The spiked club carried immense power, blasting the small figure away.
"Boom!"
A wooden wall was smashed, leaving a human-shaped crater and raising a cloud of dust.
Boss Tea Beard let out his signature laugh again, but this time it carried a hint of mockery and sarcasm.
"What an arrogant brat who doesn't know his place!"
"If the Navy were full of such useless people, that would be fantastic!"
After he finished speaking, the group of pirates immediately burst into laughter.
These pirates were all cunning; every move they made had a hidden meaning.
They knew very well that this method would restore the pirates' low morale and also severely dampen the Marines' confidence, killing two birds with one stone.
However,
When Foxy the Silver Fox and Boss Tea Beard glanced at the naval personnel on the training ship next to them, they were surprised to see no sign of dejection or sadness at losing a teammate. Instead, they seemed to be watching a good show.
Upon seeing this, their hearts sank, and a sense of foreboding washed over them.
⸻
After two months of training at the Naval Academy, the cadets already knew that Damon, at a young age, had mastered one of the Six Naval Styles: Iron Body.
Although this is a skill typically reserved for junior and mid-level officers, everyone felt relieved when they thought that Damon was Garp's disciple—and, according to a certain anonymous instructor, possibly even Garp's illegitimate son.
Doesn't that explain everything?
That makes perfect sense!
That's why, when Boss Tea Beard and Foxy the Silver Fox were laughing heartily, Smoker and the other trainees looked at them with pity.
Don't these people realize that the star of misfortune above their heads is already shining?
At that moment, a slender arm emerged from the wreckage, and a boy with a blank expression crawled out from the broken wooden planks.
When Boss Tea Beard saw that Damon was unharmed, his eyes widened in shock.
"How can this be?!"
He knew very well that his previous strike could have killed a bull.
"This guy is definitely not an ordinary marine!"
Foxy the Silver Fox narrowed his eyes. Quick-witted as ever, he began connecting the dots.
Previously, Doflamingo had arranged for him to cooperate with the Tea Beard Pirates, claiming they would intercept a Marine training fleet.
That was the only reason Foxy agreed.
He had survived on the Grand Line for years thanks to his caution—he knew exactly who he could afford to provoke.
If this had been a fleet led by an Admiral, he would never have dared show up.
Of course, Chief Instructor Zephyr had long retired and kept a low profile. Foxy had no idea Zephyr was present—otherwise, he wouldn't have dared provoke this lion.
After noticing Damon's abnormal strength, Foxy began to suspect that he had been used by Doflamingo.
But now—
there was no turning back.
They had already boarded the enemy's ship.
Retreat was no longer an option.
The thought passed in an instant before Foxy made his decision.His expression darkened.
"All of you—attack together!"
Although the officers were confused, they trusted Foxy and obeyed without hesitation.
Boss Tea Beard, unwilling to fall behind, immediately charged forward with two of his officers.
Iron Fist Smki and Great Blade Ron.
Both were massive men.
Smki wore iron gauntlets, his arms bulging with muscles, his fists capable of shattering stone.
Ron wielded a massive machete taller than himself, decorated with metal rings that clanged with every swing.
The moment Damon stood up, Foxy fired another Slow Beam.
Damon fell into a slowed state again.
It must be said, the Slow-Slow Fruit was an extremely powerful support ability.
From the moment he boarded the pirate ship, Damon had already anticipated this situation.
He wasn't just testing himself, He was buying time.
Everyone had their role.
Smoker was the responder.
Tina and Drake were frontline attackers.
Dadi Masdason was the sniper.
Jonathan was the commander.
And Damon—
was the core.
King versus king.
General versus general.
Soldier versus soldier.
Damon alone held back all the enemy officers.
"Bang! Bang! Bang!"
A storm of attacks rained down on him.
Punches, kicks, blades—
endless strikes.
Iron Body was not invincible.
There was a limit.
Damon's uniform was torn to shreds.
His body was covered in bruises and cuts.
But—
none were fatal.
Thanks to Dragon's Roar, damage was reduced continuously.
Over time—
the enemy weakened.
Their attacks slowed.
Meanwhile—
Damon was changing.
Each hit caused internal strain, But—
Flame Breathing and the Six Treasures Immortal Thief were constantly active.
His body healed.
Adapted.
Evolved.
Like iron being forged.
Each injury made him stronger, And then a breakthrough, He moved While using Iron Body.
A qualitative change.
Mastery.
Boss Tea Beard swung his spiked club again.
"Whoosh!"
"Whoosh!"
He was already exhausted, Panting heavily Yet, Damon still stood Like a spear.
Unmoving.
Unbreakable.
"Is this guy a monster…?"
At that moment—
Smoker and the others finally arrived.
"Damon, we're here!"
Smoker transformed into smoke and restrained Foxy from behind.
With a swift motion—
Click!
Seastone cuffs locked onto Foxy's wrists.
The Slow Beam stopped.
Damon was free.
He smiled.
To the pirates—
it was the smile of a demon.
He leaped into the air.
His blade ignited with blazing heat.
Like a flame emperor descending.
"The Third Form—Flame Breathing!"
A massive arc of fire crashed down.
The pirate officers were engulfed.
Burned.
Defeated.
Before collapsing, Boss Tea Beard asked:
"Are you… human or demon?"
Damon replied calmly:
"I'm just an ordinary human."
"If there's anything special about me…"
"No matter how many times I fall—"
"I will rise again."