Chapter 22

"Luosheng! Luosheng!" Binz scattered a handful of seeds and began casting his spell. Thick green vines swiftly reached toward Zakel, who was still resisting.

"A Devil Fruit user! Damn it, don't underestimate me!" Zakel, gripping Karasmu in both hands, gathered his strength and swung. With a powerful strike, he sliced the sturdy vines in half, and they fell lifelessly onto the deck.

"Hmm! The guy's got a nice sword!"

"Heh-heh! It's my main weapon, thanks to which I survive! Go to hell, Marines!"

"Shave!"

Ain instantly teleported to Zakel and lightly tapped him on the shoulder.

Poof! The characteristic sound echoed, indicating that Ain's ability had taken effect. Zakel's figure rapidly shrank, transforming into a young man about twenty years old.

"What did you do to me?!"

Poof! Zakel shrank again, turning into a child, completely losing the ability to resist. Karasuma slipped from his hands and fell onto the deck.

With a hiss, it smoothly embedded into the board.

"Hmm? That's quite a knife! Binz, do you use knives too? How about this one?"

Binz, controlling the vines, had just tied up one of the sailors and turned, looking at Karasuma in Yen's hand, his eyes lit up.

"Let me take a look! Snort! This is the famous Karasuma from the 'Fifty Best Swords!' I didn't expect such a small-time pirate captain to have such a good knife!"

Zakel, now turned into a child, lay on the ground and shouted in frustration, "Don't touch it! Karasuma is mine!" Yen snorted disdainfully, "Shut up, pirate!"

He glanced at Karl, who stood nearby with Master Zephyr on the training ship, and pondered whether Karl would like Karasuma, as he had never seen Karl use a knife!

"Hey, Ain, can I have a look? You know, I'm a swordsman too." Binz licked his lips and pointed at Karasuma in Ain's hand, his face spreading into a sycophantic grin.

"No! It's my trophy. Besides, I'm going to give it to Karl. Do you want to steal Karl's gift?"

Binz was taken aback and muttered in frustration, "He doesn't even use a knife! What a waste!"

Ten minutes later, a burning torch was thrown from the training ship onto the pirates' ship, "Hunting Sword." Flames slowly engulfed the pirate vessel, and the training ship gradually sailed away.

"Master Zeff, there were 47 people on the pirates' ship 'Hunting Sword.' In combat, we killed 17 and captured 30. None of us were injured. Zeff smiled and shook his head, addressing the student who eagerly reported the results: "No, you should report this to your commander."

He pointed to Karl, who stood aside. Karl replied with a loud smile, "No reporting is necessary!"

"Master Zeff and I saw all of your results. You're all the best!"

That was the truth. Normally, the battle from start to finish would last 30 minutes, but he and Zeff just chatted for more than 20 minutes.

Chatting and observing — isn't that seeing everything?

"Karl, thank you, none of us were hurt. This is a trophy I captured. I present it to you on behalf of all your peers as a graduation gift!"

Ain, with a shy smile, handed Karasuma to Karl in its sheath. The young Marines around immediately started to cheer.

"Wow!" "Take it! Karl!

"Yes! Ain's face is red. If you don't take it, she'll fry an egg on your cheek!" Karl grinned, took Karasuma from Ain's hands, and drew it from its sheath.

The little BOY, Zakel, tied up, glared resentfully at Karl and shouted, "That's my knife! Mine!!!"

Unfortunately, no one, neither Karl nor the other recruits, paid any attention to his cries.

"Good knife! Thank you, Ain, thank you, everyone!"

"In 25 days we achieved the ultimate victory. We are all the best!"

The recruits smiled and embraced, celebrating their triumph. Zeff watched with satisfaction. The young Eagles were finally sharpening their wings, preparing to soar. He was happy.

"Karl is right. I have seen all your achievements over the past 25 days. You are all the best marines.

— Now I officially declare that the training of the 24th Marine Corps Training Center is successfully completed!

— Hurrah!!!

Zephyr smiled and waited for them to calm down. Karl, with a keen eye, noticed a micro-expression on Zephyr face and immediately clapped his hands.

— Quiet, everyone! Teacher Zephyr has something to say!

— This guy… — Zephyr muttered to himself and soon smiled.

— Next, we will head to the Marine Corps Headquarters, where you will all be assigned different officers. You will learn, grow, and catch notorious pirates...

— The 24th Marine Corps Training Center is disbanded, but no matter where you are, please always remember that you are the Marines, and you are representatives of justice.

— Set sail! Course — Marineford! —

The recruits collectively saluted Zeff, their voices loud.

— Yes, Master Zeff! —

…

Out at sea, not far off, a small dinghy drifted slowly by.

— Gurururu! —

A tall and stocky, unattractive man with a crescent-shaped white beard bowed his head and said to the short, dwarf woman at his feet: — Mom, I'm so hungry, I want to eat! —

This guy was chubby, had a runny nose, and didn't look very smart. He also held a sword several meters long in his hand.

Miss Buckin impatiently replied: — Eat, eat, eat, all you ever do is eat the entire day! Mom finally saved up some money and bought you food! —

— Ah! Mom, I was wrong, but I'm really hungry! —

— It's still a day's journey to Autumn Island. Be a good son, listen to your mom, and hold on. —

Weevil, with a sad voice, stroked his growling stomach. Out of the corner of his eye, he spotted a marine flag appearing at sea level, and his eyes lit up.

— Ah! Mom, look, there's a big ship! There must be food on it! —

Miss Buckin looked in the direction Weibull pointed. Indeed, it seemed there was a ship. Wait, white?

— Silly son, that's the Marines. Hey, something's off. Why does it look a bit different? Hold on, let mom see. —

Miss buckin, on her short legs, rushed into the cabin, grabbed the spyglass, and laughed scornfully.

— Phew, turns out it's just a training ship! I was scared to death, good son, quickly steer the chopper. There's lots of tasty food on it! —

White steam burst from Weevil nostrils, and without a word, he ran to the helm, steering the chopper toward the training ship, his eyes full of desire.

Desire for food…