Guerrilla Force Assemble! Doll!

Coating was the most basic and loose way to use Haki, releasing the Haki hidden in the corresponding part of the body.

Hardening, on the other hand, used greater control to compress Haki together, vastly strengthening defense and attack. It was invisible armor in the truest sense.

"What I'm going to teach you now is the next step after Hardening, called Flow!"

As he spoke, invisible currents surged out from all over Zephyr's body. This was full-body Coating.

"The Haki in any one part of the body is limited, after all. The point of Flow Armament Haki is to gather the Haki from the rest of the body and use it together."

Naito watched as the Haki surging from Zephyr's body gradually flowed toward his right fist. Finally, it wrapped around the outside of his pitch-black fist, forming a constantly surging wave of energy.

"In essence, it's much like Hardening. Both involve manipulating Haki and concentrating it, but because the area is larger and the control more precise, the demands on your control increase greatly. Even in the New World, not many people have mastered this move. The vast majority of Vice Admirals can only look on and sigh."

"But only after mastering it does the true power of Armament Haki begin to show! Both defense and destructive power increase dramatically, and the gap in physical strength alone begins to shrink rapidly."

"Once you reach this stage, you can even unleash all the Haki in your body in one blow, bursting forth with power beyond your limits. But of course, if that strike fails to defeat your opponent, you'll be at their mercy."

After finishing his demonstration, Zephyr dispersed his Haki. "Well? Why don't you try the first step and concentrate your Haki? Once you've done that, I'll teach you how to unleash it."

For Naito, whose Haki far exceeded that of an ordinary person, this technique really was an excellent fit.

Once he mastered it, Naito's strength would take a tremendous leap.

"Okay."

Naito didn't hesitate. Invisible currents began to seep out from the surface of his body.

Thanks to his daily, tireless, heartfelt punching, Naito's stray thoughts vanished almost instantly, and he began concentrating fully on controlling the Haki coating his body.

Under Zephyr's expectant gaze, the currents coating Naito's body began to move slowly.

"Oh?"

Zephyr's eyes lit up slightly.

This kid really has built a solid foundation.

The invisible currents continued to converge on his right hand, and the currents coating Naito's right arm grew visibly denser.

But at that very moment, the moving currents abruptly dispersed and returned to Naito's body.

"Phew-"

Naito let out a breath. "Did I fail?"

"That was already very impressive,"

Zephyr said with a smile. "To get this far on your first try, your talent is already absurd, kid."

"Teacher Zephyr, don't judge me by ordinary people's standards."

Naito sounded a little dissatisfied.

This kid!

The corner of Zephyr's eye twitched.

Naito's performance had already been astonishing. On his first attempt, he had almost managed to concentrate all the Haki in his body.

Although he had ultimately failed, and although he had moved as slowly as a crawling tortoise, he really had taken the first step—and covered a great distance in one go.

Zephyr estimated that Naito should be able to gain a basic grasp of Flow Armament Haki in two weeks at most.

Naito had already begun another attempt.

"Huh? Teacher Zephyr! Are you teaching Naito a new move?"

Binz's clamorous voice rang out. "That's not fair! We want to learn too!"

He had also changed out of his sailor suit and into a red ninja outfit, with a Justice Coat over it.

Ain stood beside him, still dressed in a sleeveless top and extremely short shorts, a Marine girl full of energy.

"Teacher Zephyr,"

Ain said with a solemn expression, "we want to get stronger too!"

"You don't need to tell me that. Now that you're in the New World, you do need greater strength."

Zephyr nodded slightly. "Start with the rest of the Six Powers. First master these physical techniques, and then you can begin training in Haki."

"As for what Naito is training in now, it's still far beyond your reach."

Far beyond our reach?

Ain glanced involuntarily at the fully focused Naito and clenched her delicate fists slightly.

"Understood! Teacher Zephyr! Please train us as hard as you like!"

Binz answered loudly.

Naito was right. There was no need to compare himself with Naito; he only needed to compare himself with himself!

And so, during the voyage to G-1 Base, Zephyr trained on his own while instructing Naito and the other two.

It was hard on Binz, having to train while leaning on crutches.

Red Port wasn't far from G-1 Base to begin with, and before long, the imposing Marine Base was already close at hand.

G-1 Base was the most special of all the G-series bases. It was Marineford's twin, facing it across the Red Line, and a major fortress guarding Mary Geoise.

Not only did the base match Marineford in the scale of its buildings and its defensive forces, but an Admiral was even stationed there year-round.

Just as the warship approached G-1 Base, a beam of yellow light suddenly descended from the sky.

"Oh, Teacher Zephyr, long time no see!"

A man emerged from the light, wearing a yellow pinstripe suit, a Justice Coat draped over his shoulders, and a pair of sunglasses on his nose. His expression was languid.

Zephyr put down the enormous barbell in his hands and glanced at the newcomer. "Borsalino?"

Admiral Kizaru!

Chapter 21: Guerrilla Force Assemble! Doll!

"Admiral Kizaru!"

Binz, who was tensing every muscle in his body to train Tekkai, lit up the moment he saw the newcomer.

This was one of the current Three Admirals!

The highest-ranking Marines beneath the Fleet Admiral, the World Government's greatest fighting force, and the face of the Marines!

It wasn't just Binz. Even Naito, who was concentrating on controlling his Haki, couldn't help taking another look at Kizaru.

This was his first time seeing one of the top fighters in this world with his own eyes.

His fighting strength was unknown, and he grew stronger against stronger opponents. He was also an old hand at putting on an act.

Kizaru noticed Naito too. After all, Haki was surging all over Naito's body, making him look like a Saiyan powering up. It was hard not to notice him.

"Oh?"

Kizaru raised an eyebrow with interest. "Teacher Zephyr, this is my junior, isn't it? He's already doing this kind of training? Young people these days really are impressive. When I graduated from the training camp, I'd only just been introduced to Haki."

That tone-

Ain couldn't help frowning slightly.

It's a little like Naito's.

Even that lazy expression was a little like Naito's.

Only, the two of them looked far too different.

The same expression looked sleazy on Admiral Kizaru's face, but on Naito's-

No! Ain, what are you thinking again? That's Admiral Kizaru!

The girl blushed a little.

"Naito doesn't have a powerful Devil Fruit ability like yours,"

Zephyr said flatly. "So he has to work harder."

Wow, Teacher Zephyr's being a little cold.

Naito thought.

But still.

"Teacher Zephyr, what are you talking about?"

Naito retorted lazily, "My ability is the strongest in the world."

Zephyr rolled his eyes. "If that makes you happy."

"Oh, Teacher Zephyr, you really do play favorites."

Kizaru pushed up his glasses and complained, "You were so strict when you taught me back then, but you're so gentle with my junior."

"Senior Kizaru, about that,"

Naito said pointedly, "isn't it obvious if you just look at our faces?"

Even an old hand like Kizaru couldn't help twitching the corner of his mouth.

This brat is a little annoying.

"Naito, show your superior a little respect."

Zephyr scolded Naito, though there was a smile on his lips.

The Marines' chief instructor then looked at his first-generation disciple. "Because Naito is different from you, who relies on your ability."

"Oh, you really are still looking at me the same old way, Teacher Zephyr."

Kizaru smiled meaningfully.

Naito nodded slightly.

This time, he was on Senior Kizaru's side.

Zephyr really was looking at people the same old way.

To put it bluntly, Teacher Zephyr, Senior's Haki might not be inferior to yours in your prime.

There was no doubt that his technique was at the highest level, and his Haki was strong enough to block Gear Fifth Luffy's punches with ease.

None of the Three Admirals had weak Haki.

It was just a pity that, without even Conqueror's Haki, they couldn't keep up with the current meta.

"All right, Teacher Zephyr, let's leave the reminiscing there."

Kizaru spoke unhurriedly. "Your subordinates are already in position. Would you like to meet them first?"

"So soon?"

Zephyr was a little surprised. "Five large warships and five thousand soldiers—they've all assembled already?"

"Mr. Sengoku has been taking this matter very seriously."