Push the pressure to the limit. When cornered, you'll use everything—even Devil Fruits, not just swordsmanship.
"Mad Thunder – Bull Rush!!"
Rampaging Bear's face darkened as he launched an even fiercer assault, roaring with blazing fury:
"Yaaaargh! This is pissing me off! Muscles are the apex of this sea!"
"The power of muscles is the peak!"
In that instant—
His entire aura turned more violent and feral, wild energy surging into his strike.
The power surged immediately.
The air trembled violently, like boiling water.
"Fistbone: Honesty!"
Klein's presence shifted dramatically, carrying the unyielding conviction to shatter everything with his fists—fueled by a drive to protect.
To protect his comrades?
No—
More accurately, to protect Gloriosa and Shakky, women worthy of being called treasures.
Klein subtly twisted the core belief behind Fistbone: Honesty.
After all…
He couldn't stomach that "Deserter King" Koby nonsense from the bottom of his heart.
"Muscles are the peak?" Klein countered mid-strike.
"No. Haki is the power that reigns above all else!!"
Crackle—Zzzzzzt—
As his fist coated in Conqueror's Haki smashed forward, black-red lightning surged wildly, tearing through the sky!
BOOOOM!
Combining terrifying power with freakish talent, Klein fine-tuned his energy, making this strike stronger and fiercer than any before!
It radiated an aura of invincibility.
Three years of pay-to-win grind culminated in this punch packed with literal gold.
Yes—literal value.
Before the fist even made contact—
The Conqueror's Infusion carrying explosive, tyrannical might smashed into Rampaging Bear's fist mid-air.
The moment they clashed, Rampaging Bear's eyes flashed with shock as a tremor ran through him:
"This brat—his attack power skyrocketed!?"
"The boost from Conqueror's Infusion is just… insane!"
His own Armament Haki was being eaten away, consumed by Klein's overwhelming force.
Damn it!
The collapse of his Armament Haki was faster than expected—"This punch… I can't stop it!"
The thought barely formed before he was blasted several kilometers away like a skipping stone, smashing into the island over and over.
Each impact sent mushroom clouds of smoke billowing into the sky.
"I was just planning to make a token appearance… but now I'm fired up. No way I'm going to leave this half-baked."
Klein skimmed across the ground like a glider, racing toward the island's interior.
On the Titanic.
The moment Gloriosa heard that, her delicate frame trembled involuntarily, a very physical reaction surging through her.
It was like all the strength in her body had been drained in a flash.
Her feelings for Klein now went far beyond emotional—they were physiological.
Men and women alike are human. Lust is only natural.
"Klein-sama… You can drive through any damn drainage ditch, huh? I'm impressed!"
Os stared, utterly dumbfounded.
'Driving'—that was a term he first heard from Klein himself.
Charlotte Linlin's face turned cold, looking visibly annoyed.
"Hmph. When's Klein finally going to marry me—?"
"It's been three years already."
"Don't tell me I have to wait another three years!?"
She'd proposed marriage several times over the years, but Klein always declined.
First, because Linlin was still too young—
Not even 14 yet.
Second, she hadn't completed his training program.
But most importantly… their body sizes were too incompatible. Their '10-style' weapons just didn't match—yet.
"Oi, Linlin, you'd better focus on Oyaji's 'Iron Fist.' It's rare to see him use one of this magnitude—you don't wanna miss it," Loki advised gently from the side.
Linlin had a well-rounded foundation thanks to Klein's teachings. He was training her in Iron Fist.
However, her conviction wasn't particularly strong.
Her talent was just too overwhelming.
Even the slightest effort placed her far beyond normal humans—leaving little challenge or pressure.
Loki added, "Oyaji's Iron Fist is easily a hundred times stronger than yours..."
"I know, I know! Oyaji said it himself: Haki is the power that reigns above all else!"
Kaido's little face lit up with excitement.
He was only 3 years old and hadn't started formal training yet, but he spent most of his time tailing Klein, or watching duels between Loki, Linlin, Newgate, and Gloriosa.
He remembered everything Klein said—clearly and vividly.
What Kaido didn't know, though, was…
That line he admired so much was actually a quote from his future self.
Kaido turned to Os.
"Os! Quick, gimme the binoculars! They've moved deeper into the island!"
"Here." Os unstrapped the binoculars from his waist. Sure, his sniper rifle Qianlu had a scope—but that gun was a sacred gift from Klein-sama.
No way he was touching it lightly. That was his precious Black Sniper Rifle.
Elsewhere.
"Mr. Lincoln—he's completely getting overwhelmed by Klein. He's way too strong."
Kong's eyes were filled with admiration and envy. As a Marine, who didn't dream of becoming an Admiral?
Judging by Klein's current performance, the odds of him becoming one…
Were 100%.
And given Klein's age, he'd be the youngest Marine Admiral in history—a distinction that would make countless Marines green with envy.
Kong's expression turned solemn.
"I once hoped Klein would be my adjutant. But at this rate, when he becomes an Admiral…"
"You just keep at it, Kong. If you push hard enough, you might be an Admiral in a few years too."
Instructor Carter gave him a comforting pat on the shoulder.
He knew how it felt to have a peer you could never surpass.
Especially when…
That monster Klein was the rising star of the generation!
"That little freak's growth rate is absolutely absurd. Just absurd!"
Carter voiced Kong's inner thoughts, then added with a sigh:
"But looking at it another way—it's actually a huge blessing."
"If you make it too, we'll have all three Admirals set. Add in the next gen—Sengoku, Garp, and the rest—and the Marines will enter their golden age."
"A golden era for the Marines—!"
Oharden nodded in agreement.
"Carter's right. And don't forget—Klein's adopted son isn't just any brat. If he manages to pull in the Giants..."
"That'd be an incredible force."
Then he frowned slightly, worry flickering in his gaze.
The World Government probably wouldn't be thrilled to see the Marines become this powerful.
He sighed inwardly:
"One step at a time. Once I retire, the Navy won't be my problem anymore."