Marineford Military Academy, on the training ground.
The afterglow of the setting sun scattered across the land.
Having baked in the sun all afternoon, the entire training ground was hot and stuffy.
The thirty Military School Students in First Class had all been scared unconscious by Lieutenant General Sephiroth's killing intent illusion.
Therefore, in the previous swordsmanship guidance lesson, the thirty Military School Students happily slept through the class. Their physical and mental fatigue eased, leaving them in a much better mood.
"That move Lieutenant General Sephiroth used just now looked so powerful!"
"Yeah! Is that the realm of swordsmanship where there's no sword in hand, but a sword in the heart? Super strong!"
"It's a pity I have no talent for swordsmanship. I want to learn that super cool move too!"
"I've decided, from now on, I will diligently study swordsmanship. I must become a Great Swordsman like Lieutenant General Sephiroth!"
...
Now was the last class of the day: Hand-to-Hand Combat!
Since this was a large class taught by Zephyr, the students from First Class were joined by two other classes. More than ninety people stood on the training ground, mostly Military School Students, with a few instructors.
Listening to the private whispers of the Military School Students from First Class, Zephyr's old face couldn't help but turn as black as the bottom of a pot.
During the swordsmanship class, he'd had a feeling that something was wrong with the move Sephiroth used!
Now, the more he thought about it, the more he felt that it wasn't the realm of swordsmanship where there's no sword in hand, but a sword in the heart…!?
Nonsense! That was clearly a technique born from the combination of Haoshoku and killing intent!
Sephiroth, that brat, actually dared to fool him with such a little trick!!?
This was unbearable.
Today, he, Zephyr, would let Sephiroth know the consequences of fooling him and misleading his students!
"Sephiroth, I'm still short of a sandbag in this class... Ah! No, I'm short of a practical combat opponent. Hey! Wait, why are you drawing your sword...!? Put your sword down first, this is Hand-to-Hand Combat class now. Let's have a good spar with just physical techniques today and show the students the profound meaning of physical techniques!"
Zephyr widened his eyes and raised his hand to stop Sephiroth from drawing the twin swords at his waist.
What a joke! If he let this kid draw his sword, how could he properly abuse the other party and vent his anger in this teacher-student match...!?
Hearing this, Sephiroth immediately raised his hand and scratched his head, showing a difficult expression:
"Ah! Can't I use a sword? But I'm a Great Swordsman! If I don't use a sword, I feel like I can't quite control myself..."
"Don't worry! I'm your teacher after all, I know how to keep things in proportion!"
Zephyr threw off the white coat of justice on his body and removed his purple suit jacket, revealing his muscular, powerful upper body, packed with explosive power.
"Uh! Alright then!"
Sephiroth sighed lightly. Through his Observation Haki, he could clearly sense the strong malice emanating from Zephyr.
It was obvious that the old man was planning to give him a good beating in the Hand-to-Hand Combat class today.
Since that was the case, Sephiroth also decided to go all out and not hold back!
Isn't it just hand-to-hand combat?
As a Vampire Fruit user with super regeneration, would he be afraid of this...?
Back then, Sephiroth only thought that as a Devil Fruit user, he could easily be touched and countered by Sea Stone if he only engaged in hand-to-hand combat, which was why he switched to practicing swordsmanship.
However, he didn't expect his swordsmanship talent to be so high, and he became a Great Swordsman while practicing...
After putting the twin swords tucked at his waist, along with the white coat of justice, aside, Sephiroth then distanced himself from Zephyr and assumed a starting stance for hand-to-hand combat.
Seeing this scene, to prevent accidental injuries, the instructors quickly urged the Military School Students to distance themselves, clearing enough space for the two of them to move.
As the Military School Students kept retreating, they couldn't help but start discussing animatedly.
"Wow! General Zefa is actually going to spar with Lieutenant General Sephiroth, this is going to be a good show!"
"Who do you think will win?"
"It should be General Zefa, right?"
"Lieutenant General Sephiroth isn't weak either!
He's a person who can contend with the Four Emperors..."
"But isn't Lieutenant General Sephiroth a Great Swordsman?
He probably can't exert his full strength in hand-to-hand combat, right?"
"Hearing you say that, it does seem to make some sense..."
...
Zephyr smiled, looking at his former student. He beckoned and said with a slightly teasing tone:
"Sephiroth, I know your swordsmanship is very strong..."
"However, I want to know if you've fallen behind in your physical technique training after graduation."
"Just so-so!
Just enough to kill the Beasts Pirates Queen, Queen, with bare hands..."
"Oh! That's indeed not to be underestimated!" Zephyr said with slight surprise.
The next moment, boom-! Sephiroth stomped hard on the ground with both feet, and his entire body, like an arrow shot from a bowstring, swung his right fist, bringing up a loud sonic boom, and shot directly towards the purple-haired old man.
"Good!"
Zephyr let out a low shout, also raised his right fist, and met it.
Bang-!...
Their fists, hardened with Armament Haki, collided directly, producing a dull thud in the air.
Due to the immense force of the punches, cracks instantly spiderwebbed across the ground beneath their feet as they dispersed the impact.
In this exchange, neither of them used Armament Haki Infusion or internal destruction, tacitly agreeing.
Sparring was sparring, after all. It was different from a death match.
The two wouldn't be so foolish as to fight with full Haki. This spar was more about comparing combat techniques...
After all, if they really went all out with Haki, the entire Marineford Military Academy would become a ruin in no time!
The reason Garp had always avoided fighting Sephiroth was probably due to his consideration of the latter. If the two of them truly started fighting, there was a high probability they would get serious!
In that case, they would basically completely reshape the topography and landscape of an island...
After the initial exchange, having assessed Sephiroth's approximate level of physical technique, Zephyr began to launch various attacks using Six Styles.
Tempest Kick!
Finger Pistol!
Soru!
Moonwalk!
Various Six Styles, and derivative techniques, were displayed one by one in Zephyr's hands. Sephiroth didn't try to show off in front of an expert, instead only using his most proficient Soru and Moonwalk to fight, occasionally interspersing the derivative skill of Finger Pistol for short-to-medium range attacks.
The two went back and forth, fighting fiercely and lively, making the Military School Students exclaim repeatedly, calling it incredible that physical techniques could have such a variety of attack methods.
However, if someone of the Elite Vice Admiral level saw the two's sparring match, they would probably comment:
"What a wonderful performance!"
Neither side even used Armament Haki Infusion, only Armament Haki hardening. This was less of a fight and more of a mutual probing of combat techniques.
After exchanging a few blows, they quickly discovered a problem:
He actually possesses Observation Haki that can foresee the future!
He actually possesses Observation Haki that can foresee the future!
In this situation, unless they got serious and went all out with Armament Haki, continuing to fight like this would be meaningless...
Therefore, Zephyr could only temporarily set aside the idea of beating Sephiroth up and instead began a demonstrative teaching of Six Styles, allowing the Military School Students to observe and learn the techniques of Six Styles properly.
After dodging more than ten consecutive Finger Pistols fired by Zephyr, Sephiroth didn't choose to counterattack. Instead, he voluntarily distanced himself. He took the initiative to speak.
"Zefa Sensei, there's no point in us continuing to fight like this."
"That's true..."
Hearing this, Zephyr nodded, and was about to propose ending this demonstrative teaching and letting the Military School Students begin their sparring mode.
"I've decided to show a little of my true ability!"
"Hmm!?"
Sephiroth's mouth curled into an evil smile.
"Zefa Sensei, have you ever heard of... Observation! Kill!"
As he spoke, Sephiroth's figure swelled. He activated the Human-Beast form of the Vampire Fruit, while simultaneously using Life Return to enhance his speed and reduce his strength.
Immediately, his body was covered in a layer of dark red Haoshoku Haki, like flickering flames.
Observation Haki is a technique derived from "listening." By listening to the sounds produced by an object's movement, one can predict its trajectory in advance.
Even Observation Haki that can foresee the future is just an enhancement of this "listening" prediction, analyzing the opponent's aura changes through super strong Observation Haki perception.
Ordinary Observation Haki users can be deceived or overwhelmed by high-speed attacks and complex trajectories.
But...
To overwhelm advanced Observation Haki that can foresee the future, either the speed of the attack must exceed the enemy's reaction speed, or one can only deceive this powerful perception through aura disguise!
Ever since Sephiroth could use and freely control Haoshoku Haki, he had been thinking about how to use this power more flexibly to interfere with the enemy's perception, to quickly deal with such troublesome enemies.
After continuous research and attempts, he managed to cover his body with Haoshoku and make it flow in a regular manner. This stabilized the aura he emitted, preventing advanced Observation Haki users from predicting the future through the fluctuation of his aura!
In this state, Sephiroth's Haoshoku Haki would deceive advanced Observation Haki users, causing their perception to be mistaken. Even if he had already launched an attack, they would perceive him as standing still.
This technique is only suitable for fighting against Observation Haki masters. Against those with low-level Observation Haki, or those who don't use it at all, this technique is completely superfluous.
Furthermore, when using this technique, most of one's attention is focused on controlling the flow of Haoshoku. The attack power of Haoshoku Haki and the perception of Observation Haki will be significantly weakened.
This is a technique with both advantages and disadvantages...
Swish!
Before Zephyr could react, Sephiroth's figure vanished from his original spot.
Zephyr quickly activated his Observation Haki to its fullest, attempting to perceive the young man's whereabouts and attack by foreseeing the future.
However...
He couldn't see!
What shocked me immensely was that I couldn't foresee any future related to Sephiroth. In my perception, he was still standing in place, and hadn't disappeared at all!
As an Admiral, I could fight against many top-tier enemies. Even at a disadvantage, I wouldn't be easily defeated. Besides my Armament Haki, honed to its peak, the thing I relied on most was my Observation Haki, which could foresee the future.
However...
This power I relied on and trusted the most had actually failed...!?
Suddenly!
A strong sense of crisis struck. Following my inner instinct, I quickly turned my head.
I saw that Sephiroth had appeared behind me at some point. With lightning speed, he raised his leg and kicked out a whip kick.
By the time I reacted, it was too late to adjust my posture and assume a defensive blocking stance!
Therefore, I could only hastily use Armament Haki to enhance my body's defense.
The next moment.
Boom!
A fierce and unparalleled leg force struck, heavily kicking me in the back. My body hit the Marine Academy building in the distance like a cannonball, smashing a huge hole in the concrete wall!
Seeing this scene, the Military School Students and instructors present were all stunned. Their faces were filled with shock and disbelief.
They never expected that General Zefa, who had been fighting back and forth with Sephiroth, would suffer such a huge setback now!
I did a carp jump, got up from the collapsed ruins, and patted the dust off my body. As if nothing had happened, I walked out through the hole, laughing and scolding.
"Hey! You brat, you've really grown capable!
You actually took advantage of my distraction and attacked me by surprise..."
Looking at the somewhat strange gazes of the Military School Students towards me, I immediately glared and said:
"What are you looking at? I've been teaching with Sephiroth for so long, now it's your turn to have practical combat!
Hurry up and start sparring, anyone whose opponent hasn't fainted before the end of class will be penalized with an extra two hundred laps!"
Whoosh!
As soon as these words were spoken, ninety Military School Students quickly found their opponents and began fierce sparring duels...
However, after I walked out of the teaching building, I didn't mention continuing the fight with Sephiroth.
Just kidding! Doesn't Admiral "Black Arm" Zephyr care about his reputation?
With just a fleeting glance, I knew that Sephiroth had mastered a very profound combat technique!
If we continued to fight, with my strength declining since my peak, I estimated I would likely suffer a crushing defeat!
I was very aware of my current physical condition, basically relying on medication every day...
Now, if he engaged in overly strenuous exercise, it would trigger asthma, greatly reducing his combat power.
The ability to trade blows with Sephiroth just now was thanks to medication he'd taken beforehand to temporarily suppress his asthma.
If they fought for another ten minutes or so, the medication might fail!
If he were ten years younger, and his physical condition was still at its peak, he'd have the confidence to fight Sephiroth fiercely. Even without the assistance of Observation Haki to foresee the future, he wouldn't lose too badly.
As for now...?
Cutting his losses was the only option. That was the room of an adult!
After all, the other party wasn't a life-or-death enemy, and there was no need to fight to the death...
Sephiroth didn't mention continuing the fight either. Letting Zephyr, this old man, suffer a setback once was enough; there was no need to push it.
Only hot-blooded young people would choose to push their luck and leave no room for retreat.
As a rational adult, one needed to grasp the proper measure of things.
Leave a line when dealing with others, so you can meet again in the future, isn't that right...?