Chapter 11

Taking a deep breath, Karl struck Zephyr, and only a muted sound "Duang" was heard. Zefa's face didn't flinch a bit, but Karl winced in pain, his palm aching: the hit was too solid to break through! A crazy thought flashed through his mind: could it be that Zephyr had mastered the true Iron Body?

"Again, you're lying?" Zefa asked skeptically, "You clearly enhanced your body with holy light!"

Zephyr seemed to anticipate that question. Karl calmly smiled, and a golden glowing orb appeared in his palm. He hit his own arm with it and, without explaining anything, repeated the punch to Zephyr. Breaking through Zefa's defense still didn't work, but Zephyr's expression changed. He clearly felt that the force of Karl's second hit was fifty percent stronger than the first. This meant the first hit was indeed with his own strength! At that moment, Zephyr believed Karl's rant about the holy light being able to enhance the body.

"I-is it really possible that there's such a Devil Fruit in the world?" Zephyr murmured in astonishment. He, who always despised Devil Fruits, looked at Karl with envy.

"Master Zeff, I wasn't lying! The most important thing is that this method is incredibly effective, it yields results surpassing any training, so..." Karl continued.

"Ah..." sighed Zephyr. Is it necessary to exhaust yourself with daily training after this? Of course not! "I understand," he said, "in that case, I won't interfere with you. You don't necessarily have to participate in daily training, but you must attend my lectures on martial arts!"

"Of course!" Karl replied. Having physical strength but not knowing how to use it would lead to becoming just brute force. He just needed to find the right words to not ruin the impression. "Master Zephyr , I have a small request."

"Speak."

Karl continued with a serious demeanor: "Master Zephyr , how about I dedicate four hours a day to lessons, training, and sparring, and spend the remaining time outside the training ground, using my abilities to strengthen my body?"

"Can't you train your body on the training ground?" Zephyr frowned disapprovingly.

"Well, Master Zephyr , you yourself asked me not to reveal my abilities yet," Karl said, sounding hurt, "if I were at the training ground, I would never be able to hide them."

"And..." Zephyr asked hopefully, "and what else?"

"Oh, it's Admiral Kizaru! He has already found me several times."

Sorry, Kizaru, your relationship with Zeff is long over, so put all the blame on you!

Zephyr immediately flared up with anger: "I knew it!" That scoundrel Kizaru! He clearly has bad intentions. Is he trying to lure you back into his heresy again?

"Hoo-hoo! I need to find that rascal and teach him a good lesson!!!"

"Hey-hey-hey! Master Zephyr, calm down! Calm down!" Karl pleaded. "Master Zephyr , your intention is good, but for heaven's sake, don't leave!"

Seeing that Zephyr was about to storm off, Karl quickly grabbed his arm and hastily said, "Master Zephyr, don't be impulsive. Think carefully. Admiral Kizaru's philosophy is quite fitting in my case, isn't it?"

"Nonsense! Do you think I don't know his heresy... Hey..." Zeff fell silent, astonished, and scratched his chin. Indeed! Even if Karl focuses solely on developing his abilities, his physical condition won't lag too far behind. On the contrary, it's quite likely that as his abilities develop, his body will grow stronger and stronger. Karl only needs to master combat skills and gain experience in real battles, and he will surely become a powerful and famous figure! Becoming an admiral is just a matter of time. It's a kind of combination of his ideas and Kizaru's! However, for him to accept Kizaru's ideas...

"Hmph!" Zephyr grumbled coldly, but he nevertheless agreed with Karl. He wasn't one to refuse acknowledging the obvious. On the contrary, that's precisely why he never liked Kizaru. He felt that Kizaru squandered his talent. If Borsalino had physical attributes comparable to Akainu and Aokiji, he would be the strongest among the three admirals.

"So then, Mr. Zephyr, what do you think of my training plan?"

"Hm... It's your choice, and I can't make you do anything. Do as you see fit!" Zephyr gave his approval.

Karl was thrilled. Does this mean I tricked him? I'm a true genius of idleness! Such a perfect excuse! "But!" Zephyr changed his tone, and Karl tensed up. "I will regularly check your strength, and if you slack off," at this moment, Zephyr glanced sideways at Karl, "I won't care whether your ability is revealed early or not; you'll have to stay on the training ground like everyone else!"

"Yes, yes, Master Zephyr, I promise you!" Karl exhaled in relief.

Zephyr nodded and patted Karl on the shoulder with his massive hand: "Karl, get a good rest today. I'll expect you on the training ground tomorrow."

Then Zephyr turned and left, leaving silence in the room, with Karl lying on the bed feeling completely drained.

"Phew..." Karl sighed in relief. Suddenly, Zephyr appeared at the door, leaned in, and whispered: "If I'm not mistaken, nurse Monica is the widow of a marine? Your relationship with her seems a bit complicated?"

"Ah, Master Zeff, don't misunderstand, I'm... I'm just comforting the widow of a marine, yes! Comforting the widow of a marine!" Karl declared.

"Comforting the widow of a marine? I'm afraid if I'd come a little later, I would have found you comforting her in bed, wouldn't I?"

"Uh..." Karl blushed.

"Alright, I don't interfere in the affairs of the young, but remember: everything in moderation, don't let alcohol and women drain you dry!"

With this pointed remark, Zephyr left again, and this time he didn't return.

Zephyr exited the hospital and saw Binz and Ain standing at the entrance. It seemed they had been waiting for him for quite a while. "Binz, Ain, go to Karl!" he said. "And you, Binz, don't forget to apologize to Karl."

"Yes, Master Zeff!"

Then both of them went to Karl's room, with Ain carrying a basket of fruit and Binz a basket of flowers.

Ain smiled and placed the basket of fruit on the bedside table, addressing Karl, who was lying on the bed: "Brother Karl, you've recovered so quickly! I thought you would be bedridden for another month!"

"Hey, you're too kind! Just bring gifts, why bring anyone along?" Karl said.

Binz: "It seems I messed up!"

"Uh, Karl, I'm sorry. I was too rude before. If you're still angry, just hit me!" Binz said sincerely.

"Hahaha, it's nothing, this little injury is trivial. Am I really such a petty person?"

If he truly wants to apologize, the apologies should be directed to Binz and Ain! After all, it was them Karl had chosen to execute his plan to avoid work. If it weren't for their help, it wouldn't have been so easy for him to slack off. So, there's no need to bother these two any further, because now Karl has exclusive rights to idleness!