Chapter 129: The Duel with Bogart

Swallowing hard, Koby felt no trace of discomfort nor did he think he was being teased.

Maintaining his usual serious demeanor, Koby stood at attention in perfect military posture and declared loudly, “Colonel Moran, I am ready. If you need to test me, you may do so at any time.”

After two months of intense training, he needed an opportunity to prove himself.

If Moran were to simply hand him the Devil Fruit, Koby might feel somewhat discontent, as it would feel like pity rather than respect.

He did not want the fruit given out of sympathy for his weakness, as if it were merely to grant him some ability to protect himself.

What he sought was Moran’s recognition—because you want me to be your aide, I am entrusting you with this Devil Fruit, hoping you will become like Zoro, my right-hand man.

“Bright and early tomorrow, same place. Don’t be late.”

Moran nodded with satisfaction, then withdrew the Devil Fruit back into the system’s storage.

Koby was indeed different from before.

Yet Moran still harbored some doubts, for this version of Koby had been a deserter during the Marineford War.

In battles of that magnitude, even one or two deserters could plunge morale and leave openings for the enemy to exploit.

He hoped that this Koby was not merely a superficial change, that beneath the surface he was fundamentally different.

After dinner, everyone returned to their rooms and fell into a deep sleep—everyone except Koby.

The thought of proving himself to Colonel Moran and becoming a Devil Fruit user thrilled him beyond sleep.

But as exhaustion from the day’s training crept in, he gradually drifted into slumber.

At dawn, stirred by his biological clock, Koby sprang from bed and rushed excitedly out of his room.

Sure enough, upon reaching downstairs, he found himself alone in the entire house; even little Donna was nowhere to be seen.

After washing up and changing clothes, Koby headed straight to the “old place” Moran had mentioned.

The so-called old place was no stranger to Koby—it was where he and Zoro had undergone Bogart’s rigorous training two months ago.

It was also where Moran had mastered the Navy’s Rokushiki techniques.

When Koby had learned this from Bogart, he had felt a pang of envy.

Such talent was almost superhuman—Moran had mastered all the Rokushiki in just one day.

Meanwhile, Koby had only learned Soru and Geppo, and had just begun to grasp the secrets of Rankyaku.

Arriving at the training ground, Koby immediately spotted Zoro sparring with Bogart, while Moran watched from the sidelines.

Zoro’s progress over the past two months was remarkable. Previously, he could barely last twenty rounds against Bogart before succumbing.

Now, though the duration of their current bout was unknown, Zoro’s confident ease made it clear the fight would continue for quite some time.

“Koby’s here.”

As Koby approached, Moran sensed his presence through Observation Haki.

Looking up towards him, Moran said calmly, “So, my task today is to test Koby alongside you?”

Bogart halted the sparring and turned his gaze to Koby.

“Yes. You have been responsible for Koby’s training these past two months, Mr. Bogart. I doubt anyone knows him better than you.”

“If he succeeds in proving himself to me, I will bestow upon him this Barrier Fruit.”

Moran shook the Devil Fruit in his hand, speaking seriously.

“That fruit won’t be coming back once you hand it over.”

Bogart smiled faintly. He understood Koby’s transformation better than anyone present.

The focus of these two months had been to reshape Koby’s mindset.

Before that shift, Bogart had taught him nothing—a crucial factor in Koby’s successful change in attitude.

“Mr. Moran, I am ready.”

Koby saluted Bogart with military precision, then approached Moran earnestly.

Moran nodded. “Then let’s begin.”

Neither Bogart nor Koby were ones for pretense. Once Moran spoke, they positioned themselves at opposite ends of the training ground, eyes locked on each other.

“I’m coming, Mr. Bogart.”

With that, Koby vanished using Soru, reappearing behind Bogart.

Two months of training had brought about a seismic change in Koby.

Two months prior, even knowing it was just training, he would never have dared to initiate combat with Bogart.

Now, not only did he dare, but he also knew how to strike from behind.

Yet such a small tactic was no challenge to Bogart.

After all, he had trained Koby; he could tell from his stance exactly what Koby was attempting.

Without turning, Bogart easily blocked Koby’s attack from behind.

What surprised Bogart was that Koby didn’t persist after the block; instead, he used Soru to create distance once more.

Before Bogart could react, Koby used Geppo to appear above him and delivered a flying slash kick.

“Rankyaku? When did Koby learn that?”

The appearance of Rankyaku surprised Moran as much as it did Bogart.

Just yesterday, Koby couldn’t execute a single successful kick during training. How had he managed to use it in combat today?

“Could it be because of you?”

As Bogart absorbed the slash with Armament Haki, his gaze shifted to Moran.

In just one night, Koby had surpassed his former self and mastered Rankyaku.

If not for Moran’s encouragement, Bogart could think of no other explanation.

“Mr. Bogart, always keep an eye on your opponent during battle.”

Before anyone noticed, Koby was already above Bogart, one leg raised high, ready to strike down fiercely.

He knew the gap in their strength. Even if he landed the kick, Bogart would only feel a twinge of pain, nothing more.

But if he did connect, it would mean his progress was substantial—he had managed to hit Mr. Bogart in combat.

Obviously, Bogart had no intention of allowing that.

With a single hand, he caught Koby’s ankle mid-air.

Remarkably, Koby’s transformation was evident—despite being grabbed, he twisted his body in midair and swept Bogart with his other foot.

Moran nodded approvingly at Koby’s quick thinking.

Though still weak, Koby now displayed the qualities of a warrior:

Unwilling to yield, undeterred by setbacks, and able to find solutions in dire moments.

More importantly, Moran sensed Koby’s mindset had improved significantly.

Whether Koby could maintain this attitude in true combat remained unknown.

In the original timeline, even after mastering Rokushiki, Koby dared to confront Luffy.

But during the Marineford War, he still fled.

Only a complete change of heart would allow Koby to become a true Marine—one worthy of admiral status.