https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-277-Mr-Zeff-I-d-Like-to-Seek-Your-Guidance/13536742/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-279-My-Student-Kuro-With-Admiral-Potential/13536744/
Chapter 278: Without Crisis Awareness, You'll Crash
Chapter 278: Without Crisis Awareness, You’ll Crash
“Mastery of unarmed combat techniques?”
Zeff furrowed his brow, scrutinizing Kuro up and down before scoffing, “Kid, while I don’t agree with specializing too narrowly, trying to excel in everything is impossible. Human energy is finite—even the so-called ‘Monsters’ can’t master every aspect.”
Among the Navy trainees Zeff had mentored, Ehrnando was hailed as his successor. But even he wasn’t the real Monster.
Sakazuki, Borsalino, and Kuzan—those three were the true Monsters.
Unarmed combat techniques, swordsmanship, Devil Fruit abilities—they’d all reached the pinnacle. Yet even they had weaknesses.
The Three Admirals now relied most heavily on Devil Fruit powers.
Borsalino leaned more toward swordsmanship.
Kuzan excelled in unarmed combat techniques.
Sakazuki was more balanced, adept at both swordsmanship and unarmed combat techniques, though he hadn’t wielded a sword in ages.
To Zeff, Kuro would inevitably become a reinforced version of Borsalino’s swordsmanship in the future.
He had a sharp eye for talent—watching Kuro’s earlier clash against Ehrnando had already given him a clear grasp of Kuro’s combat power.
Swordsmanship? Undeniably world-class.
Devil Fruit ability? Though he’d acquired it recently, its application already rivaled that of the golden-maned lion.
The only shortcoming lay in unarmed combat techniques.
But even this so-called “weakness” was already formidable from Zeff’s perspective.
Little Crane claimed he’d never systematically learned the Six Styles, but watching his stance and aura, it was clearly integrated into him—he must’ve studied someone else’s Six Styles technique and deduced it on his own.
This innate talent alone was astonishing.
As for raw Haki in unarmed combat, Kuro had already reached the level of “External Release”—the basic application mastered by Wano Country’s Ryuo.
Truthfully, focusing on just one discipline—swordsmanship or unarmed combat—was sufficient. Human energy couldn’t possibly sustain mastery of three simultaneously. Even the strongest beasts of the Grand Line couldn’t achieve that.
Yet Kuro, at such a young age, still had room for growth. His Haki proficiency in unarmed combat would inevitably progress from External Release to Internal Destruction.
His Haki reserves were also no joke.
This was a Monster whose potential surpassed even Admirals-in-training—a leap away from Admiral status.
And he was only twenty-four.
In Zeff’s decades of experience, the only one who could rival Kuro’s youthful prowess was perhaps Charlotte Big Mom in her prime.
After all, she was the kind of existence who could kill giants at age five.
Unarmed combat techniques, swordsmanship, Devil Fruit ability—when the time came, he’d join the absolute elite. He had the makings of an Admiral!
Zeff pursed his lips, a quiet sigh escaping. Borsalino had a fine subordinate indeed. Once that monkey retired, Kuro could naturally step into the role.
Shaking off his thoughts, he continued, “Focus on your swordsmanship for now. With your talent, surpassing Dracule Mihawk is possible. Then the Navy will have the World’s Greatest Swordsman bearing the might of an Admiral.”
The Navy’s cultivation system centered on swordsmanship and unarmed combat techniques. Devil Fruit abilities relied entirely on self-development—no one could teach that.
Unarmed combat techniques? Thanks to the Navy’s and World Government’s vast heritage, the Six Styles stood as the pinnacle of this discipline.
But swordsmanship? The Grand Line teemed with prodigies. It relied purely on innate talent—something the Navy couldn’t rival the entire world on.
Yet among all he’d seen, only this brat Kuro had the potential to eclipse Dracule Mihawk.
Listening to Zeff’s words, Kuro’s lips tightened.
World’s Greatest Swordsman? Admiral-level might?
If you weren’t a former Admiral and mentor to the Navy’s Monsters, I’d argue with you already.
Kuro shook his head, flicking his thumb and index finger together. “Mr. Zeff, you flatter me. My swordsmanship is family heritage—a humble achievement at that.”
“It’s not about whether my swordsmanship has merit. It’s something else entirely—covering my body with swirling energy or lightning. Unfortunately, the person I saw had a different physical constitution, so I couldn’t grasp his method.”
Kuro chose his words carefully.
He couldn’t exactly say, Old man, I fought Kaido in the New World and envied his advanced Armament Haki defense. You’d better teach me or I’ll keep getting beaten.
After years traversing the Grand Line, Kuro envied only two.
His Gramps didn’t count—he coveted his Devil Fruit, not the man himself.
The true objects of his envy were Kaido, that indestructible brute with drool-worthy Armament Haki, and Charlotte Big Mom, who’d been unstoppable since childhood with her “Iron Balloon” physique.
As for Shanks…
The Pirate King defeated fifty-six Admirals—what’s there to envy?
Whitebeard? Dead.
“Covering your body with energy or lightning?” Zeff blinked.
He understood exactly what Kuro meant—unifying all Armament Haki applications: Hardening, Encasement, External Release, and Internal Destruction. Kuro already knew this advanced technique, evident in his swordsmanship.
Now he felt dissatisfied with his unarmed combat abilities?
“Oh? Not content with your current strength, huh? What are you worried about, Lucius Kro?” Zeff chuckled.
This kid was already strong enough.
“Plenty of things to worry about,” Kuro shrugged. “Mr. Zeff, consider this—I’m still new to my Devil Fruit, my skills are crude, and my proficiency lags far behind others.
“Swordsmanship? Not refined enough to beat the Seven Warlords of the Sea. Unarmed combat techniques? Even worse. If someone grazes me, I’d be critically injured. The Grand Line is dangerous—of course I’m worried.”
Zeff: “….”
Your logic holds, but something feels off…
If even you consider yourself unrefined, what hope do others on the Grand Line have?
Kuro would certainly argue—of course they’re strong.
Some of these strong men were Devil Fruit users, and who knows what bizarre abilities might emerge?
Kuro genuinely felt inadequate.
He was a master of relativity. Of course he’d compare himself to those who navigated the Grand Line most safely—
The Three Admirals were safe, but Kuro couldn’t match their power.
In swordsmanship, Dracule Mihawk was safest as a Seven Warlord, so Kuro couldn’t beat the Warlords.
In unarmed combat, Kaido and Charlotte Big Mom set the standard—utterly unreachable.
Even if he surpassed them, would he be safe?
This old man standing before him had once been powerful too—yet still crashed.
That was the warning.
If he grew complacent, some eerie Devil Fruit user might finish him off.
Would he then lose an arm, retreat to Marineford to hand his hooded cloak to some young Navy recruit and say, I’ll wait for you in the East Blue?
Without crisis awareness, he’d eventually crash.
This opportunity couldn’t be missed.
“Mr. Zeff… about unarmed combat techniques…”
Kuro stood, stretching his limbs. “I beg you—don’t withhold your guidance!”
This kid is serious?
Zeff’s smile deepened as he studied him. “You, seeking training from an old man like me? That’s rare.”
Zeff had retired from teaching after losing an arm, his strength waning with age and illness. He didn’t want to endure the pain of losing another student like seven years ago.
But teaching someone already a Monster? No such worries existed.
“Very well. If you think an old man like me can help… give it a try. Observation alone won’t reveal certain flaws.”
Zeff rose, limbering up. He raised his mechanical arm, grinning, “Hope you don’t mind an old man using a few gadgets.”
(End of Chapter)
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