The Den Den Mushi call cut off.
In the spacious base commander's office, the young and inexperienced Gion and Tokikake sat in stunned silence, staring at each other for a long moment without speaking.
Having grown up at Marine Headquarters, showered with attention and raised on the most orthodox ideals of justice, they simply couldn't comprehend how someone as corrupt and depraved as Daren could receive such high praise from Admiral Sengoku—the man they revered.
Even harder to believe was that the two prodigious and prideful "monsters," Sakazuki and Borsalino, had both, without prompting, expressed approval of Daren's strength and methods.
And those two? Their personalities, principles, and ways of doing things couldn't be more different—completely opposed, even.
"This... how is that possible..."
Gion sat in a daze, murmuring to herself, her eyes unfocused.
Everything that had happened since arriving in the North Blue had delivered a massive blow to her "pure and innocent" worldview.
The sharp sound of a lighter snapping open broke her thoughts.
"Tokikake! What are you doing!? You're smoking his cigars!?"
Gion turned her head and saw Tokikake lighting up a cigar. Her fury boiled over.
Tokikake flinched. Seeing Gion's icy glare, he stammered,
"Uh... Didn't Admiral Sengoku tell us to learn from Daren?"
"He told you to learn from him, not to pick up his nasty habits—smoking, drinking, and womanizing!"
Gion snapped, gritting her teeth in rage.
Tokikake quickly stuffed the cigar away, muttering under his breath,
"I dunno... I think those things aren't so bad... Smoking, drinking, and picking up girls doesn't mean you can't be a good Marine..."
"What did you just say!?"
"I-I said you're absolutely right, Gion."
"No. I can't accept this." Gion suddenly stood up, a fiery determination lighting up her clear eyes.
She clenched her fists tightly.
"Justice must remain pure! It cannot be tainted by filth!"
"I have to stay and reform that bastard Daren! Help him walk the right path!"
"I can't allow his kind of 'corrupt' and 'twisted' justice to stain the North Blue Marines!"
Tokikake, watching her burning with resolve, could only cover his face in silence.
Though, in his heart, his thoughts were drifting far away...
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He wasn't even sure what he'd just imagined, but a lewd grin crept across his face.
"Stop grinning like that! Get to the training grounds!"
Gion shot him a glare and barked coldly.
Tokikake blinked. "Training grounds? What for... training? We just got here, and the whole journey was bumpy as hell... Isn't that too much?"
Gion reached for the golden blade at her waist, eyes gleaming with sharp determination.
"That bastard Daren said he wanted to spar with us, didn't he?"
Her face lit up with competitive fire.
"Let's see if this so-called North Blue Admiral really lives up to the title."
As the Headquarters' golden child—spoiled, celebrated, and trusted—she had her own pride and convictions to uphold.
The sky was clear, and the sea breeze sharp.
Dust swirled across the open field.
Along the edges stood rows of weapon racks, displaying all kinds of weapons—spiked maces, oversized cleavers, halberds, and more. Nearby were dozens of humanoid stone targets, with a line of practice cannons set up even farther out. On the opposite side sat an old, abandoned warship.
Many Marines from the 321st Branch were already in the midst of their routine training, but their eyes kept drifting toward the lone figure at the center of the grounds.
Daren was shirtless, wearing only black military pants, doing one-finger push-ups in the middle of the field.
"1997, 1998, 1999, 2000..."
After finishing 2,000 one-finger push-ups with his right hand, he switched to his left.
His rhythm was steady, each rep executed with perfect form, a sense of rhythm in every motion.
His sharply defined, explosive muscles, paired with his wild and unrestrained aura, made him look like a feral cheetah poised to strike.
That was the sight Gion and Tokikake saw as soon as they arrived.
"I didn't expect this guy to be so serious about training."
Gion had stormed into the field, still fuming inside, but she had to admit—
Typically, Marines stationed in the Four Seas were more lax in discipline due to being far from the Headquarters, and their training often involved cutting corners.
Aside from the occasional surprise inspection from the top brass, most Four Seas Marines slacked off in their daily routines.
She didn't expect Daren—this degenerate and debauched bastard—to be so strict with himself.
"Tch, it's not that impressive..."
Tokikake stuffed his hands in his pockets, face full of disdain, though his tone carried a hint of envy.
Truthfully, he was a bit shaken too.
After a few more minutes of observation, Daren completed another 2,000 one-finger push-ups.
"You're here. Want to join the training?"
He clapped the dust from his hands and smiled at the two of them.
Under the sunlight, sweat streamed down his chiseled jaw and along the grooves of his muscular body. Paired with his striking face, it created a stunning and impactful visual.
Not far off, a few female Marines watching from the sidelines were already starry-eyed and blushing.
Even Gion had to blink—no wonder Lady Margaret was so obsessed with him.
Not that she was the type to be seduced by a pretty face. But Daren's kind was rare among Marines.
She thought of Sakazuki and Borsalino, then glanced at Tokikake beside her, standing there like a two-bit street punk with his hands stuffed in his pockets. In comparison, that shameless scoundrel Daren suddenly seemed a lot more tolerable.
Still, she hadn't forgotten why she was here.
This arrogant bastard needed a lesson—to remind him not to get too full of himself.
"No need, Captain Daren. We're here to test your strength. Right, Tokikake?"
Gion's tone was solemn as she turned to him.
"Huh? I don't want to. That sounds exhausting..."
Tokikake blurted out, but the murderous glint in Gion's eyes made him straighten up and immediately change his tune.
"That's right, Captain Daren! Let's see what you, the so-called North Blue Admiral, are really made of!"
A faint smirk curled at Daren's lips.
"You two are elite from the Headquarters, after all. If it's a real spar, I'll need you to go easy on me..."
His eyes sparkled with interest.
Though Gion and Tokikake were still young and far from the Admiral-candidate level they'd eventually reach, they were undeniably gifted—prodigies raised under the eyes of Marine HQ's top brass.
As someone from the North Blue, Daren was genuinely curious about their strength.
More importantly, he'd been waiting for a chance to give these two "proctors" from HQ a proper beating.
In the Marines, strength was everything. Only by overpowering them could he shut them up. If they kept nitpicking and stirring up trouble, it'd make everything that much harder to deal with.
"Don't worry, Captain Daren. Since you gave me that cigar, I'll go easy on you."
Tokikake grinned, his eyes gleaming with mischief. He suddenly realized—this might be the perfect chance to beat this guy to a pulp.
Gion slowly drew the Meito sword from her waist, her expression cold and furious.
Since reason wouldn't work, she'd let her blade do the talking. This lecherous, depraved bastard was about to be taught a lesson.
The three of them, each with their own motives, wore matching sinister smiles.