Behind Rampaging Bear stood the Marine Four Flowers, all wearing tight dance uniforms that accentuated every muscle fiber of their toned bodies.
They held pom-poms in hand.
Clearly, they were here to cheer for Klein.
"Whoa—so many people! Klein-nii's fa just keeps growing!"
"Klein-nii is the greatest genius in the history of the Marine Academy. This many spectators is totally normal."
"Look! Even Fleet Admiral Oharden is here!"
"It's really the Marshal himself! Looks like he's paying close attention to our Klein-nii too!"
"······"
Rampaging Bear walked over to Fleet Admiral Oharden. "Fleet Admiral, you ca too?"
"Mm. Both of them represent the hope of the next generation of Marines. As the Fleet Admiral, how could I not co and watch?" Oharden gave a faint smile.
Then he asked, "I heard you bet 200 million Berries on Kong winning?"
"WAHAHAHAHA—!" Rampaging Bear burst into laughter, beaming with pride as if saying Aren't I smart? "That's right! If that guy can't pay up, he'll have no choice but to serve under my command to work off the debt."
Oharden nodded nonchalantly, though he looked a bit regretful. "Sigh—"
"When I found out, it was already too late. Otherwise, I'd have put down a few hundred million on Kong myself."
anwhile, the Marine Four Flowers were helping Zephyr collect ticket fees, and a large crowd of spectators began filing into the Marine Academy's training field.
In the Office
Instructor Carter checked the ti. Only ten minutes to go until 9 o'clock. He glanced at the tall, broad-shouldered man across from him—Kong, with his tiger-like back and bear-like waist.
"It's almost ti. Let's go. Ti to evaluate Klein."
"Mm." Kong, who had been resting with his eyes closed, opened them, a gleam flashing within.
He rose and followed Instructor Carter into the training field—only to find it absolutely packed.
Carter chuckled, "There really are a lot of people today."
Kong, unfazed, remained composed. He had seen countless major events and was a seasoned Marine commander.
A crowd like this couldn't shake him.
In the Center of the Training Field
Kong stepped forward first. Towering and muscular, his body exuded a sharp, killing aura honed from countless battles against pirates and criminals.
He was instantly t with cheers.
"Kong! Show everyone why they call you Steel-Bone!"
"Give that arrogant Klein a taste of pain!"
"Kong, you better win! I bet on you!"
"That guy Klein better hurry up and get beat. I can't wait to see him get wrecked!"
"Yeah! That guy's always scheming to squeeze money out of us—ti for him to cough it up!"
"······"
The crowd was definitely on Kong's side.
Fleet Admiral Oharden scanned the surroundings. "It should be ti. Why isn't that brat Klein here yet? Don't tell he chickened out?"
But then he rembered—Klein possessed the qualifications of a king.
A person like that...
Wouldn't back down from a fight like this.
Instructor Carter grinned. "Hahaha—he's probably just getting ready. It's almost ti. He'll show up."
When it ca to money...
Among the Marine cadets, if Klein said he was number one, no one dared claim second.
Skip the match?He'd lose by default.
Show up?He'd still lose—but at least he'd earn so ticket money to offset part of the debt.
"WAHAHAHA—With Kong's strength, we'll finally see Klein's true combat ability!" Rampaging Bear's big copper bell eyes glead with anticipation.
"That guy's all skinny arms and legs—let's see if he's got any real strength or skills!"
Instructor Carter snarked, "Oi—Baldy Black, didn't Klein send you flying with a single punch last ti?"
Whoosh—
Rampaging Bear's face darkened instantly. "You poisonous old coot, why'd you have to bring that up? That was a strength test!"
"I just know you got sent flying and puked blood by a cadet," Carter said, arms crossed smugly.
Eyes blazing, Rampaging Bear growled, "Bastard! Let's settle this with a duel!"
"I'm not fighting you. If I win, you lose face. If I lose, it's bullying the weak..." Carter deflected effortlessly.
Rampaging Bear ground his teeth but was helpless. He stared at Kong in the center of the field, aching to storm in and blow off so steam.
"Klein's Here!"
A surprised shout rang out—and the entire crowd instantly fell silent.
Rustle—
Rustle—
Klein bounced onto the scene like a boxer, light on his feet with small, nimble steps, jabbing the air as he moved.
His entire body was flushed red, shrouded in white steam. As he moved, waves of heat radiated from him.
The crowd parted automatically.
Seeing him like this, many spectators wore curious, astonished expressions.
"Big Bro's here?" Garp stood out like a sore thumb at nearly three ters tall, easily spotting Klein. "Eh—what move is that?"
Never seen it before!
He had never seen Klein like this—skin red like a cooked shrimp, steam rolling off him.
Sengoku followed Garp's gaze and jolted. "Looks like Klein ca prepared. That's a warm-up routine... he's already in battle mode!"
"But..."
"His opponent is Vice Admiral Steel-Bone Kong. Will that really help?"
"Heh heh—" Garp grinned. "Sengoku, that's my bro for you. Even knowing he's outmatched, he still charges forward with full force and courage!"
If Klein heard Garp hyping him up like this, he'd probably laugh himself awake in his dreams.
Sengoku shook his head. "That guy probably thinks he can actually win... just to pocket those billions of Berries!"
He figured that was Klein's true motivation—his burning belief in victory.
Money...
That guy could summon terrifying willpower when cash was on the line.
Whenever money was ntioned, his eyes lit up like gold bars.
His whole body would burst with energy!
"Haha—!" Garp roared with laughter, eyes glowing. "Winning's impossible, but with how serious he looks—and that new move—this is gonna be a spectacle."
Sengoku nodded. "Yeah... I want to see where Klein's limit really lies."
He knew Klein had surpassed both him and Garp in strength, but as for Klein's true ability...
Even after living together in the sa dorm for a year, he still couldn't figure him out.
He'd only ever seen...
The tip of the iceberg.
But now—with a powerhouse like Kong—they were sure to draw out Klein's full strength.
At That Mont...
Many spectators noticed sothing odd and began murmuring:
"How long has Klein been warming up? His whole body's steaming!"
"He's definitely cooking sothing big... does he really think he can win? Who does he think he is, an Admiral?"
"Either way, this is a duel he can't win!"
"Kong was a genius cadet too—and he's been tempered at sea for years. Klein can't possibly beat him."
"But... I feel like I see a blazing fire burning in Klein's eyes!"
"He can't win. Not unless he trains for a few more years... maybe then he'd have a shot at beating Kong."
"······"
The crowd buzzed with discussion, but Klein ignored them.
As he erged through the parting crowd, his eyes imdiately locked onto a towering figure standing like a pillar.
The man's hair resembled that of a Super Saiyan, and his aura was equally overwhelming. Just standing there gave off a crushing pressure.
Marine Vice Admiral: Kong!
The future Admiral, Fleet Admiral, and Supre Commander of the World Governnt's Ard Forces—Kong!
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