The stone smashed onto the ground, causing a loud noise while stirring up a cloud of dust.
As the commotion settled slightly, what entered the ears was a series of continuous, heavy panting sounds.
Both of them were now lying on their backs on the ground in a spread-eagle position, motionless like dead dogs.
Only their chests were heaving violently and continuously.
"Huff... huff..."
After adjusting his breathing, Kyle spoke up:
"Lu... Luffy, next time if you can't hold on, you don't have to force it. No need to push yourself too hard. Losing to me isn't shameful."
"I... I don't want to. As for you, Kyle, carrying such a big stone couldn't have been easy, right. Should've just laid down earlier. Losing to the future Marine King isn't shameful for you either."
Luffy shot back without backing down.
What a joke, he was a man determined to become the Marine King. How could he tolerate being inferior to others.
Although Kyle's current physique and strength were more than a tier above his.
But he would not admit defeat. In terms of raw strength, he temporarily couldn't match Kyle, but in terms of willpower, he absolutely could not lose.
The Marine King could only be him.
"Hah. You little brat."
Kyle laughed, laughing very happily.
One could only say, as expected of Monkey D. Luffy. Once he sets his mind on something, the willpower and determination he shows are indeed far beyond ordinary people.
"Luffy, do you remember what we're supposed to do today."
Kyle suddenly asked.
"Huh. What are we supposed to do."
Luffy's tone carried confusion.
These past few days, aside from training, it was still training. How could he remember if there was anything else to do.
"Today is the last day of the one-week agreement you made with your grandpa."
"Shouldn't you go and show him the results of your past week."
Upon hearing this, Luffy's eyes immediately lit up.
Go. Definitely go.
Not only would he go, he would go with an air of grandeur.
If possible, he even wanted to sit on his grandpa's face, point at his nose and say.
"Old codger, look at what kind of training method you used before."
"Not having enough to eat or wear warm clothes was bad enough, but also being chased by hungry wolves, occasionally experiencing free fall."
"Most crucially, the improvement in the end wasn't even particularly noticeable."
During this past week, Luffy could clearly feel that his strength had improved significantly.
It was definitely a bigger improvement than what he gained following Garp for a week before, much bigger.
And he ate his fill, wore warm clothes, didn't get chased by hungry wolves, didn't experience free fall. The only thing was it was a bit more strenuous.
But Luffy didn't find this hardship particularly unbearable. With Kyle training alongside him, getting stronger together.
After training, the two of them often caused trouble at Marine Headquarters. Helped others. With Kyle's company, Luffy only felt happiness, no longer like before where he was often alone and lonely.
Therefore, no matter what, he would not follow Garp again. He wanted to stay here, stay in the Elite Training Camp.
He wanted to become the Marine King.
"In that case, let's go find your grandpa now."
Saying this, Kyle performed a kip-up and jumped up from the ground.
Not only was his physique strong, his recovery ability was also not weak.
Although he had only rested for a short while, he had already recovered some strength.
And besides, the main character next wasn't him. He was just going to watch the show, he didn't need to act.
But before Luffy could get up, an angry roar came from not far away.
"No need to come find me, I came to find the two of you."
Hearing this voice, Luffy, lying on the ground, jolted. He immediately looked towards the direction the sound came from.
He saw Garp walking towards them from not far away, but his expression wasn't very good, or rather, it was very bad, as black as charcoal.
"Gr... grandpa."
Luffy's voice carried a slight tremble.
Before seeing Garp, he had fantasized countless times about how tough he would be when he saw Garp again. But now that Garp was truly before his eyes, the fear of Garp ingrained in his bones still affected him.
At that moment, a figure stood between Luffy and Garp, blocking their line of sight with his own body.
A calm voice was heard.
"Luffy. Didn't you say you want to become the Marine King. A child who is afraid of his grandpa isn't qualified to become the Marine King."
"After all, your grandpa is just a Vice Admiral. If you become the Marine King, you'll be his direct superior. It would be him fearing you, not you fearing him, understand."
"Even if you haven't become the Marine King yet, as the future Marine King, how can you fear a mere Vice Admiral."
Kyle employed his PUA encouragement method, leaving Luffy momentarily stunned, but the light in his eyes grew brighter and brighter.
Right.
He was a man who would become the Marine King. How could he fear his grandpa. Where would he put his face if word got out.
Thinking of this, Luffy immediately scrambled up from the ground, ran in front of Kyle, and fearlessly met the gaze of Garp ahead.
Although the fear in his eyes hadn't completely dissipated, it was almost invisible.
Seeing this, the corner of Kyle's mouth turned up slightly.
That's right. What is there to fear.
He had a clear understanding of his own position. He was definitely not someone who would stay quiet and obedient.
Inevitably, he would certainly cause some trouble.
So he needed to find someone to join him.
Partners in crime. When two people do mischief together, they are definitely bolder than when alone.
If something happened, there would be someone to share the burden with later.
Luffy was naturally the person he chose.
Then he naturally had to help Luffy overcome his fear of Garp. Otherwise, if something happened and after Garp said a few words, Luffy sold him out, what then.
He didn't want a betrayal situation like that happening to him.
Just as Kyle was about to see how Luffy would retort Garp, what Luffy said next made his heart jump with fright.
"Old codger, what are you shouting for. We didn't come find you, yet you dare come find us. Who gave you the nerve. Who gave you the right."
"A pig's nose stuck with scallions, trying to look like an elephant, huh. Who are you putting on that ugly face for. Do we owe you."
The childish voice came from Luffy's mouth, causing everyone present to freeze on the spot.
Especially Garp, who looked utterly incredulous, his eyes wide open.
Was this his grandson. Since when was his grandson's verbal attack power this strong.
Behind Luffy, Kyle's expression also stiffened slightly. Why did Luffy's words feel vaguely familiar to him.
"Ahem."
Kyle gave a tactical cough, and whispered to Luffy.
"Luffy, well done, but."
Before Kyle could finish, Luffy continued.
"Speak up. Are you mute."
"Are all Marine Vice Admirals like you, grandpa. If so, I really don't know how to lead you bunch of rabble after I become the Marine King."
After saying this, Luffy turned his head to look at Kyle, showing a mouthful of white teeth, smiling as he sought praise from Kyle.
"How about it, Kyle. Am I right."
Kyle: (⊙o⊙)...