Chapter 21

The "Hunter's Fang" pirates, under a barrage of fire, approached the training ship, which was already noticeably listing.

"You vile Marines, how dare you fire a volley?" roared Zaker, watching the shells whistling overhead. If he knew how to perform the "Moon Step," he would have already attacked the training ship directly, but unfortunately, he lacked that skill. Worse still, as a swordsman, he wasn't at the level where he could easily slash through incoming blows.

So, when faced with the training ship's fire, he and his deputy, along with selected fighters, could only break the shells at the ship's bow to minimize hull damage.

"Hurry up! If I don't kill all these vile Marines today, I'm not a man!" the captain growled.

"Captain, if you speed up, you won't have time to stop the ship, and you'll collide with the warship!"

Zaker's eyes flashed with a fierce light, and he yelled viciously, "Then let's collide. At worst, the ship will be lost, but these Marines won't catch us so easily!"

The training ship.

Ain anxiously watched the rapidly approaching "kamikaze ship" and turned to Karl, saying, "It looks like they're speeding up again. If this continues, their ship will crash right into us."

"Ha-ha, naive, do you think I don't see this little trick?" Karl laughed, giving orders. The training ship swiftly circled the pirate ship, bombarding it with artillery fire while taking advantage of the ship's superior capabilities.

Zephyr , observing the battle from the sidelines, nodded his head repeatedly. Karl truly deserved the title of a veteran with ten years of service. He was very experienced in naval combat and possessed the demeanor of a true commander.

It seems that soon we will witness Karl gradually advancing in his career, and his appointment to the post of Admiral is just a matter of time.

Zephyr even felt that with his abilities, Karl might become a Marines. After all, the Holy Light, which can quickly enhance strength and heal injuries, is far more practical than the "chicken broth" that Sengoku shouts about.

"Karl, are we going to defeat them only with artillery fire? Isn't that a bit..." Binz inwardly felt that attacking the pirates in this manner was somewhat heartless, but he didn't voice it out loud. It simply felt like something was missing to him.

After all, they had already been illuminated by the Holy Light, yet they were just standing on the ship and firing cannons?

"Yes,... Karl, how about engaging in a fight with this group of pirates? We're tired of them already!" The recruits, observing the weakening resistance of the "Hunter's Fang" pirates, were eager to engage in combat.

Instead of just blasting the enemy ship and then picking off the pirates one by one in the sea.

"Seriously?" Karl was in shock. Guys, after defeating the pirates easily and comfortably, you want to risk your lives to fight them in real life? Do you have a system, or do I have a system?

"Yes, please, Karl, just this once, let us try! It's our only training!"

Are you teaching me how to do things?

Karl frowned, feeling somewhat displeased. These recruits seemed to be getting a bit full of themselves. Although he understood that these pirates weren't much of a threat and allowing them to fight wouldn't be a big problem, such an attitude didn't bode well.

Especially since he didn't know when Weevill would decide to reveal his hand. If they had the same mentality at that critical moment, they would definitely suffer.

At this moment, Zephyr approached with his hands behind his back and a cold stare. He had witnessed what just occurred, and his blood pressure was rising.

"What are you doing? Karl is the commander, and you're questioning his orders?"

"There are so many pirates in the world, go and kill them! Do you have the capabilities? I see everything is upside down with you!"

"… Karl's approach is correct and rational, and a commander should act this way."

After scolding the recruits and making them hang their heads low, Zephyr suddenly pointed at Karl. Karl's eyes widened. Could this affect me too? Wow, wow.

"You all know Karl's strength. He can single-handedly annihilate this group of pirates. Why can he resist the desire to attack and allow you to fight the pirates together?"

"Isn't this his only internship?"

Zef's words left the recruits speechless and plunged them into gloom. In secret, they started to resent Karl, but then they pondered.

Master Zephyr is right! Karl could have immediately killed all the pirates, but he chose to give them a boost and let them all participate so they would have a full sense of involvement. He's truly... crying us to death.

To sacrifice his internship experience to help those who aren't as strong as him — what spirit is this?

Self-sacrifice! Karl must be like this!

The recruits, having come to their senses, looked at Karl with tender expressions, and those who were more emotional even had tears in their eyes.

Karl: What's happening?

I keep feeling their eyes are a bit strange, as if I did something extraordinary, but I think that's a bit impossible.

I've spent more time in the bathroom during this internship than battling pirates. How can I touch the souls of these recruits?

"Hmph, they'll know!"

Seeing that the recruits finally understood the sacrifices Karl made for this mission, Zephyr nodded and approached Karl: "Satisfy their wishes! These pirates have no fighting spirit left."

Zephyr still understood the principle of "giving a sweet peach after a flick on the nose."

The goal of such behavior is to pave the way for Karl. Look at the eyes of these recruits! When Karl competes for the position of vice admiral or even admiral in the future, will they become his supporters?

Karl also understood Zef's intentions at this moment, and the image of Zephyr in his eyes instantly became lofty and majestic.

"Everyone! Prepare for boarding combat!"

The present recruits were startled, then enthusiastically shouted!

"Ooohh! Long live Karl! Long live Karl!!!"

"Bang-bang-bang-"

Claws firmly gripped the damaged hull of the "Hunter's Fang" pirate ship, and the marines charged towards the "Hunter's Fang" pirate ship along sturdy ropes.

"Go to hell, pirates! The marines will prevail!"

The "Hunter's Fang" pirate ship was instantly engulfed in battle. The pirates of the "Hunter's Fang," long exhausted by Karl and unable to resist, retreated step by step. Some perished, some were injured, and some surrendered. It seems the battle will soon be over.

Zephyr and Karl stood side by side on the training ship, arms crossed, watching the battle unfold.

"Heh-heh-heh~ These young guys are really full of energy!"

Karl shook his head helplessly: "The bounty on the head of the 'Hunter's Fang' pirate captain is barely over 20 million. Pirates like these in the Four Seas wouldn't even make the top ranks on the Grand Line."

"That's true, but this is just training. I can't let you go after pirate groups with bounties in the hundreds of millions, can I?"

"Master Zephyr , do you think we're students from the first training school?"

Zephyr was taken aback, then smiled at Karl, everything becoming clear.

If you want to read more advanced chapters follow me on patreon

30+chapters

patron.com /Manofathousandskills

( for people using ios, pay through using your browser safari, that way you won't be subject to apples 30% processing fee)