[T/N: Hey everyone! đ Just a quick heads-up: My chapter releases will be a little less clockwork-precise for some days. đ Chapters will still be dropping daily, but the exact time might vary. Think of it as a surprise present every day! đ Happy Reading! đ
âĄď¸ patreon.com/Boundless_Beacon]
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As time passed, the warship drew closer and closer to the 153rd Branch.
"Where's Ensign Roya?"
"The Ensign is in the training room."
Fullbody came to the training room. Through the window, he could see Ensign Roya repeatedly pushing a massive barbell, sweat constantly dripping onto the floor, even forming puddles.
"One ton!"
Looking at the weight of the barbell plates, Fullbody swallowed hard. But his surprise had only just begun.
"It's that kid!"
The Pirate Hunter Zoro was also lifting a barbell of the same weight, his training intensity no less than Ensign Roya's.
Are these two monsters?
After who knows how long, the two finally stopped lifting the barbells. After downing large cups of water, they sat down cross-legged at the same time.
"Huh?"
Were they doing Zen Meditation?
They transitioned from strenuous exercise to complete stillness in an instant.
Fullbody couldn't understand it.
But as he watched their rapidly heaving chests gradually calm, their breathing become steady, and their complexions grow more and more sereneâŚ
He decided they were probably engaged in some kind of special training.
I really want to join!
Jango had arrived at his side unnoticed.
"Shall we go in together?"
"Okay!"
The two moved cautiously, trying their best not to make a sound, afraid of disturbing the two. However, Fullbody accidentally kicked a dumbbell.
"Clang clang~"
The dumbbell rolled, making a loud noise.
However, the two meditating weren't affected in the slightest.
Fullbody and Jango breathed a sigh of relief and headed towards the weight area. They wanted to become stronger too, to keep up with Ensign Roya.
Although Ensign Roya didn't ask anything of them, they couldn't stand themselves if they didn't do something, after watching Ensign Roya train so hard every day.
"Creak~"
Isca also arrived at the training room, wearing a set of trim sportswear, looking like she was also there for physical training.
Others also wanted to get stronger.
----
Half an hour later, Roya opened his eyes.
"Huh."
Looking at Fullbody and the others silently training, Roya was a little surprised. After nodding slightly, he went to the equipment rack and picked up the barbell plates.
Each barbell plate was 100 kilograms.
He took ten plates, exactly one ton, and strung them together on a barbell bar to use as a sword for training.
"Haa!"
Roya swung the barbell sword with all his might. The weight of one ton, combined with the inertia of the swing, almost made him lose his grip.
Awesome!
"Bang!!!"
The ground suddenly shook.
Roya turned his head to look and saw that Zoro had also fashioned a barbell sword of the same weight, but he lost control during a swing, and the tip slammed into the ground.
The boy, his face darkened, struggled to lift the barbell sword, completely ignoring the option of reducing the weight, and instead swung it with difficulty.
He doesn't want to lose!
Roya admired him.
In terms of raw strength, he was a little stronger than Zoro, but Zoro was only 15 years old, the fastest stage of physical growth. It probably wouldn't be long before he caught up.
His talent was much stronger than his.
Moreover, this kid trained without any regard for his body, and his progress was also ridiculously fast, giving him the feeling that he would be overtaken if he wasn't careful.
Roya felt immense pressure.
"If I'm short on talent, I'll make up for it with sweat!"
Pressure was also motivation!
Before, he had no rivals. The Marines around him treated training with a "that's good enough" attitude.
He could shake them off in the blink of an eye.
This led to him becoming a bit arrogant, unable to recognize his own limitations. Only when a true talent-and-effort type of person appeared beside him did he realize his own laziness.
How many true powerhouses aren't working hard!
He was progressing quickly, but only because he had more time to train. Compared to true monsters, his progress was insignificant.
I must keep this kid by my side!
"Haa!"
Training, and more training!
In just a few days, the atmosphere on the warship had changed. The originally somewhat lazy Marines were now full of energy, pumping iron whenever they had free time.
The Captain is the soul of a warship, and their leadership influences its entire atmosphere, even within the Marines.
----
Three days later, the warship arrived at Shells Town.
153rd Branch, Colonel's Office.
Roya arrived with his two adjutants, as well as Isca.
"Colonel Rhodes, mission successfully completed!"
"Well done!"
Colonel Rhodes was full of joy.
This time, Roya had once again made a big splash, not only completing the cleanup mission perfectly, but also eliminating the Buggy Pirates.
He was bringing glory to the 153rd Branch!
Rhodes picked up the latest newspaper and handed it to Roya with a smile, "Take a look, you're a big shot now!"
"This isâŚ"
Roya flipped through the newspaper, his vision darkening.
[Schemer]Roya!
The newspaper published a detailed account of the Moon Island battle, describing how the Marines, under his leadership, used treasure to lure pirates and gradually annihilated more than a dozen pirate crews, large and small.
Following [Black Hair], they gave him another title of [Schemer], lavishing praise on his unparalleled wisdom, making him seem like the smartest Marine Lieutenant in East Blue.
Roya knew that his name would soon be known by Marines in every branch of East Blue, and by pirates, too.
Truly famous throughout East Blue!
But why "Schemer"!
Was this a compliment?
Couldn't it be a title like [Wise General] or [God of War]!
"Hehe."
Roya silently put down the newspaper, sat on the sofa, poured himself a cup of tea, and took a comfortable sip.
Colonel Rhodes was handing over official business with Isca. Having completed the cleanup mission, Isca would also be returning to the 32nd Branch.
After the Colonel finished his work, Roya put down his teacup and asked, "Colonel, after being busy for so long, and with the New Year coming up, I should be able to take a vacation, right?"
It wasn't that he wanted to rest, but that there were things he wanted to do. Since becoming a full-fledged Marine, he had been running around constantly.
He wanted to take advantage of the New Year to settle down, taking Zoro under his wing to focus on cultivation. In addition to exploring Haki, the more important thing was to train his Physique.
Physique was the foundation of everything!
He had never forgotten this. After meeting Zoro, he felt it even more deeply. That kid was ridiculously strong even with his haphazard training.
According to that kid's own words, he used large rocks weighing over two hundred pounds as dumbbells when he was ten years old.
Roya had to admit, he was jealous.
Damn it, so what if you're gifted!
"You don't have time for a vacation."
Unexpectedly, Colonel Rhodes didn't grant Roya's vacation request, but instead had a mission for Roya.
Roya immediately wore a bitter face.
"Colonel, that's not fair, is it?"
"Don't worry, it's a good job!"
Rhodes chuckled and took out a large gift box, filled with delicious snacks like "Senbei".
"Next, you'll go to Windmill Village in the Goa Kingdom to visit Vice Admiral Garp on behalf of the 153rd Branch."
"Garp?"
Roya's spirits lifted.
"Colonel, do you know Hero Garp?"
"Of course, I know him."
Colonel Rhodes's mouth turned up, and he explained with a rather proud expression, "Mr. Garp was also a Marine of the 153rd Branch when he first joined the Marines. When I first joined the Marines, Vice Admiral Garp even gave us guidance, so do you think I know him or not?"
"Damn!"
Roya couldn't help but swear.
He really didn't expect that Garp and the 153rd Branch had such a relationship.
He almost forgot that Garp was also from a commoner background. If he wanted to join the Marines, the most likely option would be to go to the nearest 153rd Branch.
"You're a Marine Lieutenant now, so speak less rudely in the future!"
Rhodes reprimanded him in annoyance, then explained with a smile, "Vice Admiral Garp returns to East Blue every year or two. His hometown is Windmill Village in the Goa Kingdom. He just happened to come back this year. You have to be honest when you get there, and don't cause any trouble."
"Understood!"
Roya nodded excitedly.
"Colonel, I love you to death!"
"Get out!"