Ye Yu suddenly thought of something and asked, "Sister Ling, is there a highly talented individual in Hangzhou who contracted a Non-Ability User? I think his name is Sun Long?"
Xia Ling nodded, "Sun Long, I remember him. He's from Hangzhou and has been on the trending list before."
Zhao Yan'er also recalled, "I know him too. He's just as unlucky as you, with his talent..."
"Ahem!"
Xia Ling shot Zhao Yan'er a glare, cutting her off.
Realizing her mistake, Zhao Yan'er quickly apologized, "Ye Yu, I'm sorry, I..."
"It's fine. What you really wanted to say is that I'm even more unlucky than him."
Though it was true, Zhao Yan'er wouldn't say it out loud, fearing it might upset Ye Yu.
Xia Ling continued, "This Sun Long has an eighth-level talent and contracted a Non-Ability User named Roronoa Zoro."
Ye Yu nodded, indicating he understood. An eighth-level talent could only contract one, while a ninth-level could contract two. A tenth-level could contract three, and only someone with the highest talent, like himself, could contract seven.
Although Ye Yu had a tenth-level talent, the highest possible, he still inquired, "Sister Ling, could you check if Sun Long is among the applicants from Hangzhou?"
"Sure, let me take a look."
As Xia Ling checked, she asked, "Are you thinking of recruiting him too? Maybe offer him an Executive position?"
Ye Yu nodded, "Yes, after all, with an eighth-level talent, if the Non-Ability User he contracted is strong, he might even surpass Zhou Xing in ability."
This made both Xia Ling and Zhao Yan'er's eyes light up. Indeed, such a person would be a valuable asset.
"I also know some additional information about him. He wants to join a powerful Pirate Crew and aims for an Executive position. He's quite ambitious, believing he's not inferior to others, and dreams of becoming the greatest swordsman in the future. However, most people think he's delusional and only offer him a regular crew position, which he refuses."
Ye Yu wasn't surprised, especially since the person he contracted was Zoro.
Xia Ling exclaimed happily, "Found him! He's registered."
"Do you have his contact information? Let's reach out directly."
"Alright."
Xia Ling dialed the number.
Meanwhile, in a forest in Hangzhou, Sun Long was undergoing an intense training regimen that would astonish even high-level Ability Users. He was lifting massive boulders with both hands, doing squats, and then standing upright, raising his arms repeatedly to build strength. His arm muscles bulged, showcasing perfect definition.
Next, he grabbed a heavy dumbbell that looked to weigh around 500 pounds. Gripping it tightly with both hands, he swung it with great effort, each swing generating a powerful gust of wind.
Sun Long firmly believed, "Although I'm unlucky to have contracted a Non-Ability User with my eighth-level talent, as I've leveled up, I've realized he's not as weak as I initially thought. Moreover, I've become utterly obsessed with swordsmanship. Zoro's sword techniques are incredibly strong, and he has so many moves that I've started to wonder if he's an Ability User with the Naming Fruit. He's so good at naming his techniques. I'm convinced Zoro is incredibly powerful and won't be inferior to some Ability Users. Once I reach a high enough level, I'll be able to fully understand Zoro's true strength."
"While I'm leveling up, I also need to push myself harder. Learning Haki is important, but I can't neglect my physical training. The stronger I become, the more powerful my sword strikes will naturally be."
Beside a large tree lay three swords, unmistakably Sun Long's. When contracting, one could choose to obtain the contracted individual's weapons.
The three swords were Wado Ichimonji, Sandai Kitetsu, and Enma.
After finishing his training, Sun Long lay down, panting and drenched in sweat, filled with anticipation.
"Ye Yu should be coming soon. I want to spar with him. From the fact that he carries a cross-shaped black blade, it's clear that among those he has contracted with, there must be someone skilled in swordsmanship. So, his swordsmanship should be decent. I really want to spar with him."
"Also, I've already signed up. Since Ye Yu mentioned wanting to recruit more Non-Ability Users, perhaps I can pass. It just depends on what position they offer me. If it's a low-ranking or just a regular crew member, I don't want it. I think it should at least be a combat crew position. Otherwise, I wouldn't want to join."
...
Just as he was resting and pondering, his phone rang.
"You came from Dandong, dressed me in snow-white, craving Cantonese cuisine~"
Sun Long answered the call and saw that it was from the Pirate Crew founded by Xia Ling. He answered directly.
Ye Yu's voice came through.
"Sun Long, right? I'm Ye Yu. You should know me."
Sun Long's eyes lit up. "Of course, I knew before, and after today's events, I know even more."
Ye Yu spoke seriously, "As long as you pass the character assessment, you can join our Pirate Crew directly. We just left Donghai City and expect to arrive in about two hours. You can come directly then."
"Alright," Sun Long inquired, "If I pass, what position would I get? The fact that you don't look down on Non-Ability Users gives me a good impression, but I'd only be willing to join if it's a combat crew position."
Ye Yu stated bluntly, "If you pass, I'll make you an Executive, and the head Executive at that."
This statement shocked both Xia Ling and Zhao Yan'er.
Sun Long was also stunned, completely unexpected and hard to believe.
"Make me an Executive? And the head Executive? Really?"
Ye Yu nodded, "Of course, it's true."
"Alright, I'll be there early."
After hanging up, Sun Long was very happy. He always believed in his potential. Even though he wasn't that strong now and had lost in sparring with some powerful Ability Users, as his level increased, Sun Long clearly felt that he was inheriting more of Zoro's strength, and then he could feel a significant improvement in his abilities.
Xia Ling and Zhao Yan'er both frowned slightly. Zhao Yan'er gave Xia Ling a look, signaling her to say something.
Xia Ling hesitated, "Brother Yu, your arrangement to make him an Executive is fine, but directly the head Executive? Isn't that a bit too much?"
Zhao Yan'er nodded, "Yes, it's not quite right. After all, our current head Executive is Qiao Ling'er with a ninth-level Talent and the Powerful Healing Fruit, probably the best healer in this world."
Ye Yu nodded, "Yes, Qiao Ling'er is excellent and very important, but I think this Sun Long won't be worse than Zhou Xing."
"This..."
Ye Yu said, "When the time comes, let him demonstrate his strength. He can fight directly with an Executive. If he wins, he can be the head Executive. If not, then just an Executive."
This made Xia Ling and Zhao Yan'er feel it was acceptable. They thought that even if Sun Long was strong, he probably couldn't surpass the Ability User Executives.
Xia Ling looked at Ye Yu, staring intently, as did Zhao Yan'er, as if trying to see through him.
Ye Yu felt a bit uncomfortable, "Being stared at by two beautiful women, I feel quite embarrassed. Why are you staring at me like that?"
Xia Ling rested her chin on her hand, pondering, "Little brother Yu, you dared to make Sun Long the head of the executives, so you must think he's quite capable. But you, with your level ten talent and seven contracts, obviously believe you're even more formidable. So, I'm curious, just how strong are you personally?"
Zhao Yan'er nodded, "I'm curious too."
Ye Yu smiled and said, "You'll find out soon enough. After all, I'll be fighting with you for the position of Captain, won't I?"
Zhao Yan'er pouted confidently, "Whether you can even get past the executives is still uncertain. Defeating several of them in a single day would be quite challenging for me. So, even if you're stronger than Zhou Xing and Sun Long, it won't be easy."
Xia Ling agreed but noticed Ye Yu's calm demeanor and asked, "Little brother Yu, have you ever truly fought with Lin Muxue? Have you ever felt her strength?"
Ye Yu shook his head, "No, I haven't fought her, nor have I felt her strength."
Xia Ling suddenly understood, "Then I see. Similarly, you can't gauge how strong we are, which is why you're so blindly confident. Never mind, let's not talk about it. I hope you can pass the executives' test, and then you'll realize just how powerful I am with the Ice Fruit, making you willingly accept my protection."
Zhao Yan'er patted her chest, "I'll also protect you and keep you safe. Your Conqueror's Haki is very important."
Xia Ling winked, "So, how does it feel to be protected by two beautiful and talented women like us? Must be quite nice, right?"
"Who protects whom is still up in the air."
"Save such talk for after you defeat the executives. Good luck, I look forward to sparring with you."
Ye Yu laughed heartily, "Alright, I'll do my best."
When the time for battle came, Ye Yu naturally wouldn't hold back. Although many cities hadn't yet recruited Non-Ability Users, even if Xia Ling and the crew found out, they wouldn't spread the word as long as he asked them to keep it secret.
Otherwise, other major Pirate Crews would also take notice of the Non-Ability Users.
...
The ship sailed across the sea, with about an hour and a half left to reach Donghai City.
Just then, Xia Ling's phone rang. She answered it, and a tense, urgent voice came through.
"Captain, something's wrong!"
"What happened?"
Xia Ling had a bad feeling.
(End of Chapter)