The sun was setting.
On the training ground of the camp, Daren collapsed to the ground with a loud thud, gasping for breath. His face was swollen and bruised, his body covered in scrapes and welts of all kinds.
"Hehehe, don't blame me for this, Daren. It was Zephyr-sensei's order. Plus, we get credit for it…"
Tokikake strolled over smugly, putting on a fake "I didn't want to do this either" look as he grinned shamelessly.
Inside, it felt like a tiny version of himself was throwing his head back and laughing hysterically.
This felt way too good!
Back when he had to deal with that bastard Daren, he'd always get "trained" half to death under all sorts of ridiculous excuses.
Especially back in the North Blue—Daren had the nerve to call it "special training."
But now... he finally got payback!
The satisfaction he felt landing a kick right into Daren's face just now—he couldn't even put it into words.
It was better than a night out with the top girl in the red-light district—ten times better!
Daren rolled his eyes, clearly fed up, and didn't even bother responding.
"Sorry about that, Daren."
Yamakaji walked over too, scratching his head with an awkward smile.
The rest came by one after another to "apologize" as well.
Daren just waved them off weakly, looking utterly defeated.
Eventually, everyone cleared out.
The training ground was left with only Daren lying spread-eagle on the dirt, completely drained.
"How're you feeling, Daren?"
Zephyr's shadow fell over him, sunglasses blocking out the orange glow of the setting sun.
Maybe it was just his imagination, but Daren swore Zephyr had a bit of a smug look on his face.
"Any progress with your Observation Haki training?"
Daren let out a long breath, lips twitching slightly.
"I think... I'm starting to feel something. Sometimes, I can barely catch their movements... even from blind spots."
Zephyr smiled and nodded.
"Now you understand my good intentions, don't you?"
That said, deep down, Zephyr was still stunned by Daren's performance.
An entire hour of being ganged up on—even though the other trainees hadn't used their full strength—for someone wearing Seastone shackles, facing a group of top-tier Marine officers, Daren had still managed to hold his own relying purely on physical toughness and combat instincts. He even landed a few solid kicks on Tokikake during the fight.
That kind of absurd endurance... "monster" didn't even begin to describe it.
It was clear: Daren's combat ability was leagues above his peers.
Then again, considering the opponents Daren had faced in the past, Zephyr couldn't say he was entirely surprised.
"What really impresses me, Daren, is that you always manage to stay calm in battle."
Zephyr squatted down beside him, still smiling.
"Observation Haki is heavily tied to the mind. You need a steady, composed state to use it. If your emotions spiral out of control, Observation Haki can fail."
"With the way you're progressing, it won't be long before you awaken it properly."
Daren nodded thoughtfully.
He'd relied too much on his defensive power and his magnetic field sensing, so his body had never really developed the instinct for Observation Haki.
Even if he couldn't dodge, it didn't matter—he could tank a few hits and keep going.
But developing Haki was deeply connected to willpower.
Take Charlotte Katakuri, for example—he took Observation Haki to the extreme, awakening the ability to glimpse into the future. It all stemmed from his unwavering resolve to protect his family.
He couldn't allow himself to make mistakes. That obsession drove him to the peak of Observation Haki.
"So… Zephyr-sensei, can you take off these Seastone shackles now?"
Daren exhaled in frustration.
"Nope."
Zephyr chuckled and shook his head, speaking with deliberate emphasis.
"Until you've properly awakened Observation Haki, those shackles stay on."
"You need to get used to not having your magnetic field sensing from the Jiki Jiki no Mi. The more you adapt, the better your odds of awakening Observation Haki."
"So just bear with it for now, Daren."
"Besides, think of it as extra resistance training for Seastone."
Is that so...
Daren glanced down at the heavy shackles weighing down his wrists.
Zephyr patted him on the shoulder with a grin.
"Alright, go home and rest."
"And don't forget to eat up—there'll be plenty more training like today."
He winked.
Daren: "…"
I appreciate your dedication, really, but why does this feel like you're just taking revenge?
Looking at that mischievous grin on Zephyr's face, Daren couldn't help but complain silently in his heart.
...
Dragging his aching body, Daren made his way toward the family quarters under the dusky twilight.
His military uniform had been torn to shreds during the earlier "beatdown," now hanging off him like a ragged sheet. His body was covered in cuts and bruises, and the heavy Seastone shackles clamped around his wrists added to the sorry sight. The once-feared "King of the North Blue" now looked more like a worn-out prisoner.
As he passed through a narrow alley, he suddenly came to a stop.
Gion's tall silhouette stood ahead, watching him calmly.
"How are you feeling?"
Her voice was soft, and she glanced away, as if a little embarrassed.
"You were the one hacking away at me the hardest…" Daren muttered, clearly annoyed.
Gion's face flushed as she stepped forward, pulling out a tin of ointment and gently applying it to his wounds.
"I was afraid if I held back… the others would notice something."
She spoke quietly, her slender fingers brushing across his chest, sending a faint tickle through him.
Daren let out a sigh.
He understood where she was coming from.
Girls could be sensitive—and then there was his "scumbag" reputation to deal with.
If people found out that the "Flower of the Marines" had become his woman… she'd never hear the end of it.
It would be like a perfectly prim and proper noble lady falling for some scruffy street punk. Not that he cared—he could take the heat. But Gion was still young. She didn't deserve to carry that kind of burden.
Thinking about it, Daren couldn't help but chuckle to himself.
People love to talk trash about punks—but deep down, everyone wants to be one.
"Does it hurt...?"
Daren didn't respond. He just smiled and pointed to his face.
A hint of pink flashed across Gion's cheeks. She leaned in and gave him a quick peck on the cheek—then spun around and ran off with her high ponytail bouncing behind her.
It was just a small moment, but it lifted Daren's spirits.
He hummed to himself as he continued home.
...
By the time he stepped inside, Toki had already laid out a steaming hot meal.
"Toki, I'm home."
Daren called out with a smile.
Amatsuki Toki, dressed in a soft pink kimono, turned around. The moment she saw him, her face lit up, her smile gentle and bright.
"Husband, you're back."
Her eyes dropped to the Seastone shackles on his wrists, a puzzled look on her face.
"Huh? What are those…"
"Ah, just a prop," Daren replied casually, not wanting to explain too much. "Nothing to worry about."
"A prop…"
Toki murmured, her cheeks suddenly flushing as some thought crossed her mind. Her fingers fidgeted nervously in front of her, and she whispered shyly,
"Does that mean… you want me to tie you up?"
Daren: …
Where the hell did that come from…
Then again… maybe not such a bad idea.
...
For more chapters, feel free to follow me on Patreon.
(40 Chapters Ahead)
p@treon com / PinkSnake