Under the crowd's glares of "righteous hostility," Tokikake rubbed his face and shuffled offstage with his clogs in hand.
"Second match: Gion versus Comil!"
As Zephyr's loud voice rang out, Gion and Comil simultaneously leapt into the center of the training field with practiced ease.
They exchanged a brief glance, then drew their blades and charged at each other.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
The sharp clash of steel echoed through the air, scattering sparks with each collision.
But it was clear to everyone watching—Gion's swordsmanship and close-combat skill far outclassed Comil's.
Recalling Tokikake's earlier performance, many in the crowd couldn't help but glance toward Daren, who stood calmly at the side, smiling as he smoked a cigar.
It was obvious.
The reason both Gion and Tokikake had improved so dramatically was because of the "King of the North Blue."
The match ended in less than three minutes.
Driven back step by step, Comil was caught by Gion's precise strike. His saber was sent flying, and before he could retreat properly, a gleaming golden Meito was already pressed against his throat.
The cold, razor-sharp aura at the blade's tip made Comil break out in goosebumps.
"I lost," he said with a helpless smile.
Gion sheathed her sword and bowed slightly.
"Thank you for the match."
"The winner… Gion!" Zephyr announced, though no one seemed particularly surprised.
"Next up, the third match… Kuzan versus Onigumo!"
As the words left his mouth—
"Finally, it's my turn!!" Kuzan shouted with anticipation.
"—I forfeit."
A hoarse voice cut through the moment, and the excited smile on Kuzan's face froze before vanishing entirely. His shoulders slumped.
Everyone turned in shock.
Onigumo, face grim and aura oppressive, met their eyes and spoke calmly:
"I have no means of threatening Kuzan."
"Without mastering Armament Haki, a Logia Devil Fruit user… is untouchable."
The surrounding Marines paused, but ultimately nodded in agreement.
Zephyr turned to Onigumo with a stern gaze.
"Are you certain about this, Onigumo?" he asked, voice low.
"Retreating without a fight is not a habit befitting a Marine."
Onigumo's face didn't waver.
"I understand, Zephyr-sensei."
"If I had even a one percent chance, I wouldn't back down."
"But I don't."
His gaze remained steady.
"There's no point in fighting a battle where the outcome is already decided."
"…I see. I understand now."
Zephyr went quiet for a moment, then slowly smiled.
"I'm glad to see you stand by your convictions."
He didn't press further. As a teacher, his role wasn't to force a student's hand, but to guide them toward the right path. He'd never cared for those who claimed to act "for your own good" while trying to control others.
Most importantly, Zephyr knew Onigumo's record and character well.
This Marine Captain who had wiped out pirates in the West Blue through sheer blood and steel wasn't someone who feared death.
It was just that his sense of justice leaned more toward pragmatism—his actions calm and rational.
"Then… the winner of the third match: Kuzan!"
Cheers broke out, though Kuzan himself looked deflated, like a soggy sponge. He slumped to the ground, clutching his head in frustration.
"What a waste…"
Zephyr chuckled and shook his head, then announced the lineup for the final match.
"And now for the last quarterfinal… Daren versus Yamakaji!"
At those words, all eyes turned to Daren and Yamakaji.
The cigar had burned to ash.
Daren snuffed it out and rose slowly to his feet.
His towering figure, like a mountain erupting from the earth, cast a deep shadow under the blazing sun.
A crushing pressure rolled off him like a heavy stone pressing against every Marine's chest.
Silence fell across the field. The Marines exchanged uneasy glances, their expressions complicated as they looked toward Yamakaji.
Everyone knew it—just like Onigumo versus Kuzan, this was a match with a foregone conclusion.
Kuzan's strength could still be grasped, faintly measured.
But Daren was different.
The wreckage of the training fortress still lay scattered, like the corpse of a war beast—an image that haunted the onlookers.
Daren's brutal, feral, and overwhelming display earlier had left a deep mark on everyone.
Kuzan's Devil Fruit power was difficult to counter, but Daren's raw dominance was its own kind of despair.
And he hadn't even used his Devil Fruit abilities yet.
If Kuzan was a towering wall—imposing but still visible—then Daren was a mountain so vast its summit couldn't even be seen.
The training grounds were still.
Everyone stared at Yamakaji, waiting for his choice.
Even if he chose to forfeit like Onigumo, no one would blame him.
After all, fighting someone like Daren came with the real risk of injury, which could impact future matches.
Daren was guaranteed a spot in the top four. But the fifth place? Still up for grabs.
At this point, Yamakaji and Onigumo were the most likely contenders for that fifth seat.
So stepping aside now to preserve strength was clearly the smart move.
Yamakaji sat quietly as everyone watched.
One second.
Two seconds.
Three seconds.
Then, to everyone's surprise, he lit a cigar and took a long drag.
Next, he rested a hand on his saber…
And stood—resolute against Daren's crushing presence.
A murmur rippled through the crowd. Though stunned, they felt an odd sense of relief. Some even clenched their fists without realizing it.
"Sorry to keep you waiting…"
Yamakaji looked up at Daren, his smile as gentle as ever, eyes crinkling with warmth.
Scratching his buzz cut sheepishly, he said:
"Fighting a monster like you… takes some serious mental prep."
Daren replied calmly.
"So, are you ready?"
Yamakaji nodded with a genuine smile.
"I really want that fifth seat. It's a huge honor."
"If I get it, I can go home and make the old man proud. He's always wanted me to become a 'hero' like Garp-san."
"But then I thought—if I want to be a hero, I can't back down now, can I?"
"Even if I know I've got zero chance of winning…"
Daren looked at the sun-darkened man in front of him, and after a pause, said slowly:
"Yeah. Being a hero is a losing game… It means doing a whole lot of stupid things."
Yamakaji's smile only grew brighter.
"That's why I want to fight you. And I hope you go all out."
He drew his saber, gripping it with both hands, and took an offensive stance. His face shone with anticipation.
"Because one day, I'll face those so-called 'monster' pirates…"
"And in the name of justice, I'll fight them to the death!"
His eyes burned with determination.
"So I might as well get used to this kind of despair now, right?"
The words rang out with force.
In that instant, everyone's eyes widened, their hearts shaken.
Something indescribable welled up inside them—hot and heavy, pounding in their chests.
Zephyr smiled with deep pride.
Kuzan's eyes blazed as he threw a fist into the air.
Tokikake clenched his fists, grinding his teeth.
Gion pressed her lips together, quietly moved.
...
Yellow sand danced across the ground. The passion of youth burned hotter than the midday sun.
In that moment, the young Marine with the buzz cut stood tall, stood straight, stood stronger than anyone else.
His presence seemed to tower even higher than the "monster" standing before him.
"What an amusing fool."
Daren suddenly chuckled.
It wasn't a big laugh, but it was genuine.
He saw something in Yamakaji that reminded him of himself.
So, he slowly raised his right hand.
Under some invisible force, the metal bracer on his forearm melted and twisted, forming three smooth, silver spheres that began to orbit his body.
"Then come."
"Let me show you…"
"Despair."
...
(60 Chapters Ahead)
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