"Ahem... Time to prepare."
Drake shook his head and turned to leave. "I heard that kid was already a monster three years ago—challenged the entire regular academy by himself. If we let him graduate the Elite Division without putting up a fight, we'll never live it down."
"He's been with Vice Admiral Garp this whole time. And from what I know, Garp was his very first teacher," Tashigi said, trying to give Drake and Smoker a heads-up.
But Smoker, as dense as ever, didn't seem to pick up on the warning.
Tashigi could only roll her eyes.
"Ugh, two clueless blockheads…" she muttered, swinging her hips as she walked off.
Inside the training grounds, Binz stood frozen in disbelief.
Just as he was about to say something, all he saw was the underside of a rapidly enlarging boot—
Then everything went dark.
"Who turned off the lights?!"
"Wheel-Wheel Fruit — Flaming Wheel Slash!"
Sharin Kuhl's massive figure came barreling in like a flaming chariot.
"New Rokushiki Style — Sky-Crashing Cannon!"
Ren unleashed a newly created technique that fused Iron Fist combat with the vacuum-slicing principles of Tempest Kick.
Letting out a fierce roar, he surged forward like a wild tiger, both fists raised like twin cannons.
Boom!
A ferocious burst of wind exploded from his fists, sending nearby cadets in the Elite Division stumbling backward.
Some of the weaker ones were even blown back over ten meters.
"Incredible! He wasn't even aiming at us, and the shockwave hit that hard!"
"That's Assistant Instructor Sharin Kuhl!"
"They're all so strong!"
"Yeah, I can't believe Ren's this powerful already. He's way beyond the rest of us!"
"Haha, makes us feel useless by comparison—what a monster."
Despite their words, no one seemed actually ashamed. Thick-skinned as ever.
"You bastard! How dare you treat a beautiful lady like that! I'll make you pay!"
Ren had tied up Ain using Binz's vines—but his technique was anything but normal.
His ropework made Ain's figure stand out in full display, earning deafening cheers from the watching male cadets.
Of course, Ren had "refined" this technique after studying countless… instructional materials from a certain island nation.
Non-harmful, purely artistic—bringing out the subject's "inner beauty."
But just as Ren flashed a mischievous grin—
A sultry voice and a lazy figure appeared before him.
Fairy Sadie.
She had tossed aside her whip and now lounged languidly in front of Ren.
Her breath came soft and teasing, her moans seductive and deliberate.
When Ren glanced her way, she clutched her chest and cooed, "You naughty boy… please, be gentle with me!"
"I…"
Faced with this shameless enchantress, Ren did the only thing he could—flee in panic.
Winner of the day: Fairy Sadie.
Nighttime — A small tavern near Marine Headquarters.
The place was packed with students from the Marine Academy—this was their usual hangout.
"Wahahaha! That was amazing! Boss, you're definitely graduating after this return!"
Dal, now over four meters tall, downed his beer in one gulp, his face full of admiration.
All of Dorm 707 had made it into the Elite Division, but Ren was the only one on the verge of graduation.
His situation was unique—not only had he completed all academy training, but he'd also spent long stretches training under Marine hero Garp himself.
"Can't all be geniuses," said Clark, no longer the spoiled noble brat, now looking like a proper Marine. "Boss fought every new recruit on day one—and today, he held his ground against a team of assistant instructors without breaking a sweat."
Simba grinned. "Yeah, and he even stole my goddess… my heart is shattered."
"W-Who said I'm his girlfriend?! He's just shameless and won't let go of my hand!"
It was Ain, whose hand was firmly held by Ren.
Even she didn't sound convincing.
The rose of the Elite Division wasn't someone just anyone could touch.
Only someone as thick-skinned and ridiculous as Ren could pull it off.
Even Ain herself couldn't pinpoint when she got used to having her hand held by him.
"Hey, Ren! Stop wasting time with these kids—come drink with us!"
Sharin Kuhl swaggered over, reeking of alcohol. "I'll show you what a real woman looks like!"
"Back off!"
Ain immediately clung to Ren's arm and smacked Sharin Kuhl upside the head.
Instructor? Senior? Didn't matter.
Anyone trying to lead her man astray deserved a slap.
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