Navy and CP Joint Training - Part 2

The joint training between the Navy and CP progressed smoothly, with some minor issues. Of course, perfect coordination wasn't achieved immediately, but due to a willingness to cooperate on both sides, roles were well-defined and carried out surprisingly effectively.

Through this training, the somewhat existing barriers between the Navy and CP had been somewhat diminished.

After the scheduled training concluded, all but those predetermined moved to a large-scale discussion area.

Remaining at the venue were Marine officers ranked Colonel and above, along with designated CP officials. The main event of this extensive joint training, a simulated battle between representatives, commenced.

In the first round, Vice Admiral Cancer on the Navy side faced CP's Jabra. Although they engaged in unarmed combat, Jabra's overall strength surpassed Cancer's, as Spandam had foreseen. Utilizing his Iron Fist techniques, Jabra maintained an advantageous position throughout, pressuring Vice Admiral Cancer. With his iron-clad technique, bolstered by the power of a Devil Fruit, Jabra's heavy attacks proved challenging for Vice Admiral Cancer, who struggled to counter them. Ultimately, the first round resulted in a victory for CP.

The second round saw Vice Admiral Gion of the Navy against CP's Fizz. As Spandam had previously mentioned, this match-up placed Fizz, the superior, against Vice Admiral Gion. Despite Gion's evident overall advantage, Fizz adopted a defensive and evasive strategy, acknowledging his opponent's prowess. Although pressured, Fizz managed to evade Vice Admiral Gion's attacks without taking a decisive blow, persevering until the time limit and securing a draw.

This outcome showcased Fizz's remarkable ability to hold his own against a superior opponent, a feat he had learned through battles against the likes of the formidable Red-Haired Shanks and under Spandam's guidance.

In the third round, Vice Admiral Yamakaji of the Navy confronted CP's Kaku. Kaku utilized his Rokushiki techniques and the Yontoryu style to launch a flurry of attacks, while Vice Admiral Yamakaji maintained a sturdy defense. Despite Kaku's dominance in terms of strikes, Vice Admiral Yamakaji's experience allowed him to parry all attacks, even launching counterattacks when opportunities arose. However, Kaku's mastery of the Rokushiki techniques, combined with his Devil Fruit power, tipped the scales in his favor, leading CP to claim victory over Vice Admiral Yamakaji.

The fourth round pitted Vice Admiral Momonga of the Navy against Rob Lucci, renowned in both the Navy and CP as a genius.

In the specially designed arena at the central location of the special venue, Rob Lucci's Haki-infused fists clashed with Momonga's sword.

"Ah... I see, quite the skill."

"Your Haki is impressive as well."

With brief exchanges of words, Momonga evaded Rob Lucci's strikes with nimble leaps and countered with his sword. While his movements lacked extravagance, his attacks revealed a refined technique born of extensive combat experience.

However, Rob Lucci effortlessly avoided Momonga's strikes, evading blow after blow. Several minutes into the battle, Momonga had suffered multiple attacks, yet Rob Lucci remained untouched.

(His Armament Haki is impressive, but even more so is his Observation Haki... Evading my attacks with minimal movements and counterattacking precisely.)

Reflecting on the battle's progression, it was evident that Momonga and Rob Lucci were evenly matched in terms of Armament Haki and foundational abilities like speed and power.

Yet, despite their well-matched abilities, Momonga found himself being constantly pushed back by Rob Lucci. The reason was simple: Rob Lucci's Observation Haki surpassed Momonga's, and this difference was evident in the course of the battle.

(This is the strength of the genius, Rob Lucci... What incredible power. And he hasn't even used "Six Powers" yet...)

As the battle continued, a bead of sweat trickled down Momonga's cheek. Indeed, Rob Lucci had been outmatching Momonga not only in Devil Fruit abilities but also in his unmatched Observation and pure physical prowess.

This was already astonishing, but even more impressive was Rob Lucci's innate talent, which left Momonga astonished.

(I see... That's how it is.)

(Groan!?)

Dodging a downward slash, Rob Lucci countered by thrusting his hardened fist into Momonga's abdomen.

During this simulated battle, Rob Lucci had experienced rapid growth. He began to anticipate Momonga's sword strikes and execute counters, despite Momonga's previous attempts to engage him in direct combat.

Momonga, acknowledging the reality of the situation, distanced himself to catch his breath. While he hadn't sustained a fatal injury, the damage was gradually accumulating.

(Rob Lucci truly deserves the title of a genius... What incredible combat sense. At this rate, it's only a matter of time before he lands a decisive blow... However, as a Navy Vice Admiral, I don't intend to be defeated so easily.)

Though aware of his gradual disadvantage against Rob Lucci, Momonga's fighting spirit remained unbroken. While Rob Lucci surpassed him in combat prowess and sense, Momonga had a wealth of experience from countless battlefields.

Gripping his sword with renewed determination, Momonga charged valiantly toward Rob Lucci.

Strikes were launched, evaded, followed by counters. Now entirely reactive, Rob Lucci's speed and attack frequency increased, pushing Momonga into an entirely defensive stance.

Amidst the furious exchanges, Momonga attempted to counterattack, only to be met with more counters. Finally, Rob Lucci's perfectly executed hardened kick landed squarely on Momonga's face.

In that moment, a gleam of intense light appeared in Momonga's eyes.

(This is it!)

It was a movement that could truly be described as art. Upon receiving the kick, Momonga twisted his body fluidly, expertly deflecting the impact with near-perfect precision. Utilizing that motion, he smoothly slipped behind Rob Lucci.

Rob Lucci was about to deliver a finishing blow. By focusing his endurance on enduring only the anticipated powerful strike that was undoubtedly coming, Momonga managed to seize the opportunity to encircle Rob Lucci from behind at a speed that prevented him from regaining his stance in time.

At the moment when Rob Lucci was poised to strike with his fastest thrust, aimed at exploiting a timing where Momonga would be unable to react in time to sense it using Observation Haki, Momonga delivered a lightning-quick counterattack. This was Momonga's last-ditch effort to turn the tide.

"Wha...!? You fool――gah!?"

However, without turning around, Rob Lucci had positioned his hand behind him, catching the thrust between his thumb and index finger, as if he had anticipated the attack... It was as though he had known the strike was coming.

With his reversal maneuver thwarted and caught in a state of shock, Momonga was hit by Rob Lucci's spinning kick, crashing to the ground. Simultaneously, the voice declaring the match's outcome echoed.

This was, after all, a simulation battle, not a fight to incapacitation. A decisive strike would conclude the match.

As expected, the result was clear: Rob Lucci emerged victorious, having repelled every attack without sustaining any himself.

Upon hearing the announcement of the winner, Rob Lucci approached Momonga and extended his hand.

"It was a good fight. I learned from it."

"My defeat is evident. It's frustrating to realize I couldn't even make you use a single 'Six Powers' technique. My own inadequacy is quite vexing."

As Momonga took Rob Lucci's offered hand, helping him up with a frustrated expression, Rob Lucci responded with a faint smile.

"No, it's not that I underestimated you by not using the 'Six Powers.' It was actually a directive from our chief. He challenged me to fight using only Haki and physical techniques, without employing Devil Fruit powers or the 'Six Powers.' Otherwise, I would have used them."

"I see..."

"Our chief held you in high regard. Though your style isn't flashy, your mastery of Haki, honed through experience and training, and your refined fighting technique aligned with the fundamentals, all offer much to learn... Indeed, I learned a great deal about footwork and Haki control from you."

"During the battle, I sensed your refinement continually increasing... Well, when you put it that way, it's hard not to admit complete defeat, even in the mental aspect. It seems I'll have to retrain from scratch."

Indeed, from Rob Lucci's perspective, Momonga was quite a formidable opponent. To Rob Lucci of his former self, before mastering Haki, the outcome might have been clear...

Listening to Rob Lucci's words that conveyed a strong drive to improve, Momonga smiled wryly while scratching his head, and the two exchanged a brief handshake.

Then, as if an idea had struck him, Momonga inquired.

"The final strike... Did you anticipate it?"

"No, I didn't. I was genuinely surprised by how effectively you took my rear position."

"Then, how did you manage to block it?"

"I was genuinely taken aback... You see, my 'future sight' can only see about a second ahead, and I need considerable focus to use it. I was inattentive, and it could have been dangerous."

Hearing Rob Lucci's casually spoken words, Momonga's expression turned to astonishment. Future sight was considered a kind of advanced technique achievable only through mastering Observation Haki to an extreme level. Seeing Rob Lucci, who had reached such a level and yet maintained a humbled expression due to his perception of his own immaturity, left Momonga genuinely impressed.

(...I must learn from this mindset. For me, it was a fruitful battle as well.)

With such thoughts, Momonga watched Rob Lucci walk away with a deep smile on his face, recalling a conversation he had had with Spandam before this joint training.

In reality, Rob Lucci was capable of future sight, but it required a considerable amount of concentration and was not something he used frequently. The reason he was able to predict Momonga's final strike with future sight was that he had anticipated the need to be cautious and prepared for it.

――Listen, Rob Lucci. It's when you're going in for the decisive blow that you need to be most vigilant and prepared.

――What do you mean?

――In this match, you're the superior side. However, your opponent has experience and knows how to handle fighting against a superior opponent. This naturally limits the options for an inferior side to defeat a superior one. Especially when you land an attack that you're confident will secure victory, people tend to lower their guard.

――I see.

――In certain countries, there's a saying that a cornered rat will bite a cat. Be prepared not to let your guard down and be swept away.

Recalling the conversation with Spandam, as if he had known this outcome would occur, Rob Lucci wore a deeply amused expression as he muttered to himself.

"...He's an incredibly intriguing man. I wonder just how much he can see ahead."

"Huh?"

"Oh, no, it's nothing."

After giving a light response to Momonga's puzzled expression, Rob Lucci placed his hands in his pockets and walked leisurely toward the area where the CP members were waiting.

With Rob Lucci's victory, the overall score so far was 3 wins for CP and 1 draw. The Navy side had yet to secure a single victory.

While the purpose of this event was not solely about winning or losing, the Navy also had its reputation on the line, and they couldn't let this continue. Thus, the Marines who were observing turned their attention to the upcoming battle between Vice Admiral Momousagi and Admiral Aokiji.

Unbeknownst to them, the opponent awaiting them was a beast of incredible power, one that even Rob Lucci's dominant performance couldn't disregard...

***

You can indulge in more than 10 chapters ahead of the regular schedule by visiting our Patreon page and subscribing.

Feel free to explore our Patreon at:

https://www.pat reon.com/KangTL

Your support will enhance our productivity in creating more captivating and wonderful works.