Chapter 7

On the fourth day of the Training Camp, at the training ground.

— System, check the accumulated idle time!

— [Training Camp Storm]: Accumulated idle time 35/400 hours, please continue in the same spirit!

The training camp is open from 6 AM to 9 PM every day, with 12 hours of training and only 3 hours for meals and rest. The daily tasks require only 8 hours of idleness, which led Karl, who skipped classes for three days, to exceed the task requirements. Now in his system space, he has 6 attribute enhancement cards, along with plenty of snacks and drinks, which can be considered passive income. Unfortunately, as his physique and age return to normal, Karl's good times have officially come to an end.

Reluctantly, Karl returned to the training ground and engaged in basic training with a large group, claiming that today he would start practicing the Six Styles of Marine Patrol.

Zephyr stood at the front, his face slightly flushed. His physical condition had significantly improved compared to the first day. Zefa was well aware of this himself.

Ever since he was healed by Karl's holy light, his long-standing asthma completely disappeared! These days, he not only breathes freely but can also run without getting winded, as if he never had asthma.

Without asthma issues, his strength has been gradually restored. Although he is not as strong as that old monster Garp, he is much stronger than before.

— Today, I will personally teach you the methods of practice and application skills for the Six Styles of Marine Patrol — Iron Body. Whether you have studied it before or not, listen carefully. If anyone is absent, you will all be punished!

Iron Body? A strange expression flickered across Karl's face. Of all the Six Styles, he only knows the Shave and Paper Art techniques.

One is for pursuit (or escape), and the other for saving his life (dodging bullets).

He doesn't know the rest. It's not that he didn't want to learn; his physical conditioning was too poor before. Even if he knew these skills, he couldn't use them due to physical limitations. Now is a good opportunity to learn.

In any case, it's 12 hours a day! No need to worry about failing to meet the daily idleness tasks.

— Iron Body, the only defensive technique among the Six Styles, works by speeding up blood flow and muscle movement, making the muscles as hard as steel. The drawback is that while using Iron Body, you can't move freely.

— Therefore, we must choose the right time to use Iron Body and never be overconfident. Regardless of the attack the enemy uses, we use Iron Body for defense.

— Alright, I will now explain in detail how to practice Iron Block...

An hour later.

— Ding, a combat technique of this world — Six Styles of Marine Patrol — has been discovered. It has been integrated into the system and added to random rewards. The probability of it appearing during tasks in the training camp is +50%.

Karl immediately calmed down. They should have said that earlier! He wasted an hour listening too intently.

— Okay, I've explained all the training techniques for Iron Body. Who still doesn't understand?

The new recruits all shook their heads. The skills of Iron Body aren't difficult. If you can control your body well, you'll easily master them. And even if you really don't understand, you won't be the first to speak up. In the worst case, you can ask others! It's neither cold nor shameful.

— Great, since everyone understands, let's start practicing! I'll give you only three days. If someone still can't master Iron Body, heh-heh!

So, the next training ground turned into a gathering of those holding back the urge to defecate. Everyone frowned, their faces reddened; they wanted to go to the toilet but couldn't, and Karl was the same.

Fortunately, Karl, a ten-year veteran, had already mastered the Paper Art technique, and his control over his body was much higher than the other recruits. After practicing a few times using the method shown by Zephyr, he easily mastered Iron Block.

Not to mention that after using Iron Body, Karl immediately felt a surge of confidence. With our steel bones, no one will be able to harm us!

It's a pity that it didn't work so well in that area. I guess only Armament Haki can enchant him.

— Hey! This boy... learns too quickly! — Zephyr, who had been observing Karl closely, became animated. A familiar gleam made him think of Iron Body. After a moment's thought, he called Karl over.

— Karl, have you studied the Six Styles of Marines before?

— Yes, Instructor Zefa, Brigadier General Charles taught me. But until now, I could only use Shaving and Paper Art, and I've just mastered Iron Body.

— Charles~

A young face appeared in Zephyr's mind. It was Charles in his youth. The reason he remembered him so well was that Charles was his first student.

But his talent wasn't exceptional. In twenty years, he only managed to become a brigadier general of a branch, more than enough to guard it.

— Not bad. Your talent is truly better than that kid Charles. Remember, do not become proud or complacent; keep training!

Karl naturally agreed. Training? That's not the point! The time for fishing will soon begin!

But before that happens, he needs to find someone unfortunate enough to help him test the effect of [Fragility].

After a quick glance around, Karl fixed his gaze on a peculiar-looking guy and decided, it'll be you, Binz!

Don't be fooled by his thin arms and legs—he possesses the power of the "lushness" fruit and scored 451 points on the Share Exam, securing second place.

Overall, he's already the strongest recruit besides Karl, indicating the current decline in talent levels within the Marine Corps.

— Your name is Binz, right? Could you help me test the defensive effect of my Iron Body technique?

Watching Karl with his smug smile, Binz involuntarily frowned. Of all the recruits, he hated Karl the most. Why didn't he have to train as hard as they did, yet still received approval from Instructor Zephyr? Just because he was a user of some ability?

Though it wasn't entirely clear on the first day, most recruits likely guessed that Karl was a Devil Fruit user.

Otherwise, an ordinary man couldn't emit a golden ball of light. They just didn't know what ability Karl had. Even if they wanted to ask, they couldn't find him.

So, when faced with Karl's request, he subconsciously wanted to refuse, but then he thought, wasn't testing the defensive effect of Iron Body essentially getting hit? In other words, Karl was asking for a fight? Is that even possible?

— Great! No, I mean, I'm ready to help!

Binz quickly changed his words, but Karl still sensed something was off. Combined with the envious looks of the others, Karl easily concluded that his popularity wasn't very high, but he didn't care. Put yourself in their shoes—he couldn't stand himself either.

They're all new recruits. Why do others stubbornly train their bodies while he enjoys life at home? It would be strange if anyone admired him for that!

Karl tore off his shirt, revealing his muscular torso, letting Binz know he could attack at any time. Then he whispered to himself: System, use "Fragility."

— "Fragility" successfully used. Defense -100%, chance of injury +1000%, and immunity to severe injuries, duration three minutes.

— Six Styles Iron body!

Binz, go!