Chapter 472: The Grand Finale! Lu En vs. Master Zefa! [9/10 Subscribe]

Finally…

Under Lu En's Observation Haki's insight.

Smoker was defeated very quickly.

The combat power of a Headquarters Admiral was simply too strong.

For Smoker, the exchange with Master Zefa was more like a bout of training in which he poured out everything he had.

From the very start,

the goal had never been to defeat Master Zefa.

Instead…

the goal had been to gauge his own strength.

"He's about to lose."

Lu En shook his head.

Observation Haki swept across a circular area five hundred meters in diameter, letting him easily detect that Smoker's condition was plummeting in a straight line.

Looking at Master Zefa in contrast, he had shown almost no significant physical exertion from start to finish; he hadn't even activated his dual-color Haki, yet he had already drained Smoker of nearly all his stamina.

This left Lu En unable to help but sigh with emotion.

The combat power at the very pinnacle of the sea was, as expected, outrageously strong!

"Lu En, can you observe the battle inside the Smoke World?"

Some trainees, unable to contain their curiosity, couldn't help but ask Lu En.

Among all the trainees present,

if there was anyone who could perceive the exchange between Master Zefa and Smoker,

they could be certain that person had to be Lu En!

"Smoker's going to lose."

Lu En stated outright.

"Just as I thought!"

A group of trainees felt a sudden sense of enlightenment.

As for Smoker's defeat, they actually didn't feel all that surprised.

After all.

Smoker's opponent was Admiral Master Zefa!

Not long after.

The grey-white Smoke World dispersed along with it.

The scene inside was also presented with perfect clarity before the gaze of every trainee.

Smoker had not been defeated in the conventional sense.

But, 29 was already utterly exhausted.

Master Zefa had never laid a hand on Smoker the entire time; he had merely kept dodging on one side, and that alone had already left Smoker utterly exhausted, unable to continue fighting any longer.

This… was the mighty combat power of a Headquarters Admiral.

Dealing with Smoker, a Logia-type ability user, simply didn't require taking it seriously, nor did it require activating dual-color Haki; merely defending on one side was enough to drain Smoker completely dry.

He had toyed with Smoker like a monkey the entire fight!

"Master Zefa, I lost."

Smoker lowered his head.

His breathing rhythm was utterly disordered, the energy within his body somewhat weak, and his stamina had been depleted to an excessive degree, leaving his condition showing the faintness of overexertion.

He believed,

there was no need to keep fighting.

He had already reached his limit!

"No, you didn't lose."

"This battle…"

"We ended in a draw!"

Master Zefa gazed deeply at Smoker for a moment, then slowly spoke.

After this exchange, he had roughly gotten a clear grasp of Smoker's level of strength.

A full year and a half of training had made Smoker vastly, vastly stronger than he had been at the start.

Setting aside the use and development of his Devil Fruit, just in terms of stamina alone, Smoker was dozens of times stronger than he had been a year and a half ago.

"Your progress, I've seen it with my own eyes."

"Very good indeed."

"Congratulations…"

"From this day forth, you are a truly outstanding Marine!"

Master Zefa revealed a smile, lavishing unreserved praise upon Smoker.

"Yes, Master Zefa."

Smoker's spirit was instantly roused, his expression somewhat stirred as he hurriedly responded in acknowledgment.

This exchange…

was merely a duel between master and disciple.

There was no need to determine a victor.

A draw was the best possible outcome!

And this, too, has been Master Zefa's long-standing tradition.

"Alright, step down."

"Next."

Master Zefa shifted his gaze to another group of trainees.

Instantly,

Smoker returned to the formation.

One by one, the trainees gazed at Smoker with admiration.

Even though Smoker clearly seemed on the verge of defeat…

But at least Smoker held out this long.

If it were them,

could they do it?

They didn't know.

But they had no confidence they could last longer than Smoker.

"Next—who's up?"

Master Zefa spoke again.

His gaze rested mostly on Lu En, his eyes carrying a hint of anticipation.

But just then,

a clear, melodious female voice rose from the crowd.

"Master Zefa, let me!"

Including Tina stepped forward, volunteering.

"Including Tina?"

"Very well."

Master Zefa's eyelid flickered, then he slowly nodded.

Next,

Including Tina launched an unhesitating attack on Master Zefa.

Without mercy,

full power unleashed!

The Devil Fruit and Marine Six Powers were fully unleashed upon her body.

Yet even so,

Master Zefa did not retreat a single step.

This was the vast gap between them!

Even without activating Two-Color Haki, he remained terrifyingly powerful.

Relying on years of combat experience, Master Zefa, even without activating Two-Color Haki, could effortlessly dodge every one of Including Tina's attacks through his keen sixth sense.

Gradually,

Including Tina's stamina plummeted, consumed at a terrifying rate.

Using the Devil Fruit alongside Marine Six Powers…

This was naturally an extremely stamina-draining fighting style.

But to display her strongest form, Including Tina naturally began at full strength—not holding back timidly.

Watching the battle unfold, Lu En stood quietly among the crowd.

He wasn't unwilling to act.

It was purely…

Waiting for the perfect moment!

In the end—

Including Tina lost.

Of course,

in Master Zefa's words,

it was a draw.

Master Zefa never once launched an offensive against Including Tina; he remained purely in passive defense.

Thus,

when Including Tina's stamina ran out, Master Zefa never moved to strike—so she could not be said to have lost.

"Including Tina, from today, you are an excellent Marine."

Master Zefa spoke the same words to Including Tina.

"Thank you for your teaching, Master."

Including Tina took a deep breath, bowed deeply, expressing her heartfelt gratitude.

It was clearly evident,

that after exhausting both Smoker and Including Tina, Master Zefa's breathing remained unruffled, as steady as Mount Taishan.