Annajia's Past

After venting his frustrations, Luo Ya lay in his room, gazing at the newly acquired Line-Cutting Void manual with growing delight.

This technique involved condensing and compressing one's sword intent and Haki; the tighter the compression, the more devastating the power.

Furthermore, this method of manipulating sword intent would be immensely beneficial for his Infernal Fire Prison, as both techniques were, at their core, simply different applications of the same sword intent.

Knock, knock, knock! The sound of the door startled Luo Ya. He opened it to find Annajia, who had finished freshening up.

She had traded her long, flowing hair for a sharp, chic bob that gave her a unique charm. She wore a green qipao with a high slit that revealed her long, slender legs, which shimmered with a fair, porcelain luster, while the curves of her chest were nearly bursting from the fabric.

Before Luo Ya could speak, Annajia smiled and said, "Let's go inside and talk."

They entered the room and sat down, and in a departure from her usual demeanor, Annajia sat right up against Luo Ya on the sofa.

Luo Ya raised an eyebrow and wrapped an arm around her slender waist. Annajia stiffened instantly at his touch.

She then draped her arms over his shoulders, letting her ample chest brush against his arm, whether intentionally or not.

Luo Ya was now certain that this woman definitely wanted something from him; otherwise, she wouldn't be displaying such inexplicable enthusiasm.

Perhaps there were people who grew more excited the more they were beaten, but Annajia, a woman capable of mastering Armament Haki in the first half of the Grand Line, was certainly not one of them.

"Speak. What is it?"

With that, Luo Ya pulled Annajia toward him, cradling her in his arms with her back to him. He then began to stroke her body.

Only a fool would refuse a free favor, especially when Annajia was a beauty in every sense, particularly with those long, slender, fair legs.

Luo Ya didn't hold back at all.

"When I was a child, I was sold to the Osama Kingdom by slave traders. I would have lived out my life in a daze until the day I died, but then I met my master. She was from the Flower Country, but after being defeated at sea, she too was sold to the Osama Kingdom.

"Five years ago, she found an opportunity to escape with me. She taught me for three years before passing away from the lingering pain and torture she suffered as a slave.

"For these past two years, I have been honing myself, wanting to go back and destroy that disgusting country. I want to avenge my master!"

Upon hearing Annajia's words, Luo Ya let her go, even though holding this soft-bodied woman was quite pleasant.

"Heh, destroying a country? Why should I help you?" Luo Ya lit a cigarette and stood up to stretch his body.

Luo Ya's actions were always governed by whether he felt like doing something or not. Even though mass killing could restore Ryujin Jakka and boost his strength, he didn't indulge in wanton slaughter.

Beyond the fact that slaughtering masses of ordinary people couldn't compare to taking down a single powerhouse, Luo Ya didn't want to become a madman who only pursued strength.

Ultimately, Luo Ya's ideal was perhaps to enjoy the scenery along the path to becoming stronger; the result wasn't important, the process was what he pursued.

Therefore, while destroying a country was challenging, Luo Ya had absolutely no interest in it. After all, everyone he had killed over the years had either offended him or raised a hand against him.

"I have a lead on a Supreme Grade Sword. I also have the Devil Fruit from the tournament prize as payment."

Luo Ya raised an eyebrow. Supreme Grade Swords had at least passed through the hands of several Great Swordsmen; if he could digest a Supreme Grade Sword, the boost to his strength would be immense.

"If you can actually produce it, I might consider it. A lead? That's worth nothing."

"According to the lead, it can definitely be found! It's just that the location is in the second half of the Grand Line." Seeing Luo Ya's disbelief, Annajia grew anxious.

"Then wait until you've found it before talking to me."

With that, Luo Ya stood up and returned to his bedroom, leaving a pale-faced Annajia standing where she was, staring blankly at his retreating back.

Her lips moved as if she wanted to continue persuading him, but the memory of that world-shattering slash in the training arena kept her from speaking again.

Luo Ya, lying on the bed and continuing to study the training manual, chuckled when he heard the door slam shut.

"Heh, trying to catch a wolf with empty hands."

Although Luo Ya had never heard of this Osama Kingdom, if it could be called a kingdom, it couldn't be weak, or it would have been wiped out by pirates long ago.

Besides, a small island couldn't sustain a nation; if it wasn't even the size of a town, how could it be a kingdom?

The payment was a Devil Fruit and a lead on a Supreme Grade Sword. A "lead" was far too vague, especially for something like a Supreme Grade Sword.

As for the Devil Fruit, Luo Ya had no intention of eating it; he would just collect it. He already had several on the Black Pearl.

One could say that this reward wasn't even as attractive to him as the twins Vitt had found.

Luo Ya had already made up his mind not to get involved in Annajia's mess. As long as she didn't provoke him, he would simply treat her like air.

He needed to properly plan how to train Madalina. It was, after all, his first time teaching a disciple, and he felt a small spark of excitement.

After all, the reward from King Brunen was immensely helpful to him, and given his personality, he was prepared to stay on the island for a while to provide some solid instruction.

At the very least, he had to ensure Madalina could protect herself, though the immediate priority was to help her lose some weight.

Contemplating tomorrow's training plan, Luo Ya drifted off into a hazy sleep.

Meanwhile, Annajia, who had already left, did not return to her room, but instead went to a room to discuss something with King Brunen.

Beside them, Madalina listened with excitement, interjecting with a comment every now and then.