บท 9: I Can’t Beat Him
Talent is essential, but it's not everything. Later efforts can fully compensate for innate deficiencies. This isn't just motivational talk; there are real success stories, especially in this world of pirates.
Zephyr is one such example.
He joined the Marine Academy at 14 and mastered the Six Powers at 28, starting as a private.
His achievements over those 14 years weren't awe-inspiring.
But this grassroots soldier who became a sergeant at 28 rose to become an admiral by 38, taking only ten years.
At that point, his opponents were the Pirate King Gol D. Roger and Whitebeard in their prime.
Zephyr's achievements soared like an exponential explosion, a leap his relentless hard work made possible.
Hailan wasn't worried that Cipher Pol's prodigy would surpass him.
They would both grow stronger over time.
Spandine, infuriated by Hailan's words, wanted to lash out immediately. Unfortunately, the prodigy named Rob Lucci was only 11 and couldn't match up to the Marine genius before him.
All he could do was boast.
"I've heard that this little genius has fully mastered the Six Powers, but has he also delved into the advanced versions?" Spandine, regaining a bit of composure, smirked condescendingly.
The advanced Six Powers are improved techniques based on the original Six Powers.
Many experts have mastered these advanced versions of CP.
Some could use "Flying Finger Pistol," launching a Finger Pistol attack without physical contact, much like a real bullet. Others combined "Paper Art" with "Life Return" to change their body shape at will.
Though these techniques are called the "Six Powers," CP developed them.
No wonder CP often mocked the Marines for being incompetent.
"What? Has CP's once-in-800-years prodigy mastered the advanced Six Powers already?"
To Hailan, someone who could master and advance the Six Powers by age 11 was beyond a genius; they were monsters.
Thankfully, Spandine didn't dare to answer that question.
"Aren't I the one asking you? How did you turn it around on me?"
Spandine frowned and called forward a young man from behind him.
"This is the strongest member of CP9, named Jabra. He has not only mastered the Six Powers but is also the only one in CP9 who can freely attack while in the 'Iron Body' state, a true Iron Body Fist user!"
Spandine introduced a young man in a black training suit with a long braided ponytail. His face had three patches of facial hair: a goatee and two strands hanging down to his chest, resembling tusks.
"Iron Body Fist?"
Hearing Spandine's introduction, Hailan regarded the man with more respect.
The Six Powers' Iron Body is typically a defensive technique.
It requires training muscles beyond normal limits, tensing the muscles, and holding one's breath to harden the body like steel.
Since it's hard to maintain this tension while moving, Iron Body is usually defensive and not offensive.
"This seems like a formidable opponent. How about a few rounds?"
Hailan felt eager to test himself.
If it were CP0, full of solid fighters, Hailan might hesitate.
But CP9? Hailan didn't even consider them a threat.
"What do you think, Jabra?"
Spandine's smile was one of petty triumph.
Jabra was 20 years old and had participated in dozens of assassination missions. Hailan, on the other hand, was a mere trainee. Usually, Jabra wouldn't challenge him.
But with Hailan initiating the duel, Spandine's wish was granted — if the kid got himself killed, it wasn't Spandine's fault.
Crushing a prodigy before they could bloom was thrilling.
"No, I can't beat him!"
"Huh?"
Spandine, who had been calculating his next move, was startled and enraged by Jabra's response: "You idiot! Haven't you mastered the Six Powers? What are you afraid of?"
"It's not... Sir, you're being unreasonable."
Jabra seemed aggrieved: "He's the son of an admiral, with excellent lineage and a Marine genius. I'm just a regular agent. How could I be his opponent?"
Spandine became frantic and pointed at Tina: "That woman is also a trainee from the elite camp. How about you spar with her!"
"A man can't hit a woman... Ow, sir, what are you doing!"
"I'll beat you to death, you useless fool!"
Spandine started chasing Jabra, trying to hit him.
Tsuru and Akainu exchanged puzzled glances. They couldn't understand how CP9, obviously there to cause trouble, had ended up in a farce.
This wasn't typical of Spandine, but neither was this cowering behavior typical of CP9. Were they putting on a show?
Tsuru asked Tina beside her, "Tina, what do you think?"
"Tina isn't his match."
Tina's calm tone carried no emotion.
The opponent's mastery of the Six Powers was enough for Tina to know that her Devil Fruit ability was useless against him.
She never attempted tasks doomed to fail. When faced with an impossible mission, Tina clearly stated she couldn't do it without hesitation.
But if she accepted a mission, she completed it exceptionally well 99% of the time.
Tsuru spoke lightly: "I wasn't asking about that. I meant your thoughts on Jabra. You're too serious, girl."
"Tina senses a trap. We should leave."
As she said this, Tina glanced at Hailan, making her meaning clear.
By now, Spandine and Jabra's farce had ended.
Spandine, still furious, called Jabra to follow: "You worthless thing, come with me!"
However, Jabra obediently ran to Hailan, smiling: "Hello, hello. Your name is Hailan, right? Nice to meet you."
As Hailan reached out to shake hands with Jabra, Jabra's eyes, smiling like crescents, suddenly narrowed, exuding killing intent.
With a twist of his waist, a shift of his step, and a firm grip on Hailan's wrist, he executed a swift shoulder throw.
"Little genius, remember my name. I'm Jabra!"
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