Within two minutes, he had already dragged Bullet out of the water.
"Ugh!"
Bullet had indeed become stronger. Even after taking such a fierce punch from Ian that left his face distorted, he was still lively and vigorous.
After all, he was a true top-tier Vice Admiral-level fighter. Without using his abilities, it was impossible even for Ian to defeat him with a single strike.
Or rather, even if he used his ability, to defeat him with a single strike would require the Flame of Destruction.
Bullet lay on the ground, continuously spitting out the water in his mouth, but his eyes remained fixed firmly on Ian.
"Hm?"
Ian raised an eyebrow. He noticed there was no trace of unwillingness in Bullet's gaze—only excitement.
"Still not satisfied?"
In fact, Bullet's aura seemed to grow stronger.
Wiping the water and fresh blood from the corner of his mouth, Bullet stood up. Though his lips were twisted from the blow, a proud smirk lifted the corner of his mouth.
"The fight's not over yet!"
Suddenly, he clenched his fists tightly.
Crack!
Surging lightning-like Haki burst forth from his fists, an invisible force rippling outwards in all directions.
"After taking your punch, I finally understand—so this is it! The Conqueror's Haki Infusion!"
Ian's expression twisted strangely.
Why does this scene feel so familiar?
He scratched his head helplessly.
"Kaido-sensei, don't go teaching me all these random things."
What if one day my fists can't even kill anyone?
Still, he acknowledged Bullet's title as the Demon Heir.
"You and the Straw Hat really do share the same bloodline."
"Oh? Is that so?"
Ian stopped muttering under his breath and said with interest, "But if I hadn't had someone save you, you would've drowned already."
Bullet's wild grin suddenly stiffened.
Yeah, he'd already lost once. Two fights remained in their agreed three.
But he wasn't one to give up. Laughing wildly again, he said, "Doesn't matter!"
"Now! Round two begins!!"
With that, he lunged at Ian.
A smirk spread on Ian's lips. "Is that so?"
He'd originally thought these three fights might drag on for a while, but now it didn't seem that way.
Looks like I really do have to live up to Kaido-sensei's reputation as a teacher.
If I can defeat Bullet and push him even further, then the third battle will surely come soon.
Maybe within these next couple of days, I'll be able to fully bring Bullet under my command.
Bullet, now it's time for the gold-medal Ian-sensei to have a fight with you.
"Come on! Ian!!"
Bullet laughed out loud.
To him, nothing in the world was more exhilarating than becoming stronger and defeating a powerful enemy.
This was damn ten thousand, even ninety thousand times more thrilling than dealing with those snake-like freaks!
He seemed to clutch black lightning, throwing a punch fiercely at Ian.
Ian smiled and met the punch with his own.
Boom!!
The two fists collided in midair.
In the narrow twisted space at the center of the fists, a black dot throbbed wildly.
Thick, fierce lightning shot out from the center, tearing apart the clouds above the sky.
"Oh?"
Somewhere on Hive Island, Ace was training and looked up with deadpan eyes.
"The sky's tearing again."
Seriously, these so-called masters always have to tear the sky every time they clash?
"Eh!!"
At the top of the Skull Building, Yamato, who was watching the battle between Ian and Bullet through Observation Haki the whole time, couldn't help but shout.
"That guy already mastered the Conqueror's Haki Infusion?"
Unfair!
So unfair!
We've been training for so long and still haven't learned it!
How did he get it so fast?!
Ian looked at Bullet's face filled with reckless laughter.
This guy finally had some of the legendary Bullet's style.
He truly was a genuine genius.
This time, he probably realized that just hard work and practice wouldn't bring much progress in a short time, so he decided to challenge me.
And he won the bet.
"Ha ha ha ha!"
Bullet laughed wildly, fully realizing just how terrifying the power of Conqueror's Haki truly was!
He was no longer the same as he had been moments ago!
"Ian!"
"Then lose to me!!"
"Iron Fist Windbreaker!"
Then, he threw a punch at empty air.
Ian's body shifted, and with a reverse swing, he landed a punch on Bullet's face.
Bullet's body recoiled instantly, blood spurting from his nostrils.
But in the next moment, he suddenly lowered his head. "Observation Haki predicting the future?"
"Correct," Ian chuckled lightly. "Like I said, you're still far from catching up."
Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!
Without hesitation, Ian unleashed a series of punches that shook Bullet's entire body, blood spilling from his mouth.
The power of Conqueror's Haki Infusion combined with internal destruction Armament Haki was not something Bullet could easily withstand.
Bullet wasn't without attempts to fight back, but Ian's speed and reaction were faster than his, and with the aid of future sight, Bullet couldn't even land a single touch.
"You bastard!!"
Bullet roared in frustration.
So frustrating!
Damn frustrating!
Even though he had mastered a stronger power, Ian refused to face him head-on!
"Don't be angry, Bullet," Ian smiled calmly.
"That will only expose your helplessness."
There's a phrase for that: impotent rage.
"I'll crush you to dust!!"
Bullet's anger flared even more, his Haki spreading recklessly like it had no cost.
Each punch was a massive wave of Haki shockwaves, leaving Ian no room to dodge.
But it was even more pointless.
Why was Haki shockwave so powerful? Because it could concentrate the power of Haki and unleash a stronger burst.
Attacks that dispersed Haki like this were easily shattered by Ian's casual punches.
Then Ian closed in, launching a rapid series of strikes.
Bullet sprayed blood wildly from the blows he took.
He kept trying to fight back, but it was utterly meaningless.
It was just like the first time the Straw Hat kid met Katakuri—only able to take hits without fighting back.
"Enough."
Ian clenched his fists tightly. "Super Destruction Fist—Hundred Strikes!"
This time, his fists turned into a storm, repeatedly striking Bullet's body.
The fierce assault left Bullet no strength to retaliate, his whole body twisting in agony.
It had to be said—Kenbunshoku Haki's ability to foresee the future was a massive counter to close-combat fighters like this.
Ian ended the fight with a stylish uppercut.
Bullet exploded like a firework, soaring thousands of meters into the sky, then after a long moment, crashed heavily in front of Ian, smashing a deep, human-shaped crater into the ground.
Ian looked down into the crater.
So, Bullet, have your body and mind caught up to your power?
The next instant, a smile curled on Ian's lips.
A purple aura spread from the crater, instantly extending across the entire Beehive Island—within a blink, the massive island was completely enveloped.
Ian felt genuine relief.
"Kaido-sensei, I did it! I didn't let you down! I upheld the honor of our Beasts Tutoring Class!"
But Ian didn't forget to warn, "Don't mess around. This island barely developed into what it is today."
So, is the third battle next?
**********
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