37. Growth

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Kuroobi unleashed his Fishman Karate technique, the devastating [Hundred-Tile True Punch], sending a thunderous shockwave roaring toward Dylan.

Just as the attack was about to strike, something incredible happened something that left Kuroobi stunned.

With his eyes shut tight, Dylan shifted at the very last second, evading the powerful blow with impossible grace.

Kuroobi's expression twisted in disbelief. "That's impossible!"

Dylan slowly opened his eyes, a new awareness sharpening in them.

He could feel the airflow around him, his senses heightened, his body more responsive than ever. His understanding of [Kami-e] had taken a giant leap forward.

Back on the ship, he'd trained with this technique before asking the crew to launch attacks at him so he could hone his reflexes. But that training had been brutal.

To feel the pressure of an incoming strike, Dylan had stripped to the waist and let his crewmates strike at him with wooden sticks. It was the fastest way to learn but also the most painful.

By the end of those sessions, even Aero admitted Dylan had been beaten up a little too badly. And that was just from two rounds of sparring.

The training dragged on, though ten pirates rotated in, sometimes even Eddie joined in. (Of course, only as the one doing the hitting.)

Aero figured Dylan's bruises hadn't even fully healed yet.

Still, it hadn't been for nothing. The training had improved Dylan's reaction time, at least a little.

But this breakthrough, this successful use of [Kami-e] under real combat pressure, Aero knew it wasn't just talent.

Dylan had been driven to the edge. Kuroobi's attack, if it had landed, might have killed him.

In that moment of life and death, Dylan's potential surged forth. He'd mastered one of the Six Powers [Kami-e].

As Aero thought this, the battle raged on. Kuroobi readied his next strike, arms drawn back, preparing another flurry of attacks.

In the blink of an eye, he unleashed over a dozen consecutive [Hundred-Tile True Punch] shockwaves toward Dylan.

Dylan didn't flinch. He was still deep in the flow of [Kami-e], riding the high of his successful dodge.

But dodging so many attacks? That was nearly impossible, especially for someone who had just learned the technique.

Fortunately, Dylan had an ace up his sleeve.

He felt the shift in the wind, the violent currents of air caused by the incoming shockwaves. He knew Kuroobi's strikes were zeroing in on him.

And then, in an instant, Dylan vanished.

Kuroobi had spent valuable time charging up that barrage. And yet, none of his strikes landed.

He roared in frustration, scanning the field. "Where is he?! Where did that human go?!"

Aero blinked in surprise. Dylan had vanished but so had Eddie.

Then, Dylan appeared behind a large tree, catching his breath.

Eddie, meanwhile, was above Kuroobi, literally stepping on air.

Only now did Aero realize it those two had already begun mastering the Six Powers techniques from the scroll he'd given them.

Dylan had likely broken through during the heat of this battle.

His pinpoint timing to dodge Kuroobi's attack with [Kami-e] proved it. He must have grasped the concept the moment he read that paper.

And Eddie? The guy who usually just chased noise and trouble… had already learned [Geppo] in just two days.

'Damn, that talent.'

Aero couldn't help but feel a bit jealous. He still hadn't even scratched the surface of the Six Powers.

But that jealousy faded fast. Deep down, he was proud of them truly happy for their growth.

Back on the battlefield, things weren't slowing down.

Kuroobi heard a sound a sharp crack from above. He looked up and spotted Eddie, smirking down at him.

With a furious shout, Kuroobi launched himself into the air.

Eddie grinned. "Hooked you. Let's see you dodge up here."

But it still wasn't the right time to strike. Eddie kicked off the air again, leaping higher.

Below, under the shade of the tree, Dylan steadied his breathing. He was preparing his finishing move one he had only recently developed after a spark of inspiration from Aero.

He needed time.

Eddie's job was to drain Kuroobi's stamina, drawing him into the sky where he couldn't maneuver as easily, keeping the pressure on.

Dylan, meanwhile, would strike the moment Kuroobi landed.

"Quit running, rodent! Get down here!" Kuroobi shouted, throwing another punch but Eddie was too quick, dancing through the sky with [Geppo].

"Haha! What's wrong, fish-face? Can't catch me?" Eddie taunted, though his face betrayed how much stamina it was costing him.

He knew full well this Fishman was no joke.

Dylan couldn't beat Kuroobi alone. That much was clear. It was a matter of type and technique. As a sniper, Eddie was at a disadvantage fighting a close-range tank like this.

But they had a plan.

Eddie would wear him down, keeping Kuroobi airborne and off-balance. And when he finally came down—

Dylan would be waiting.

With everything he had.

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