ing for suitable stallions at sea;Red Hair is still an intern, Buggy hasn't become king yet, and Luffy hasn't even been born...In this era, there is no balance of power in the New World with the Four...Bright sunlight streamed in through the glass windows, dappled shadows of trees falling on the walls, creating a tranquil and leisurely atmosphere.

Darren opened his eyes and woke up from the bed.

The room wasn't very big, but it was very clean.

He slowly sat up, habitually checking his condition.

As that precise bodily awareness unfolded, one's own "personal attribute panel" also became apparent.

Physique: 65.131

Strength: 63.135

Speed: 63.591

Fruit: 74.167

Compared to last time, all data have shown a significant increase.

The most obvious increase was in physique. Roger's near-fatal "Divine Dodge" really paid off, and his physique increased by at least 2 points.

As for the other three data, strength, speed, and fruitfulness, all have increased by a bit more.

It's hard to imagine, this is just the improvement brought by a single battle.

Darren secretly estimated that if he used the same cultivation method he had in the North Sea, even if he pushed the training intensity to the limit his body could bear, it would take at least three months to achieve the same effect.

And this was merely a fleeting moment of combat.

But that's also quite reasonable.

One hundred simulations can't replace a single real experience.

That feeling of adrenaline surging between life and death, that feeling of every cell, every muscle, and every nerve being pushed to the limit, a suffocating sense of pressure... it's something that regular cultivation simply can't create.

Only by fighting with the strong can one fully stimulate their physical potential and break through limits.

"If only I could come again..."

Thinking this through, Darren's mind raced. He muttered to himself but quickly stifled a laugh.

A single blow almost took his life. He'd survived purely by luck, and that was considering Roger hadn't gone all out.

If it were a real fight, there's no way I could have survived against Roger.

A blade that even the gods and demons would have to retreat from...

Darren unconsciously clenched his fists.

Phew...

After a few seconds, he let out a long sigh and got up to wash.

After the training camp's duel, they had about three days of free time as trainees of the training camp.

On the one hand, injuries are inevitable in a fighting competition and require treatment and rest. On the other hand, this provides these students from all over the world with ample time to familiarize themselves with the environment and customs of Marin Vando.

After a quick wash, Darren donned his navy military coat and stepped out the door.

Fallen leaves drifted in the courtyard, and unconsciously, the breath of late autumn had arrived. Even the leaves were tinged with a faint golden light.

Darren looked at Dorgag, sprawled out on the beach chair in a disheveled heap, drooling slightly. He rubbed his temples with a weary sigh.

"That's really rough…"

He shook his head and strode out of the yard.

A reserved young figure was already waiting outside the courtyard, carefully holding a fresh fruit basket in his hand. Seeing Darren come out, he immediately ran over, looking respectful:

"Darren, here is the fruit basket you requested."

The young naval lieutenant saluted.

Darren took the fruit basket and said with a smile:

Thank you.

"How could this be! How could this be!" The naval lieutenant waved his hands in a hurry.

Darren slipped another bill into the

“Darren, this is... you already gave it... that money hasn't been used yet…”

The lieutenant retreated step by step.

"Here you go, get me some breakfast." Darren said without a moment's hesitation, shoving the money into the naval lieutenant's hand.

Then he pointed to Dorag sleeping haphazardly in the courtyard, and smiled.

What could be more invigorating than a warm breakfast

Having said that, Darren immediately picked up the fruit basket and turned to leave, leaving the naval lieutenant alone with a large wad of colorful banknotes fluttering in the wind.

"This... is really too much..."

……

The morning mist has already dissipated, and a cool breeze brushes against the face, refreshing the mind.

Darren's footsteps were measured as he strolled down the street, his expression calm and composed.

He wasn't in the habit of using others for free, especially if that person wasn't one of your core subordinates.

Living in a place like Beihai, where mafia forces intertwined, Darren had seen more than once so-called mafia bosses end up dead at the hands of their own men, falling into their own schemes.

Those who he used to lord over and look down on the most, are often the ones who stab you in the back when you're at your lowest.

The human heart is very complex.

That carelessly tossed bill meant nothing to Darren at all.

But for that young sailor, it was a fortune.

The true measure of wealth is not the mountains of gold and silver piled up at home, nor the numbers stored in your bank accounts, nor your mansions and private yachts…

But you have won the hearts of men.

Perhaps Darren will never use that Naval Lieutenant, but sometimes "having it and not using it" is better than "not having it when you need it"...

A mere few hundred thousand Berries, enough to make a Navy lieutenant in charge of daily affairs for the training camp grateful to you Why not do it

As for why not just give money directly

No, no, no, that's not appropriate.

How could Darren possibly do something like bribery, which is illegal and against regulations

He just asked that naval lieutenant to buy him a fruit basket and breakfast.

According to that naval lieutenant, Darren would find his destination in no time.

Before he even reached the courtyard, standing outside the wall, he could hear a torrent of angry shouts from within, mingled with the whoosh of bat swings and the thud of footsteps.

"You little brat!! You're hurt like this and you still bring a stray cat home! All those cats and dogs... there are so many in the house already! The animals eat more than we do!!"

"Oh no, father! Don't chase after me!! You can't see, don't trip and fall later!!"

“Although you can’t see me, your old man can still hear you! Don’t run away, you little rascal!!”

..."

Hearing the commotion, Darren couldn't help but smile.

He strode forward and pushed open the gate of the yard.

Two figures froze instantly.

The fleeing figure had a buzz cut, their entire body wrapped in bandages, still maintaining the posture of someone running away.

Behind him, a middle-aged man with blind eyes, clutching a wooden stick, gasped for breath.

The two of them stiffly turned their heads slowly, looking at Darren.

Darren lifted the fruit basket in his hands.

It seems your injuries have recovered well, Firebrand Colonel.

He smiled faintly.

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Let me know if you have any other text you'd like me to translate!

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I ask for everything, gratitude to Ha.ful swordsman. Conveniently, our kingdom's treasury has a piece of fine iron that could forge a superb scabbard for your beloved blade.""And as for Captain Minor, we happen to have quite a few fine ci...