"I didn't ask you to follow me like a swarm of flies — annoying as hell."
"I'm not like you guys. I do things out in the open."
"If you're going to invite someone, shouldn't you at least show your real face first? I'm not interested in dealing with shady types."
The man in the shadows removed his hat, revealing a young face.
"Ren, it's an honor. This is our first meeting. I hope we can work together in the future."
"Spare me. I'm not interested in becoming some secret agent. Just passing by — no need to disturb your great ambitions. Farewell!"
Ren clicked his tongue. These guys were really something — climbing the ladder without shame.
If he actually joined, Garp would probably be the first to drag him out and beat him senseless.
Whoosh!
Ren's figure turned into a flash of light and reappeared more than ten meters away.
It was the farthest distance he had ever moved with his current control of the Glint-Glint Fruit.
But such light-speed movement drained a massive amount of stamina.
A blast of air struck the spot where he had just stood.
"Oho? So the invitation failed and now you're resorting to force?"
Ren smirked, unfazed.
He actually wanted to test his true strength for once.
Over the past few years, he'd never gone all out.
But if he could suppress Ace, his power couldn't be weak.
"Lucci-sama, wait! Don't go too far, Ren is—"
A voice in the dark tried to stop him, but was quickly cut off by a cold snort.
"Lucci? That name sounds familiar. You actually came yourself?
Guess I really am famous now."
Ren chuckled calmly.
A silver moonlit arc slashed through the air toward him.
"Starting already, huh? Fine then."
"New Six Powers — Tempest Kick: Crescent Slash!"
Ren's foot launched a vacuum blade identical in form, matching the incoming strike in both size and power.
Boom!
The two blades collided midair, releasing a shockwave that rippled outward like water.
Dust flew.
Cracks splintered across the ground like spiderwebs jagged and terrifying.
Beneath the black cloak, Rob Lucci's feline eyes widened.
Shock flickered across his face.
"He used Tempest Kick… and it's no weaker than Lucci-sama's!"
Four figures leapt from the shadows — short, tall, fat, thin — each with their own distinct form.
All eyes fixed on Ren in astonishment.
The Six Powers were taught in the elite division, yes, but mastering them? That was another matter entirely.
Even after years of bitter training, none of them had reached this level.
Of course, Lucci was a freak of nature a prodigy who defied common sense.
Now it looked like this Ren wasn't normal either.
To have reached this level in just three years, and to be even younger than Lucci?
"No wonder he's Garp's disciple. He's the real deal. I underestimated you."
Lucci stared coldly at Ren, but for the first time, there was a flicker of respect — even eagerness.
Body technique masters were rare.
To meet someone with comparable skill was even rarer.
Lucci now saw Ren as a worthy rival perhaps his strongest yet.
"I admire your strength. I hope—"
Before he could finish, Ren waved dismissively and turned to leave.
Lucci's expression twisted in anger.
This brat!
He was always the one being cocky.
No one had ever dared act arrogant in front of him.
Everyone who had… was already dead.
Whoosh!
Lucci vanished in an instant.
A whip kick came crashing down toward Ren's head.
"Hmph, trying to go close-quarters? Then taste the iron fists my old man taught me!"
Ren threw a straight punch with blinding speed.
Since Lucci had jumped so high…
He was going to teach him a painful lesson right between the legs.
Ren's figure shifted.
He dodged Lucci's probing kick, and in a flash, closed in from below with a rising uppercut aimed at his—
Boom!
A nearby building wall exploded under the shockwave.
Lucci barely dodged it — just in time.
"You… bastard!"
Lucci roared.
But before he could finish, Ren appeared in front of him again.
"New Six Powers — Cannon Hammer!"
Boom!!
With a deafening blast, a black figure was sent flying.
It crashed through multiple buildings like a missile.
Thankfully, the area had already been cleared of civilians.
"Haha! You're screwed now! Destroying Navy Academy buildings? Even CP9 can't avoid that bill!"
Ren laughed gleefully.
This was Zephyr's personal domain.
Even if you were CP9, you'd still have to pay up.
Clatter!
A disheveled Lucci in full black leather climbed from the rubble, his face twisted in disbelief.
He had already given Ren plenty of credit, but even that hadn't been enough.
As expected of Garp's disciple.
This strength was on a whole different level than the average elite.
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