Chapter 9

"Goodbye, Nurse Monica!" said Karl, smiling at the nurse who was changing his bandage. His heart fluttered slightly. He had just learned that Monica was 27 years old and currently single. More precisely, she was a widow of a military Marine.

Monica's husband was a major at the Navy Headquarters. He was attacked by pirates while on a sea patrol and died under fire. It had been five years since then.

Five years! How many such five-year periods are there in a lifetime? At that moment, Karl vaguely felt a sense of responsibility.

— "It's everyone's duty to care for a military widow!"

— "Oh, horror! You're so energetic, chatting with the nurse despite your wound. It seems your injury isn't that serious!"

A familiar slow voice echoed in the ward, startling Karl. He turned his head to look.

The tall figure of Kizaru leaned lazily against the doorframe, tilting his head and looking at Karl. Although you could barely see Yellow Monkey's eyes, his complex and shifting lips still expressed mockery.

— "General Kizaru?" "When did you arrive?"

Kizaru slowly entered the room, glanced at the bandages on Karl's chest, and said, "I was already here when you were having a heated argument with that girl."

Karl was involuntarily surprised. So, this old man was eavesdropping from outside!

"Hey, General Kizaru, did you come here specifically for me?" Karl asked.

Kizaru pouted and indifferently replied, "How could that be? My lips just got dry recently, and I thought I'd drop by the hospital to buy some lip balm. I just stopped by to see you on the way."

"On the way" — does that mean he was eavesdropping?

"Uh, thank you, General Kizaru, for your concern..."

Then silence reigned in the room. Kizaru didn't speak, and neither did Karl. They simply looked at each other.

"Since you're alright, sorry for disturbing you..." Kizaru pretended to turn to leave, then suddenly turned back with a burning gaze on Karl: "Did you do it on purpose?"

Karl took a deep breath of cold air. How do you know! Could it be a silent understanding between lazybones?

"Hmph, Admiral Kizaru, don't insult innocent people without reason."

"Shh! Stop pretending. I was much more skilled in this little trick than you back in the day. Your injury is too minor, but it's not your fault. Who knew I'd have a monster like Akainu in my class!"

This phrase was loaded with information. Karl quickly realized why Kizaru understood with just one glance that he did it on purpose—because Kizaru had done it before himself, and it was Akainu who had inflicted that injury on him!

"Snort! Worthy companion! When it comes to slacking off at the training camp, I still have a lot to learn from Admiral Kizaru."

Aokiji? Sorry, don't know him!

"Right, you're exactly like I was in my youth. These boring exercises are really pointless!"

Karl curled his lips. How am I "exactly the same"? That's a bit insulting. Look at your chrysanthemum face, and then look at my handsome face. How dare you say that!

"Uh, Admiral Kizaru, what do you mean?" I don't quite understand!

Neither denying nor admitting, just being stubborn.

Kizaru smirked and gave a sinister smile: "Young people today are very intimidating! I won't tell anyone, but your ability is different from mine, so you still need to train your physique."

Then he changed his tone: "But as long as you're ready to become my adjutant, I dare to guarantee that no one will be able to hurt you! How about it? Want to think about it?"

The knife was out!

Karl looked pensive. After thinking it over again and again, he decided to agree with Kizaru, otherwise, this guy would pester him whenever he had time!

"Ah! Since Admiral Kizaru has said so, I can't keep refusing over and over again. Let's do it this way! Admiral Kizaru, when I finish my training and decide where to go, I will definitely choose Admiral Kizaru. You should be calm now, right?"

Kizaru bloomed like a chrysanthemum, the wrinkles on his face glistening. He patted Karl on the shoulder with great satisfaction, turned around, and left, carefully closing the door behind him.

Once Karl was sure that Kizaru had left, he sighed with relief, looked at the dim sky outside the window, and gradually fell asleep.

Three days later, on the seventh day of the Marine Patrol's training camp opening.

"Karl, it's time to get off work." I'm going to get some food! I'll be back later, you should take care of yourself!

Karl feigned dissatisfaction and said, "You're leaving just like that? Are you sure there's nothing else you want to say?"

Saying this, Karl pointed to his cheek. Monica blushed and looked around sneakily. Making sure no one was there, she quickly kissed Karl on the cheek.

Karl grinned, wrapped his arms around Monica's neck, and kissed her on her red lips.

"Oh, I hate this! What if someone sees us? Really!" Monica pushed Karl away, red with embarrassment, and wiped her mouth. The crystal threads in the corner of the ward, the soles of her shoes clicked on the floor, and she quickly ran out of the room.

Karl watched Monica's embarrassed retreat and laughed, wiping the lipstick from the corners of his lips. Over the past three days, even while bedridden, Karl hadn't been idle. His relationship with his personal nurse, Monica, had progressed rapidly.

All thanks to Karl's witty conversations and handsome face, which effortlessly won over Monica, who had been lonely for a long time.

Now that no one was around, Karl could hold hands, kiss on the lips, and sometimes even move to second base.

"Beep, accumulated idle time has reached 8 hours, daily task completed, rewards: 2 attribute enhancement cards of your choice, 1 'Finger Gun' skill card, and 1 'Iron Block' skill card."

"Accumulated idle time for career task [Assault on the Training Camp] has reached 82 hours. Keep up the good work, master!

Karl accumulated rewards over seven days of daily tasks. He now has 14 attribute enhancement cards of his choice, one skill card each for "Iron Block," "Shave," "Finger Gun," and "Storm Strike." The rest are snacks and life days, which can be ignored.

"System, use 9 attribute enhancement cards to strengthen physique."

The remaining 5 enhancement cards are kept in reserve.

The next moment, a faint tearing sound echoed in his ears, and a warm wave passed through his body. His angular muscles grew numb, especially the injured areas that he had deliberately left untreated. The itch was unbearable. Karl felt the wound healing quickly.

"System, check the stats!"

Master: Karl

Age: 24

Physique: E

Perception: F+

Will: E

Special Ability: Silent as a Maiden

Holy Light Fruit: 0.5% (Awakening Progress)

Active Skill: Fragile (available)

After the enhancement, Karl's physique didn't change; it's still at level E. However, he feels that if he uses a few more cards, he can break through to level E+. Karl isn't rushing to enhance perception and will, as physique is the main strength.

Since Karl received the System of Idleness, he has progressed quickly, but compared to the guy next door, he's still a nobody. You know, others his age can take down the Four Emperors and kick generals around.

"Hmm, the great work of idleness isn't complete yet. I still need to keep working! System, use all the skill cards!"

"Beep! It has been detected that the master has learned 'Iron Body' and 'Shave.' The skill cards have automatically been converted to 'Iron Body' and 'Shave' mastery."

As soon as the system finished speaking, Karl felt memories of using "Iron body" and "Shave" flood into his mind, especially "Iron Block." Karl felt like he had become a member of CP9 with overflowing self-confidence. No matter how many attacks come, I'll block them with an "Iron Body. "

Digesting the memories, Karl sighed: "'Iron Body'! You should try not to use it in the future."