Zephyr froze, then frowned. "You're saying you've already learned it?"
"Mm, I…"
Creed nodded, and in the next instant, his figure flickered.
…
"Soru (Shave)!"
His figure appeared behind Zephyr, finishing his sentence: "…learned it!"
He then demonstrated Geppo (Moonwalk) and Kami-e (Paper Art).
Zephyr's eyes widened…
Inside, waves crashed in his heart.
He'd learned it already?
How long had it even been?!
Was this kid a monster?
Zephyr took a deep breath—telling himself to stay calm, to keep it together.
On the side, Smoker and the others lay sprawled on the ground without a shred of dignity.
When they saw Creed using Soru (Shave), Geppo (Moonwalk), and Kami-e (Paper Art)…
They were so shocked they couldn't speak, eyes hollow, questioning their very existence.
Creed turned to look at them.
Those vacant stares, necks tilted… nearly scared him half to death.
Zephyr's face lit up with excitement. "Then I'll explain the other three techniques in detail—"
Creed shook his head. "It's not that I can't do the other three—I just don't want to learn them."
"Shigan (Finger Pistol) and Rankyaku (Tempest Kick) are useless for a swordsman like me. As for Tekkai (Iron Body)—I already have Busoshoku Haki (Armament Haki)."
"That's true."
Zephyr rubbed his chin. "You're already at the level of a kenjō (Sword Master). Your future path is clearly toward becoming a dai-kenjō (Great Sword Master). Those two techniques are indeed chicken ribs, and Tekkai is just a downgraded version of Busoshoku Haki (Armament Haki)—you don't need it."
He looked up. "Then tomorrow, we'll start with Kenbunshoku Haki (Observation Haki)!"
"Teacher… I already know Kenbunshoku Haki (Observation Haki) too."
Zephyr: "…"
Smoker: "…"
Everyone: "…"
Creed glanced over. Those hollow stares became even emptier.
And… was Smoker smoking his cigar backwards?
Seeing that, Creed sucked in a sharp breath. Wasn't that burning his lips?
Yeah… Smoker looked like he'd mentally checked out.
Zephyr felt a headache coming on. At this rate, he had nothing left to teach Creed—except his own battle experience.
A gifted student could be a real problem.
"All right, get to the mess hall, then soak in the hot springs, and get some rest. Training continues tomorrow!"
…
After dinner—
The group headed into the forest.
"These are your quarters," Zephyr said, pointing to a row of a dozen shaky wooden cabins.
The recruits' mouths twitched.
"Oh, and at night, someone will attack you with paintballs. Whoever gets hit the most… double training tomorrow."
Devil!
They groaned—couldn't even sleep in peace.
"This trains your reflexes and danger sense—it's part of Kenbunshoku Haki (Observation Haki) training!"
Creed asked, "Teacher Zephyr, can I go back to Headquarters?"
Zephyr blinked.
"I can't sleep well in other beds."
"…All right. I'll have a warship send you back."
Everyone: "…"
"If you master Rokushiki (Six Styles) and both Haki types, you can do whatever you want."
Everyone: "…"
Creed could feel their resentful stares growing heavier.
…
Back at Garp's home—
Garp stared. "Why are you back?"
"Teacher Zephyr agreed."
Garp scratched his head. Knowing Zephyr's strictness, this made no sense.
"I've already learned Rokushiki (Six Styles) and Kenbunshoku Haki (Observation Haki). There's not much else for him to teach me."
Garp's mouth twitched, glancing at the same bundle Creed had left with that morning.
Fine—you're talented, you win.
…
A month passed in the blink of an eye.
"Teacher Zephyr, I'd like to withdraw from the Elite Training Camp."
Zephyr's head throbbed. In one month, Creed's progress had been monstrous. He'd even passed on all his battle experience—there was nothing more to teach.
Since that was the case, it was better to let Creed grow on his own.
"I approve."
"Then I'll take my leave, Teacher Zephyr."
"Remember to visit often. And… don't get arrogant—keep training. Don't let Smoker and the others surpass you."
Creed nodded. Keep training? That word didn't exist in his dictionary.
Extracting abilities to grow stronger—that was the way!
Over the past month—
Creed's power had changed drastically.
[Abilities]: S-rank Swordsmanship, A/-rank Busoshoku Haki (Armament Haki), A/-rank Kenbunshoku Haki (Observation Haki), A/-rank Navy Three Styles (Geppo (Moonwalk), Soru (Shave), Kami-e (Paper Art))
[Standby Abilities]: None
[Overall Strength]: A+
In that time, he had extracted the abilities of stationed Colonels, pushing all his skills to A/-rank.
Not long ago, the system chimed:
[Congratulations, Host—all abilities have reached A-rank. S-rank abilities unlocked. You may now extract S-rank abilities.]
That was why he was leaving—this camp's strongest officers were only Colonels. Staying here was a waste.
…
In the distance, Smoker and the others watched Creed's departing back, resolve on their faces.
After a month, their rough edges had been worn down, a bit of wind and frost in their expressions.
Clenching their fists—
Without Zephyr's guidance, Creed's progress would slow.
They'd close the gap, and one day surpass him!
If Creed knew their thoughts, he'd be speechless.
Nope. Not happening.
A cheater is unbeatable.
…
And so—
Time flowed like still water.
Two years passed in a flash.
In the primeval forest behind Marineford, atop a mountain—
A black-haired, strikingly handsome young man opened his eyes. A terrifying aura burst from him.
The birds and beasts of the forest scattered in panic.
"It's been two years…"
The young man smiled. "Finally, I've fully mastered every ability."
This was Creed.
Now fifteen, his strength had undergone a complete transformation.
[Abilities]: SS+ Swordsmanship, SS Busoshoku Haki (Armament Haki), S Navy Three Styles, SS Kenbunshoku Haki (Observation Haki), SS Martial Arts…
[Standby Abilities]: S Fist Technique, S Marksmanship
[Overall Strength]: SS
(End of Chapter)
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