https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-352-Even-I-ve-Got-the-Build-of-a-Strong-Man-/13536938/
Chapter 353: Keep Smiling
Chapter 353: Keep Smiling
Ju Geng had also taken up a position here.
However, she was different from Donald. Originally hired as a chef, she immediately impressed everyone by conquering the hearts of countless chefs with her cuisine, earning their admiration and becoming the base’s head chef.
Yet she felt that merely cooking lacked a sense of adventure in the world, so she later approached Lida to obtain a first-class Navy enlistment, juggling dual roles as both head chef and a Navy soldier.
Kuro believed her combat power was wasted if she remained just a chef. Since she expressed interest, Lida readily granted her request.
She didn’t need to attend special training—she prepared meals during mealtimes, and if she wanted to participate in drills, she could simply show up.
As for archery techniques, Kuro had little advice to offer, though he did exchange some acrobatic skills with Lida.
On this day, outside the base’s training ground, a group of Navy recruits sprawled on the ground panting, drenched in sweat, some bruised and battered as if beaten mercilessly.
Klah stood at the center, pushing his glasses up and coldly ordering, “Up. Keep training.”
He had skipped the medal ceremony at Headquarters. Kuro was still technically Commander, and he planned to procrastinate indefinitely—until promoted by default.
As long as I avoid Headquarters, they can’t promote me!
“I—”
One recruit struggled to rise but collapsed halfway, flopping back down.
“Major Klah, you’re too harsh! We’ve really run out of strength!” the Navy pleaded.
This was Klah’s routine training for the Navy recruits, usually handled by Kas. But with Kas absent, Klah took over.
Who else could do it?
Lida?
Forget it.
Kuro?
Pfft.
Kas’s training involved daily self-directed drills—laps, rope climbing, sparring. Klah’s method was simpler: gang up and fight him.
Strength is forged in battle.
Klah himself had risen through relentless hardship, though not against Sazil—it lacked satisfaction. With Kuro and Lida constantly bullying him, this was a rare outlet.
“Out of strength?”
Klah glanced at them, then shook his head at the middle-aged burly man cradling a cross spear nearby. “Fine. Dismissed. Rest. Donald, you’re up.”
“Understood.”
Donald tightened his grip on the cross spear, marching forward.
The remaining recruits gathered to watch.
“New recruit Donald!”
“That Navy as strong as a Monster—he’s fighting too?”
“Against Major Klah?”
“This’ll be exciting!”
“Didn’t they fight recently? They seemed evenly matched, but Klah transformed last time!”
Navy murmured in anticipation.
After joining the Navy, Donald naturally joined training. His Pistol techniques left Pegasus Island’s Navy recruits without rivals. Some initially doubted him, believing prolonged training could surpass him, but after his match with Klah, they abandoned hope.
This new recruit fights like a Monster!
Klah knew Donald’s strength well—his gunplay was ruthless and expansive, complemented by Haki. Though Donald bested him during their last clash on Moe Island, Klah still believed he could win.
During their training ground fight, Klah tasted Donald’s blood and deciphered his fighting style. Now familiar with his techniques, Donald wouldn’t prevail.
As for Donald’s Haki, its quantity and power were mediocre—Klah could handle it easily.
That previous battle—Klah won.
Moreover, recent Zoan-induced physical enhancements helped Klah touch upon Armored Haki. Though minimal, this foothold ensured his future mastery.
“This time, you’re not fighting me,” Klah told Donald. “Ju Geng, Officer, has watched long enough. She wants to try, so your opponent is her.”
“Ju Geng!”
“Ah! Officer Ju Geng will fight?”
“The one who cooks so well and is so beautiful?”
“She smiled at me once when I said something wrong… Such a gentle person!” a Navy sighed.
Ju Geng was immensely popular on Pegasus Island. Besides Navy recruits, she frequently visited the town for shopping, earning warm affection from locals for her perpetual gentle smile.
Actually…
Klah pursed his lips. Ju Geng smiled constantly because she struggled with hearing—almost hallucinating sounds. Worse, people’s words often infuriated her. Frustrated by this, Kuro advised: “When unsure how to respond, just keep smiling.”
So Ju Geng simply smiled… constantly.
“Ju Geng, Officer, it’s your turn.”
Lida lounged nearby, skewering an octopus dumpling with a toothpick.
“I understand.”
Ju Geng’s gentle smile undimmed, she retrieved her Great Bow, slung two quivers of arrows at her waist, and strode forward.
The Navy erupted in cheers at her entrance.
“What a lively scene. This woman sure has popularity.”
On the base’s top floor, Kuro leaned sideways, skewering an octopus dumpling with a toothpick. After a sharp inhale to cool the scalding dumpling, he swallowed it.
“Huh—hot, but delicious.”
Ju Geng entered the arena.
“Will you fight me, Miss Ju Geng?”
Donald tightened his grip on the cross spear, planting the long spear on the ground. “Though you’re a woman, I won’t hold back. My master taught me that’s polite—treat every battle seriously.”
Ju Geng blinked, puzzled. He wants to… nap? And bring a hat?
…Just keep smiling.
Maintaining her smile, Ju Geng bowed. “Please guide me.”
Donald’s expression hardened. He bowed in return. “Please guide me.”
The moment they rose, Donald’s foot screeched—a sharp friction sound as he dashed forward like a hunting leopard, cross spear spinning. His spear tip blazed forward like a star.
“Kong Juan (Empty Scroll)!” Donald roared.
Boom!
The long spear halted, the air exploding with a shockwave.
Yet his target had already vanished.
Ju Geng moved the instant Donald charged, repositioning to the field’s edge. Now, she drew her bow—a full moon curve—loosing an arrow as a whisper-fast blur toward Donald.
“I knew it…”
Above, Kuro chewed another octopus dumpling, muttering, “This woman’s Observation Haki… The West Blue’s spitting out freaks again.”
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
