Sold Out!

"That's good! Sit down, have some water, share your thoughts, and let them collect some data."

Upon hearing this, Kizaru pointed to the researchers who were eagerly waiting nearby and said to Ron.

With the help of Ron, a Lightning Person and the founder, the researchers who were expected to take a week or even several weeks to obtain all the data finished their tests in just one afternoon, with only some fragmented evidence collection remaining.

Ron also offered his opinions. Except for a small portion of the current intensity corresponding to the Power Level values that needed adjustment, the rest was perfect! Of course, the most important thing was that the user's comfort inside the internal space urgently needed improvement; adding a pillow would be best… This suggestion was vetoed by Zephyr with a punch!

Finally, when the two walked out of the Science Unit's encampment, a group of researchers were incredibly friendly towards Ron, patting their chests and assuring him that he could come to train anytime he needed.

The instrument testing was completed, and not only Ron received rewards, but they also earned corresponding merit. Moreover, they completed the task ahead of schedule with quality and quantity, earning even greater merit!

"With this, although the low-level soldiers will still need to build a foundation and develop their potential slowly, most of the mid-level officers can achieve a leap in improvement in a short period! The future of the Marines is even brighter!"

Exiting the building and bidding farewell to Kizaru and the others, Zephyr sighed with genuine emotion.

In recent years, the Marines had not produced any new monsters, leading to a significant gap. Not only was Sengoku anxious, but Zephyr also felt terrible. Smoker, whom they had high hopes for a few years ago, was a troublemaker, and his strength was not absolutely dominant, which disappointed the high command of the Marines.

Now, it was different!

Even without the emergence of a true monster, with the instruments developed by Vegapunk, the core strength of the Marines could experience explosive growth! Many things that were previously impossible due to troop strength issues could now be undertaken with sufficient capital.

Zephyr was quite looking forward to the future!

And…

On top of this, they also had a true monster!

Ron, the Rumble-Rumble Fruit user!

Not only the core strength but also the future peak combat power was now secured!

Ron was also beaming with joy, silently contemplating in his mind which of the Rokushiki techniques he should choose.

Soru and Tekkai were both very practical skills. The former needed no further explanation; as Teacher Zephyr had taught, with his speed as a Lightning Person, Soru was faster and more energy-efficient than Teleportation in short-range combat. As for the latter, the technique of accelerating blood flow to make the body as hard as steel not only helped in tanking hits but could also be combined with the Lightning Stimulation Method to form a stronger training effect.

"Rankyaku? No, lightning can achieve cutting abilities as well, so it's redundant. The destructive power of Shigan is completely overshadowed by lightning, so no need to worry about it for now… As for Geppo… Elementalization as a Lightning Person allows for flight, but I can't yet control the speed of lightning. Learning Geppo would be a good supplementary option. And Kami-e… My biggest problem right now is having enough brute force but lacking flexibility…"

Walking along the small path, one was thinking and the other was talking. The moonlight stretched their shadows, making them appear so harmonious.

But their thought processes were completely out of sync!

It wasn't until they were about to enter the New Recruit Camp that the figures appearing ahead made them stop. Ron glanced at the person and suddenly felt a phantom pain in his head, instinctively taking half a step back: "Vice Admiral Garp?!"

"Hmph! Useless!"

Zephyr glared fiercely at Ron, then frowned and asked, "Is it about time?"

"Huh? What do you mean?"

Ron looked bewildered, not understanding what they were talking about. In response, Garp glanced at him, grinned, revealing a mouthful of white teeth like a beast ready to devour, "You brat, get back to bed, kids shouldn't butt into adult matters!"

"Hmph! Like I care!"

Ron pouted unhappily, but he also knew that the Marines were not Pirates; they valued not only strength but also status. He didn't have enough status now to be privy to many matters. He instantly transformed into a bolt of lightning, leaving a brilliant streak of light in the night, disappearing at the end of the road in the blink of an eye.

After Ron left, Zephyr looked at Garp seriously and said, "Is the Fleet Admiral really that worried about Ron?"

"Well! Better safe than sorry!"

Garp sighed and shrugged self-deprecatingly, "You know about Dragon's situation, don't you?"

Seeing Zephyr frown, knowing he was very displeased about it, Garp chuckled, "No need to be so tense, Zephyr? It's just a small test! You know Ron's personality, don't you? Have some faith in him."

"Sigh… Perhaps!"

Recalling what happened at the Science Unit today, Zephyr tugged at his collar, his eyes filled with a strange look.

Honestly, even he couldn't be sure now if making Ron a Marine was a good thing.

The next morning, just as dawn was breaking, Ron excitedly ran to Zephyr's office, ready to claim his reward. He had spent the entire night considering which Rokushiki technique to choose, fearing that if he was late, it would be considered as him giving up.

Knock, knock, knock!

"Come in!"

Receiving a response, Ron pushed open the door and said excitedly, "Teacher Zephyr, I came to find you… Uh… Vice Admiral Garp?"

Inside the office, besides Zephyr, was Garp, who had appeared last night. Both of them had solemn expressions, causing Ron to involuntarily lower his voice.

"Did something happen?"

"Oh, it's Ron!"

Zephyr looked up and said, "You're here to claim your reward, right?"

After several months, Zephyr was very familiar with Ron. Seeing the lingering excitement on his face, he knew what Ron was thinking. Ron nodded blankly, "Uh… That's right! I thought about it all night, and I feel I'm very lacking in flexibility right now, so I want to learn Kami-e."

Although Kami-e was not well-known in the original work, far inferior to Soru and Geppo, it was still one of the Marine Rokushiki, compiled from the strengths of various schools, and naturally had its unique aspects. It was not only a technique to enhance perception and flexibility to evade enemy attacks but also the best way for practitioners to understand their own physical condition comprehensively! The ability to master the ultimate secret technique, Life Return, requires an undeniable level of bodily control, and Kami-e plays a very significant role in it!

The only known case is Rob Lucci's Kami-e Bushin, which alters his body's form, reduces consumption, and focuses power on enhancing agility, demonstrating the marvelous application of mastering Kami-e combined with Life Return.

A man must be able to bend and flex, to be soft and hard; being solely rigid will only lead to breakage.

This principle also applies to cultivation.

"Mm, I understand…"

Zephyr nodded and took out a form. "Then please sign here!"

I still have to sign something?

The year-end evaluation rewards didn't require this much hassle!

Ron picked up the form, completely bewildered, and took a look. It was issued by Fleet Admiral Sengoku. The terms listed the reasons and process by which Ron was authorized to learn the Marine Six Powers. At the bottom were supporting documents from the Science Unit, an official seal, and the signatures of Zephyr and Kizaru. Now, only he, the person involved, remained to sign.

Since when did the Marines need this kind of procedure?

Ron couldn't figure it out, but since Zephyr told him to sign, he would. He couldn't be sold to the Celestial Dragons as a slave, could he?

Under the watchful eyes of the jumpy Zephyr and Garp, Ron signed his name. Before he could even put his pen down, he suddenly noticed both old men sighing in relief.

Oh no!

I've been sold!

Before Ron could react, Garp suddenly burst out laughing, "Hahahaha! You want to learn Kami-e?! No problem! I'll teach you well for the next month."

Ron: "W...T...F?"

He looked at Zephyr in shock, only to find Zephyr not even looking at him. Instead, he nodded and said, "Vice Admiral Garp's mastery of the Six Powers is unmatched. He is the strongest in centuries! I am very relieved to have him teach you... Remember, Ron, never slack off on your training. The road you have to travel is still very long!"

Is THAT the important part?!

Look me in the eye when you talk to me!

You really sold me out, you bastard?!

Wait, there's something fishy about that signature!

Ron suddenly realized and reached out to snatch the form. But Garp was quick, covering it with Armament Haki, and grabbed Ron, dragging him outside.

"Hahahaha! You can't escape! Come with me, Ron!"

Seeing Zephyr tuck the form inside his shirt, covered by a thick layer of Armament Haki, Ron dejectedly dispelled his lightning and gripped the doorframe. He tried to struggle, but couldn't resist Garp's monstrous strength. Garp forcefully tore off the wooden strips and dragged him out.

"No!!!"

Once Ron disappeared from sight, Zephyr sighed, took the paper out of his huai, and crumpled it a few times. A single sheet of paper instantly turned into two.

The top one was indeed the document authorizing Ron to learn the Six Powers, essentially an agreement to help the Marines complete the Lightning Stimulation Instrument in exchange for merit, with Zephyr responsible for teaching him and confirming the fulfillment of the promise. The bottom one was the mandatory process for Ron to officially join the Marines, a new recruit's file that would only take effect in two months.

"Sigh! Even though the Five Elders tacitly approved of this, why would a member country jump out and cause trouble? I'm doing this for your own good, Ron."

Sitting in his top-floor office, Zephyr gazed out at the distant port, where Garp's Doghead Warship had been waiting for a long time, ready to depart at any moment.