Chapter 21: Golden Bell, Iron Shirt
Chapter 21: Golden Bell, Iron Shirt
Looking at Zey, who was brimming with confidence, Karen could only shake his head helplessly. He had no way out now—he'd already been put on the spot.
"Alright..."
Karen reluctantly agreed.
Zephyr nodded in satisfaction and called out to the recruits:
"Pay attention! This is what true dominance looks like!"
Karen hesitated and asked, "Should we keep some distance?"
Zephyr immediately stepped back nearly 50 meters, gesturing for Karen to begin.
Karen had no choice but to take a deep breath, uncertain about what was coming. As he raised the Yuanhong sword in his hand, he shouted:
"Watch my sword!"
With a resolute posture, Karen invoked his attack: The One-Sword Immortal Kneels!
---
On the opposite side, Zephyr shut his eyes tightly as soon as Karen drew his sword. Having witnessed Karen's previous attacks, he had noticed a pattern: Karen always shouted "Watch my sword!" before unleashing his technique.
To counter this, Zephyr came prepared—he shut his eyes and relied on his other senses to feel any movement near him.
For a while, he detected no movement. Karen hadn't shifted his position or changed his posture...
Then suddenly—
Zephyr opened his eyes and was stunned. Before him, kneeling on one knee and holding up Karen's sword, was none other than himself.
---
When did this happen?!
Zephyr couldn't believe it. He hadn't even looked at the sword. He hadn't felt himself move.
Could it be? Did he not move but teleport instead?!
---
The entire training ground fell into a stunned silence. The recruits' mouths hung wide open, as though they could fit an ostrich egg inside.
What had they just witnessed?
The fight everyone was eagerly anticipating—the clash between Zephyr and Karen—had turned into a bizarre spectacle.
From their perspective, when Karen raised his sword and shouted, Zephyr had quickly closed his eyes. Just as the recruits were admiring Zephyr's quick thinking and experience, the scene suddenly turned absurd.
In a split second, Zephyr "suddenly" appeared beside Karen, kneeling on one knee, holding Karen's sword with both hands.
The image was so ridiculous that it could have been comedic, but no one dared laugh. They didn't even know how to react.
"How could this be?! Did Teacher Zephyr lose?"
"Is it really impossible to counter a Devil Fruit user?"
These were the thoughts running through the recruits' minds.
---
Karen, too, felt conflicted as he looked at Zephyr holding his sword. He had anticipated this outcome, but seeing it play out in reality left him equally astonished.
The power granted by the system was undeniably impressive—it allowed him to capture even someone as strong as Zephyr, a former admiral, barehanded.
However, its flaw was also apparent: while immobilizing the opponent, Karen himself was immobilized.
---
Zephyr wasn't discouraged, despite his surprise. He had intentionally refrained from using Haki to test his hypothesis. Now, seeing that closing his eyes was ineffective, he decided not to hold back any longer.
He activated his Armament Haki, letting it spread from his hands to his entire body. Using all his strength, he tried to break free. Yet, no matter how much power he exerted, he remained bound.
Why? Why isn't Haki effective against this Devil Fruit?
Zephyr felt a rare sense of panic.
Haki was supposed to counter Devil Fruit abilities. But Karen's power wasn't an ordinary Devil Fruit—it was a manifestation of rules, a force that transcended normal abilities.
Not wanting to reveal too much in front of the recruits, Karen discreetly let go of the sword's hilt with his left hand.
"Boom!"
"Crack!"
As the power binding Zephyr dissipated, Karen immediately felt an overwhelming force surge toward him.
---
Karen flew backward like a kite with its string cut, spinning uncontrollably in the air before crashing to the ground.
Damn it, Old Man Zephyr is way too strong!
---
In desperation, Karen curled into a ball, activating his unique defensive skill: Golden Bell, Iron Shirt. He rolled several times, absorbing the impact before finally coming to a stop.
"Ahem!"
Karen spat out a mouthful of blood and struggled to stand. His vision blurred, and his head swam with dizziness. Just as he was about to collapse, a soft figure caught him.
Through his hazy sight, he couldn't see clearly, but instinctively, his hand reached out for support.
So soft... so big... What is this?
Subconsciously, he gave it a squeeze.
---
"Bang!"
Karen's body was sent flying, and everything went black as he lost consciousness.
---
"Doctor! Doctor!"
Zephyr was the first to react, shouting anxiously. Things had escalated far too quickly, and even he hadn't expected the sword to suddenly become so fragile.
Karen had been thrown too far before Zephyr could stop himself.
A team of medics rushed over with a stretcher. After a quick examination, they nodded at Zephyr, reassuring him that Karen would be fine.
Relieved, Zephyr relaxed.
---
As Karen was carried away, the recruits finally recovered from their shock.
"Wow! So that's what domineering looks like?"
"Teacher Zephyr is incredible!"
"I knew it—there's no way Teacher Zephyr could lose!"
---
Zephyr seized the moment, addressing the recruits with pride:
"Ahem. As you saw, this is the power of Haki. Train your physical fitness diligently, and you'll be able to learn it too!"
The recruits, fired up, became eager to run extra laps and train harder.
---
Privately, Zephyr murmured with a smirk:
"You cheeky brat…"
"What was that, Teacher?" Smoker, standing nearby, asked innocently.
Zephyr scowled at him. "Get back to training! No meals before 12 if you slack off!"
"Yes, sir!" Smoker saluted and resumed training.
Zephyr's gaze shifted to Hina, who was nearby.
"Hina, go check on Karen in the medical room," he said.
Hina, startled, blushed furiously. "Why… why should Hina go?"
Before Zephyr could reply, Rosinandi chimed in, "I'll go! Let me—ow!"
Hina gave Rosinante a "gentle" pat on the shoulder, smiling sweetly.
Zephyr shook his head. "You? A girl's slap is enough to hurt you. Back to training, and no meals until 12!"
Ignoring Rosinantei's protests, he turned back to Hina, now hurrying toward the medical room. Zephyr couldn't help but smile.
---
"Ah, youth… brat, this time, I'll give you a hand."