"Hah..."

  "9454, 9455, 9456..."

  As the su oskirts of Elbaf's giant vilge, a figure much rger than a human, with wings on his back, was drenched i. El, soaked and with a determined look in his eyes, tio swing his sword relentlessly.

  "Whoosh..."

  The air filled with the sound of the bde slig through it, creating gusts of wind s that surrounding rocks, be and small, were caught up and scattered. T trees, so massive that even giants needed several of them to encircle, swayed uhe pressure of the wind. Even some of the adult giants watg felt uneasy, not daring to approach for fear of being injured by act.

  "El, though you possess incredible natural strength, unmatched by anyone, your sword swings are still her fast nor precise enough," Mountain Beard, Jarul, stroked his beard as he patiently instructed. "When you swing without creating such fierce wind pressure, and instead focus and dense all your strength into each strike, only then will you be able to master Elbaf's proud spear teiques."

  "Zap-ba-ba~! The giant race, by nature, possesses great size and strength far beyond that of other intelligent species," Waterfall Beard, Jorul, nodded with a smile, his own guidahus, the bat teiques of the giants are straightforward and powerful, without the fshy moves of human swordsmanship or martial arts. Each strike is about force overp fiearing through aroying everything in its path."

  "You must focus pletely, with a clear mind, free of distras!"

  "el all your strength, momentum, and will into each strike!"

  "Yes! I will work hard, Elders!" El replied with steely resolve, pausing his movements to absorb the elders' advice. He took stock of his weaknesses and eagerly sought to correct them. Though born a prodigious talent, a natural monster, El wasn't tent with being just another Charlotte Linlin.

  That wasn't his ambition. His dreams reached far beyond.

  Taking a deep breath, El closed his eyes, adjusting his breathing and tration. Once again, he resumed swinging his sword.

  "Whoosh... whoosh..."

  The sharp bde gleamed, and the wind pressure, though still formidable, was already less scattered than before.

  "What incredible natural talent..." Jarul and Jorul both nodded silently, deeply impressed. El was indeed favored by the heavens, a born warrior with extraordinary gifts. His ability to quickly prehend their teags was remarkable, far surpassing the simple-minded Hajrudin. In just half a year, El had nearly mastered Elbaf's bat teiques. If he weren't still so young and physically undeveloped, he might have already fully grasped Elbaf's spear teiques.

  "29995, 29996, 29997..."

  As time passed, El tio train, his sweat soaking the grouh him.

  "Bo-ka-ka-ka~! El, that's enough training for today!" Jarul said with satisfa, looking up at the darkening sky. "It's getting te; we should head back."

  "Iraining must be done in moderation; there's o rush. We'll tiomorrow!" Jorul added with a smile, stroking his waterfall-like beard. This was something they appreciated about El. Despite his extraordinary talent and half-giant blood, he possessed an iron will and remarkable perseverance. He never feared hardship, never pined, and remained dedicated to his training—truly a rare quality.

  "Alright. See you tomorrow, Elders!" El exhaled deeply, stopping his training. He wiped the sweat from his forehead and watched as the two elders left.

  "El, have you firaining?"

  Not far away, an elderly woman dressed in bun's attire, her face full of wrinkles, approached with a smile. She called out, "Today is Wotan's birthday. I've prepared a big birthday cake. Would you like to join us?"

  She had a kind fad a cigarette in her mouth, smiling warmly. But as she looked at the young, handsome boy with bck wings, like a fallen ahere was a barely hidden greed and wariness in her eyes.

  This boy was a survivor of the Lunarian race, a people for whom the Wover had posted a massive bounty. Anyone who reported traces of the Lunarians could earn a reward of 100 million Berries. If someone captured a Lunarian alive, the reward would be eveer.

  However, El had always been distant and cold toward her, making it impossible for her to lure him to the "Sheep's House." Besides, he owerful monster—impervious to ons, incredibly strong, and wielding the terrifying abilities of a Mythical Zoan. She feared him.

  "No, thank you, Sister. I've already prepared dinner," El smiled and politely deed. As someone who had traveled from another world, he kly who this "Holy Mother" really was. The so-called intervention to stop the Navy from exeg the Giant Pirates' warriors had been nothing more than a performance orchestrated by the Wover and Carmel herself.

  Her true identity was that of an infamous trafficker in the underworld, known by the code name "Mountain Witch." The orphans and troubled childreo the "Sheep's House" were not adopted by kied people but sold directly to the Wover or other powers. Those with talent were sold to the gover, brainwashed, and traio bee CP agents. As for those with mediocre talent or physical defects? Their fates were far darker.

  Carmel had long coveted El, the survivor of the Lunarian race. But she wasn't tent to simply report his existeo the Wover and cim the 100 million Berries reward. She feared his power and knew she couldn't use force against him. She had even tried to lure him out of Elbaf, hoping to ambush him with CP0 or the Navy. But El had paid no attention to her, leaving her with no options.

  Yet El had his own reasons for allowio remain. He was waiting for her t more talented children from around the world and from different races. These children, whom Carmel had set aside to sell to the gover before her retirement, had exceptional potential. With a little training, they could bee a powerful force for him.

  "Very well, I won't bother you then. Be sure not to overexert yourself with your training!" Carmel smiled warmly but fumed ihat brat had repeatedly refused her offers. If she ever got the ce, she would sell him to the Wover without hesitation—he was worth a fortune.

  "Take care, Sister!" El responded with a warm smile, watg Carmel walk away. Little did she know that his Lunarian and giant bloodline came with more than just a monstrous physique. Born with Observation Haki, El had trained for years tthen it to the point where he could even hear her heart. Her malicious i and schemes, which she thought were well hidden, were as clear as day to him.

  Over the years, El had also learned where Carmel, through her child traffig business, had stashed her vast fortune. If he wao, he could take it effortlessly.

  He wanted both the people and the treasure. Everything Carmel had done was merely setting the stage for his own success.

  Did she pn to retire in peace? Hell might be the perfect pce for her retirement.