A/N: I'm a bit busy today, so I'm releasing chapters a few hours early.
....
Bang!
On the private beach, a deafening crack echoed in all directions as Sergei's Armament Haki-coated fist collided with Leon's arm. The sheer force of the punch sent rainwater flying outward, forming a wide, empty circle in the storm. The ground beneath them caved in, and sand and gravel erupted in all directions.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Sergei breathed heavily as he unleashed a flurry of attacks around Leon, his speed now far greater than before. The rhythmic power of his perfectly sculpted muscles under his vest made each strike seem even more forceful.
The speed at which Sergei and Leon fought was too fast for the naked eye to follow. All that could be seen were the shockwaves from their punches and kicks colliding, and the craters that kept forming on the beach as they moved.
Nearby, spectators could clearly see the intense battle. Gennady and the Wanda twins followed the movement of the fighters with their eyes, tracking their every move. In contrast, the four younger ones struggled to keep up with the action, particularly Clarice. The youngest among them hadn't yet been injected with the super soldier serum due to their age, making it even harder for them to follow the high-speed fight.
They had to wait until they were fifteen or sixteen years old, when their bones had fully developed, before they could be injected with the serum.
"Wow, Sergei's attacks are incredibly fast, as fierce as fire," Pietro remarked, watching the battle in awe. Without his own speed abilities, the gap between his combat effectiveness and Sergei's would be enormous.
Wanda, standing beside him, nodded slightly. "The super soldier serum has greatly enhanced our physical abilities. Sergei is gradually adjusting to his body through combat, and his speed is quickly approaching subsonic, maybe even sonic levels."
The sheer power of moving at such speeds was terrifying. At the speed of sound, the impact on the surrounding environment would be far more destructive than a grenade. For ordinary people nearby, the shockwave alone could shatter internal organs and bones, and a direct hit would reduce them to pulp in an instant.
Yet, Wanda observed that Sergei could control this power with ease, which was unusual.
Boom!
Leon suddenly unleashed a sweeping kick, and with terrifying force, he sent the charging Sergei flying. Sergei struggled to halt his momentum, skidding across the sand for dozens of meters, leaving a deep trail.
As Sergei regained his stance and prepared to attack again, Leon disappeared from in front of him. His Observation Haki detected Leon's presence behind him just as Leon's voice came from close by.
"Alright, that's enough."
Sergei's tense muscles relaxed immediately.
Turning around, Sergei saw Leon standing there with his hands in his pockets. His eyes gleamed like spring stars, and his nose was sharp and refined. The sea breeze gently ruffled the hem of his pristine white shirt, untouched by dirt. His rain-soaked muscles peeked through the fabric, giving him a striking appearance.
Wanda's face flushed as she looked at him, unable to suppress her reaction. There was no denying his appeal.
Leon, oblivious to Wanda's expression, turned to the crowd that had gathered around. He gave a nod, confident. Thanks to the advanced celestial computer, Sky Blade No. 7, he could accurately gauge everyone's physical condition.
"With a force output of 125 tons, your potential should reach around 500 tons. And with your current speed nearing the speed of sound, combined with proper technique, these stats can improve even further," he said, impressed.
"Very nice."
The data was staggering—Sergei was essentially a living superman. With his enhanced physicality, his mastery of his two Haki had also improved. From an earthly perspective, they were among the top powerhouses—a group of human-shaped nuclear weapons.
Wanda and the others beamed with excitement, feeling the explosive power coursing through their bodies. As for the origin of the super soldier serum, it was an unspoken rule among them not to ask any questions.
If Leon didn't tell them, they naturally wouldn't ask. He led everyone back to the manor.
After dismissing the maids, Leon sat in a chair in the living room, looking at the group seated obediently before him. A sense of accomplishment washed over him—each one of them had been trained by his own hand.
Knocking on the table to get their attention, Leon said, "Let's get started. I need you to do something."
"I want you to capture or eliminate dark creatures around the world—werewolves, vampires, demons, or any other monsters. Let nothing escape from your grasp."
"Huh? Are there actually creatures like that on Earth?" they asked, visibly surprised. In their view, the existence of mutants made sense, but werewolves, vampires, and demons? Those were supposed to be fictional, the stuff of movies and TV shows. Yet, here was Leon implying they were very real.
"Of course they exist," Leon said with a smirk. "Hell, heaven, Norse mythology—it's all real."
The group was stunned. They exchanged glances, but along with the surprise, Leon could see excitement in their eyes.
This reaction was exactly what he had expected.
After so many years of training and spending time with Wanda's group, Leon knew them inside and out. They were nothing like ordinary people. Their very genes seemed infused with a spirit of adventure, a thirst for battle, and a desire for an extraordinary life. Even if they managed to blend into society or a campus, they were, at their core, a pride of lions.
Leon leaned forward slightly and placed a metal box he had prepared onto the table. Opening it revealed a selection of expertly crafted weapons.
Each weapon was made from Adamantium, created through Sky Blade No. 7. Their sharpness and durability were unparalleled, verging on mythical in quality.
Of course, they didn't contain any magical enhancements. Unfortunately, Sky Blade No. 7 lacked the data on the Angel Civilization's Flame Sword, as well as the materials to construct one. Otherwise, Leon mused, everyone here would be wielding one. Through Sky Blade No. 7, they could even channel a star's power and bring forth a Heavenly Blade Judgment.