A frozen training field.
Frost coated the ground.
Opposite Gern stood Kuzan, hands in pockets.
"So this is 'natural-type defense training'?" Gern said dryly.
Zephyr explained calmly.
"Kuzan will attack you with his ice.
You will defend using Armament alone."
Gern swallowed.
Kuzan flicked his fingers.
Ice needles rained down.
Gern coated himself in black Haki.
They bounced off.
"Not bad," Kuzan said.
The ground froze, trying to trap him.
"Don't stop circulating your Haki!" Zephyr ordered.
Gern adjusted—letting Haki flow internally, not just on the surface.
"Ice Ball."
Explosions of freezing air hammered him.
His Haki flickered—
then stabilized.
Dark Armament began to glow faintly red.
"Oh?" Kuzan narrowed his eyes.
"You're touching advanced flow already."
Zephyr smiled faintly.
Thirty minutes later—
"Ice Age!"
The entire field froze.
Gern roared, shattering the ice repeatedly.
"Time!" Zephyr called.
Gern collapsed, steam rising from his body.
"Pass."
Gern laughed weakly.
"Kuzan… you totally had personal grudges there."
Kuzan chuckled.
"Find me later and repay it."