"Ha—!"
Rayne Hawke's right arm suddenly stretched back, muscles bulging like coiled steel.
In the next instant, his waist and abdomen twisted violently.
An explosive surge of power shot up his spine, then poured through his shoulder, elbow, wrist, and finally his fist—bursting forth like a raging torrent!
His jet-black fist, wrapped in Armament Haki, tore through the air with a shrill whistle and smashed straight toward Akainu!
This punch carried every ounce of Hawke's strength, momentum, and willpower.
This was his strongest strike yet!
"Impact Fist!!!"
...
Akainu's Observation Haki had already locked onto the punch's trajectory.
But he didn't dodge.
He didn't even activate his Armament Haki.
He wanted to take this blow head-on with his tempered body—to personally test its power.
BOOM!!!
The deafening impact was like a war drum struck by a giant hammer.
Hawke's iron fist slammed into Akainu's shoulder with full force.
A violent shockwave erupted outward, sweeping across the entire training field!
Marines spectating at the edges felt a powerful gust crash against them, whipping their uniforms wildly.
"My god! That punch... he's going all out?!"
"Such terrifying power!"
...
!!!
Akainu's pupils narrowed ever so slightly at the moment of impact.
A sharp pain surged from his shoulder, piercing into his nerves!
His own body's strength… couldn't completely resist the force behind Hawke's punch?!
As one of Marine Headquarters' highest combat powers, Akainu's sense of strength was exceptionally keen.
With just a single instant of contact, his body's feedback allowed him to precisely gauge the power level of Hawke's "Impact Fist."
This strike surpassed the full-powered blows of an ordinary Rear Admiral!
It was already brushing against the threshold of a Vice Admiral's strength!
This kid, Hawke… he actually has this kind of explosive power?!
In a flash of thought, Akainu's eyes hardened.
Ssshhh—
Jet-black Armament Haki instantly spread across Akainu's entire body.
Hawke's follow-up force was completely nullified, unable to penetrate any further.
Using the recoil, he pushed himself back slightly, widening the distance.
"Hawke, not bad!"
Akainu rolled his shoulder, the fabric at the impact site completely shredded, revealing bronzed skin beneath.
A faint fist mark lingered on his shoulder, quickly fading beneath his Armament Haki—but it was proof enough of Hawke's raw power.
"That was a solid punch."
Akainu nodded, his voice carrying open approval.
"To temper both your body and your Armament Haki to this level… excellent!"
"Come!"
Akainu's low voice rumbled as the power within his body stirred.
He precisely tuned his physical strength and Armament Haki to match the level of a Vice Admiral.
Since Hawke's attack power had already reached that threshold...
It was time to measure his other capabilities using force of equal rank.
Swoosh—!
Akainu's figure vanished from sight!
In the next instant, an iron fist cloaked in dark Armament Haki appeared right before Hawke!
BOOM!
Hawke's pupils contracted as he countered with his own fist!
The two clashed fiercely, launching into a rapid exchange of blows!
BOOM!
BOOM!
BOOM!
Each collision sent visible shockwaves tearing through the air, the pressure alone making nearby marines' blood churn and faces pale.
...
"No way... they're trading blows at this level?!"
"Hawke… he can actually go toe-to-toe with an Admiral?!"
A Headquarters marine stammered, barely believing his own eyes.
"The Admiral's definitely not using his full strength!"
"No kidding! If the Admiral were serious, Hawke would've been down already! But even so... this is insane!"
"He's just a branch Commander?!"
"Even Headquarters' elite Captains don't have this kind of strength!"
...
The Headquarters marines who'd placed bets earlier now had cold sweat dripping down their foreheads.
Hawke, you bastard!!!
You were hiding this much power?!
With this strength, why didn't you reveal it sooner and push for a promotion?!
What the hell are you doing wasting your time as a branch Commander?!
The pay, the prestige, the marine girls at Headquarters… isn't any of that tempting?!
Damn it, we're screwed...
We're definitely losing this bet...
One month of washing biohazard-level socks...
I'm done for… I'm finished…
"Commander Hawke!!!"
The marines of the 16th Branch were already boiling over with excitement, their hearts pounding with pride.
Their eyes blazed with admiration as they watched Hawke battle an Admiral head-on.
This was the man they swore to follow to the death.
Commander Hawke!
Strong.
Too strong!
Dane gripped the hilt of his blade, his palms slick with sweat, torn between nervousness and exhilaration.
He'd always known hie was strong—but he never imagined… this strong!
...
Akainu, meanwhile, grew increasingly astonished the longer the battle dragged on.
Something about Hawke wasn't normal…
His Observation Haki had an unusually wide range, and his prediction accuracy was superb.
His physique was incredibly resilient, with astonishing durability.
His Armament Haki was condensed, refined, and skillfully applied—seamlessly shifting between offense and defense.
Even rarer, his fighting style was bold and domineering, his punches open and explosive.
His combat instincts were sharp, allowing him to faintly keep pace with Akainu's rhythm!
If he had to sum up Hawke in one word—it would be complete.
Absolutely complete.
Every foundational aspect was flawless, without a single obvious weakness.
Genius.
Monster.
Either term fit Hawke perfectly.
Huff—
Akainu had seen it—the rising star among the new generation of marines, destined to become one of its future pillars!
This kid deserved the rank of Commodore.
No—Akainu would personally see it done.
BANG—!
BANG! BANG!
The violent clash continued, neither fighter letting up.
Every punch, every block, every movement—Hawke poured his all into it.
This was it.
A duel against a true top-tier powerhouse.
Unmatched pressure.
A battle that made his blood boil.
Every cell in his body trembled with excitement and roared in exhilaration!
This feeling was intoxicating!
Merging his strength and technique into perfect harmony—it felt incredible!
After this…
He'd have to spar with Admiral Akainu more often!
BOOM—!
Akainu drove Hawke back several steps with a heavy blow.
He glanced at Hawke, whose youthful face was drenched in sweat, chest rising and falling.
The training field beneath them lay in ruins.
"That's enough…"
Akainu's deep voice rumbled.
"Hawke."
...
Hawke's Armament Haki slowly faded from his body.
He inhaled deeply, then exhaled, releasing the lingering tension and fatigue of battle.
His taut muscles gradually relaxed.
...
Around the training field, every marine held their breath.
Countless pairs of eyes locked onto the two figures at the center, as if awaiting judgment.
It was obvious to anyone watching—Commander Hawke's strength…
Was far beyond that of an ordinary Headquarters Captain.
He might already be at Commodore-level...
Maybe… even higher?!
But the final verdict depended on what Admiral Akainu would say.
Admiral, hurry up and give your evaluation already!
"Hawke… your overall strength…"
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