When Klein looked at Kong, Kong looked right back at him, and in that moment, a jolt ran through Klein's heart.
What kind of eyes were those—eyes filled with raging fire, burning deep within pitch-black pupils.
Eyes so focused they felt like they'd pierce straight through him.
This was their second meeting.
And compared to last time…
It was a world of difference.
Back then, the impression had been: greedy for money, pretty talented.
Now? He looked more like a beast ready to lunge and tear someone apart.
Interesting.
Kong suddenly grinned."Klein, the moment I saw you, my body started heating up. My blood's pumping hard!"
His eyes lit up with blazing brilliance, overflowing with fighting spirit.
"I've been fired up for nearly an hour now, can I say that?" Klein shot back with a smile, though his movements didn't slow.
As he approached, waves of heat rippled off him, subtly raising the surrounding temperature.
Kong lowered his arms, his expression growing serious.
"This test… is getting me more and more excited. I hope you can show me—"
"—the power of the greatest genius in Marine history!"
Klein smirked, not yet fully mature, but his handsome face radiated confidence and wild arrogance.
"You will see it."
"And you'll never forget it—ever."
After an hour of warming up, his concentration peaked. Blood boiled in his veins, as if it might ignite at any moment.
Yeah…
Coming to a hot-blooded shonen world… how could I expect anything less?
Why do I feel like…
Like my chūnibyō soul is catching fire right now? What is going on with me?
Kong spoke up:"Klein, I'm your examiner this time. If your strength meets my approval, you'll qualify for early graduation."
The Justice cloak on his back fluttered with the wind, as dust floated softly through the air.
He locked eyes with Klein.
"If I'm satisfied with your strength, I'll even take you under my command!"
"I'll personally help you grow faster into an excellent Marine, help you rise up quicker!"
Faced with Kong's goodwill, Klein slowly shook his head and chuckled self-deprecatingly."I'm kind of a simple guy—I like money."
"I think I can grow fast just fine on my own."
Though he didn't know Kong well, his reputation for integrity and uprightness was well known.
But Klein…
Wasn't someone who pursued justice, purity, or noble ideals.
He and Kong didn't match.
And besides… hiding his desire to make money was pointless with someone like Kong.
Hearing this, the surrounding cadets and onlookers couldn't help but feel pity for Klein.
He'd already turned down Admiral Rampaging Bear once.
And now he was turning down Vice Admiral Kong?
Another golden opportunity… thrown away.
What the hell is he doing!?
"Klein's unbelievable! First he rejects Admiral Rampaging Bear, now he turns down Kong—he's not giving them any face!"
"Who does this guy think he is?! Turning down two legends?!"
"What an idiot!! He should've passed the opportunity to one of us!"
"·····"
"Wahahahaha!" Admiral Rampaging Bear roared with laughter."That kid Klein's got a temper! But if he loses, he'll have no choice but to join my command!"
"Not so fast," Instructor Carter grinned slyly."I bet two hundred million Beli on Klein!"
Rampaging Bear looked shocked."Klein accepted your bet too? He's that cocky?"
"That kid's crazy."
All in all, that's four hundred million Beli on the line. He couldn't imagine how Klein planned to pay it back if he lost.
Nearby, Oharden furrowed his brows. His aged features twisted in concern."Four hundred million isn't a small sum. And I've heard quite a few people placed bets."
"This kid…"
"Where does that confidence come from?"
Carter beamed."Someone with that kind of talent—how could they not be confident?"
"Even if he loses, I believe Klein will rise again!"
"He's the future Marine Admiral I'm betting on!"
The other two bigshots didn't argue with that.
—
On the field.
Klein felt like he was about to reach his limit. He grinned and shouted:
"Hey—!"
"All of you spectators, friendly warning."
"Be careful you don't get hurt by the aftermath!"
Then he turned to Kong, who had shown him goodwill and even offered recruitment.
"Kong. This punch I'm about to throw—don't you dare let your guard down."
"Otherwise, you'll regret it!"
"Hah—hah!" Kong couldn't help laughing."Klein, come! Show me your power!"
"Whatever you throw, I'll take it head-on!"
Yeah, figures…
No one believed in him. That was fine.
But the one person who must believe in you—
Is yourself, kid.
Zing—
In an instant—
Klein's eyes burst with blazing fire, shooting out terrifying light. The air around his body shimmered like rippling water.
The ground beneath him rumbled violently.
The tremors only intensified!
Everyone's expression changed in a flash. Cold sweat poured down their backs, fear and panic written across their faces.
"Whoa—what's happening?! The ground's shaking! Is this an earthquake?!"
"You gotta be kidding… no way Klein is causing this! That's insane!!"
"Move! Back up now!!"
"What the hell?! Why do I have such a bad feeling about this?!"
"Something's wrong!! Back away!!"
"Holy crap! This quake… is Klein really causing it?!"
"······"
Panic spread like wildfire.
The shaking grew worse. People scrambled back in all directions, trying to put distance between themselves and the battlefield.
Admiral Rampaging Bear shouted:"Everyone! Emergency evacuation—get away from here now!!"
Carter's pupils shrank."Klein… what the hell is going on with this guy?"
Someone tell me why this kid is causing this much of a disturbance.
This punch—
Hadn't even been thrown yet.
But it already made Carter's hair stand on end. He felt a massive sense of danger.
Oharden's expression darkened."This kid… the power building up in his body…"
"It's about to explode!!"
Compared to the distant spectators, Kong—facing Klein directly—felt the fear even more intensely. His face froze in disbelief.
"You…"
"Hahahahaha—"
"This just makes it better! Come at me with everything you've got!!"
Kong ripped off his Justice cloak, revealing his muscular arms. He clenched his fists and stared at Klein with laser focus.
"Haaa—" Klein slowly exhaled a puff of white breath. He bent his arm—
Boom! Boom! Boom!
The muscles on his arm inflated like balloons, bulging tight. His veins throbbed and pulsed.
"Feels like my body's about to explode!!"
"My cosmos… my burning youth!—Ignite it all!!"
"King's Fist!!!"
With a mighty shout, Klein threw a right hook like a home run slugger—clean, graceful, and full of power.
And in that moment—
Brilliant light erupted from his body. The power that had been accumulating inside him surged forth like a tsunami.
The air violently warped. A monstrous shockwave ripped across the ground, melting rocks and soil in its path.
It was like an invisible earth dragon—
Roaring, howling, obliterating everything in its way!
Wherever it passed, nothing remained but dust!
"Armament: Tekkai!"Kong's face went pale. He instantly cloaked his body in Armament Haki, layering it over his Tekkai, transforming into a steel-like statue that gleamed with white light.