As they walked through the streets of the Marineford civilian district, Tokikake followed behind Gion, trembling with fear.
He could feel the intense killing intent radiating from the figure ahead, along with the sharp clack of high heels striking the ground...
He didn't even dare to breathe loudly, keeping his head down and his hands folded as he muttered under his breath,
"When did Gion master Armament Haki? Don't tell me it was before I did..."
"No, no, this isn't the time for that."
He slapped himself.
"Focus!! Tokikake, focus!!"
"Think! How could Daren possibly cut through the Beasts Pirates all on his own? That's something not even Admiral Sengoku could pull off!!"
"Yeah, it must be fake—definitely just a rumor!"
"Fake news!"
Tokikake tried to console himself, forcing a dry laugh.
"And going toe-to-toe with the Whitebeard Pirates... That's even more impossible. Are we seriously supposed to believe that Daren, after being captured by Kaidou of the Beasts for less than ten days, suddenly powered up enough to fight the 'strongest man in the world' head-on!?"
"The Beasts Pirates aren't some kind of elite training academy. If someone could really level up like that, why would Marine Headquarters even need an officer training camp?"
"Exactly, that makes way more sense!"
"And that talk about some stunning beauty... Come on, how could that be real..."
Tokikake laughed awkwardly, a bead of cold sweat forming on his forehead.
"No real beauty would ever fall for scum like Daren, right? If anyone, they'd go for someone like me—a genius who's gentle and considerate..."
"Yeah, yeah, that's definitely it."
"Those soldiers are clearly just spouting nonsense!"
It was like grabbing at straws in the middle of despair—Tokikake's eyes lit up again, and he clenched his fist.
"The woman Daren brought back probably isn't even pretty..."
"—Yeah, right!!"
He ground his teeth.
Knowing Daren, there's no way he'd go after someone who wasn't beautiful!
There was Margery, the alluring and seductive Governor of the Yadis Kingdom in the North Blue;
Sylphine, the cheerful and youthful Princess of the Rost Kingdom;
The tall, long-legged captain of the Noor Caravan;
And Maria, the nurse from the military hospital—blonde, wavy-haired, and curvy in all the right places...
Face after face flashed through Tokikake's mind, each with their own charm, and it made him so angry he could almost crush his teeth.
"No, I refuse to believe it!"
He suddenly let out a growl, eyes bloodshot, fists clenched tight.
"I won't accept this!!"
Flames of rage seemed to blaze from his eyes, and both fists ignited with Armament Haki.
He quickly stepped up beside Gion.
Together, the two stormed toward Daren's mansion.
The surrounding civilians could sense the rising fury from the pair and hurried to get out of their way, not daring to approach.
In less than three minutes...
They came to a stop in front of a quiet courtyard.
The low wall was covered in lush green vines, and the branches of an oak tree stretched out from within. The small wooden gate ahead looked quaint and aged...
"Let's just storm in there, Gion! With how much stronger we've gotten, the two of us together can definitely beat the crap out of that bastard Daren!"
"Let him see what we've gained from our time at the training camp!"
Tokikake stared at the wooden door in front of them. For some reason, he suddenly felt a wave of nervousness and couldn't help but urge Gion forward.
But Gion didn't respond.
Her expression was icy as she looked at the courtyard ahead. She unconsciously pressed her lips together, the hand gripping her Meito Konpira trembling slightly.
"Huh? Gion, what's wrong?"
Tokikake blinked and turned to her, suddenly realizing the intense killing intent she'd been radiating had mysteriously faded.
Still, Gion said nothing.
She lowered her head, her eyes blankly fixed on the sword in her hand. Her gaze flickered, and a complex, unreadable mix of emotions slowly took over her expression.
What's wrong with me...
Why am I so angry?
That shameless bastard brought a woman home—so what? Isn't that completely normal?
It's not like I just met him yesterday.
Besides, what does it have to do with me?
There's clearly nothing between us!
We're not even friends!
So what right do I have to get upset?
A flood of thoughts raced through Gion's mind.
She stood there in a daze, unmoving.
"Gion? Gion?"
After calling out several times with no response, Tokikake's mouth twitched. His face instantly fell, looking as wilted as a frostbitten eggplant.
"Damn it!"
He cursed inwardly, took a deep breath, braced himself, and stepped forward to knock hard on the door.
"Please wait a moment."
A soft, gentle voice answered from inside.
Tokikake froze.
That voice... so sweet, so gentle!
It sounded like a spirit calling from a mountain valley, carrying a classic, elegant tone.
Tokikake swore to the heavens: if this was over a Den Den Mushi, he could down several bowls of rice just from her voice alone!
What he didn't see was Gion's face turning pale the instant she heard that voice.
Soon, the soft clack of wooden clogs approached.
As the wooden door creaked open, a gentle and beautiful face appeared before them.
Bathed in the morning sunlight,
Amatsuki Toki stood there in a kimono and clogs, her long pale green hair flowing gently. Tilting her head with a sweet smile, she looked at the two guests before her and asked,
"May I ask who you are?"
Time seemed to freeze in that moment.
A breeze passed by, lifting her hair and the hem of her kimono. Behind her, fallen leaves danced in the courtyard, painting a scene of stunning beauty.
"So... so beautiful..."
Tokikake stared, dumbfounded.
His eyes turned into hearts, jaw hanging open, drool dripping from the corner of his mouth.
Suddenly,
He dropped to his knees with a loud thud, weakly pounding the ground with his fists as he wailed,
"Damn it!! It's real!!"
"That bastard Daren!!"
His cries were heart-wrenching.
Amatsuki Toki: ???
Gion, too, was frozen in place, staring at the gentle, sweet smile on Toki's face, unsure of what to say.
Her gaze fell to Toki's hands—she was holding a freshly washed military uniform, clearly about to hang it out to dry...
In that instant, Gion felt her chest tighten. Her face went pale.
So it's come to this?
Standing before her was a kind, wife-like woman… and she...
Gion looked at the cold, sharp blade in her hand. Her own murderous reflection stared back at her from the sword's surface, and a wave of shame and self-loathing hit her.
Of course...
A bitter feeling spread in her chest, thick and suffocating.
Exhaling slowly, Gion sheathed her blade and forced a stiff smile.
"Sorry to bother you. We're here to inform Commodore Daren that he needs to return to the training camp."
With that, she abruptly turned and said through clenched teeth to the sobbing Tokikake beside her,
"Tokikake, we're leaving!"
"Huh?" Tokikake was still drowning in grief, looking up blankly.
"You're training with me today."
Gion's voice was cold.
"Training?"
Tokikake blinked, then suddenly shivered as if remembering something.
"Nooo..."
"Why is it always me who gets hurt..."
His crying grew even louder.