"B-Boss..."
The CP9 members were stunned. He lost that fast?
Ren almost couldn't help but burst out laughing.
So this is that mysteriously useless Iron Body technique. Who knows how many people it's doomed to failure.
If Lucci hadn't used Iron Body, Ren might've had to spend more effort to beat him.
But with his mastery of advanced Armament Haki — not even needing Ryuo — Ren wrapped it up with ease.
"Armament Haki?"
Lucci gritted his teeth and lifted his head, his sharp gaze seemingly piercing straight into Ren.
Ren smiled. "Perfectly normal. I'm in the Marines. Knowing Armament Haki is just part of the job. Like how you know the Six Styles."
"Alright then. You there watching — come on out. I've been putting on a good show. Gotta collect payment now."
Ren glanced toward a different corner.
Sure enough, a deep, gravelly voice rang out.
"Alright, you kids — enough. It was just a friendly sparring match. No need to take it that far."
A tall, burly man stepped into view.
He carried multiple long swords on his back. His sharp eyes glanced teasingly at Lucci lying defeated on the ground.
"Vice Admiral of Marine Headquarters — Onigumo!"
Lucci slowly stood up, narrowing his eyes coldly.
"You brat. Don't you know how to speak respectfully to your superior?"
Onigumo brushed off Lucci's hand with irritation.
Lucci leapt backward, landing several meters away, but his legs buckled upon impact, nearly collapsing.
"CP9 belongs to the World Government. Not the Marines. So you're not my superior."
With that, he turned and walked toward the rest of CP9. But at the last moment, he turned back and said:
"Ren. I hope to see you in CP9 someday. And if not — I'll definitely settle the score next time we meet."
Ren had won.
And it was an easy win. He only used his newly fused Six Styles. He didn't even tap into his Glint-Glint Fruit.
"Lu-Cat, next time ditch that Iron Body. You'll lose even faster otherwise."
Ren chuckled.
"You punk. Don't get too cocky. Lucci's been called the strongest CP9 genius in 800 years. He's not that easy to beat. Be careful next time."
Onigumo gave a stern warning.
"Relax. Got it."
Ren didn't even look back. After that fight, it was time to go home.
The Next Day.
Smack!
"What the hell, Old Man Zephyr?! Why'd you hit me?!"
The moment Ren walked into Zephyr's office, he was lashed several times.
Zephyr, however, wore an innocent look. "Oh, this was a direct order from your master. He said I'm to attack you anytime, anywhere. It's to train your danger-sensing instincts."
"What the—?!"
Ren stared blankly. These two old geezers were definitely messing with him.
It didn't cause injuries, but it really hurt.
"You're doing this on purpose!"
"Haha, correct — but no prize."
Zephyr laughed heartily. "You had fun fighting last night, didn't you? Destroyed over a dozen houses near the academy. Gotta give you some punishment or you'll never learn."
"Oh, and close your eyes."
Zephyr tossed him a black blindfold.
"From now on, unless I say so, you're not allowed to take it off."
Ren: "What the hell are you planning..."
"Just do what I say. Don't worry about the rest."
With no choice, Ren followed orders and put on the blindfold.
"Why did Teacher Zephyr hit Ren?" Ain asked worriedly. "He just got back. Did he do something wrong?"
"I don't think so," Binz replied. "It's probably a new training method. He's supposed to be attacked at random, to sharpen his awareness of danger..."
"So scary. What if we have to do that next..."
Clark and the others twitched at the thought.
"Are we going to have to do that training too?"
Everyone looked horrified.
Terrifying!
From then on, under everyone's gaze, Zephyr would lash Ren with his training whip from time to time.
Never a warning.
Ren was in "agony." Zephyr's hits never injured him — but the pain was no joke.
At first, Ren tried to dodge using sound cues, but he failed every time.
No wonder he's Admiral-level. Zephyr's whip made no sound as it struck.
"I have to rely on instinct?"
Ren smiled bitterly. "Looks like until I awaken Observation Haki, Old Man Zephyr's going to keep whipping me!"
In the end, Ren skipped cultural class that afternoon, lying face-down in the dormitory, his back covered in red welts.
"Tsk! That old man is definitely doing this on purpose. Revenge! And it really hurts!"
Still, Ren knew Zephyr's strikes were highly precise.
Painful — but harmless.
He also knew this was all to help him awaken Observation Haki, so he didn't use Armament Haki to block.
--------------
Access 30 chapters in advance on my P@treon: [email protected]/Ashborn60