Human-Muscle Demon Back

Norse and Zephyr locked eyes on the spot.

It was as if, in that invisible instant, the two had already exchanged a look of understanding. Their fighting spirits collided, their auras unparalleled, and intangible sparks scattered in every direction.

Was that thunder? Or lightning?

"Hahaha, Zephyr, do you smoke?"

Norse's laugh suddenly shattered the tense, oppressive atmosphere.

Ignoring the bewildered looks around him, Norse skillfully pulled a cigarette from the pocket near his crotch and tossed it toward Zephyr.

The Marines around them, along with the pirate girls aboard the Kuja Pirates, had even grown heavy and restrained in their breathing as they waited to watch the shocking battle about to erupt between the two.

Yet unexpectedly—

At the crucial moment, their attention was hijacked by this joke. What a guy who refused to play by the rules.

"Tch, what a letdown. After all that, this is it?"

"Exactly. What is Norse trying to pull now? If we can fight, then fight. If not, we'll just take off. It's not like they can get up here anyway."

Gorud and Sonia aboard the Kuja Pirates were both disappointed and suspicious that Norse was merely putting on a show before Admiral Zephyr. After all, he was reputed to be the strongest admiral at Marine Headquarters, and the reputation was well deserved!

"Hmph, are you afraid of our teacher? Trying to be polite and surrender now is too late—our fists will slap that face of yours silly."

"You're outrageously arrogant, daring to toy with our teacher. Your end will be miserable!"

The Marine cadets aboard the warship naturally defended their teacher Zephyr's dignity. They felt that Norse had toyed with their teacher, something they could never forgive.

Zephyr was the first to raise a hand and catch the short cigarette Norse had thrown him.

He inspected it, then tossed it back to Norse and said with extreme seriousness, "Kid, cigarettes are too mild. If you don't have a cigar, don't embarrass yourself in public."

Zephyr was equally displeased by Norse's action, but unlike those cadets, he did not simply assume that Norse was trying to be polite or surrender. He said, "You do have the strength to be confident, but aren't you being a bit too arrogant when facing me? Do you think my strength is beneath your notice?"

"How could I possibly be that kind of person?"

Norse smiled and lit the cigarette between his lips with a finger. "Mm... this really smells good. By the way, Admiral Zephyr, after Aokiji went back, did he report my matter to the higher-ups? If he made decisions on his own and failed to convey my intentions, then you'll be the one bearing my anger!"

"Kid, since you want to know your newly revised price, I can tell you myself! But before that, in the name of Admiral Zephyr of Marine Headquarters, instructor of Marine Headquarters, and Zephyr the Not-Killing, I formally invite you to join the Marines."

Zephyr spoke with utmost seriousness and sincerity. "With your strength and confidence, I believe you would start at the rank of admiral in the Marines. What do you say? Will you consider it?"

This was a temporary order Fleet Admiral Sengoku had issued to Zephyr from headquarters.

The higher-ups also hoped that Zephyr would find a way to recruit Norse—a man with little criminal history, such tremendous strength, and, more importantly, a decent nature—and turn him into a force for the Marines. That way, they could better deter the pirates of the seas in the future, perhaps even threaten the Four Emperors led by Whitebeard.

But the moment Zephyr said that—

The Marine cadets aboard the ship felt as though thunder had struck from a clear sky.

What was Teacher Zephyr doing?

Why was he inviting someone like this into the Marines?

Was this a joke? Letting him enter Marine Headquarters as an admiral right away?

Was his strength really that great?

"Old bastard... You dare poach someone from this Empress's side? I'll turn you to stone!" Hancock erupted with fury on the spot.

Her Conqueror's Haki surged into the sky, and the world seemed to have fallen into a storm—yet it was terrifyingly silent.

No one dared underestimate that invisible force, and all eyes turned toward her.

Hancock's red robe fluttered without wind as she stood high at the bow, like a furious celestial maiden.

"You old bastard have gone too far. Do you not know that Norse belongs to this Empress? Today, whoever dares tempt him away from this Empress will die!"

Hancock's domineering declaration left countless Marine cadets angry but afraid to speak.

Some of the weaker-willed ones were even more amusing. Hancock's beauty stirred their hearts on the spot, and they even sighed, "As expected of the woman who badly injured Rear Admiral Stolo Berry. Not only does she possess the potential of a king, she's also so beautiful. If it were me, I'd be willing to be badly injured too."

"Who wouldn't? Faced with such peerless beauty, I can barely restrain the urge in my heart to forgive everything she's done."

"Hmph! A bunch of hopeless fools!"

Zephyr naturally heard some of their remarks. They had utterly disgraced him, and he was quite enraged by it.

However, when facing Hancock, Zephyr controlled his emotions well and did not confront her head-on.

"Boa Hancock, you may have misunderstood something. I came here not only because of Norse, but also because of you."

"What does this have to do with this Empress?"

Hancock asked coldly.

Could it be that they want to recruit me into the Marines too? How laughable!

"The higher-ups hope that you will take up the position of a Shichibukai and strengthen the external forces of our Marines."

Zephyr crossed his arms and said in a calm, composed manner, "At the same time, you can obtain greater authority and freedom. Even during your tenure, many of the things you do will not be interfered with by either the World Government or the Marines!"

"Fine, those are good terms. Our captain accepts the position of Shichibukai right now!" Norse smiled at Hancock and suddenly agreed on her behalf.

Hancock's face instantly flushed crimson, making her look unbearably captivating.

That Norse was so annoying. He actually exchanged such flirtatious looks with her in public, and she hadn't been mentally prepared at all. Her heart was beating so fast now—how embarrassing!

"Y-Yes... Norse's answer is this Empress's intention as well!"

In the next moment, Hancock forcibly suppressed her narcissistic feelings toward Norse and pretended to be calm, agreeing to him without even giving it a second thought.

"Hahaha! I hope we'll have a pleasant cooperation. I'll give you a Shichibukai agreement shortly!" Zephyr burst into laughter. He liked smart people like this.

Of course, seeing Norse and Hancock together also made him suddenly understand something. After all, he had experienced love between a man and a woman decades ago. How could he fail to see that there was some affection between them?

"How about this, Admiral Zephyr? Just give it to me later."

Norse used this to refuse the invitation to join the Marines. "To be honest, I can't possibly join the Marines. What I do will conflict with what the Marines do—we simply can't work together!"

Zephyr froze. He had only just managed to placate that woman, and now this brat Norse was acting up again.

"Hmph! Brat, think this over carefully. While I, Zephyr, give every pirate one chance, I have never tried to persuade someone like this before!"

"I don't even know what there is to consider. You should tell me about my bounty instead. I'm sure I'll be interested." Norse completely ignored the subject of joining the Marines.

"I admit that you've developed your Devil Fruit ability to a powerful level, and it has given you many methods. But in this world, only those whose physical techniques complement their abilities can truly unleash a Devil Fruit's power. Don't you want to join the Marines and learn the strongest martial arts?"

Zephyr hoped this would sway Norse. "The Marine Six Powers are currently the strongest physical combat techniques in this world."

"Zephyr, it seems you still don't understand what I mean!"

Norse's fighting spirit erupted wildly at that moment. He said with overwhelming dominance, "Since you want me to join the Marines so badly, why don't you defeat me with everything you've got first?!"

Zephyr fell silent for a moment before saying, "Norse, you are the most tactless pirate I've ever met. Then let force decide everything!"

"Force? Indeed! Real men should settle things with their fists."

In the next moment, Norse made a move that shocked not only the other Marines, but even Zephyr himself. None of them knew whether Norse's words were true or not.

Norse said arrogantly, "I know you deeply despise pirates with abilities, so I'll let you see what terrifying power lies beyond the limits of physical strength!"

"Aah!! Demon Back!"

Norse clenched his teeth and roared, his voice shaking the heavens and earth. He tightened his fists as blood began flowing through his body at an accelerated rate, reaching an unimaginable state.

"??"

"What is he doing?"

"Look, his body seems to be growing?"

"Monster! He's simply a monster!"

The Marines aboard the ship all noticed the changes happening to Norse.

Veins bulged across his body.

His bones crackled explosively, while the muscles beneath his skin swelled and writhed at a visible speed, growing larger and harder.

They even burst through his white shirt on the spot, leaving his upper body bare. His entire physique appeared incredibly powerful and athletic, his muscles astonishingly developed.

It was hard to imagine that someone who had been a pale-faced figure just moments ago could, after releasing some kind of power, reveal such a naked upper body before everyone—a body that looked as though it had already been tempered through countless trials.

"Ahh!! His back—there's a demon on his back!"

Suddenly, a Marine behind Norse cried out in terror.

"Ignorant weaklings. This is a power that only those who surpass the limits of physical strength have a chance of awakening."

Norse's fighting spirit blazed fiercely as he looked at Zephyr. "Zephyr, this is the Human-Muscle Demon Back power I've always kept hidden. Do you dare take a few of my punches?"

P.S.: My feelings are incredibly complicated.