Chapter 18: Addicted to Getting Beaten?
[Ding!]
[Congratulations, Host, on successfully defeating 'Marine Headquarters Captain,' 'User of the Paramecia-type Whip-Whip Fruit,' Peacock!]
[Reward Gained: 400 Enhancement Points!]
[Current Accumulated Points: 650 Points (Including today's completed task)!]
The system prompt sounded in Ian's mind at the same moment the Peacock gave up struggling.
Ian slowly approached the Peacock. She could only barely raise her arms to cover her forehead. However, the thunderous attack she imagined didn't land on her.
In an instant, the shaking training ground returned to calm, and the churning clouds in the sky returned to normal. Ian removed the skill effect of the Dream World, bringing the Peacock back to reality. The seamless switching between the skill and reality didn't arouse the Peacock's suspicion at all.
Although the Peacock's arms blocked her view, she could clearly feel Ian squatting down in front of her.
"Urk!"
Just as the Peacock was about to lower her hands to see Ian's face clearly, Ian suddenly raised his hand and grabbed her face again. He pinched her face into an "O" shape without any mercy.
"Captain Peacock, this is just a warning. If you dare provoke me again for no reason next time, if you dare spy on me again... it won't be as simple as this time. I will definitely... kill you!"
Ian hurled these harsh words, released his grip, turned, and walked toward the training ground entrance.
Secret test—successfully completed! And I even earned some Enhancement Points. Chief of Staff Tsuru's granddaughter is really "valuable." Awesome!
Seeing the Peacock's distraught appearance, she had no idea she had just been trapped in an illusion and taught a lesson by Ian.
The Peacock stared at Ian's retreating back, her delicate body still trembling uncontrollably, as if she hadn't yet recovered from the "Conqueror's Haki suppression" from earlier.
Growing up at Marine Headquarters, which Marine officer, big or small, didn't know her grandmother was Chief of Staff Tsuru? No one, not even Garp, had ever treated her so roughly and brutally.
Small, crystalline teardrops hung in the Peacock's pupils as she murmured to herself, "So big... so strong... This man... is so rude... Mmm... why... have I never felt more excited?!"
Ian paused, his eyebrow twitching: "???"
What kind of wild talk is that? Could the Peacock's personality trait be... printed right on her hat?
...
The next morning.
Under the shade of the trees at the Fifth Training Ground.
Nami, who had been looking around for a long time, finally saw a figure appear at the training ground entrance. She immediately ran over to Ian, who was resting in the cool shade. "Commodore Ian, he's here! Vice Admiral Garp is here!"
Hearing Nami's call, Ian jumped up and instantly became alert. He was used to lazy days at the branch and was still a bit unaccustomed to suddenly having to get up early.
After Nami arrived at Headquarters, according to regulations, she should have been training with the regular recruits. However, at Ian's request, her assignment was changed, and she began accompanying him during his training sessions. Nami's talent didn't lie in combat; having her train in an unfamiliar unit for a year or two was meaningless. As long as she had a certain level of self-defense capability and wasn't helpless against small fries, that was enough.
Seeing Vice Admiral Garp approaching, Ian's expression turned serious. "Salute!"
"Good morning, Vice Admiral Garp!"
"Good morning, Vice Admiral Garp!"
The two greeted him in unison, showing Garp the respect he deserved. After all, they would be training under him daily in the coming period, so they had to observe the proprieties between master and apprentice.
"You're looking pretty good. Must be unaccustomed to getting up so early, huh? Hahaha!" Garp laughed heartily, his eyes falling on Nami. "This little girl is named... Nami, right? Regarding your weapon, I've contacted the Science Unit under Kizaru. The weapon's function sounds a bit unusual, but manufacturing it shouldn't be a problem. We should be able to get it by the end of the month."
Garp's words made Nami freeze in place. "Weapon? For me?"
"Yes, for you," Ian patiently explained. "Back in the East Blue, we didn't have the conditions. Now that we're at Headquarters, I've thought of a combat weapon suitable for you. So, I asked Vice Admiral Garp and our colleagues in the Science Corps to take some time to create it."
Ian knew exactly how Nami would fight in the future. The weapons she invented on her own were naturally no match for the advanced technology of Vegapunk's research unit. Wouldn't it be a pure waste not to utilize the ready-made resources? So, Ian had told Garp about the weapon's characteristics and requirements.
After all, it was the first thing his disciple had asked of him; naturally, Garp wouldn't refuse. In Ian and Garp's minds, it was just a small favor. But in Nami's heart, it wasn't that simple at all.
She was already filled with gratitude for being chosen by Ian to be brought from the East Blue branch to Marineford. She had just arrived at Headquarters and hadn't even figured many things out yet, but Ian had actually thought of her first and helped her find a suitable weapon? This action deeply touched Nami's heart.
"Thank you, Commodore Ian! Thank you, Vice Admiral Garp!" Nami was deeply moved at this moment and bowed to both of them to express her gratitude. Following Ian was indeed the best choice I ever made!
After a brief chat, it was time to officially begin today's training!
"Ian, I know you are a user of the Zoan-type Human-Human Fruit and don't possess transformation abilities like other Zoan types. It seems you're naturally at a disadvantage compared to other Zoan users. But in my opinion, developing the limits of the human body is the correct cultivation path for you. Your current physical strength is much greater than that of an ordinary officer, right? So, your Fruit isn't completely useless. Be mentally prepared for the next few days; it will be hellish training! Hahahaha!"
Garp threw his head back and laughed a few times, then his aura suddenly changed as he entered instructor mode. "First, let's start with the most basic hand-to-hand combat skills mastered by officers. Don't underestimate these basics. If you truly grasp the essence, I guarantee your hand-to-hand combat will reach a higher level. Today's lesson is... the Six Powers!"
Ian responded with an expectant look and shouted, "Please guide me!"
In reality, he had already fully mastered the Navy's Six Powers. The first physical skill he acquired after repeated enhancements in [Overall Quality] was the complete Six Styles. Afterward, it underwent many random enhancements. His current level in the Six Powers was far superior to Rob Lucci, known as CP9's "strongest genius in 800 years."
For Ian today, the real lesson wasn't learning the Six Powers, but honing his acting skills. How to skillfully cooperate with Garp and pretend he was just learning the Six Styles for the first time.
Being an actor is hard!