After a brief exchange, Daren stepped back a few paces, giving the two duelists ample space for their match.
He withdrew his gaze from Yamakaji and glanced down at the cigar in his hand. It was nothing special—cheap, unbranded, clearly low-grade tobacco straight from some plantation.
He hadn't smoked something this poor in quality for ages.
By all rights, Yamakaji, as the admiral commanding the South Blue, should've been living comfortably even if he wasn't as skilled at lining his pockets as Daren. Yet, that didn't seem to be the case.
His boots were polished to a shine, but the creases revealed how long he'd been wearing them. His uniform was clean, but clearly faded from too much washing.
Thinking back to the rumors...
The Marine Headquarters had appointed four admirals, one for each of the Grand Line's four seas—East, South, West, and North—to oversee security and maintain peace.
The North Blue, which Daren oversaw, was the most chaotic.
The East Blue, while the weakest, had Admiral Doberman, who despite being knocked out by Kuzan in the first round, was still considered among the stronger contenders at the camp.
The West Blue was the wealthiest, and Admiral Onigumo's cold, hard stance kept pirates in check.
As for the South Blue's Yamakaji, he was known for being "strong yet gentle."
He cared deeply for his subordinates, even sharing his own salary with those injured or lost in battle. He was a role model for many young Marines.
"A truly good Marine, huh?"
Daren let out a faint chuckle, bit the cigar, lit it, and took a deep drag. The acrid smoke burned his throat like a strong, full-bodied spirit.
He squinted, looking completely at ease.
...
"First match, Tokikake versus Strawberry!" Zephyr called out loudly.
He lit a cigar of his own, clearly in a good mood.
Strawberry stepped out from the crowd with a cold, emotionless expression. He stared at Tokikake, then drew both swords from his waist simultaneously.
A dual-sword wielder—rare and dangerous.
He held one blade upright in his right hand, the other reversed in his left, assuming an offensive stance. A faint, chilly aura spread from him.
"Tokikake, looks like you're out of luck this time."
His tone carried a quiet arrogance.
"Come on, show me what you learned in the North Blue."
The crowd finally registered what was happening and turned their attention to Tokikake.
He had received a Pass in the first round, meaning no one had seen him fight yet. No one had any clue about his combat ability.
But Gion, who'd gone to the North Blue with him, had shown power far beyond her previous level. That alone sparked curiosity about Tokikake.
Yet when everyone's eyes landed on him, they twitched. Black lines formed on their foreheads.
"Guess I've got no choice..."
Out of nowhere, Tokikake pulled out a brown hat, pulled the brim down low to hide most of his face in shadow.
He stuffed his hands into his pockets and struck a desolate pose, letting the sandy wind whip his cloak around him.
With a long, exaggerated sigh, he lowered his voice and said,
"I wanted to live among you as a normal person, but all I got in return was coldness and disdain."
"Seems I have no choice now but to show you the true strength of this genius—"
Bang!!
Tokikake jerked violently, leapt up, and dropped his hat.
A bullet blew a hole in the ground right by his feet.
"Hurry up and get on the field. Don't waste my time," Zephyr said irritably, his pistol still smoking.
"H-hey, come on, Zephyr-sensei!"
Tokikake chuckled awkwardly and jogged onto the field.
Everyone: "..."
Kuzan's eye twitched.
Gion turned away and pressed a hand to her forehead.
Daren sighed and rubbed his temples.
The two fighters faced off from a distance.
Tokikake took a deep breath, lowered his stance, and kept his eyes locked on Strawberry, sweat beginning to bead on his forehead.
Strawberry was a Captain at Marine Headquarters—a rank earned through real combat.
He came from the Grand Line. Unlike Tokikake, who grew up in Marineford, he had rich battlefield experience.
Even though Tokikake felt he'd improved a lot lately, without actual combat as reference, he had no way of knowing his true level.
Up against someone like Strawberry, he felt uncertain.
Still, at least he'd made the top eight thanks to that first-round pass. Not too embarrassing.
"Hope that bastard Daren's training paid off..."
Just as he muttered this, Strawberry launched his attack.
With a muffled thud, the dual-blade swordsman shot forward like a gust of wind.
He leapt high when only a few meters away, crossing his swords and bringing them down with terrifying force.
In that instant, everything slowed.
Tokikake froze.
So slow...
He could see it all—the arcs of Strawberry's twin blades were completely clear to his eyes!
Why? Had Strawberry gotten weaker?
No...
He had gotten stronger!
The realization clicked in late.
Instinctively, Tokikake stepped back half a pace and pivoted his body.
Clang!
Screeeee!!
The twin blades missed, carving a ten-meter gash into the ground and sending dust flying.
Strawberry visibly froze, his pupils contracting.
"He dodged?!"
"So easy!"
"He saw through the whole attack!"
"Unreal!"
The onlookers shouted in shock.
Even Zephyr's eyes lit up.
"This can't be..." Strawberry grit his teeth, twisted his foot forward, and lunged again.
His oversized twin blades slashed out countless times, creating slender gouges in the ground and completely engulfing Tokikake's silhouette.
But then—something unbelievable happened.
Tokikake dodged every strike.
At first it was clumsy—awkward steps, teetering like he could be hit at any second—but each blow narrowly missed.
Then, as time went on, his movements grew smoother, lighter. Before long, he was even making goofy faces mid-dodge, baring his teeth in smug delight.
"Hahahaha! You see that? This is the true strength of the genius Tokikake!"
He burst into proud laughter, sliding under a slash with a backward lean.
Too slow!
Too easy!
He could read it like a picture book!
Compared to that maniac Daren...
This guy's attacks were like playing tag with a kid!
Seeing everyone's stunned reactions, Tokikake was over the moon. In his mind, the little devil version of himself laughed with arms crossed.
He suddenly realized—those brutal training sessions in the North Blue, the beatdowns that left him broken...
Totally worth it!
"Come on, come on, hit me!" Tokikake grinned, pulling the corners of his mouth into a mocking face.
Even the ever-calm Strawberry finally lost it. His eyes went bloodshot with rage.
With a low growl, he crossed his swords and launched himself like a cannonball.
But once again, his efforts were in vain.
Tokikake easily sidestepped.
As they passed each other, Tokikake stuck out a foot.
Bang!
Tripped and off-balance, Strawberry fell flat on his face, kicking up a cloud of dust.
"Hahahaha!! Remember the name of your conqueror—Tokikake the genius!!"
He laughed heartily, hands on his hips, then raised his head to address the crowd with an air of invincible loneliness:
"You all better work harder. Surprise me. Get stronger... so I might find some joy in watching you. Alright?"
Everyone: "..."
"Hey, can we challenge him directly?" Doberman asked coldly. "For some reason, I really want to punch him."
"Same," Onigumo said, hand on his sword hilt.
"Count me in," Dalmatian added, fists clenched.
"Me too," Mozambia growled.
"..." The others nodded in agreement.
One moment rivals, the next united in shared hatred.
Zephyr's mouth twitched. He announced the result without hesitation:
"The winner, Tokikake!"
Tokikake swaggered down the stairs, nostrils flared, feet marching with outrageous arrogance.
Then—
He stepped into a pothole.
Bang!
Face-first into the ground.
His clogs flew off, hairy legs flailing in the air.
Everyone froze.
Their faces twisted into a single expression:
≧◉◡◉≦
Wow... the weather really cleared up, huh.
...
(60 Chapters Ahead)
p@treon com / PinkSnake