Chapter 23: Training with a Admiral
"If he can use this warship and perform the same way you did, shouldn't we let him go out to sea and explore without worry?" Garp had no objection to Ian's choice. A high difficulty from the start could temper a newcomer's willpower.
In front of the warship, Ian rolled his shoulders and took a deep breath. Then, his eyes sharpened like an eagle's, fixed intently on a section of the warship's armor. He gathered strength in his fist and suddenly punched out!
BOOM!!
The deafening roar of the impact resounded throughout the entire shipyard, causing the three observers to hold their breath. The gravel and stones on the ground continued to vibrate. The piercing sound of compressed air filled the entire area, lingering for a long time.
"Tsk, tsk, tsk. High-spec warships are indeed different. How could they only leave such a small mark?" Ian muttered to himself, unsatisfied with the result.
Immediately after, he threw several consecutive punches without holding back.
BOOM!!
BOOM!!
BOOM!!
...
Kuzan looked down at the ground in astonishment. As Ian punched rhythmically, the ground trembled and shook continuously. With the warship at the center, clouds of dust were stirred up, obscuring Ian's figure.
A drop of cold sweat slid down Kuzan's cheek and dripped onto the ground. Garp clenched his fists, his breathing becoming rapid. A gleam of excitement shone in his pupils as he stared at the young man's figure looming within the dust. The roar of metal and fist colliding was like a heavy hammer knocking down the door to the new generation. This sound... was the most earth-shattering sound Garp had ever heard!
...
One minute later.
The noise ceased, and the dust gradually settled. Garp and Kuzan moved almost simultaneously, instantly stepping to Ian's side.
At this moment, Ian was...
"Tch! I hit too hard. My hand hurts! Not being allowed to use Haki is indeed a bit tough!" Ian kept shaking his hands to dissipate the stinging pain from the recoil. Anyone who claimed it didn't hurt at all after such loud impacts was absolutely unscientific and simply putting on an act.
Action and reaction are mutual!
However, at the moment, Garp and Kuzan had no time to care whether his hand hurt or not. Instead, they stared with burning eyes at the warship Ian had attacked...
Beneath the massive warship, there was a noticeable gap left by friction with the ground. Though only a few centimeters, it clearly showed the warship had been moved by the impacts! The front armor of the warship showed obvious signs of denting. It couldn't be called severely damaged, but it definitely showed deformation.
Kuzan couldn't help but think: how long had it taken him to damage a warship to this state? Three years? Five years? It had taken Ian only a day... no! Only a minute!
"Has this warship been in disrepair for too long? Is it too aged?" Kuzan still couldn't believe the reality before him. Without hesitation, he stepped back and swung his fist, hammering the warship's armor hard.
BOOM!
The sound was no different from Kuzan's previous strikes. It even felt a little quieter than before?
Kuzan: "..."
Garp: "Hahaha, Kuzan, you really refuse to admit defeat!"
Nonsense, who could accept this? This kid... was only eighteen years old!
"Admiral Kuzan, I wonder if I am now qualified to go to sea?" Ian seized the opportunity and immediately launched a soul-crushing question.
Kuzan cracked his knuckles, his expression still serious. "Not enough... Ian, do you dare to have a direct confrontation with me? I still have doubts about your power!"
The Ice Man's mouth was harder than Ian had imagined. He'd already attacked the warship, and Kuzan still had doubts? Did the warship have legs and move on its own?
...
Two minutes later.
Thud!
Thump!
Smack!
...
In an open space, Ian pinned Kuzan down in an arm wrestle for the fifth time. Kuzan finally acknowledged the facts before him. The most direct confrontation between men, the result... was a complete defeat! This kid's strength was truly formidable!
Kuzan brushed the dust off his clothes, pretending to be calm, stood up, and said, "Oh, I just remembered I have some documents to deal with. You guys keep training; I'll head out first."
After taking two steps, Kuzan seemed to recall something and walked back to Ian. "Ian, if you run into trouble at Headquarters or outside in the future, if you can't find Mr. Garp, you can also contact me. My Den Den Mushi number is..."
Ian glanced back at Nami, who nodded in understanding. He was too lazy to memorize the complicated Den Den Mushi number. Having Nami around was much more convenient.
"Thank you, Senior Brother Kuzan. I promise to contact you as soon as I have any questions. Big Brother, take care. Let's spar again next time!" Ian bid Kuzan a cheerful farewell.
His sharp ears caught Kuzan's mosquito-like mumbling. Today was another fruitful day. Thanks to my performance, I've gained another powerful backer at Headquarters.
"It's really surprising that guy Kuzan is willing to offer to look out for you. Kid, it seems you've conquered another incredible person with your performance! Then... our training continues!" Garp rubbed his palms together excitedly.
Ian: "???"
There's more training? The warship sandbags have been pummeled to this state; isn't that enough?
Looking at Garp's meaningful smile, Ian felt inexplicably uneasy.
"Hey, kid, I was worried you might behave unusually, so I made some extra preparations."