Suddenly, an overwhelming aura surged from Creed's body—a powerful sword intent that filled the entire advanced training camp with crushing pressure.
Everyone felt their bodies sink under the weight of it, their breathing becoming labored.
Faces paled in shock. How could this be possible? This was just his aura, and yet it was suffocating them.
The next second…
Creed raised his blade—but did not draw it.
The air grew razor-sharp, like the biting wind of midwinter, stinging against their faces.
A black sword light appeared in Eugene's vision. The crowd's hair stood on end as a sense of mortal danger washed over them.
Eugene, at the center of it, felt his scalp go numb—pure terror gripped his heart. This was the feeling of death closing in.
"I surrender! I surrender!!"
Shu~
Instructor Gest flashed forward, appearing in front of Eugene.
His arms crossed before his chest, hands turning black with a metallic sheen—Armament Haki coating.
Chi-chi-chi-chi~
The sword aura clashed against him, forcing Gest back. His feet carved two deep grooves into the ground as he slid several meters before the slash finally dissipated.
Gest glanced at his tingling arms, a bit stunned. This… was already the power of a true swordsman.
A 12-year-old swordsman? Was the world going mad?
And this wasn't even his full strength—he hadn't drawn his blade. That strike came from a sheathed slash.
He couldn't help but twitch his mouth. As expected of Vice Admiral Garp's grandson.
…
"Well? How's my swordsmanship?" Creed teased the still-shaken Eugene.
Eugene's face burned red as he recalled his earlier boast. He wished he could dig a hole and hide.
He hadn't even been able to withstand a single move, yet he'd wanted to "test" this guy's swordsmanship?
The advanced camp's trainees finally snapped out of their shock, their hearts roaring with waves of disbelief. Such strength! This wasn't even the same league as them—he had even forced the instructor back.
But among the astonished faces were a few with eyes burning with battle intent—Smoker among them.
They realized Creed hadn't simply used connections to get in. He had the strength to back it up.
And his timing… it was obvious he had come for the elite camp selection in two days.
…
Creed's presence lit a fire under the entire advanced training camp. That day, everyone trained like mad.
When someone younger than you, with a better background, is also stronger than you—what excuse do you have not to push harder?
Gest was thrilled. Normally, when he gave them training orders, complaints filled the air.
Creed, meanwhile, was doing weight training. Even with his system, he never slacked on personal training.
He also quietly scanned Gest's abilities.
[Abilities]: A-Rank Fist Technique (Extractable), B-Rank Observation Haki (Extractable), A-Rank Marine Rokushiki (Extractable), B-Rank Armament Haki (Extractable)
[Overall Strength]: A-Rank
Creed's eyes lit up.
Four extractable abilities.
"System, calculate the time needed to extract all four at once."
A line of text appeared on the virtual panel: "Required time: 15 days."
He frowned. Fifteen days was a bit long.
He checked each individually—both A-Rank abilities required 10 days each, while the two B-Rank ones only took 12 hours each.
His extraction speed for high-level abilities had greatly improved—before, A-Rank took three months. Now it was only 10 days, thanks to his own strength rising to B-Rank.
Extracting abilities at his own level—B-Rank—took just 12 hours.
He decided instantly. "Extract B-Rank Armament Haki."
"Ability extraction in progress…"
He had thought this through—this was Marine Headquarters, and the advanced camp was full of geniuses. Some surely had Devil Fruits, perhaps even Logia types like Smoker.
He didn't want to be helpless against them.
So Armament Haki was the best choice.
Time flowed quickly.
The sun sank toward the horizon.
Evening came.
Gest looked at the exhausted trainees sprawled on the ground and smiled in satisfaction.
"Alright, that's it for today. Tomorrow is a rest day—recover completely. The day after is the elite camp selection. I don't need to tell you how important that is."
Light flashed in every trainee's eyes. Every one of them was aiming for the elite camp.
Instructor Zephyr's reputation echoed across the seas—countless Marine powerhouses were his students.
Even the current three Admirals were his proud disciples.
And in two days, the elite selection would begin.
As the group dispersed, a pleasant chime rang in Creed's mind.
"Ding! B-Rank Armament Haki successfully extracted. Stored in standby ability slot."
Back at Garp's quarters, Creed activated it.
"Activate B-Rank Armament Haki."
"Ding! Activation successful."
A warm current surged through his body, flowing through every limb.
He clenched his fist, a sheen of black metallic luster covering it.
Armament Haki!
For now, he could only coat one hand, and the coating was thin—easily cut through. But mastery would come with practice.
His S-Rank swordsmanship had taken over a month to perfect.
…
In Garp's underground training room—
"Busoshoku Haki, full arm coverage!"
At his will, his entire arm turned jet black.
One punch.
Boom!
The steel-built punching machine shattered in an instant.
Creed nodded in satisfaction. One day, and he had fully mastered his new B-Rank Armament Haki.
Now, even against Logia users, he wouldn't be as vulnerable.
He left the training room.
The moon was already high. A hot bath, some light washing up, and he turned in early for the night.
…
The next day, the Marine training grounds—
The air was thick with tension.
…
(End of Chapter)
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