The Wood's Release

"Classmate Gion has superb swordsmanship and astonishing combat experience. I am completely convinced of my defeat and have no complaints whatsoever."

Hearing Gion's expression, which seemed to say, "If you're not convinced, I can fight you again," Wood immediately chose to back down.

However, it was precisely this attitude that made Gion feel a complete lack of accomplishment in her victory.

And this thought grew stronger and stronger in her heart.

Frankly speaking, Wood's swordsmanship was no weaker than hers, and he had mastered the rapid movement technique "Soru." His stamina and strength held all the advantages.

She was able to defeat him entirely because she knew too well Wood's shamelessness.

If they had met for the first time, and this spar was a real life-or-death duel, would she still have won?

Of course, the answer was no. Although she won, it was only due to good luck.

At this thought, Gion felt a pang of unwillingness again. Just as she was about to find an opportunity to challenge Wood to another match, she discovered that the carefree fellow had already run over to Teacher Zephyr and was fawning over him.

According to the agreement Wood had previously made with Zephyr, he needed to win or draw against Gion for the Cursed Blade "Tenku (Sky-Wither)" to become his.

However, for various reasons, Wood felt that provoking Gion would give him more of a headache, so he ultimately chose to lose.

"With the strength you just displayed, you should have been able to defeat that girl Gion, right? And you were clearly very interested in Tenku (Sky-Wither), yet you deliberately lost."

Zephyr was a Marine Admiral. While Gion and Wood's skill levels were good, in his eyes, they were not much different from rookies.

Wood's final action might have fooled others, but it couldn't fool Zephyr.

With his sharp gaze, it was not difficult to see that whether it was Gion's previous "Flying Rabbit" or the final counterattack, Wood's body had reacted before his consciousness.

There was no other possibility for this other than "Kenbunshoku Haki."

It was also because of this that Zephyr, while watching the fight, had shown a surprised expression like everyone else.

Based on Zephyr's understanding of Wood's strength, he initially believed Wood was no match for Gion.

However, he never expected that in just one year, Wood's growth speed would be so astonishing.

Not only had he mastered "Soru" from the Six Powers ahead of time, but he had also learned "External Slash" and comprehended "Kenbunshoku Haki."

It was one thing to master "Soru" from the Six Powers, as most people could learn this technique with systematic training.

But "External Slash" for a Swordsman and "Kenbunshoku Haki" were different. These weren't skills that could be acquired solely through practice; they required a certain amount of talent, comprehension ability, and extensive combat experience.

And in the past year, Wood should have, like most people, only been studying basic courses and physical training at the Marine school, right?

This kid was not even eighteen yet! When he was this age, he had just entered the Marine school to study!

Furthermore, with one year of basic training, Wood had grown so much. Then, with another year of intensive training and his personal guidance, this brat would surely soar!

"You really wanted to obtain the sword Tenku (Sky-Wither), but you deliberately lost the spar. This means that some people are more important to you than Tenku (Sky-Wither)? From what I know, there are quite a few suitors for that girl Gion, and you are even younger than her..."

Before Zephyr could finish speaking, Wood quickly interrupted, stating that things were not as he imagined.

However, Wood couldn't directly say that he found Gion troublesome, so after struggling for a long time, he was completely speechless.

Seeing Wood's embarrassment, Zephyr showed a knowing smile. Young boys in their prime were like this; he had been through it himself.

To avoid embarrassing Wood further, Zephyr skillfully changed the subject and looked at Tenku (Sky-Wither) in Wood's hand.

"A promise is a promise. Since you couldn't defeat Gion in the spar, Tenku (Sky-Wither) naturally cannot be rewarded to you. However, considering your pleasing growth this past year and that you haven't disappointed my expectations, I can sell Tenku (Sky-Wither) to you at market price."

Wood, who had been quite dejected upon hearing the first half of Zephyr's sentence, immediately showed a delighted expression upon hearing the latter half.

If it were a normal good katana, even sold at market price, Wood's financial status would not allow him to afford it.

But although the Cursed Blade was also a famous sword, due to its ominous nature, it was not favored by swordsmen, and its price on the market was quite cheap.

Zephyr saying he would sell Tenku (Sky-Wither) to him at market price was essentially giving it away for free.

With the practical combat demonstration by Wood and Gion, the Marine elites who remained had their arrogance significantly diminished.

Undeniably, as the cream of the crop selected at the Marine school, they knew they were being trained as Marine officers. Combined with their youthful exuberance, they naturally had a degree of self-satisfaction.

However, after witnessing the fight between Wood and Gion, they finally understood that they had no right to be arrogant.

Both Wood and Gion, though around their age, or even younger, possessed strength that could easily overwhelm them.

Following the battle between Wood and Gion, others were also required to engage in two-on-two duels. However, the results were as Zephyr had initially predicted.

These so-called "Marine elites" who remained were excellent in both physique and theoretical scores. However, once it came to actual combat, they were clearly all show and no substance.

Fearing he would be pestered by others to discuss his strength or by Gion if he stayed any longer, Wood preemptively requested an early departure from Zephyr, citing discomfort from using the Cursed Blade.

Upon returning to the dormitory, Wood admired Tenku (Sky-Wither) in his hands while removing the heavy Weights he had been wearing.

In martial arts, swordsmanship, or the Navy Six Forms, the Marine school provided corresponding experts to train everyone in each course.

Over the course of a year, these Marine elites could choose one specialization for systematic training, with a large-scale practical combat exercise once a month.

Initially, the practical combat courses were mere internal battles among them. In the mid-term practical combat courses, Zephyr would even personally captain a warship and take them out to sea to hunt pirates.

Of course, Zephyr acted as a safeguard. Even if they encountered pirates, he generally wouldn't intervene, allowing the students to handle the enemies themselves.

In the later stages nearing graduation, Zephyr didn't even accompany them on the ships, instead letting Wood and the others sail out alone to engage pirates.

As it was the first half of the Grand Line, the pirates' strength was not particularly formidable. However, whenever a battle occurred, casualties were inevitable.

To become a Marine, especially an officer, the ability to command operations and a fearless mindset in the face of danger were certainly required.