"The Demonic Flame Kick training went really well. The move packs a punch and is very useful in combat." Kong replied honestly.
"Combined with Armament Haki, it gives you quite the edge in close-range encounters."
After all, kicks infused with high temperatures and flames— even if the opponent blocks the physical force— they can't stop the burning heat from affecting their body.
This answer made Instructor Carter very pleased. The corners of his mouth curved wider. "Very good. As expected of the most outstanding trainee under me before Klein came along."
A sly grin crept across his face. "Then I'm looking forward to your exciting match with Klein!"
He hung up the Den Den Mushi, no longer bothering to suppress the grin on his face.
"Klein, huh? Two hundred million berries, I'll be taking that with a smile!"
And with that, he leaned back for a nice, cozy nap.
In his dream, all the bathhouse shares belonged to him, Okama Kenpo and Demonic Flame Kick were selling like hotcakes, and all the profits were his alone.
Klein busting his back to make money, only to lose two hundred million berries.
The dream was so good Instructor Carter kept grinning like a maniac in his sleep—like someone possessed.
Klein began executing his "betting scheme," opening wagers among the trainees to predict the outcome of his fight with Kong.
They were given a rare day off today. Klein sat in a chair, a list on the table in front of him recording the participants...
"Name, amount, who are you betting on?"
"XXXX, 50,000 berries, betting on Kong!"
Yet another bet on Kong. Klein frowned as he scribbled into the notebook—nearly 99% of the trainees were siding with Kong. His mood couldn't be worse.
A familiar voice called out behind him:"Hey heyyy—Klein, I'm betting one hundred million! On Kong!"
He jerked his head up and saw a towering, pitch-black, musclebound figure built like a wall of steel—
Admiral Rampaging Bear!
"Rampaging Bear?!" Klein was stunned. What wind blew this black-furred beast over here?
A 100 million berry bet? Not bad, not bad!
With that, he'd have the funds to hit the 100,000-action milestone for the "Spring Festival Event" rewards!
As for the issue of misappropriation? Klein didn't care. Nobody would ever know.
He'd grab his bucket and run. Once he found the Sky Island's gold, would he even need to worry about paying anyone back?
Recharge. Whales. Power up. That's the path to victory!
Klein jumped to his feet, face full of smiles. "Admiral Rampaging Bear! What brings you here?!"
"WAHAHAHA—" the Rampaging Bear let out his trademark laugh. "Heard Kong is your graduation examiner. No way I'd miss such an epic fight!"
Then he gave Klein a once-over."You punk. You been drinking that protein powder I sent? Why are you still so scrawny?"
Why is always all muscles with him?
Klein was not a fan. "I did, I did. But my body just doesn't grow muscle, I can't help it."
He spread his hands, casually bullshitting an excuse.
"Then you're clearly not drinking enough. I'll send you more daily. Pre- and post-workout—you drink both times!"
Admiral Rampaging Bear had his own special brand of tough love. He then asked again,"Klein, you're about to graduate. You really not thinking of becoming one of my men?"
That's hella dangerous. You're the only Admiral in the Marines right now. All high-threat-level pirates go to you.
And there's no backup…
Fighting enemies above your weight class? That's what protagonists with plot armor do. Without "sit-up revival" powers or Main Character Aura, you want me to take on that workload?
Dude, I'd rather sail around farming noobs!
Farming noobs is great—money, joy, fame—you name it.
I don't need to get strong from combat. I power up through "hard work"...
Klein shook his head. "I think I'm still too weak. I'll grow for a few more years before joining your command."
"...Hmph." Rampaging Bear snorted and gritted his teeth. "Then I'll put down another 100 million. Betting on your loss!"
"Kong's strength is no joke. Give it ten years, he'll be the next Marine Admiral!"
He knew Klein loved money. So if he bet big, maybe Klein would lose everything—forced to fall in line.
If he ends up in debt to me, he'd have no choice but to obey!
Betting on me to lose?
Klein was seething inside. 'I'll make sure you lose everything!'
On the surface, though, he smiled kindly like a model citizen."Well, I've made so much off the trainees, and I'm about to leave the academy. Time to give back a little, right?"
Hearing that, the trainees around them were overwhelmed with shame.
"Klein, we totally misunderstood him. He's such a good guy!"
"I judged a gentleman with the mind of a scoundrel..."
These Marine meatheads really were adorable.
Only Tsuru furrowed her brows slightly, her deep blue eyes calm and suspicious, trying to see through Klein.
That's basically like asking for his life!
No, no, no—this is something even I wouldn't dare dream of.
The more Tsuru thought about it, the more it didn't add up. This wasn't the Klein she knew.
Everything about him screamed "suspicious."
But there was one part she couldn't figure out: "Kong is a Marine Vice Admiral. His strength is unquestionable. Klein can't possibly beat him..."
"So if he wants to win, Kong would have to... throw the match?"
That was the only reason that made sense. Nothing else explained it. The most update n0vels are published on 𝕟𝕠𝕧𝕖𝕝✶𝓯𝓲𝓻𝓮✶𝓷𝓮𝓽
Could Klein really convince Vice Admiral Kong?
With his profile and reputation, Kong was a rigid, straight-laced guy.
Tsuru racked her brain, still unable to pinpoint the key, muttering to herself:"Klein would never give away money. And if Rampaging Bear just bet 200 million, and loses, Klein would go bankrupt!"
She decided to trust Klein this once. After all, she was a small shareholder in the "Platinum Han Bathhouse."
Her dividends from the past few months gave her some extra cash she didn't need urgently.
After Rampaging Bear left, Tsuru approached Klein. Her voice was as crisp as an oriole's song:"Tsuru, 1 million berries, betting on Klein."
Klein looked up, eyes wide with surprise. "Me?"
"Pretty sure nobody else has bet on me. You sure?"
Tsuru locked eyes with him and nodded firmly.
A warm current flowed through Klein's chest. The feeling of being trusted…
Please don't do it again!
"Mhm. I'll write your name down." The pen scratched against the paper as Klein recorded her bet.
He took down every entry while Zephyr stood beside him, counting and collecting money like a hard-working lackey.
Soon, news of Klein's betting ring made its way to Instructor Carter.
"Klein's gone insane, hasn't he?!" Instructor Carter looked completely dumbfounded.