"…You're right."
"I really do need to change my mindset."
"Otherwise, if I keep underestimating you, I might truly lose."
Bogard spoke solemnly.
That brief exchange had already told him everything.
Raifeng was far stronger than he had been two days ago.
Not just a little—
but by an outrageous margin.
The realization stunned him.
It took real effort to suppress the shock surging through his chest.
Two days.
Just two days—
and the difference was night and day.
Utterly absurd.
"If I don't get serious, I really could lose. I'm not joking."
Bogard inhaled deeply, forcefully steadying himself.
Raifeng was terrifying.
Far beyond what he had imagined.
Two days ago, even while holding back, Bogard could suppress Raifeng with ease.
But now—
after a single clash, Bogard had already grasped a horrifying truth.
In two days, Raifeng had completely transformed.
"Unbelievable…"
"How can someone grow this fast?"
"But it's right in front of me. I can't deny it."
"Raifeng… is a monster."
Bogard's focus sharpened to its peak.
No more contempt.
No more hesitation.
If he continued to underestimate Raifeng—
he would lose.
A Marine Headquarters colonel losing to a seven-year-old.
The thought alone sent chills down his spine.
The air grew heavy.
Around them, the marines watched in silence, eyes glued to the battlefield, breath held, nerves taut.
"Colonel Bogard's attack… was blocked?"
Koby's voice trembled.
Even Garp was staring differently now.
"This brat… actually neutralized Bogard's sudden strike so easily."
"These two days weren't wasted at all."
"…What a terrifying monster."
On the battlefield, Raifeng raised his sword.
Sunlight reflected off the blade, blazing brilliantly.
"Yes—this is it."
"Colonel Bogard, fighting you at full strength was my goal from the start."
"Only like this can I truly measure how much I've grown in these two days."
In the next instant—
Raifeng attacked.
Boom!
He vanished.
Too fast.
So fast he left behind a black afterimage.
"His speed… much faster than before!"
Bogard's heart jolted.
His eyes moved rapidly.
"Left!"
Bogard slashed.
Clang!
Raifeng appeared, blades colliding violently, sparks bursting.
A shockwave blasted outward.
Everyone present felt it.
Cold.
Bone-chilling.
"What a terrifying clash!"
"Mr. Raifeng… isn't losing ground at all?!"
"This can't be real!"
"A seven-year-old matching Colonel Bogard head-on?!"
"Unbelievable!"
The marines were shaken to their cores.
An age-gap battle—
yet the fight had reached a stalemate.
Their understanding of the world shattered.
Raifeng retreated, opening a dozen meters of distance.
Purple light gathered along his blade.
"Slash!"
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!
Three violet flying slashes roared toward Bogard.
"They're far stronger than the ones that killed the Sea King."
"Clearly stronger."
"This isn't just swordsmanship…"
"His strength, speed—everything has leaped forward?!"
Bogard exhaled sharply, disbelief surging again.
Two days ago, he dominated.
Two days later—
everything had collapsed.
Bogard slashed, neutralizing the attacks.
And then—
Raifeng disappeared.
"…Gone?"
Bogard spun—
nothing.
"Right side, Colonel."
Raifeng appeared, blade descending toward Bogard's head.
Bogard blocked—
but the strike changed direction mid-swing, slashing toward his chest.
Bogard dodged.
Then—
Raifeng kicked.
Too late.
Boom!
The kick slammed into Bogard's waist.
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