Rampaging Bear's pupils widened sharply. At this point, he no longer had time to free himself from the muddy sand. His muscular arm instantly turned obsidian-black.
"Extreme Force: Raging Dragon!"
A mass of dark purple flame condensed and compressed over his fist, wrapping around it like a boxing glove.
The ferocious Conqueror's Haki seemed restless, writhing like it was trying to break free from his fist.
It looked just like a furious dragon baring its bloody fangs!
BOOM—
Fist met foot.
The shockwave from the impact burst out like merciless, white, flying slashes, rampaging in all directions.
The sand across the entire beach was swept away. The wind reached the sea and stirred up raging waves—
Even the battleships swayed violently.
"Shit!" Instructor Carter cursed, pupils dilating. "I knew that bastard Klein's Demonic Flame Kick had a hidden finisher—what a devious guy!"
Beside him, Kong twitched an eye, his expression faltering. "Looks like this is an advanced combat form of the Demonic Flame Kick. With power like this… it's not to be underestimated."
Damn memories—acting up again.
Three years ago.
He had learned the Demonic Flame Kick from none other than Klein. Got scammed hard.
Kong added, "Looks like over these three years, Klein really put in the work. His strength…"
"...is equally monstrous!"
I'm done.
"In combat... he might really become a man without a single weakness on this sea," Kong said with deep emotion.
If Klein ever found out, he'd probably pin a little red flower on him for saying that.
He'd love it. Praise him more!
Truly the embodiment of the saying: "A true sage shall always have a scholar defend his Dao."
Keh keh keh keh—
Fleet Admiral Oharden burst into laughter. "Good, good, good! As expected of the greatest genius in Marine history. He's destined to become an Admiral."
"If Klein becomes an Admiral, I'd have way less on my plate. More importantly…"
"Hehehehe—"
If he could take over my position as Fleet Admiral... then I can finally retire in peace.
On the Titanic.
"OYAGI! Go for it!"
"OYAGI! Beat him up!"
"OYAGI! You're badass!"
With a tigerish face and sharp horns, Kaido cupped his hands like a megaphone and cheered for Klein.
He turned to Loki behind him. "Hey Loki, you cheer for Oyagi too! Your voice is loud."
"..." Loki looked arrogant as ever. "I won't. Oyagi's strength doesn't need cheers."
Rejected, Kaido looked annoyed. "Tch! Oyagi taught you the damn Hasshoken, even taught you Rokushiki and Haki, and you won't even cheer for him!?"
Loki looked down at Kaido, eyes like a devil's glare that made Kaido's hair stand on end. "Hmph. Oyagi also made us sign debt notes. We've got to pay him back someday!"
It wasn't just him. Gloriosa, Shakky, Newgate, and Os all owed Klein a pile of IOUs.
Exactly how many...
Loki no longer remembered. Roughly a whole crate's worth?
Honestly, it was getting hard to even conceptualize it anymore.
Chances were...
They'd never pay it off in this lifetime.
"Without Oyagi, do you really think you'd have learned that many combat techniques in just three years!?" Kaido snapped back.
"Shut up!!"
Charlotte Linlin barked, "Klein is still fighting a Marine Admiral right now. If he senses you two bickering with his Observation Haki, what if he gets distracted!?"
Kaido and Loki both zipped their mouths instantly.
Off to the side, Newgate narrowed his eyes, thinking:
'Making people write IOUs… maybe it's like collecting sons—that's just Big Bro Klein's unique way of showing affection.'
'Big Bro Klein's actually pretty nice.'
In three years, Klein never once asked him to repay the debt—and even helped return his treasure to Sphinx Island.
On the island.
The intense shockwaves from the battle had destroyed forests and mountains alike.
The blazing heat of the Demonic Flame Kick clashed again and again, making Admiral Rampaging Bear feel like his arms were on the verge of getting scorched.
"Wahahaha—!" Rampaging Bear's eyes gleamed with fighting spirit as he laughed. "This heat's way more exciting than that guy Kong's Demonic Flame Kick!"
"It's been a long time since I've had such a thrilling fight, Klein. I really underestimated your strength."
"Today—I'm going all out!"
The next second—
"Extreme Force: Rampaging Bear Barrage!!"
His fists, clad in Armament Haki, blurred into a storm of punches that filled Klein's vision, sealing off every inch of dodgeable space.
Klein flickered into the air, both legs coated in blue flames.
Thanks to the talents of Steel Balloon and Diamond Body, he could easily withstand flames far hotter than normal.
"Demonic Flame Kick: Jet Gatling Gun!"
Just like Luffy's Jet Gatling Gun, but with legs wreathed in blue fire.
BAM BAM BAM—
BAM BAM BAM—
The relentless impacts shattered the ground beneath Rampaging Bear's feet, spreading spiderweb cracks in all directions.
With a thunderous BOOM, the earth beneath collapsed, throwing up a cloud of smoke and dust—
Blue flames flickered within the cloud, mixed with shockwaves and fire from the collisions.
"Damn that Oharden! Told me to hold back—if I really did, I'd be getting my ass kicked all over the place!" Rampaging Bear cursed inwardly. "The one holding back should be him!"
He wasn't holding back at all, yet Klein still had him suppressed.
And the worst part? That brat still looked so chill, so damn composed.
Am I testing him?
Or is he testing me?
Am I the senior here, or is he?
"Oi oi oi! Weren't you gonna show me your muscle madness? If that's all you've got, you sure you're up for this?"
"Rampaging Bear."
"Start your muscle showtime already!!"
Klein's body spun like a wheel, his blue flames forming a circular blaze.
"Demonic Flame Kick: Invincible Firewheel!"
At this stage, using techniques derived from the Demonic Flame Kick was second nature to him.
Night Guy, Gatling Gun, whatever—it didn't matter. Mimic the form, yell a phrase, and go.
Why shout a phrase?
Because Klein had started to fully integrate into this world. And most Japanese anime ran on this kind of hype—he was totally used to it.
Some might ask—
Isn't that kind of cringe?
But hey—do you feel cringe when you yell "Full House!" or "Uno!" while playing cards?
Isn't the hype best when your opponent can't counter you?
Every single clash made Klein's blood boil hotter—his body blazing with heat, begging for release.
"Peerless Tekkai!"
His gleaming black arms crossed into a shield of steel.
From afar, Kaido cried out in awe: "There it is! Oyagi's legendary ultimate illusion!"
Everyone turned, stunned by the outburst.
BOOM—
The force of Klein's rotating kick smashed down on Rampaging Bear's arms like a meteor, sending him crashing deep into the ground.
The earth split open into a terrifying canyon as he plummeted.
Onboard the battleship, Kong's pupils shrank—
Damn it. The memories were attacking his brain again.
He remembered what Klein had once said:
"Tekkai's too deep for you to handle."