A romantic showdown [Part one]

Compared to when he had first returned to headquarters last year.

Noah's base attributes had all improved through his grueling training, but those gains barely showed in the numbers. Only his endurance had increased by one point.

After all, the stronger he became, the harder it was to improve further.

Besides, his training during this period had focused primarily on swordsmanship and Haki.

He had used five sticks of meditation incense, with half still remaining, and had already achieved a breakthrough in his Observation Haki. That alone was an unexpected bonus.

"Advanced Observation Haki..."

Noah gently closed his eyes and settled his mind. In an instant, his Observation Haki spread silently in every direction like a surging tide.

Even through the thick steel walls, he could grasp every movement within several kilometers, provided he focused on sensing it.

Fallen leaves drifted along the tree-lined avenue to the north, dancing wildly in the wind;

Snoring and grinding teeth came from the recruits' dormitory to the west, punctuated by occasional sleep talk;

And overhead, there was the flutter of wings as seagulls swept past...

Every detail of that chaotic jumble of sounds reached him with remarkable clarity.

"Whew."

Opening his eyes abruptly, Noah slowly exhaled, thoroughly satisfied with the current strength of his Observation Haki.

Its range and precision were several times greater than last year. The benefits in actual combat were easy to imagine.

His former weak point had now been completely eliminated.

Observation Haki, Armament Haki, swordsmanship, hand-to-hand combat, physical strength, recovery...

Noah now considered himself on par with the world's elite fighters in every respect, with virtually no blind spots or vulnerabilities.

"And... this!"

A gleam flashed through Noah's eyes as he stared at the thick steel plate before him and willed his power into motion.

Hum!

Suddenly, a