Soon after, Peter Perkins brought Rokujin to the intermediate training camp grounds, where fifty Marines stood in straight lines. All of them had advanced from the beginner’s training camp. Rokujin glanced around but didn’t recognise anyone, “No familiar faces?” he thought. It seemed odd, considering that his friends Rikuzo and Aiden were supposed to be at the training camp during this period.
“Ladies and gentlemen, let me introduce a new trainee joining our camp, Rokujin!” Peter announced, then gestured, “Alright, Rokujin, take your place at the back of the line!” With the team organised in rows of ten and exactly fifty people already present, Rokujin ended up standing alone at the back, like a latecomer joining the class.
Suddenly, a Marine with blue hair stepped forward and questioned, “Instructor, who is he? Why is he joining our intermediate training camp all of a sudden? I’ve never seen him in the beginner’s camp!” With this, all eyes in the training camp turned to Rokujin, many filled with disdain. There was a common assumption that anyone skipping the beginner’s camp must be some high-ranking officer’s son trying to sneak through.
Caught off guard, Peter responded firmly, “He has been specially approved by the Fleet Admiral. What? If you have any issues, go ask the Fleet Admiral yourself!” The document still bore Fleet Admiral Sengoku’s signature.
“Instructor! I don’t accept this!” The blue-haired Marine persisted, “We fought hard to get out of the beginner’s camp. Are we just letting anyone join us now?” “What about the Navy’s dignity? What about its justice?”
“You…” Peter was momentarily at a loss for words. Rokujin, however, suddenly spoke up, “If you have a problem, you can settle it with me in a fight!” His statement shocked everyone present.
“A fight? Does he actually want to challenge Bersha Barton? Is he seeking death?” “A spoiled second-generation thinks he can be a match for us?” “Barton! Fight him!”
Even Peter was surprised, “Rokujin, are you sure you want to duel with him? He was among the top five in the beginner’s camp.” “Yes, Instructor!” Rokujin confidently nodded, having glanced at a new mission notification from the system.
【Ding, congratulations, Host, on triggering the mission: Silence the crowd and gain the acceptance of everyone in the intermediate training camp; System Reward: Energy Point +1!】
Defeating Barton would naturally earn everyone’s respect, especially since most of the Marines came from civilian families.
“Then you and Barton can have a match!” Peter nodded in agreement, curious to see Rokujin’s true capabilities and also hoping to resolve the dispute. “Thank you, Instructor!” Barton bowed slightly and stepped forward from the line, with the others clearing a large space for them.
Rokujin stepped forward and noticed that Barton was unarmed, “You’re not using a sword?” It felt somewhat unfair if Barton didn’t arm himself. Barton shook his head, “No need, I can defeat you with just these fists. If you lose, you leave the training camp, agreed?” “Agreed, but if I win, you’ll become my sparring partner!” Rokujin proposed. “Deal!” The two quickly agreed.
In reality, Rokujin already knew Barton’s strength through the system.
【Character: Bersha Barton】
【Level: E+】
【Skills: Hand-to-Hand Combat (D), Swordsmanship (E), Marksmanship (E)】
Hand-to-hand combat was his strongest skill, perfect for a sparring partner to practice Armament Haki.
“Watch out, I’m coming at you!” Barton clenched his fists, not taking Rokujin seriously. As he spoke, he burst forward, leaving a shallow crater on the ground with his foot, and threw a straight punch at Rokujin. However, Rokujin just stood there, not even drawing his sword. “Huh? Can’t see my movements? Scared?” Barton was startled, assuming Rokujin was simply out of his league. Without further thought, he punched Rokujin squarely in the chest.
“Thump!” A muffled sound! The powerful impact made Rokujin stagger back, his feet scraping two trails on the ground before he stopped.
【Ding, congratulations, Host, Armament Haki Experience +20!】
Seeing the notification, Rokujin ignored the pain, his mouth curving into a smirk, “Hehe! Who knew taking hits could earn so much experience? This is faster than swinging a sword or sleeping!”
Barton frowned, “What are you laughing at?” Laughing while being punched? “You don’t hit very hard; it seems like it barely hurts!” Rokujin dusted off his chest casually. “You… asking for it!” Enraged, Barton rushed forward again, launching a flurry of punches and kicks at Rokujin. Punch after punch, like a torrential downpour, landed on Rokujin.
“Bang! Bang Bang!…” Rokujin crossed his arms to block some of the blows, but he was steadily forced back, appearing to be overwhelmed by the barrage. Despite being on the defensive and seemingly struggling, Rokujin was actually thrilled inside.
【Ding, congratulations, Host, Armament Haki Experience +30!】
【Ding, congratulations, Host, Armament Haki Experience +40!】
【Ding, congratulations, Host, Armament Haki has levelled up!】
The system notifications kept ringing out,
【Ding, congratulations, Host…】
, boosting Rokujin’s Armament Haki experience like crazy! Moreover, Rokujin noticed that the harder he got hit, the more experience he gained, and it seemed that even his physical resilience was improving. With such a perfect way to farm experience, how could he just easily defeat his opponent?
The onlookers started whispering among themselves. “He’s so weak; he doesn’t even have a chance to fight back against Barton!” “Right, this kind of spoiled brat really doesn’t need to be here; better go home!” “Exactly!” “…”
Meanwhile, Peter Perkins furrowed his brow, watching Rokujin taking hits, his expression one of anxiety: “Why isn’t he fighting back? Is he really useless? If he gets seriously hurt, how am I supposed to explain this to Vice Admiral Garp…”
At the same time, Fleet Admiral Sengoku was watching the fight from a higher vantage point, frowning, “Garp’s grandson? That doesn’t seem right!” “If that’s the case, why did Garp let him join the intermediate camp? Is he looking for a beating?”
The fight continued for about fifteen minutes. “Huff, huff…” Barton was panting heavily, sweat beads the size of peas forming on his forehead, forcing him to pause his attacks and step aside. In contrast, aside from the bruises covering his body, Rokujin appeared unharmed and still had a slight smile on his face. “Hey! Don’t stop! Keep hitting!” “You…” Barton hesitated, a flash of realisation crossing his mind as he finally understood Rokujin’s intentional strategy.
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