If Only Life Were Always Like This

Jabra was skilled in the Six Powers, moving swiftly like a leopard. Before he finished speaking, his attack was already in motion.

But while Jabra's ambush was quick to Akainu and Gion, his moves seemed slow. They didn't intervene because they saw Hailan's reaction.

Tina hadn't seen Jabra's attack clearly, but she had already anticipated what was happening, and the outcome, so her expression remained unchanged.

Only Spandine looked utterly baffled, his movements still caught in the act of chasing Jabra.

"A man with a braid!"

Hailan grabbed Jabra's long braided ponytail with a firm grip, causing Jabra to grimace in pain. The agony sapped some of Jabra's strength.

Hailan, now in control, yanked Jabra's braid like a rope tied to a sack, slamming him forcefully onto the ground.

Boom!

"What's going on?"

The bewildered CP9 leader still had no idea what had just happened.

If not for Jabra's extraordinary physical resilience, Hailan's yank alone could have left him bald.

"Oh, an Animal-type Devil Fruit user. No wonder you dared challenge me!"

Seeing Jabra's proper form, Hailan wasn't alarmed but rather delighted.

It would be too dull if an opponent who had piqued your fighting spirit were easily defeated.

As the strongest in CP9, Jabra quickly transformed into his Animal-type form, using his enhanced physical strength to avoid immediate defeat.

Animal type: Inu Inu no Mi, Model: Wolf.

Jabra not only possessed the ability to transform into a "werewolf" but was also as cunning as a wolf.

Everything that had just happened was a play he had orchestrated, even fooling his superior, Spandine.

However, he underestimated Hailan's reaction speed.

"Mastering the Six Powers, moving Iron Body, werewolf strength... not bad, you're worthy to be my opponent!"

Without giving Jabra a chance to explain, Hailan used Shave to flash to Jabra's side, launching a Rankyaku (Tempest Kick)!

A blue-green vacuum slash wave formed instantly. Jabra couldn't dodge in time and used Iron Body to take the hit.

The Six Powers are strange techniques.

Rankyaku can create vacuum slashes akin to a swordsman's sword energy, but its power is limited if you kick someone directly with it.

Similarly, a Moonwalk allows a person to step on air, creating a sound burst that propels them into the sky.

Hailan had once tried to integrate the Moonwalk technique into his kicks, thinking that supersonic kicks would be formidable even in this world, but he failed.

The principles of the Six Powers couldn't be explained scientifically and seemed to involve a mysterious power similar to Devil Fruits.

"Iron Body: Wolf Fang!"

Hailan dodged Jabra's claws.

"Iron Body: Fierce Wolf!"

Supporting himself on his hands, Jabra unleashed an enhanced spinning kick at Hailan. His legs struck Hailan like heavy hammers!

But Hailan's mastery of Iron Body was advanced. Despite the Devil Fruit's power boost, Jabra couldn't break Hailan's defense due to the vast gap in their strength.

"You..."

Jabra was startled, realizing Hailan had grabbed his leg.

"Iron Arm!"

Crunch. Jabra's delicate werewolf leg snapped like a twig under Hailan's punch.

Even though Jabra had mastered Moving Iron Body, having been trained by Zephyr, Hailan was more skilled.

"Seems like your Iron Body practice isn't enough. I suggest focusing on the basics before learning flashy moves."

Despite being a fierce werewolf, Jabra was thrown at Spandine's feet like a dead dog.

"An 800-year prodigy, right? Here's a suggestion: if he can't break one of this wolf's legs in the future, it's pointless to challenge me."

"You..."

Spandine stared at Hailan, his lips trembling with rage, unable to speak.

If Jabra had accepted Hailan's challenge from the start, there might have been a way to spin the situation.

But the fool had to resort to a supposedly clever trick.

If Jabra had won, even with Hailan being a former admiral's son, Spandine could have managed the aftermath.

But now, with Jabra's leg broken, it backfired spectacularly.

If Hailan were just a regular Marine, Spandine would have ways to deal with him.

But Hailan's identity complicated things, limiting Spandine's options.

"You... very well, I'll remember you!"

Leaving behind a harsh threat, Spandine had his men carry Jabra away in disgrace.

"Wasn't that a bit too much?"

Akainu, the ever-good-hearted, looked at the retreating figure of CP9's strongest, feeling a bit sad.

After all, they were all working for the World Government; there was no need to sour relationships.

"What's there to fear?"

Hailan was nonchalant: "I've got people backing me!"

The little spat quickly blew over.

Although Akainu sympathized with Jabra, he didn't dwell on it.

On the way to the Gate of Justice, Hailan noticed that his recognition points in the system had increased by a few dozen.

There were always Marines who disliked Cipher Pol, likely the soldiers on Gion's ship and those stationed at Enies Lobby.

Unlike familiar faces like Akainu, Gion, and Tina, Hailan knew these soldiers, whom he seldom met, were the primary source of his recognition points.

People are fickle.

The longer you spend time with someone, the more opinions you form about them.

These soldiers, with only a brief encounter with Hailan, would always hold their initial good impression of him.

Some might even embellish their memories, enhancing Hailan's image in their minds becoming a steady source of recognition points.

Much like how many Marines saw Garp and Zephyr as heroes and legends.

But those who knew them well saw Garp as a goofy old man and Zephyr as a workaholic.

"The current computing power is still lacking. The counterattack just now was almost muscle memory. I need to gather more recognition points."

As Hailan was pondering his next move, they arrived at Impel Down.