Training and Compensation

The next morning, Luo Ya arrived at the new training ground. It was only a little smaller than the one that had burned down. He had to admit, people in the world of the Pirate King knew how to build things.

Annajia and Madalina were already training on the field, working up a sweat.

King Brunen, who was standing nearby, spotted Luo Ya and went over to him.

"Lord Luo Ya, Lady Annajia became our country's retainer yesterday. On her behalf, I'd like to discuss the Osama Kingdom with you."

"Heh, do you have any other inheritance from this Great Swordsman? You're not going to hand over her sword as well, are you?"

"Her sword will certainly stay with my daughter, but I have something else to offer as payment for your help."

As he spoke, King Brunen produced a report. It was about the Osama Kingdom.

It turned out that this country was located along a stretch of the Grand Line near the Calm Belt, and it was an Affiliated Nation of the World Government.

The country practiced slavery. Everyone in the nation was a slave, except for the king, his two ministers, and their families.

The king was a Mythical Zoan Fruit User, though the specific fruit was unknown. The king controlled the lives of the slaves and often sent them to their deaths.

That was why the surrounding countries feared the Osama Kingdom. Whenever a conflict broke out, countless slaves charged into battle without regard for their lives. It was a deeply unfair advantage.

Every year, countless slaves were offered to the Celestial Dragons.

One of the two ministers handled the treasury, and his combat strength was unknown. The other was the kingdom's general and a Zoan Devil Fruit User with the Crocodile Fruit.

Every year, he captured and enslaved countless pirates.

"Heh, now I'm even more curious what you have that could convince me," Luo Ya said, raising an eyebrow.

After reading the report, it was clear that the Osama Kingdom was far stronger than the Sorbet Kingdom.

A country like the Sorbet Kingdom would probably get beaten into the ground. Besides, as an Affiliated Nation of the World Government, Osama could call on the Navy for support.

"A secret realm passed down from ancient times. The previous Great Swordsman's inheritance came from there, too. But we've only explored part of it.

"The methods our country uses to train in physical combat and Haki also came from that place."

Luo Ya's pupils contracted at that. Norberto might not look powerful, but it all depended on who you compared it to.

If you set aside outliers like Luo Ya and Kuma, it could be said to dominate the outer reaches of the Grand Line.

It also had the complete inheritance of a Great Swordsman who had reached at least the Fourth Realm. And the secret realm hadn't even been fully explored yet. Its value was almost unimaginable.

"Of course, Lord Luo Ya, you can take some time to think it over. The secret realm won't open again for at least six months. If you're willing to help Lady Annajia, we can explore it together when the time comes."

"To avenge her master, we'll have to destroy the Osama Kingdom. How many people are you sending?"

"We're both Affiliated Nations of the World Government, so we can't get involved. In fact, Annajia agreed to become our country's retainer on the condition that we ask you to act."

"Heh, fair enough. She's pretty weak, but once she's had time to grow, she'll be more than capable of protecting your little country."

"We'll talk when the secret realm opens. The most important thing now is training your precious princess." Luo Ya lit a cigarette and headed toward Madalina and Annajia, who were eating lunch after training all morning.

Luo Ya was genuinely interested in the secret realm. But if it hadn't been fully explored after all these years, there must have been obstacles preventing them from going further. So if he agreed, he would have to put in considerable effort. And once the secret realm had been fully explored, King Brunen would surely gain the most, since its location couldn't be moved.

As expected of a king, he wouldn't lose out no matter what Luo Ya decided.

If Luo Ya agreed to help him explore the secret realm, great. If he refused, he would still have gained a powerful fighter in Annajia. She was clearly still young, only around thirty.

Her strength was still rising rapidly. Once she reached the New World, she'd be more than capable of holding her own. With a fighter like her on his side, his position on the Grand Line was secure.

When Annajia saw that Brunen and Luo Ya had finished talking, she looked expectantly at King Brunen. The old man spread his hands, signaling that Luo Ya had neither agreed nor refused.

When she learned Luo Ya hadn't agreed, Annajia felt a little downcast. But when she heard he wanted time to think it over, her fighting spirit flared up again!

"Finish eating. Then we start training. I don't care what you do for physical training in the mornings, but you have to lose weight within a month. Otherwise, I'll cut it off myself!"

Madalina's hand trembled as she ate. "Yes, Master! I'm ready. We can start now!"

Luo Ya ignored her and, as usual, tossed Madalina a helmet and a wooden sword. Once she'd put on the helmet, he drew another wooden sword and brought it down on her head.

Before long, the afternoon had passed. Luo Ya had used to curse Dezi for hitting too hard every day, but when he trained someone else, he realized why Dezi enjoyed it.

That afternoon, Luo Ya broke five wooden swords. He beat Madalina until blood seeped from her nose and mouth through her helmet, and her body was covered in bruises.

As evening fell, Luo Ya told Madalina she could rest. After dinner, she rested for a while.

Luo Ya explained the five stages of swordsmanship to Madalina.

"From now on, every night after dinner, you'll practice a thousand downward cuts. Each one should meet the standard of the strike you just made. You don't sleep until you've finished."

With that, he turned and left, leaving the bruised Madalina behind. She clenched her fist and shouted, "I'll work hard, Master!"

After spending the afternoon beating someone, Luo Ya lounged on the sofa, feeling refreshed as he prepared to continue studying the two sword techniques. Then came that familiar knock at the door again.

Knock, knock, knock!

Luo Ya opened the door. It was Annajia again. She wore a specially tailored purple dress and black stockings, which made her look even more mature, alluring, and voluptuous. The dress had a slit that was far too high, exposing a generous stretch of her pale skin.

Annajia stood in the doorway and brushed back her hair. "Luo Ya, I hope you'll agree to my request. After you avenge my master, all the valuables there will be yours."

"Heh, you didn't have a claim to them in the first place. You're asking me to help with something using what's already mine? Did you leave your brains behind somewhere?" Luo Ya scoffed.

"Then tell me what it'll take for you to agree!" Annajia panicked. After drifting across the sea for two years, she'd given up hope of ever getting revenge.

Luo Ya was her last lifeline. She had to hold on to him.

Luo Ya looked Annajia up and down. The nervous woman's legs began to rub together almost unconsciously. Her stockings made a soft rustling sound that set a person's blood racing.

"First, settle the debt you owe me!" As he spoke, Luo Ya pulled Annajia toward him and wrapped his arms around the alluring older woman.

"I don't think I owe you anything."

"I spared your life. Don't you owe me for that?" At Luo Ya's words, Annajia froze.

"Th-then, all right. What do you want?" Luo Ya picked Annajia up and turned toward the bedroom. "Heh, now you belong to me."

Bang!

The door slammed shut.