot up and lunged viciously toward Luo Sa!
Swallow Return!
Luo Sa's gaze sharpened. His body suddenly accelerated, skimming close to the ground as he shot back into the sky and narrowly dodged the lunging figure!
"This is..."
"A frog?"
Luo Sa's eyes narrowed as he looked at the figure. It was yellowish-brown. What else could it be but a frog?!
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