One Piece: So What If I Sin, Lie, and Lust? I'm Still a Good Marine Chapter 133: Volume 2 – - 35: The Monster’s Strength

As Zephyr's powerful voice rang out, the group of Marines instinctively stepped aside, clearing an open space.

"Ara ara, I'm up first? That really gets the blood pumping!"

Kuzan smiled as he strode confidently into the center of the arena.

Zephyr narrowed his eyes, watching him closely, a faint smile tugging at his lips.

This kid always gave off a lazy vibe, but whenever sothing piqued his interest, he'd get fired up and passionate. Two completely opposing traits sohow coexisted seamlessly in him.

"So full of energy..." Zephyr murmured to himself.

In the training camp, ranking the top five through duels was tradition. It stirred up competition among the students while also giving instructors a great opportunity to observe them.

Through these fights, students got to know each other better, and instructors could gain a clearer picture of each one's strengths and weaknesses, tailoring their guidance accordingly.

At that mont, Doberman—his face marked by a scar—stepped out from the crowd, wearing a grim expression and staring coldly at Kuzan.

"My original target was Daren. I wanted to see for myself how strong the so-called 'King of the North Blue' really is. I've heard his na way too many tis lately... Honestly, I'm sick of it."

"But it looks like if I want to fight Daren, I'll have to get through you first, Kuzan."

Before arriving at HQ for training, Doberman was the highest-ranking officer in the East Blue, holding the title of East Blue Admiral. As one of the Admirals of the Four Seas, he'd heard about Daren's reputation long ago.

In so ways, Daren's excellence as North Blue Admiral had placed trendous pressure on him—and that pressure bred a deep sense of frustration.

Sure, Daren had taken down the great pirate Byrnndi World and walked away unscathed after clashing with Gol D. Roger. His strength was recognized.

But Doberman didn't buy into the hype. After all, Admiral Sengoku and Rear Admiral Borsalino also joined the fight against the World Pirates. And during the skirmish with Roger, Vice Admiral Garp and Rear Admiral Dragon were present too.

Who could say what really happened?

The only way to know... was to fight. Even if he lost, he had to lose with no regrets.

"Sorry, but Daren's my opponent," Kuzan said, scratching his head with a hint of awkwardness.

"Then I won't hold back," Doberman replied, his hand slowly settling on the hilt of his saber as he lowered his stance.

With that movent, a heavy, imposing aura radiated from him.

The wind kicked up sand, sending his white cloak fluttering.

He stepped forward with his right foot, bent his left knee, and took the posture of a taut bow ready to fire.

Kuzan narrowed his eyes.

What a beautiful Battōjutsu stance... Gion's eyes lit up.

"Planning to end this in one strike?" Daren asked, smiling calmly.

The crowd fell silent, holding their breath, eyes fixed on the scene.

No one wanted to miss a thing.

After all, no matter who won, the victor would beco a future rival.

A chance to gauge your competition's combat ability? No one was passing that up.

The atmosphere grew increasingly tense.

Suddenly—

The sand erupted into the air.

Doberman lunged forward like a pouncing leopard, his speed nearly impossible to follow with the naked eye.

A brilliant flash of steel exploded forth.

In an instant, his aura shifted from solid to sharp—powerful and unstoppable!

That slash had reached the level of a swordsman capable of cutting steel!

Ssshh!!

An exaggerated gash appeared on Kuzan's shoulder—but not a single drop of blood spilled.

Instead, shimring ice crystals floated into the air, reflecting the sunlight before vanishing in the wind.

Doberman now stood behind Kuzan.

He stared blankly at his saber and hand, both frozen, struggling to process what just happened.

The surrounding Marines were stunned, their pupils contracting.

"A Logia!?"

"That's... ice?!"

"There's no way to win against that..."

"No, look at Doberman's hand and saber—they're frozen!"

"Wait... does that an...?"

They turned their gazes toward Doberman's hand and saber, expressions shifting from confusion to shock.

Battōjutsu focused on explosive speed and power, channeling the body's full force into a single, devastating strike.

Doberman's slash had pushed those principles to the limit.

Even with Kuzan being a Logia user, the elental nature of his Devil Fruit alone shouldn't have been enough to freeze Doberman's blade and hand.

There was only one explanation—

Kuzan had tracked the exact trajectory of the strike and activated his Elentalization at the precise mont it landed.

To pull that off required exceptional dynamic vision, lightning-fast reflexes, speed, and flawless control over his Devil Fruit powers.

"Monster..."

"He really is a monster..."

The Marines whispered in awe.

"So strong..." Tokikake muttered, stunned.

He ran a ntal simulation of himself in Doberman's position, and his expression imdiately sank.

Zero chance of winning!

Even without his Devil Fruit powers, Kuzan was on another level!

"...That was one fast slash."

Kuzan scratched his head and muttered.

Ice crystals slowly crept across the wound on his chest until the skin returned to normal.

"Don't screw with ..." Doberman growled through gritted teeth.

He slowly rose, turned around, and the ice covering his hand and saber cracked and flaked off.

"You really are a 'monster'—dominant in every way... It's hopelessly overwhelming."

Doberman sheathed his saber, shook his head, and looked at Kuzan with a complicated expression. After a brief silence, he said quietly,

"I lost... Thanks for the lesson, Kuzan."

Kuzan gave him a big, cheerful smile and a thumbs-up.

"Your slash was pretty aweso too!"

Doberman froze. A wave of irritation surged in his chest—was Kuzan mocking him?

But when he t Kuzan's honest and warm gaze, he was stunned.

This guy... seed completely sincere.

So words, when said by certain people, just sound like sarcasm.

But coming from soone like Kuzan, so full of youthful passion, they felt genuine.

Doberman pressed his lips together and finally gave a bitter smile.

"Losing to a monster isn't shaful."

"But I'll catch up to you."

His eyes quickly hardened with determination.

Kuzan grinned wide.

"I'll be waiting!"

Doberman smiled wryly again.

This guy... you just couldn't hate him.

Watching the exchange, Zephyr nodded with satisfaction. Then, in a loud voice, he announced:

"First match, winner: Kuzan!"

"The second duel is about to begin... Gion vs. Mozambia!"

"Step forward!"

...

(50 Chapters Ahead)

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