Xia Luo's Strength

On the Marine warship.

"Yo, they actually turned around. Are they planning to give up resisting and surrender?"

"Do you think that's possible? If they wanted to surrender, they'd stay put instead of speeding straight toward us. They're clearly up to no good!"

"Good! Not only do the enemy refuse to surrender, they even dare launch a suicidal charge at us. They've got guts!" Colonel Whiteman's eyes widened slightly as anger rose within him.

"Don't stop firing! Keep blasting them! Sink their ship!"

"If they want to board us, they'll have to get close first!"

As an experienced Marine, Colonel Whiteman was never reckless or impulsive. He knew that once the two sides engaged in close-quarters boarding combat, the Marines would inevitably suffer casualties. It would be best if they could sink the Blood Axe Ship before the ships made contact.

A moment later.

The distance between the two sides grew smaller and smaller.

The Blood Axe Ship was large. Even after being struck by cannon fire, it would not sink anytime soon. It continued charging straight at the Marine warship without slowing down.

However, after several rounds of bombardment, the Blood Axe Pirates had suffered heavy casualties. Dozens had been killed, leaving fewer than 240 men.

Although their numbers had fallen by dozens, those who died were merely small fry. The Blood Axe Pirates' main forces remained intact, so their actual fighting strength had not decreased much.

Bang!

Amid a dull crash, the Blood Axe Ship collided with the Marine warship. The Blood Axe Pirates threw out grappling hooks one after another, catching them on the Marine vessel.

"Yehahahaha! I finally caught up to you!"

"Men, charge with me!"

"Blood Axe" Vidal wore a cruel smile as he took the lead and leaped onto the Marine warship's deck.

Ghost Hand was just about to stop him, but he was already too late.

At the sight, Colonel Whiteman snorted coldly. "Hmph! You walked right into the trap!"

Soru!

To Xia Luo's delighted surprise, Colonel Whiteman instantly rushed in front of Blood Axe and sent him flying with a single punch.

"Ah—"

Blood Axe had only just stepped onto the warship when he was knocked back. He had already been sent flying before he could react, managing only a miserable scream.

Swish!

Colonel Whiteman's figure flashed, and he jumped alone onto the Blood Axe Pirates' ship.

Looking at Blood Axe, who had just climbed to his feet in a rather sorry state, he cracked his neck twice and revealed a vicious grin.

"So you're Blood Axe. I heard you like chopping your enemies in half. I wonder if you like being chopped in half yourself."

Casually picking up an axe that had fallen to the ground, Colonel Whiteman strode forward and swung it fiercely at Blood Axe.

The axe wind howled toward him.

Blood Axe raised his axe with all his strength to block the attack, his knees bending slightly as he shouted, "I'll chop you in half right now!"

"I'm afraid you don't have what it takes!"

Colonel Whiteman refused to back down.

In the blink of an eye, the two collided once more.

Xia Luo stood where he was and watched their battle for a moment. He found that although Colonel Whiteman held the upper hand, Blood Axe was no weakling either. Whiteman probably would not be able to defeat him anytime soon.

Next, Xia Luo looked around for a suitable opponent. Before long, his eyes settled on a target: the Blood Axe Pirates' vice captain, "Ghost Hand" Rute, who carried a bounty of thirteen million.

Ghost Hand Rute was quite strong. His opponent at the moment was Lieutenant Commander Kana, the only lieutenant commander on the ship.

Seeing this, Xia Luo gripped his club and strode forward, sending Ghost Hand flying with a single blow.

"Lieutenant Commander Kana, leave him to me. Go deal with the others."

"Xia Luo, don't be ridiculous!"

With his battle suddenly interrupted, Lieutenant Commander Kana was furious. In his eyes, Xia Luo was clearly being arrogant, thinking that coming first among the recruits made him something special and unable to see his own limits.

Brats who could not recognize their own strength died fastest on the battlefield!

But remembering how highly Colonel Whiteman regarded Xia Luo, Kana suppressed his dissatisfaction and said gravely, "Have you already forgotten what the colonel told you? Move aside, now!"

Xia Luo said nothing. Actions spoke louder than words.

Ghost Hand steadied himself and looked at Xia Luo with icy eyes. "Where did this little brat come from? You dare sneak attack me? You're courting death!"

Xia Luo could not be bothered wasting words on him. He swung his club, moving with incredible speed.

"Take this—"

"Thunder Bagua!!!"

As everyone knew, whoever shouted the move first owned it. Never mind how powerful Xia Luo's attack was, whether it had lightning, or whether it was coated in Conqueror's Haki. None of that mattered.

What mattered most was the copyright!

"What Thunder Bagua? You shout it loudly, but it's all flashy nonsense."

Ghost Hand sneered disdainfully. "Brat, where exactly is your thunde—ah!"

Before he could finish speaking, the club smashed brutally into Ghost Hand's face. He let out a scream and flew backward like a rag doll, crashing into the cabin.

"Ah, sorry, what did you say just now? I didn't hear you clearly."

Xia Luo dug at his ear, looking utterly punchable.

After saying that, he turned to Lieutenant Commander Kana with a smile. "Lieutenant Commander, can you leave him to me now?"

Wait, was he seeing things?

What had just gone flying with a whoosh?

Lieutenant Commander Kana stood there in a daze. That speed was so fast that even he had not reacted in time.

Were recruits these days really that terrifying? What freaks!

No, he should say...

Terrifying indeed!

No wonder the colonel valued him so highly. He had specifically brought him along on his very first voyage. He truly was extraordinary.

Seeing this, although Lieutenant Commander Kana was still somewhat worried, he nodded.

"Fine. He's yours, then. Be careful."

Kana quickly joined the other battles, but his eyes kept drifting toward Xia Luo. Xia Luo was the colonel's prized recruit, so he had to keep a close eye on him. If anything happened, he could provide help in time.

But soon, he realized that his concern had been entirely unnecessary.

Ghost Hand staggered out of the cabin, covered in grime and dust. Half his face was a bloody mess of torn flesh, and he looked utterly miserable.

It hurt. It hurt so badly!

He roared furiously, "Brat, you've angered me!"

Despite his words, he had put away his contempt.

If the first strike had been due to his carelessness, then the blow just now had finally made him realize that the brat before him was far from simple and could not be underestimated.

"Oh, you're finally getting serious?"

Seeing Ghost Hand's appearance, Xia Luo smiled happily. Then let you be the one to begin my path of promotion through the Marines!

Swish!

Ghost Hand was extremely fast, especially with his hands, which were as elusive as ghosts.

Moreover, he was accustomed to tearing enemies apart with his bare hands. His style was very similar to Blood Axe's. No wonder the two had ended up together.

"Too slow."

However, Ghost Hand's proudest speed appeared incredibly slow before his opponent. Xia Luo had not only improved his physique; his five senses had improved as well.

Ghost Hand's vision blurred, and Xia Luo vanished from sight.

Then Xia Luo suddenly appeared behind him, swinging his spiked club and smashing it heavily into the back of Ghost Hand's head.

Bang!

With that one blow, Ghost Hand's skull burst like a watermelon. Brain matter sprayed everywhere, red and white splattering across the ground.

"Fuck!"

On the other side, Lieutenant Commander Kana seriously suspected that his eyes were playing tricks on him. Ghost Hand had died after only two moves.