Chapter 39: Cui Ze: Vergo, what a pathetic loser!

Chapter 39: Cui Ze: Vergo, What a Loser!

Cui Ze’s plans were ambitious, but reality was harsh. "Fishing" was not a targeted gacha ability; he could not simply pluck any item or ability he desired from the Dimensional Sea. To collect all of the "Six Powers," he first needed to harvest the corresponding D-rank bait, and second, he needed a sufficient foundation of fishing luck. Simply put, even if Cui Ze managed to collect the D-rank bait, if his fishing fortune wasn't good enough, he would end up with nothing!

After consulting Instructor Shuzo, Cui Ze’s gaze locked onto Vergo, who was busy tempering his physique in the advanced combat training room. A sincere and earnest smile spread across Cui Ze’s face as he strode toward Vergo.

"Vergo, let’s spar together!"

The words immediately drew the attention of the other elite recruits in the training room. Even though Cui Ze had publicly defeated Smoker yesterday, effectively establishing his position as the new top dog of the training camp, not everyone in the talent-dense elite camp was convinced. Many marines believed that if Smoker hadn't eaten the Smoke-Smoke Fruit—becoming an "invincible" Logia-type ability user—he never would have secured the top spot. Others argued that without the Smoke-Smoke Fruit, the camp’s strongest would have emerged from physical-combat experts like Sentomaru or Vergo. Seeing Cui Ze challenge Vergo directly naturally piqued everyone's curiosity.

Vergo, however, was stunned. This guy... was he just being overly naive and enthusiastic? Vergo looked blankly at the approaching Cui Ze, his mind swirling with conflicting thoughts. Just because he had helped him "withstand" Lao G’s attack, the kid trusted him this much? Even if this guy had inadvertently disrupted the Young Master’s raid plan, this overflowing trust made Vergo feel that Cui Ze could be a significant asset to the Young Master’s "Marine Undercover Plan" in the future. He even felt he might be able to win him over entirely. Yet, for some reason, Vergo felt like something was off.

Cui Ze reached his side and gave him a heavy pat on the shoulder. "Vergo, aren't you practicing Iron Body?" Cui Ze said loudly. "My leg strength has improved quite a bit recently, and since I’m not using any sharp or piercing attacks, it’s perfect for helping you train your Iron Body progress!"

As someone who participated in the Winter Island assessment yesterday, Vergo had witnessed the explosive power of Cui Ze’s legs. Those were legs that even Smoker’s Iron Body couldn't withstand! However, Vergo was extremely confident in his own mastery of Iron Body, which he believed far exceeded that of Smoker, who had to split his focus among other techniques. If Smoker couldn't take it, I definitely can! Furthermore, Vergo still viewed the "naive and enthusiastic" Cui Ze as a target worth recruiting.

"No problem!" Vergo put down his equipment, his face—still stained with bits of fried tempura—showing a serious expression. "Let’s have you help me train my Iron Body, Cui Ze!"

"Good brother! Good comrade!" Cui Ze patted Vergo’s arm heavily again before asking with great concern, "My leg strength is really strong, are you ready?"

"No problem!" Vergo stood firm, settling into a horse stance and preparing to absorb the impact. "Come on!"

Cui Ze raised his right leg, which was wrapped in his [Clockwork Bandages]. Vergo took a deep breath and roared, "Ha! Iron Body!"

*Whoosh—*

A sharp whistling sound pierced the air. Cui Ze’s leg blurred into a shadow, whipping out like a mighty lash and slamming into Vergo’s body.

*BOOM!*

The collision between the slender leg and the sturdy torso emitted a dull thud of grinding muscle, making the surrounding elite marines wince. The once-confident Vergo felt an irresistible, overwhelming force surge from Cui Ze’s leg; his form staggered violently, and the stance he had just set failed to hold for even a fraction of a second. Worse, under the weight of Cui Ze’s D++ strength, Vergo’s pride-and-joy Iron Body was shattered instantly.

A mouthful of blood sprayed from Vergo’s throat. Accompanied by a miserable scream—and a piece of fried tempura flying high into the air—Vergo was sent flying backward, slamming into the wall of the training room with a loud *crack*.

To the onlookers, the process was essentially: "Ha! Iron Body! *Pfft—*"

Vergo, a renowned name in the advanced combat training room, had his Iron Body defense broken in a single exchange. The elite marines looked at Cui Ze with newfound gravity and respect, while Instructor Shuzo’s eyes twinkled with interest. This guy... he’s gotten even stronger.

[You have defeated an elite marine with a comprehensive rating of D!]

Cui Ze ignored the system prompt flashing on the light screen. Looking "anxious," he rushed forward, grabbing the shoulders of the slumped Vergo as he slid down the wall. His face turned red, and his eyes brimmed with "tears." "Vergo! Wake up! Don't die on me!"

He’s so caring toward his fellow marine comrades... Instructor Shuzo’s opinion of Cui Ze rose another level. As for why Vergo was being "cared for," that small detail was beneath his notice.

"Cui Ze, Vergo has lost consciousness." A flash of red light passed through Instructor Shuzo’s eyes—the sign of his Observation Haki. "Take him to the infirmary for a check-up. Also, be mindful of your strength when sparring with others in the future."

"I understand."

Cui Ze’s simple reply made the onlookers change color. Joking aside... if even Vergo, while using Iron Body, couldn't take one of Cui Ze’s kicks, who would dare be reckless enough to accept his sparring invites?

After sending the disoriented Vergo to the infirmary, an impatient Cui Ze returned to his room, eager to use Vergo’s D-rank bait. "I wonder if I can fish out Vergo's Iron Body ability!" Although Cui Ze had mastered [Iron Body] himself, his progress was still far behind Vergo’s. If he could truly fish out Vergo’s skill... he wondered if it would be a "fusion," a "replacement," or if the skill would simply fail to manifest.

"Vergo, my good brother, bless me with a good pull this time!"

[Fishing in progress...]

[Harvest Type: Item]

[D-rank Item: One Million Berries]

[Item Effect: General Equivalent]

A neat stack of banknotes appeared in Cui Ze’s palm, each note worth ten thousand, smelling faintly of printer ink.

"Damn it! Vergo, you loser, you’re bad luck!"