Garp certainly knew Klein loved money, but when it came to service—there was nothing to complain about.
His reputation was top-notch!
After months of massages, Klein never once slacked off.
Every session left his muscles completely relaxed and his body refreshed, massively improving blood circulation. The results were phenomenal.
Garp's heart burned again as he recalled that punch.
That punch…
It felt tailor-made just for him!!
A style born for him alone!
He plopped into his chair and spread out his left hand. "Thirty million Berries, bro…"
"Even if you sold me, it still wouldn't be enough to cover that thirty million!"
Daring to ask for such a high price—
Klein wasn't bluffing.
The complete "Iron Fist" technique included the use of Conqueror's Haki Infusion.
Sure, Garp might figure it out on his own one day, but with Klein's instruction, he could shave years off his journey.
Avoid all the winding detours, and reach the peak of life early!
"Same as always—IOU!" Klein wasn't worried about Garp skipping out on the debt. Once Garp graduated—
With his strength and talent, promotions and raises would come like riding a rocket.
He'd definitely haul in pirates by the boatload. Just doing regular sweeps of East Blue would be enough to pay off the numbers on that IOU.
He had the ability to repay.
Still…
Garp hesitated. "Bro, is there a deadline for paying this thirty million?"
"When you have the financial strength. But if you can pay and still stall—don't blame me for using violence to collect." Klein raised a fist threateningly.
"You wanna taste this punch a second time?"
He knew Garp wasn't the type to default, but between brothers, it was better to lay things out clearly.
"I have one more condition." Garp's eyes spun with a crafty gleam.
"Shoot."
"You can only teach this technique to me!"
"Hm?!" Klein frowned deeply and took a slow drag from his cigar, staring into Garp's eyes.
Then slowly exhaled three words:
"That'll cost extra."
In the end, after negotiations, they settled on fifty million Berries. And to help Garp start earning faster—
The IOU specified: interest-free for the first five years. After that, 5% interest would be added annually!
Because Garp was still injured, the IOU would be written once his right hand healed.
Zephyr, who had originally been tempted, gave up after hearing that the technique would only be taught to Garp.
He sighed internally: Even if Klein let me take out a loan, there's no way I could pay it back in a few years…
Compound interest would be the end of me…
With his current "plain and unremarkable" talent, he was just another average cadet in the Marines…
Zephyr couldn't be sure that his future self would be able to repay such a huge debt to Klein.
So…
That's why today, he wore many hats: ticket checker, security guard, even selling beer and snacks on the side.
All just to ease the pressure of repayment!
Otherwise, by the time he graduated, he might be drowning in debt!!
Even becoming a Marine meant living under constant repayment stress.
The next day.
After finishing training, Klein was called alone to the instructor's office. The instructor peeked left and right like a sneaky thief before shutting the door.
Then, grabbing Klein's hand, the instructor startled him so badly his arm hair stood up.
Internal alarm bells blared: The sun must be rising from the west. The instructor's definitely up to something.
They sat on the couch. The instructor took out a lavishly gilded box of cigars and set it on the coffee table with a grin.
"Klein, you like cigars, right?!"
"These are top-tier Marine exclusives—nicknamed the King of Cigars."
"Here, a gift. Try one."
The instructor's overwhelming goodwill made Klein feel like he was sitting on pins and needles. He broke out in a cold sweat: What the hell is going on? Does he have… special preferences?
No way I'm that unlucky… right?
I've only seen this online… Is real life really hitting me with one of those?
The instructor even offered to light the cigar himself, making Klein quickly wave him off. "Instructor, if you have something to say, just say it."
"…That martial art of yours—selling it or not?" The instructor stared at Klein with a burning gaze.
"Same price as last time. How about ten million Berries?"
Last time, the Demonic Flame Kick had earned them billions.
Klein had become a walking gold mine!
He wanted a repeat performance…
One, two, three, four—just like before!
So you're trying to buy the technique?
Why didn't you say so earlier!?
You almost scared me to death!
Klein's heart dropped back into place. Whew, false alarm. "Sorry, Instructor. That technique's already been sold!"
"Sold?!" Instructor Carter's face twisted in shock. Was that for real?
Did Klein turn him down because the offer was too low!?
The instructor gritted his teeth and upped the price: "Fifteen million Berries!"
"Instructor, really can't. I've already made an agreement—it'll only be sold to one person." Klein looked a bit helpless.
Besides…
The ultimate form of the "Iron Fist" wasn't something just anyone could learn. It required someone with Conqueror's Haki—
And not just a little of it, either.
Of course, even learning the basics of the Iron Fist could massively boost one's strength. Just look at—
Coby, with his 200x hard work, bursting into a mini-cosmos and unleashing one move: Fistbone: Honesty—and beginning his path to become the King of the Marines!
Fistbone: Honesty
Replacing Garp…
Becoming the Marine hero. Then marrying Hibari. Reaching the peak of life!
Hibari
(Hibari – 雲雀: A female Marine introduced in One Piece's later arcs, connected to SWORD and often seen with Coby. Here likely portrayed in fanon context.)
The instructor clutched his chest. His heart hurt. But he held back his anger. "What a shame—"
Just a bit too late. If only he'd come to Klein right after that spar yesterday…
One step too slow, massive losses!
It hurts so bad!
The instructor patted Klein on the back. "Klein, if you come up with any new powerful moves in the future—come find me."
"I'll pay!"
"I know you love money—I'm just thinking of your best interests…"
He went on with a passionate speech.
After sending Klein off, the instructor beat his chest in regret.
"Who snatched him up first!!??"
Agony!
True agony!!
Not only did he lose the technique, he also gave away his treasured box of luxury cigars.
Lost the girl and the dowry!
Whoever that bastard was—
Couldn't you have teamed up with me!? We could've split the profits fifty-fifty!
That would've been a fortune.
Now…
It was all just a beautiful bubble—pop, and gone.
Leaving the instructor's office, Klein immediately returned to his training center to begin the day's teaching tasks.
"All trainees, assemble!"
"Salute!"
"Greet the instructor!"
"Class begins!"
Life returned to normal. After knocking out Garp with a single punch, Klein's fame exploded.
Plenty of cadets signed up—some even wanted to challenge him.
Klein laid down the rule: One challenge costs 100,000 Berries!
Now he could just sit back and wait for the "veggies" to line up and give him money.
When Garp's injuries mostly healed, Klein brought him into the training chamber—
It was time to formally begin teaching "Iron Fist"!
Klein puffed on his cigar, smirking. "Call me 'bro.'"
These cigars…
They hit different!!
The instructor's luxury exclusive edition really had that kick. Smooth, powerful.
And most importantly… they were free.
Free stuff always tastes better!
"Bro." Garp no longer had any hesitation. "Hurry up and teach me—I've been holding back for days."
Whoa, that sounded kinda sus.