After a brief exchange, Darren stepped back a few paces, giving the two fighters plenty of space for the upcoming match. He withdrew his gaze from Yamakaji and glanced down at the cigar in his hand.
It was a plain cigar, completely unbranded—clearly a low-quality product from some local plantation.
He hadn't smoked something this rough in a long time.
By all rights, Yamakaji, being the Supreme commander of the South Blue Marines, could have lived in luxury. Maybe not as skilled at raking in favors as Darren himself, but still.
Yet he didn't.
His boots were polished to a shine, but the creases revealed years of wear. His uniform was spotless but fading from too many washes.
And when Darren recalled the rumors—
The four seas each had a Marine Supreme Commander. East Blue was the weakest but relatively stable. West Blue, the richest. North Blue, Darren's turf, the most chaotic. And South Blue—that was Yamakaji's realm.
Unlike the others, Yamakaji was known for being strong and kind. He cared for his subordinates, even giving away portions of his own salary to support wounded or fallen comrades. To many young Marines, he was a role model.
"A real Marine, huh..."
Darren smiled, lit the cheap cigar, and took a long drag. It was harsh—biting, smoky, and raw, like fire in his lungs. But it hit deep, like a shot of old rum. He narrowed his eyes with a satisfied sigh.
---
"First match: Tokikake versus Strawberry!"
Zephyr's voice rang out across the training ground.
Lighting his own cigar, Zephyr looked unusually pleased.
Strawberry stepped forward with a cold expression. Without a word, he placed both hands on the hilts at his waist and drew two blades simultaneously—a rare dual-sword stance. One forward, one reverse grip. His posture was sharp, dangerous, and calm.
"Tokikake, looks like your luck's run out."
His voice carried a note of arrogance.
"Come on. Let's see what you learned in the North Blue."
That single sentence made everyone watching suddenly remember something.
In the first round, Tokikake had drawn a bye. They hadn't seen him fight. They had no idea how strong he really was.
But Gion, who had also trained in the North Blue, had shown remarkable power. So now all eyes turned toward Tokikake with growing curiosity.
And then... they all winced.
Because Tokikake had, for some reason, pulled out a brown hat, dramatically tilted the brim to shadow his face, and struck a brooding pose. His cloak whipped in the sand-laden wind.
He let out a dramatic sigh.
"I just wanted to live like a normal person among you all... but all I got was rejection and scorn."
He dropped his voice, trying to sound sorrowful and cool.
"Now it seems I have no choice but to reveal the true power... of this genius."
Bang!
A bullet kicked up dirt at his feet. Tokikake flinched violently and leapt up with a yelp. His hat flew off.
Zephyr stood there, pistol still smoking. "Get on with it. You're wasting my time."
"Y-Yes, sir!!"
Tokikake scampered onto the field.
Everyone: "..."
Kuzan blinked.
Gion turned away and covered her face.
Darren sighed and rubbed his temples.
---
Now facing Strawberry, Tokikake took a deep breath, sinking into a low stance. Sweat beaded on his forehead.
Strawberry was a seasoned Marine captain—a rank earned through real combat.
Unlike himself, who'd grown up in Marineford, Strawberry had experience from the Grand Line.
Tokikake had improved a lot, sure, but he hadn't really measured himself in battle. And against a foe like Strawberry, he couldn't afford to underestimate anything.
'Let's hope Darren's hellish training paid off...'
His thought had barely ended when Strawberry struck.
With a sharp burst of sound, the dual-wielding captain flew forward. At five meters, he leapt high, crossing both blades in a deadly downward arc.
The world slowed.
Tokikake hesitated.
'He's... so slow?'
He could clearly see the path of the blades.
'No... it's not him. It's me. I've gotten faster!'
He sidestepped instinctively.
CLANG!
SSSHHH!
The blades tore through the earth, slicing a ten-meter trench.
Gasps erupted from the onlookers.
"He dodged it?!"
"So easily!"
"He read the attack like a book!"
Zephyr's eyes lit up with interest.
Strawberry snarled and charged again, blades blurring into a storm of slashes.
But Tokikake's dodges, though clumsy-looking, were precise. He stumbled, weaved, ducked—and every strike just barely missed.
His movements grew smoother.
Soon he was grinning, pulling faces and mocking his attacker mid-fight.
"Hahaha! See that? Witness the genius of Tokikake!"
Sliding beneath a sweeping slash, he arched backward with ease.
'Compared to Darren's insane brutality, this guy fights like a toddler!'
Everyone watched, stunned.
Tokikake, meanwhile, basked in it. All that torment in the North Blue—suddenly, it felt worth it.
"Come on, come on, try and hit me!"
He taunted again, pulling a ridiculous face.
Strawberry, normally stoic, snapped. Roaring with rage, he charged.
Tokikake stepped aside with casual ease.
As they passed, he stuck out one foot.
Thud!
Strawberry tripped, face-first into the dirt.
"HAHAHA! Remember this name: the genius Tokikake!"
He threw his arms wide, basking in imagined glory.
"You all better improve. I'm starting to get bored. Try harder to impress me, would you?"
Everyone: "..."
"Can we challenge him directly?" Doberman growled.
"I want to punch him," Onigumo muttered, gripping his sword.
"Count me in," Dalmatian added.
"Same here," said Mozambia.
Even Gion quietly nodded.
Zephyr rubbed his forehead.
"Winner: Tokikake."
Tokikake swaggered off, chin high, steps exaggerated.
Then he tripped on a small pothole.
WHAM!
Face down, sandals flying, legs in the air.
Everyone froze.
Expression: ≥???≤
Yes... the weather had just improved.
---
To be continued...