At the Marine Intermediate Training Camp, the atmosphere became tense as Rokujin openly expressed his reluctance to learn the Six Styles of the Navy. Whispers quickly spread among the trainees, some confused, others skeptical.
“Why doesn’t he want to learn?” one trainee whispered to another.
“He thinks he’s too good for it,” replied another, eyes narrowing at Rokujin.
Peter Perkins, the instructor, stood with a frown, his gaze fixed on Rokujin. “If you believe you’ve mastered it, then prove it,” Peter challenged, his voice carrying a mix of irritation and curiosity.
Rokujin looked around at the circle of expectant faces and sighed inwardly. “I’ve already practiced these techniques during my training,” he explained, referring to his mastery of Armament Haki, which he felt overlapped with the defensive aspects of Iron Body. Despite his explanation, the disbelief among the crowd persisted.
Peter stepped forward, his expression serious. “If you’re so confident, demonstrate the Iron Body for us.”
Rokujin nodded, ready to dispel the doubts. He positioned himself at the center of the training area, his expression turning focused. He took a deep breath and tensed his muscles, his body posture shifting subtly as he activated his Armament Haki. To the untrained eye, it looked like he was merely standing still, but those who were observant noticed a slight sheen on his skin, indicative of his Haki activation.
“Attack me,” Rokujin said, nodding to a nearby trainee who hesitated before swinging a wooden baton at Rokujin’s midsection.
The baton struck, but its sound was not the expected thud of wood on flesh but a sharp, metallic clang. The baton bounced off, and the trainee stumbled back, shocked at the unexpected resistance.
Whispers turned into exclamations of surprise and admiration. “He really can do it!” someone shouted.
Peter, however, remained skeptical. “Iron Body is about controlling blood flow and tensing muscles to harden the body. What you’re doing seems different. It’s more like… Armament Haki.”
Rokujin nodded, “That’s correct. I find that Armament Haki offers more flexibility and strength than just the static defense of Iron Body. That’s why I prefer not to focus on Iron Body alone.”
Peter considered this momentarily before responding, “Your skills are impressive, but remember, the Six Styles are about more than just defense. They enhance mobility, offense, and more. It’s about balance and versatility.”
Rokujin acknowledged the advice but remained firm in his stance. “I appreciate the Six Styles for what they offer, but my path might be a bit different. I believe in adapting what I learn to fit my fighting style.”
The discussion opened up a broader conversation among the trainees about the importance of versatility in combat techniques versus mastering traditional forms. As the debate continued, Rokujin’s unconventional approach sparked a newfound respect among some of his peers, while others remained dubious.
Peter ended the session with a thoughtful nod. “Let’s continue training. Whether you embrace the Six Styles fully or adapt them to your needs, remember that the ultimate goal is to become effective in combat. How you achieve that effectiveness is ultimately up to you.”
As the trainees dispersed to their subsequent activities, Rokujin’s stance on the Six Styles became a topic of ongoing discussion, marking him as a unique and potentially revolutionary figure within the camp. This chapter of Rokujin’s journey through the Marine Intermediate Training Camp hinted at the challenges and changes he might bring to traditional Marine training methods, suggesting that his path through the Navy would be anything but ordinary.
[Host: Rokujin]
[Level: E+]
[Skills]
[Swordsmanship (D)]
[Conqueror’s Haki (E)]
[Armament Haki (E)]
[Cooking (G)]
[Talent: Skill Simplification]
[Energy: 1]
I am still too weak; I need to train more this month to boost my strength!
A few minutes later, Rokujin returns to the dormitory area. Each dorm is single, and the environment is not bad. After a shower, he lies on the bed and falls asleep.
[Ding, congratulations to the host, Conqueror’s Haki experience +1!]
[Ding, congratulations to the host, Conqueror’s Haki experience +1!]
[Ding, congratulations…]
The next morning. The devil-like painful training begins again. However, Rokujin does not join them in the morning but continues to practice his swordsmanship on the side. Swing the sword, swing the sword, and swing again! Keep swinging! It’s not until the afternoon that he joins the others in training.
For the following month, he trains almost every day without rest. During this time, Barton recovers from his injuries and comes back to join the training. With him around, Rokujin gains a lot more experience in Armament Haki.
Peter stands before the students a month later, nodding satisfactorily: “Well done, everyone. In just one month, 23 of you have learned to use ‘Iron Body,’ the most I’ve ever had in a class!”
“Sir, does that make us the class with the most learners?” Suddenly, someone raises their hand curiously to ask.
More than half, perhaps the best in the navy! Peter smiles and speaks seriously, “…”.
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