Chapter 18: A Peculiar Appetite for Punishment
"The highest level of Conqueror's Haki application?!" The thought was a frantic scream in Peacock's mind. She tried to stand, but her legs were utterly unresponsive, turned to jelly by the overwhelming spiritual pressure. A deep, primal timidity seized her, and she found she couldn't even meet Ian's gaze.
In reality, Ian was far from mastering the advanced application of Conqueror's Haki, let alone the elusive "Haki Infusion." This terrifying effect was a masterful illusion, crafted through the Dream World and amplified by subtle sensory deprivation. It perfectly simulated the soul-crushing weight of a superior will, convincing Peacock she was completely subdued.
This new skill is even more fun than I imagined, Ian thought, a thrill running through him.
[Ding!]
[Congratulations, Host, for successfully defeating 'Marine Headquarters Captain,' user of the Paramecia Whip-Whip Fruit, Peacock!]
[Reward Gained: 400 Enhancement Points!]
[Current Accumulated Points: 650 Points (Including today's completed task)!]
The system's chime echoed in his mind just as Peacock's will to fight completely shattered. Ian slowly walked over to where she lay. Peacock could only feebly raise her arms to cover her face, bracing for the final blow.
But it never came.
In an instant, the trembling earth stilled. The churning, frantic clouds in the sky smoothed back into a calm, moonlit canvas. Ian had deactivated the Dream World, seamlessly returning Peacock to reality. The transition was so flawless she didn't even question it.
Though her arms blocked her view, Peacock could feel Ian squatting down in front of her.
"Ghk!"
As she tentatively began to lower her hands to see him, Ian's hand shot out and grabbed her face. He pinched her cheeks without a hint of mercy, squishing them into a comical 'O' shape.
"Captain Peacock," his voice was a low, dangerous whisper. "Consider this a warning. If you dare provoke me again, if you spy on me without reason... it won't be this simple next time. I will definitely..."
He leaned closer, his words dripping with cold finality.
"...kill you."
With that, he released her, stood, and turned to walk toward the training ground's exit without a backward glance.
Secret test: successfully completed! And he'd even earned a tidy sum of enhancement points. Chief of Staff Tsuru's granddaughter was indeed quite "valuable." Excellent.
Peacock, left in the sand, stared at his retreating back, her delicate body trembling uncontrollably, seemingly still trapped in the aftershock of the "Conqueror's Haki" suppression.
Having grown up at Marine Headquarters, everyone—from the lowest seaman to Vice Admiral Garp himself—knew she was Tsuru's granddaughter. No one had ever treated her with such brutal, unadulterated roughness.
Tiny, crystalline tears welled in the corners of her eyes. She hugged her knees, murmuring to herself in a daze:
"So strong... so powerful..."
"This man... is so rude..."
"Mmm... why... why have I never felt more excited?!"
Ian, who had almost reached the gate, paused mid-stride, his eyebrow twitching violently. "???"
What kind of tiger-and-wolf talk was that? Were her... peculiar personality traits literally printed on that hat of hers?
…
The next morning.
Under the shade of a tree at the fifth training ground, Nami, who had been anxiously scanning the area, finally spotted a figure at the entrance.
"Commodore Ian! He's here! Vice Admiral Garp is here!" she called out, running over to where Ian was trying to steal a few more moments of rest in the cool shade.
Hearing Nami's cry, Ian jolted upright, instantly awake. He was used to lazy mornings at the branch and was still adjusting to the early rigor of Headquarters.
After arriving, Nami should have been assigned to train with the other recruits. But at Ian's request, she was reassigned to accompany him. Her talent wasn't in combat; forcing her through standard infantry training for a year or two was meaningless. As long as she could defend herself against common thugs, that was enough.
Seeing Vice Admiral Garp approach, Ian's expression turned serious.
"Salute!"
"Good morning, Vice Admiral Garp!"
"Good morning, Vice Admiral Garp!"
They greeted him in unison, showing the respect his rank and station commanded. After all, Ian would be training under him daily; the master-apprentice dynamic had to be observed.
"You look lively enough! Must be unaccustomed to waking up this early, huh? Hahaha!" Garp laughed heartily, his eyes then falling on Nami. "This young lady is... Nami, right? About your weapon, I've been in touch with Borsalino's science unit. The functions sound a bit peculiar, but it shouldn't be a problem to manufacture. We should have it by the end of the month."
Nami froze. "Weapon? For me?"
"Indeed, for you," Ian interjected patiently. "Back in the East Blue, we didn't have the resources. Now that we're at Headquarters, I've been considering a combat weapon that would suit your unique skills. So, I asked Vice Admiral Garp to have the Science Corps fabricate it."
Ian knew precisely how Nami's fighting style would evolve. The weapons she could invent on her own were no match for the advanced technology of Vegapunk's research unit. It would be a waste not to utilize the available resources. He had described the weapon's characteristics and requirements to Garp, and as it was the first favor his new apprentice had asked for, Garp had readily agreed.
To Ian and Garp, it was a simple matter. But to Nami, it was anything but. She was already overflowing with gratitude for Ian selecting her to come to Marineford from the East Blue branch. To have him think of her needs so specifically, to secure a custom-made weapon for her so soon after their arrival... this gesture struck a deep chord within her.
"Thank you, Commodore Ian! Thank you, Vice Admiral Garp!" Overwhelmed, Nami bowed deeply to both of them.
Following Ian was, without a doubt, the best decision she had ever made.
After the brief interlude, it was time to begin the day's real business.
"Ian," Garp began, his tone shifting to that of an instructor. "I know you ate the Human-Human Fruit. You don't have a beast form like other Zoans. On the surface, that seems like a disadvantage. But in my view, pushing the limits of the human body itself is the true path for you. Your physical strength already far surpasses that of an ordinary officer, correct? So your fruit isn't completely useless." A fierce grin spread across his face. "For the next while, be mentally prepared. It will be hellish training! Hahahaha!"
He laughed, then his aura solidified, all business now.
"First, we start with the most fundamental hand-to-hand combat mastered by every Marine officer. Do not underestimate the basics. If you truly grasp their essence, I guarantee your close-quarters combat will be elevated to an entirely new level."
End of Chapter