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(T/N: Please give me some power stone, I hope it can at least reach top 100)
Early morning, Marine Recruit Training Grounds.
Rows of Marine recruits ran with all their might around the edge of the training field. Their numb expressions showed little emotion.
This training wasn't like a typical workout with alternating rest periods—it was an all-out sprint using every ounce of strength.
Anyone who's ever run 400 or 800 meters would recognize this kind of exertion. It's a method designed to squeeze out every bit of one's physical and mental potential.
Unsurprisingly, leading far ahead was Kanos Atlas. He had lapped the others multiple times and was even running with added weights strapped to his body.
Even so, the light in his eyes had dimmed somewhat, largely because of the blow from Zephyr last night, which still left him with a lingering ache in his abdomen.
-Flashback-
"Tekkai: Wall Impact!"
Just as Zephyr's fist was about to strike Atlas in the stomach, Atlas reacted just in time.
He tried to use Tekkai to defend against the blow—or at the very least, to minimize the damage.
Bang!
A violent, penetrating force surged into Atlas's abdomen, making it feel like a raging sea was churning inside him. He nearly coughed up last night's dinner.
"At least I managed to guard in time! What the hell does this guy eat? That muscle density is monstrous."
"Good thing I used a little Ryuo Haki—or I'd have lost face in front of the recruits," Zephyr thought to himself.
Thankfully, Atlas didn't know Zephyr had used Ryuo Haki against him—otherwise, he wouldn't know whether to laugh or cry.
-End Flashback-
"Alright, ten minutes left in this twenty-minute endurance run! Hang in there! Look at Atlas—he's still running with extra weights!"
"What excuse do the rest of you have not to keep going?!" barked Captain Juzuo from the center of the field, his expression stern.
"Remember this feeling. True strength isn't just about physical power—it's about willpower."
"You may not understand that now, but one day you will. What you need to do now is persist, push past your limits, and overcome yourselves!"
This kind of physical training was primarily a test of will. Of course, it also significantly improved stamina and endurance.
But in the end, it wasn't about power—it was about mental resolve.
Five minutes passed.
"Thud!"
Someone at the back of the group collapsed without warning, gasping desperately for air like a bellows in a blacksmith's forge.
They lay there like a puddle of mud, utterly drained. Before long, others began dropping as well, like a chain reaction of dominoes.
Still, Captain Juzuo didn't stop them. He merely watched, unmoved.
Meanwhile, Atlas kept running like a machine—his steps precise, his breathing only slightly heavier, with no sign of slowing down.
Monster. That was the word echoing in everyone's minds.
Atlas jogged up to Juzuo and asked, "Reporting in, sir. Do you have any heavier weights? These are too light."
The adjutant nearby replied helplessly, "You're already using the heaviest gear we've got in the recruit camp."
Juzuo was at a loss for words. Then he said to Atlas, "This kind of basic training is already meaningless for you. Later, come find me with those whose Doriki exceeds 500."
"…Yes, sir!"
By this point, the special training session was over. All the recruits were lying on the ground in disarray—even Tashigi was no exception. Juzuo glanced over the field.
Although only Atlas was still standing, about a hundred recruits had managed to persist until the end.
He gave a small nod of approval. Though some of them had Doriki values as low as 100 or 200, their mental fortitude was unquestionable.
"Time for the next training. Adjutant, supervise the rest. Those with a Doriki over 500—step forward and follow me!"
A group of about eight stepped forward, including Atlas. He only recognized four of them; the rest were unfamiliar.
"I've called you here to begin the next stage of special training. Physically, you've already surpassed normal human limits. Now, I'm going to teach you a martial arts style that goes beyond those limits—Rokushiki, the Six Powers of the Marines!"
"Of course," Juzuo continued, "even if your bodies are ready, I want to warn you—don't try to bite off more than you can chew. If you feel like you're not gifted enough, focus on mastering just a few techniques."
But everyone here was a prodigy, chosen from bases across the sea.
Naturally, they were proud and ambitious. Juzuo could already predict that most of them would aim to learn all six.
"Atlas is the exception. You'll be learning all Rokushiki."
"Also, this is the elite class of the recruit camp. At the end of the year, there will be an evaluation—an open challenge between you and the standard class."
"The winners rise. The losers fall. Here, the one with the bigger fists gets the better resources!"
Juzuo's words were electrifying. The recruits weren't fools—they understood exactly what that meant.
"Alright, let's start with an overview of the Rokushiki!"
"Most of you have probably encountered some of them before. I'll explain the principles first, then we'll do practical sparring to give you a deeper understanding."
"After that, it's up to you how far you go."
"Soru is about stepping on the ground dozens of times in a split second to propel your body explosively."
"Rankyaku is a kick technique that slices the air with a vacuum blade—similar to a swordsman's slash…"
The others immediately turned to look at Atlas—he was the only actual swordmaster present.
"Geppo lets you temporarily stay airborne by kicking the air itself. But it consumes an insane amount of stamina—it's considered the hardest to master among the Six."
"Shigan focuses all your strength into your index finger to pierce like a bullet—easily capable of penetrating steel."
"Kami-e is…"
After explaining, Xiu Zuo turned toward Atlas, a slightly ominous look in his eye.
"Atlas, come up here and spar with me. Let's give everyone a more direct demonstration of the Rokushiki."
As expected, Atlas knew he was in for it the moment Juzuo opened his mouth. Smoker and Rosinante stood off to the side, grinning mischievously.
"Aw man, guess I can't get out of this. I won't hold back, Instructor Juzuo!" Atlas said, forcing a smile as he stepped forward.
"Stop talking big, kid!" Juzuo snapped.
"Shigan!"
Juzuo formed finger-guns with both hands, unleashing a flurry of strikes like a many-armed Asura. It was a barrage of finger bullets headed straight for Atlas.
But Atlas remained calm. A red gleam flickered in his eyes—Observation Haki activated.
He twisted and weaved with near-invisible movements, evading every single strike within a narrow margin.
Still, Atlas wasn't the type to dodge—he immediately lunged forward, stomping hard with his left leg. The ground cracked beneath him.
Tekkai!
Juzuo's expression changed. He quickly crossed his arms in front of him to block, but it still felt like getting hit head-on by a steam train.
He staggered back several steps before regaining his footing.
"How was that, Instructor Juzuo?" Atlas grinned.
The crowd was stunned. If any of them had taken that blow, they would've been completely knocked out.
"Good one, kid! Let's go again!" Juzuo shouted with a battle-hungry grin.
"Rankyaku!"
"Soru!"
Atlas vanished from his spot, dodging the flurry of vacuum blades with aerial afterimages.
Though his body could've tanked the hits with just minor injuries, Atlas preferred to keep his appearance intact—he wasn't about to finish the day looking like shredded cloth.
He darted toward Juzuo again, delivering a Shigan aimed right at his vital point.
"Watch closely—this is Tekkai!"
Even in the middle of combat, Juzuo found time to give commentary, causing Atlas to strike harder instinctively.
Clang!
A metallic clang rang out—Tekkai: Armament Haki!
Turns out, Juzuo had secretly coated his torso in Armament Haki beneath his uniform.
It was a good call—Atlas's raw power, enhanced by the Ox Talisman's divine strength, was no joke. This wasn't just 1 + 1 = 2; it was strength that shattered expectations.
If he hadn't used Haki, he might've ended up with a bleeding wound. It wouldn't have been a big deal, but losing face in front of the students?
That would've been unforgivable.
"Alright, that's enough for today's demonstration," Juzuo quickly called out, noticing the (slightly unhinged) smile forming on Atlas's face.
Atlas licked his lips with reluctant satisfaction. Back in the East Blue, he'd never met a proper opponent. Coming to Marine Headquarters had been worth it.
To Atlas, a real warrior challenges those stronger than themselves. The strong raise their blades against the stronger. The weak? They only pick on the weaker.
True strength never comes out of nowhere. And fate never betrays those who sweat for it.
"Okay, the rest of you continue practicing. If you don't understand something, find me. Atlas, come with me—Instructor Zephyr wants to see you."
Juzuo casually dismissed Smoker and the others, then gestured for Atlas to follow him to Zephyr.
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