https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-41-I-ll-Definitely-Stop-You-from-Returning-to-East-Blue-/13535763/
Chapter 40: Microorganisms Are Invisible to the Naked Eye
Chapter 40: Microorganisms Are Invisible to the Naked Eye
After obtaining the Six Styles from Koby, Lida quickly mastered it and began dominating Klah. Within two short months, Klah had fully grasped the techniques, and his spiritual power soared from 250 to 800.
His progress was astonishing, yet Klah had always possessed natural talent. Training relentlessly under Kuro, enduring constant beatdowns from both Kuro and Lida, and dedicating himself entirely to this intensive training naturally accelerated his growth.
Even Kuro personally refined Klah’s swordsmanship, at least ensuring he could hold his own in combat.
Klah now carried the reputation of being the “Greatest Swordsman” externally—failing to live up to that title would expose him entirely.
Two months passed quietly.
Klah’s training period at Headquarters was nearly complete.
Unlike regular Headquarters Navy personnel, Branch Navy members trained at Headquarters by default and only left for missions. Koby, for instance, had departed early and still hadn’t returned, likely hunting pirates at sea.
Branch Navy personnel assigned to Headquarters training were required to stay for the full two months unless emergencies arose.
Today was the final day. Kuro’s heart had already drifted toward the safe haven he longed for.
The East Blue? That would be ideal—plenty of weaklings there to take advantage of. His hometown was nestled in that region.
Other regions would work too. If he ended up in the Grand Line, G-8 was an option, known as the “Iron Wall” fortress.
“Still, two months have passed. Where’s Smoker? Why hasn’t he contacted me yet?” Kuro pondered.
“Mr. Kuro!”
As Kuro awaited his final training session, anticipating complete liberation after today, a pink-haired, short-statured figure suddenly appeared before him on the training grounds.
After some time apart, Koby reappeared, dressed in standard Navy uniform, declaring, “Mr. Kuro, your training period is ending, right? This time, I’ll definitely defeat you, Mr. Kuro!”
“Oh, Koby. Long time no see. You’ve returned from the sea?” Kuro greeted casually, noting Koby’s uniform.
Haven’t been promoted yet? No need to worry then.
“Yes, Mr. Kuro! I’ve grown stronger!” Koby declared confidently.
“Congratulations. Work hard, but I’m getting old. After training, I’ll return to the East Blue,” Kuro replied offhandedly.
Headquarters training didn’t guarantee a permanent assignment there. For Branch Navy like themselves, performance during training dictated a 50-50 chance of returning to their original Branch or staying at Headquarters.
Returning to the Branch meant a promotion and a return to his original post—Kuro’s ideal outcome.
But he couldn’t afford to underperform either. Poor results might force him to stay as a Headquarters Navy recruit for further refinement.
So Kuro deliberately maintained a 50-50 balance—neither excelling nor failing, never winning nor losing.
After all, the trainees here were all average Navy personnel with comparable strength.
With Smoker vouching for him, Kuro could likely return to the East Blue effortlessly.
Too good to be true.
“Back to the East Blue…”
Koby stared at Kuro, sensing a pang of sorrow.
Yes, ten years of diligent service had brought him to Headquarters training, yet he’d likely end up back in one of the Four Seas Branches, unable to remain in the Grand Line to witness a broader world.
This reminded him of his own past—had Vice Admiral Garp not rescued and personally mentored him at Headquarters, he’d still be stuck doing chores at Base 153.
“Mr. Kuro!”
Koby pleaded earnestly, “Please give it your all!”
“?”
Seeing Koby’s seriousness, Kuro tilted his head, puzzled yet resolved to play his usual role.
“I understand,” he replied gravely.
You haven’t even been promoted yet, meaning you haven’t fully mastered Soru. What’s my “all-out effort” compared to that? At worst, it’ll be another 50-50 match.
After this, I’ll return to Headquarters, while you chase your Top War ambitions.
“Begin!”
The training session erupted with a shout from the overseeing major.
“Soru!”
Koby struck first, his speed far exceeding before, instantly closing in on Kuro and delivering a kick.
Then—Kuro caught it.
He caught it?!
Koby’s Soru was nearly perfected, yet a standard Navy officer caught it?!
Koby’s eyes widened as Kuro stepped back, retaliating with a punch.
Bang!
Koby blocked the punch, feeling its force—unchanged from earlier, no faster or stronger. His training hadn’t improved Kuro’s speed or power, so why could Kuro now match his speed?
“Soru!”
Koby refused to relent, dashing behind Kuro.
Smack!
Kuro countered with a backward elbow, deflecting Koby’s kick. His expression turned serious as he retaliated.
Another block?!
Impossible?!
“Soru!”
“Soru! Soru! Soru! Soru! Soru!”
Koby attacked frantically, zipping around Kuro in a blur, yet every strike was intercepted and answered in kind.
“What’s wrong with this kid? Did pirates at sea break his mind? His composure’s terrible.”
Kuro dodged another punch, retaliating with a blow to Koby’s abdomen, musing.
Koby’s speed left even seasoned Navy trainees struggling to track, yet Kuro kept up effortlessly.
His strength was mediocre—how could he?
“Idiot…”
Lida, locked in combat with a female recruit, glanced over, sensing something amiss.
Everyone’s attention fixated on the spectacle—the pink-haired boy’s speed was inhuman.
“Kuro Mr. hasn’t reacted. The gap’s too vast—he can’t perceive the pink kid’s progress.”
Klah, having mastered Six Styles recently, recognized Koby’s growth—his strength was unprecedented, yet Kuro remained oblivious.
Klah once asked Kuro how he maintained parity with such opponents.
After all, controlling one’s strength required far more precision than giving it one’s all.
Kuro’s response was simple:
“When you step on ants, do you adjust your force based on their size?”
No—more accurately, these were microorganisms, invisible to the naked eye, let alone distinguishable in size.
To Kuro, the strength difference Klah perceived was negligible.
They were all equally weak—microorganisms.
Nearby, a group watched from afar.
“No way! Can’t Koby even beat Kuro like this?!”
Helmeppo, sporting new sunglasses, nearly popped his eyes out.
They’d improved drastically the past two months. Initially, Koby and Kuro were evenly matched, yet now Koby should’ve easily triumphed.
“Oh? So that’s the person Koby’s obsessed with defeating? Despite being promoted, he dressed as a regular Navy to challenge Kuro, yet still couldn’t win. Hah! Koby’s so weak!”
A burly figure in a doghead hat laughed, munching a donut.
They’d already been promoted, returning from sea duty after earning merits. Koby became a Headquarters Sergeant, Helmeppo a Headquarters Sergeant too.
Above Headquarters Sergeant, one could decline Garp’s universal training.
Koby wanted to surprise Kuro, hence wearing his old uniform, yet the result stunned Helmeppo.
“Hey, you know that guy?” the Doghead Navy asked.
Helmeppo nodded. “A Base 153 Sergeant. Ten years in Navy without any real strength. Strange, isn’t it?”
“No strength?”
The Doghead Navy observed Kuro effortlessly deflecting blows, flashing a grin full of white teeth. “Is that so?”
(End of Chapter)
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