Chapter 36: Smoker's Challenge! Blood-Stained White Smoke!

Chapter 36: Smoker's Challenge! Blood Stains the White Smoke!

Undoubtedly, another bizarre skill had been fished up.

Cui Ze closed the light screen, confirming that today's luck was not suited for continuing to "fish," so he stopped wasting time in the snowy forest.

Fully utilizing the speed-boosting effect of the [Clockwork Bandage], he moved like a shooting star chasing the moon, sprinting rapidly toward the temporary camp on the other side of the winter island.

A D-grade attribute was enough to rank among the top tier of the elite training camp.

With the added support of the [Clockwork Bandage], the limit of Cui Ze's explosive speed had reached D++, which was nearly unrivaled throughout the entire elite training camp.

By the time Cui Ze finished his sprint, successfully crossing the entire frozen winter island and arriving at the temporary camp set up by the instructors, it was not yet noon.

In the vast, empty temporary camp, the number of naval soldiers who had completed the island-traversal assessment ahead of him was sparse.

Or rather, there was only one.

"White Hunter" Smoker!

'When it comes to cheating to get around, you really are the stronger one.'

Even though Cui Ze had the help of his new item, the [Clockwork Bandage], he had at least used his own two legs to complete the mission step by step.

Unlike Smoker!

He was actually using a flight cheat!

One had to realize that in this era, the quality of infantry simply couldn't compare to cavalry.

Let alone an aerial unit flying in the sky!

Just as Cui Ze was silently complaining to himself, Smoker noticed him arriving at the camp. His eyes lit up, and he instantly tossed aside the auxiliary training equipment he was holding, striding over with long, swift steps.

"You're here, Cui Ze."

Smoker's expression was like that of a predator about to catch its prey, filled with longing and excitement.

"You have no idea how long I've waited for this day!"

Cui Ze shrugged, saying nonchalantly, "Actually, it's been less than a week."

Though I have been reborn!

If Cui Ze had a ninety-five percent certainty of victory against Smoker's "challenge" before obtaining the [Clockwork Bandage]...

Then at this very moment, his probability of winning this challenge was ninety-eight percent!

The one-in-ten-thousand chance of failure accounted for external interference; the other one-in-ten-thousand accounted for Smoker suddenly breaking through his limits and awakening his Smoke-Smoke Fruit!

"Come on! Cui Ze!"

Smoker displayed a rare, intense, and somewhat philosophical facial expression.

"Face me head-on!"

"Sorry, I decline."

Cui Ze crossed his arms, expressing his firm refusal.

"We are still in the middle of the first assessment. Our challenge will take place during the 'Combat Assessment' later!"

...

Time flew by, and the sun began to slant toward the west.

This snowy island, adjacent to the future kingdom, welcomed a beautiful sunset.

Following the orders of the training camp instructors, the first stage of the week's assessment, "Crossing the Wilderness Island," concluded smoothly.

Having gone through half a term of grueling training in the elite camp, no one failed the first stage outright.

Next, the training camp members would have to face each other in combat!

That is, the "Combat Assessment"!

The naval elites who arrived at the temporary camp first enjoyed perfect rest and nutritional replenishment, allowing them to participate in the combat assessment in peak condition.

Meanwhile, the soldiers who arrived last had to drag their cold, tired, and hungry bodies to face their opponents' attacks at a severe disadvantage.

According to the instructors, all dueling pairs for the "Combat Assessment" were chosen randomly.

But when Smoker's name was called first, and his own followed immediately after...

Cui Ze realized that he hadn't managed to escape the under-the-table manipulation after all!

Of course...

It could not be ruled out that the instructors simply wanted to watch a good show.

Under the collective gaze of the many members of the elite training camp, Cui Ze and Smoker stepped out from the crowd one after the other.

Smoker was in his usual attire.

Although he had been warning himself to take this battle with Cui Ze seriously, Smoker hadn't made any specific preparations.

Perhaps in Smoker's eyes, he had only been knocked down by Cui Ze's punch last time due to carelessness!

Smoker believed that as long as he was careful enough this time, he would definitely be able to defeat Cui Ze!

And a crushing victory at that!

Compared to Smoker's "daily attire," Cui Ze was much more prepared.

Two flintlock pistols, one long and one short, were strapped to his back and waist; beside his legs, wrapped in the [Clockwork Bandage], sat a mysterious wooden box; he wore a simple protective mask on his face, and the "main weapon" in his hand was...

"A slingshot?"

"Although I know Cui Ze's marksmanship is divine, isn't it too arrogant to use a slingshot against Smoker?"

"Could it be that Cui Ze has already mastered the application of Armament Haki?"

The surrounding naval soldiers began to whisper among themselves.

Even the instructors watching the spectacle couldn't help but cast curious glances.

The leaders were Instructor Shuzo and the Scar-faced Instructor.

'Is this kid being too cocky with his weapon?' the Scar-faced Instructor thought.

'Does Cui Ze think he can beat Smoker with just Iron Body?' Instructor Shuzo stroked his mustache—which was actually nose hair.

When Smoker saw Cui Ze's "full armament," especially that toy-like slingshot, he was instantly enraged, his eyes widening like cowbells.

"Cui Ze, you are too arrogant!"

Smoker roared, and without waiting for the instructor to give the signal, he entered his semi-smoky state.

His two legs instantly transformed into a dense mass of white smoke, the powerful propulsion driving him forward at high speed, closing the distance between them in an instant.

At that very moment.

Cui Ze stepped on the wooden box beside him, revealing a large number of green balloons exposed to the air.

The balloons were bulging, clearly filled with some sort of liquid.

Cui Ze quickly grabbed a balloon, clamped it onto the leather pouch of his fishbone slingshot, pulled the sea-cow leather elastic band taut, and launched the balloon.

Even though Smoker, remaining cautious, tried to dodge this bulging, mysterious balloon, the distance between them was too small. He only managed to shift his angle slightly, and the balloon still struck the dense white smoke of his lower body.

The balloon collided with the white smoke; its rubbery texture failed to cause any damage, merely creating a ring of white smoke.

"A feint?"

Just as Smoker was feeling suspicious and uncertain, a "bang" rang out. A round bullet flashed out like thunder, hitting the center of the rubber balloon with pinpoint accuracy.

Snap!

Bang!

Two sounds, one after the other.

The first "snap" was the balloon bursting, water splashing everywhere;

The second "bang" was the gun spitting fire, the bullet flying!

Just as the naval soldiers thought Cui Ze was still doing something futile, Smoker let out a scream.

A shade of blood stained the thick white smoke!