Joining the Marines

The next day, on the deck of the Dog Head Warship, Luo Sa stood face-to-face with a Marine.

"Luo Sa, Kato here is the weakest rookie on our ship. If you can beat him, I'll agree to let you join the Marines!" Garp said loudly and casually from the side.

Bogard, Garp's adjutant, heard him and his expression changed. He leaned toward Garp and said cautiously, "Vice Admiral Garp, the Marines have a rule that no one under fourteen can enlist. Luo Sa seems a little too young!"

"What nonsense about age? If that old bastard Sengoku comes looking for trouble, I'll take Luo Sa to the New Recruit Camp. Luo Sa can sweep all those little brats there, and then we'll see what he has to say!" Garp snorted, brimming with confidence.

Cold sweat appeared on Bogard's forehead. He said nothing more, leaving Marshal Sengoku to deal with the headache!

"Grandpa, am I making things difficult for you?" Luo Sa asked apologetically.

"Not at all, not at all!"

A smile appeared on Garp's face, and he waved his hand repeatedly.

Garp felt a constant sense of guilt toward Luo Sa now, and wanted to do everything he could to make it up to him.

As long as it wasn't something heinous, he could agree to anything Luo Sa asked. And now, Luo Sa only wanted to join the Marines!

"If only Ace and Luffy could learn more from Luo Sa!"

Garp couldn't help thinking of the two brothers in Foosha Village who kept shouting about becoming pirates. He sighed helplessly.

After Garp gave his approval, Luo Sa breathed a sigh of relief and looked toward the Marine, Kato, standing across from him.

From the way Kato had just removed the sword at his waist, Luo Sa could tell he was probably a swordsman. Now that he had even put his sword aside, there was no reason for Luo Sa to lose!

"Here I come!"

Luo Sa cried out, transforming into his Winged Gull Half-Beastman form in a flash of white light.

With his arms transformed into wings stretched behind him, Luo Sa pushed off the deck and shot forward like a cannonball.

With the Winged Gull's 85-point speed boost, his speed had reached an astonishing level!

"So fast!"

Even the Marines watching cried out in surprise. Most of them probably couldn't match that speed!

"What a shame. As a swordsman, Kato is exceptionally skilled at Soru!"

Some of the Marines who knew Kato sneered.

Sure enough, after seeing Luo Sa's speed, Kato used Soru and overtook him in an instant!

Boom, boom, boom!

The two figures became streaks of light on the deck, crashing into each other at high speed.

Only after one final explosive impact did they retreat to opposite sides of the deck. Both regarded their opponent with a measure of caution.

"Why don't you fly? You'd be much faster in the air, wouldn't you?" Kato smiled.

"Then why don't you pick up your sword?"

Kato was taken aback, then burst into laughter. "Sorry. I apologize for underestimating you earlier. Now, I'm going to get serious!"

"Just what I wanted!"

Luo Sa let out another low cry and charged at Kato.

The two continued to clash, fighting evenly.

"Phew, phew, phew!"

They separated once more, both panting heavily. Their stamina had rapidly dwindled during the high-speed fight.

"I'll settle this with one last move. Be careful!"

As he spoke, Luo Sa's wings were suddenly surrounded by white light, glowing brilliantly.

"Mm!"

Kato's expression turned serious. He planted his feet and raised both arms in front of his chest, seeming ready to take Luo Sa's attack head-on!

"Hahaha, what a thrill! Here I come—Wing Chop!"

Luo Sa summoned all the Flying Attribute energy within him and concentrated it in his wings. Then he charged toward Kato at top speed.

"Bring it on! Tekkai!"

Kato roared too, his eyes shining as he watched Luo Sa rush toward him.

Boom!

At last, under the tense gazes of everyone present, Luo Sa's wings crossed before his chest and slammed into Kato, who had used Tekkai.

After a brief stalemate, Kato was sent flying under everyone's astonished gaze. He crashed hard onto the deck behind him.

"I lost!"

Kato got to his feet with some difficulty and smiled at Luo Sa.

Luo Sa merely gave him a faint smile, then slowly shook his head. "Actually, I should be the one who lost."

He wasn't saying this out of modesty. He knew he really wasn't Kato's match.

During the fight, Kato had given up his sword, while Luo Sa had given up his aerial advantage. On the surface, it seemed perfectly fair.

But Luo Sa knew that when a swordsman set aside his sword, his strength fell countless times over. A swordsman with a sword and one without were practically two different people!

It looked as though he had given up his advantage in the air, but he knew he had no ranged attacks there. At most, he could make use of the speed of a dive. That small advantage was nothing compared to Kato wielding his sword.

What's more, in their final clash, Kato had used Tekkai, a technique he wasn't particularly good at.

If Kato had had his sword, he would definitely have met Luo Sa's attack with it. Since Luo Sa had only won by a hair, he would certainly have been the one sent flying!

Kato was taken aback, and his smile grew even wider. This guy was quite likable!

The other Marines smiled too, clearly pleased with Luo Sa's conduct.

If Luo Sa had acted smug after defeating Kato, they would have looked down on him instead!

"All right, Luo Sa, there's no need to be modest. You should know that Kato's called the weakest because he didn't have his sword. If he picked it up, he'd definitely be one of the strongest among us!"

Garp walked over and smiled as he patted Luo Sa on the shoulder. The more he looked at this grandson of his, the more he liked him!

Luo Sa's eyes lit up, and he hurriedly asked, "Then can I join the Marines?"

"Hahaha, of course! The Marines welcome you!" Garp burst into hearty laughter.

This time, his adjutant Bogard had nothing more to say. Luo Sa had proven himself in battle, and he was only ten years old!

For someone that young to have this kind of strength—why shouldn't the Marines make an exception for him?

"Bogard, do you have any questions now?" Garp asked smugly, eager to show off.

Bogard quickly said he had none. Garp was very satisfied, and even more pleased with Luo Sa!

"Hmph, that old Sengoku keeps saying I'm no good at raising kids. Now I'll take Luo Sa back and see what he has to say!" Garp laughed triumphantly.

Only, he didn't notice the change in Luo Sa's expression beside him, or the apology that crossed his face.

Luo Sa was a Celestial Dragon's slave. He couldn't stay in the Marines forever.

Which meant...

Garp was probably going to get scolded for his parenting for the rest of his life!