Smack!
Crash!
Poor Sharin Kuhl—strong as a bear—got slapped straight under the table by Ain.
That alone showed just how fierce this girl could be.
"Hahaha!"
The entire bar burst into laughter.
Here, there were no students or instructors—just friends enjoying themselves.
Ain hiccupped and turned, her cheeks slightly red from the alcohol, placing a hand casually on Ren's shoulder.
"So, what did you train during these past six months? Your Six Powers are miles ahead of ours now. Next time I want to go too—can't let you leave me in the dust forever."
Ain was clearly unwilling to fall behind. As Zephyr's disciple, she had pride too.
She could tell Ren hadn't even gone all out in today's fight.
"You guys always hold back in the beginning, trying to feel out your opponents before you go all in. That's stupid. What kind of dumb strategy is that? Who taught you—Zephyr, that old man?"
Ren grinned as he spoke. He hadn't used his full power either, but his grasp of his own strength was always spot-on.
After all, earning Garp's approval wasn't something you could achieve by playing around.
"Yoyoyo! I didn't hold back! I know your tricks too well—that's why I went full power from the start!"
Binz, grinning like a goofball, leaned in.
Though not an instructor, he was still among the strongest in the Elite Division.
"Oh? Then why didn't you use your Iaido slash? I heard you've awakened Armament Haki too—where was that?"
Ren gave him a side-eye and a look full of disdain.
"Uh… well…"
Binz tried to dodge the question. "That Iaido slash takes too long to charge—I'd be knocked out before I finished charging up."
"And as for Armament Haki…"
At this, Binz scratched his head awkwardly and gave a stupid laugh.
"This guy," Ain said with a smug grin, leaning against Ren, "first developed Armament Haki… on his butt."
Pfft!
Pfft!
PFFT!!
"HAHAHA!"
The entire tavern erupted into chaos.
"Holy crap! Binz, you're a legend! I've never heard of anyone awakening Armament Haki from their ass!"
Sharin Kuhl, now recovered and out from under the table, roared with laughter.
Ren wiped his mouth, having nearly spit out his beer.
Laughing uncontrollably, he asked, "Wait, Binz… don't tell me this is because Zephyr kept kicking your butt every day during training?"
"…"
Binz lowered his head, his face turning redder than a monkey's backside.
Snort!
Ain was laughing so hard her whole body went limp, collapsing against Ren.
The others stared at Binz in shock.
"No way… it's true?!"
Binz gave a stiff little nod, prompting another round of uncontrollable laughter from the entire room.
Ren shook his head, barely holding it together. This kind of surprise was too much for his sanity.
Trying to move past it, he asked, "Sharin Kuhl, you guys are leaving the Academy soon, right? Any idea where you're going?"
"Haven't decided yet. But yeah, it's about time I head out. If I stay here any longer, you'll completely steal my spotlight. Don't forget—I used to be the most handsome man in the Elite Division…"
Everyone collectively shuddered.
Just then, a new voice echoed through the tavern—instantly silencing the crowd.
"Mmmh… ugh… it smells so gross in here. I really didn't want to come."
A graceful figure walked into the room.
"She's a damn fairy…"
That was the shared thought of every man present.
But not a single one dared to approach.
On the contrary, most of the men took a full step back.
Some even bolted straight out the door.
Fairy Sadie had arrived.
Moving slowly and lazily, she walked directly toward Ren.
Ren got chills all over.
Beside him, Ain huffed and turned away in a jealous pout. "Shameless!"
Of course, she knew there was nothing between Ren and Sadie. The woman just loved teasing him.
It was Sadie's usual act.
Sadie ignored Ain completely, her long lashes fluttering as she winked repeatedly at Ren.
Ren felt a headache coming on.
Still, at least he wasn't like Sharin Kuhl, who by now had a full-blown nosebleed.
Sadie sat lightly on the table in front of Ren, then crossed her long, seductive legs—causing yet another wave of audible male suffering.
"Shameless witch! Don't look at her!"
Ain, blushing furiously, grabbed Ren's head and shoved it into her chest.
Whether or not he could breathe—well, that was another matter.
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