Put on protective gear, Arion directly points at the tall Marines soldier who spoke first, enough to reach his own hand, and signals him to come out.
This is a Marines soldier over two meters tall, with bulging muscles, compared to which Arion, at a little over eighteen, is nothing but a kid.
But this isn't a world where height, muscle, and real strength are the same thing.
With two extra points in martial arts, a full belly and energy in his body, Arion is absolutely confident he can face him without losing!
This is also the key to proving himself and obtaining legitimate ship credentials.
"Me?" The tall Marines soldier points at himself, grins, and steps forward decisively.
"Then I won't hold back."
Finished speaking, before any formal start is announced, he grips his fist tighter than a clay pot, and rushes with a wind of punches!
That punch leaves no mercy!
This tall Marines soldier vents his inner fury—rumor has it this little pale face hasn't left Hina's room since yesterday evening!
Since that news, an indescribable atmosphere has spread aboard the ship since last night.
That almost-eager-to-bite vibe.
So in the morning, almost all the Marines soldiers' eyes were red.
They held murderous intent toward Arion.
But due to Hina's authority, they could only taunt a little and laugh at him.
Now with a chance, they won't hold back?
This punch could disfigure your face!
Arion clearly sees the circle coming back toward him, a punch with incredible speed.
Compared to the former world's boxing king, it wouldn't give him a run for his money.
This was a punch Arion could not avoid before, but now it has slowed to an almost comfortable pace.
You could say he's faster now.
Giving him enough time to react.
But how to react?
Dodge, block, or counter?
Arion's eyes sharpen; he sees the opponent's opening door, and the answer is there.
Move as you like, Iron Mountain Rush!
He steps forward, shoulders down, power unleashed—boom!
A dull thud rings in the ears of the next man, and the Marines soldier with a Malicious Grin on his face is flung to the side, plunging into the sea with a big splash.
The sudden sequence leaves the Marines soldiers wide-eyed and incredulous.
Is this really the end?
Even Hina and 2B are surprised; they had planned to rush in to save him if he couldn't dodge.
Seems there's no need now.
And the most shocked is Arion himself; he hadn't expected such power.
It was just a thought, or perhaps he only assumed this stance.
Yet the body's movements were as natural and smooth as if he had trained ten million times.
Footwork, torso twist, shoulders down, power unleashed—perfectly executed.
And produced power he could not even imagine himself.
As if he had reached mastery!
"Somebody help!" someone shouted, and Arion came back to his senses, watching the Marines soldiers jump off the dock and rescue the unconscious, blood-minced soldier.
After the ship's doctor checked him, it was only a heavy impact that knocked him unconscious; no major harm.
"Nice work," Hina complimented, "where did you learn this martial arts? I've never seen it before."
"Online, from a video of a little black ghost."
As a young man who spends every day online, scrolling through videos, nothing is more mind‑melting than Iron Mountain Rush.
If Arion wants, he could probably pull off a complete set right there on the spot.
It's quite possible that the first martial arts skill point granted him the ability to learn combat skills by watching videos, just like that Marvel imitator.
Directly learning by observation—so convenient.
"Hm?"
"Nothing," Arion shakes his head, "so is that enough?"
"Reasonable, at least you won't be hacked to death by third-rate Pirates."
"So what?"
"You, come out," Hina points at a shoulder‑bearing girl Marine soldier, "you two fight… though Rokushiki is new to you, I'd advise not to be careless."
"Understood!" The girl Marine soldier steps out and gives her name, "Hi, I'm Jenny, rank is Sergeant, pleased to meet you."
"Arion, pleased to meet you," Arion salutes, his expression turning serious.
He doesn't underestimate the opponent just because she's a girl.
She's a Sergeant at Marine Headquarters, at least a Second Lieutenant in a branch.
And she's Rokushiki newcomer… this puts pressure on Arion.
The two move apart, and at the signal, Jenny charges!
So fast!
Without too much thinking, Arion raises a hand to block, a Sunrise Jab!
Just as Arion expected, it's a vague motion, his body quickly adjusting its posture for better power.
A ruthless straight-on blow aimed at Jenny's face.
The previous Marines soldier that Iron Mountain Rush slammed into remained unconscious, proving the world's folks are tough and not to be trifled with.
But that wind-cutting punch misses.
Jenny's body twists oddly, like a sheet of paper, dodging Arion's punch.
Kami-e from Rokushiki?
"The Shigan!"
With this strike, Arion can only roll to dodge; when he rises, Jenny has vanished again.
"Rankyaku!"
A kick slicing through the air, a razor-like cut!
Another messy roll; when Arion stands, he finds his protective gear ripped and the foam padding visible inside.
Jenny keeps a careful distance, circling and occasionally delivering a chilling slash.
Arion can only dodge, a mess.
This is kite-flying, slowly draining his physical strength.
Can't go on like this!
Another Rankyaku roll, then aims and charges forward with a step!
"Elbow to the chest!"
" Kami-e!" Jenny barely dodges this terrifying elbow, but before she can counter, Arion closes in, slamming her forehead with a heavy headbutt!
This time Jenny can't dodge with Kami-e and has to awkwardly defend with an unlearned Tekkai.
Impact lands hard!
Power meets power, and Arion's head bangs, buzzing.
But before he can land a second strike, Hina stops him.
"Enough, you've won."
Hearing that, Arion releases the dazed Jenny, who stumbles to lean on 2B for support.
"Won… so now there's no excuse to go to sea, right?"
"There is—if you beat me."
"I'll spar with you," 2B says, as a warrior she's long wanted to test this world's strong people.
"Pass. I'm joking. Come here, I'll apply some medicine to your forehead; blood has run."
Arion touches his forehead; the sting makes him grin.
That last hit was a bit too hard.