After yet another fierce clash, Klein and Kong's bodies separated, red droplets scattering through the air.
"Ha—ha—"Klein gasped for breath, his arms limp at his sides. Blood from his arms trickled down along his muscular contours, dripping from his fists like crimson threads, splattering onto the ground—forming a growing puddle of blood.
Pain—Even with the invulnerability of a Diamond Body and Steel Bones, his flesh and skin had still taken a beating from the intense exchange.
After all…Steelbone Kong's fists held terrifying power and Haki strong enough to crack steel walls.
Klein's upper garments had long been destroyed in the battle, revealing his scarred, bare chest.
"Cough, cough—"Kong spat blood. His fists were raw and bleeding. "Hahaha... Hey, Klein, you're on your last legs, aren't you?"
He could tell—Klein was nearly running on empty.
"Hahahaha—"Klein suddenly laughed. "Kong, you're not much better off either."
"Your stamina's just about gone too, isn't it?"
His gaze fixed on Kong's frame. Though still hulking and muscular, he now bore multiple sword wounds—looking every bit as battered.
The flashback buff had already ended. On top of that, his stamina was nearly depleted. Truly, a dying flame.
And more critically...
His Haki was completely spent. His level and raw strength were still behind Kong.
"Klein, I have to admit—you're a complete monster. Just one year in, and you've already pushed me this far..."Kong looked at Klein like he was some unnatural beast.
The guy wasn't even seriously injured. He was just lagging in stamina and Haki.
He might really lose to this first-year Marine cadet who wasn't even a full-fledged Marine!
Even Kong didn't understand—how the hell was this kid so strong?
"Klein, you want to throw in the towel with dignity, or do I have to beat you until you can't stand?"
"You've got no chance left—!"
"Hahahahaha—"Klein suddenly looked to the sky and laughed. "Hey hey hey—who said I'm gonna lose?!"
"I can't lose. I won't lose!!"
Seeing Klein's wild, almost manic grin, Sengoku suddenly felt a twinge of regret and sympathy."It's clear… Klein really doesn't want to lose."
"He probably knows too—if he loses, he's ruined. Drowning in debt."
Garp's eyes trembled. His voice was shaky. "Bro…"
"Oi, Garp, don't act like a saint now," Sengoku snapped. "You better stay on my side. Besides, Klein's done for."
Garp knew… Klein was proud. Losing now, tasting failure and losing money—it'd hit him hard.
"Bro… it's okay even if you lose. You've already proven to everyone—you're the undisputed number one genius in Marine history!"Zephyr clenched his fist, eyes filled with admiration and respect.
And many others felt the same.
If this didn't qualify him as the greatest Marine genius, then no one else had the right to claim that title.
"In the end, still lost to youth…"Fleet Admiral Oharden shook his head. "But if Klein keeps growing, he might just surpass Kong someday."
Beside him, Admiral Rampaging Bear disagreed."No one knows the future. Klein's walking the jack-of-all-trades path. That takes way more time and energy..." For more chapters visıt 𝓷𝓸𝓿𝓮𝓵✦𝓯𝓲𝓻𝓮✦𝓷𝓮𝓽
"If he'd specialized, maybe today's winner would've been Klein."
Instructor Carter nodded. "A person's life is short—how can one master everything?"
"But with his talent, even just a few more months might've tipped the scale."Carter smiled, mouth crooked like some 'twisted-mouthed war god.'
His heart was bursting with joy:"Kekekekeke—"
"Klein, even with your insane talent… in the end, you lost to time. Young people need more grinding. That's how you grow."
A breeze stirred the dust. Suspended particles danced in the air.Kong looked at Klein, confused."Can't accept defeat?"
"But on this ocean… who can claim…"
"To be truly invincible?"
"Are you crazy?"Klein still wore that wild grin."Hahahaha—I'm not crazy. You all think I'm going to lose, but…"
"I don't think I'll lose!"
Kong frowned."Looks like I'll have to knock you out cold before you'll face reality."
Clenching his fists, he launched his final assault.
"Fistbone: Steelburst Punch!"
He shot forward like a cannon, his black fists the size of sandbags tearing through the air with violent force.
But Klein didn't look like someone who was about to lose.Instead, he grinned wide."I've been waiting for this moment..."
"I made preparations for this fight!"
In his mind, a game UI appeared—
[Experience received. Level Up!][Level up: LV.62 → LV.63!][…]
In an instant, the game system's feedback merged into reality, surging energy repairing his body and—
"Fistbone: Galactic Impact!!"
An explosive aura surged from Klein, stirring violent winds and flashing lightning.
"Nani?!"So close now, Kong's pupils dilated in shock."This is impossible!!"
When Kong felt the terrifying power of Klein's fully restored punch, his mind collapsed in disbelief.
Kong was blasted into the ground, smashing several large craters as dust shot skyward.
"On this ocean, anything's possible, Kong!!"Klein's black eyes gleamed with radiant fury.
"Until the very end, no one knows who the true winner is!"
I'm the man who activated cheats!
If I wasn't hiding my Devil Fruit ability, you'd have already lost, Kong!
Klein moved like a ghost, closing the distance and launching a torrential barrage!
"Fistbone: Honesty!!"
Kong was knocked flying once more, blood gushing from his wounds.
"Tekkai's no good if all you do is take hits. You'll never become the strongest that way!"Klein blurred again, chasing after the airborne Kong.
"Demonic Flame Kick: Prime Meat SHOOT!"
He battered Kong like a ragdoll until he crashed to the ground, unconscious.
Klein stood where he was, the flames on his foot finally dying out.
"But no one's stopping me... from winning money!"
I sacrificed so much for this win…All that hard work (read: whale-sized microtransactions)!
You're strong, no doubt...
I whaled nearly 1 billion Berries—how could I possibly lose?!
If I lost, how would I live with myself after spending that much?!
[One Piece narrator voice-over]:The Navy's top prodigy, Moretti Klein, rises to glory! In a clash with Vice Admiral Kong—a Marine promoted in just a few short years—the fiercest rookie showdown erupts!
Winner: Moretti Klein.Kong—defeated!
The greatest genius in Marine history is born!
The MVP result screen freezes on a close-up of Kong, face bloodied, eyes rolled back, collapsed on the ground.
At that moment, the world went deathly quiet.Not a single sound echoed in the arena.