The Greatest Disgrace in Marine History-Chapter 225 - 127: I Hearded

Marine Headquarters, Marineford.

"The weather's really nice today..."

Tokikake stepped out of the training camp, clad in a freshly issued uniform. A brown round cap sat snugly on his head, and he lit a cigarette as he walked toward the civilian district with both hands tucked into his pockets.

He was in an excellent mood today!

No—an absolutely fantastic mood!

Not just because today was a day off and he didn't have to get his face bruised up by that hot-blooded maniac Kuzan—no, no, wait—didn't have to train with that guy.

—But because he had finally awakened Armament Haki!

Among this batch of recruits, he was the first to do so after Kuzan!

When he recalled the expressions of envy from Onigumo, Yamakaji, and Strawberry after he succeeded in manifesting it yesterday, Tokikake couldn't help but feel elated. The sky looked so blue, the clouds so white.

Sure, Kuzan had grasped Haki several days earlier than he had. But so what?

That guy was a freak of nature. There was no point comparing himself to a monster.

"Tokikake, oh Tokikake, you really are a genius!!"

A grin tugged at his lips as he strolled leisurely, exhaling a perfect smoke ring.

Then his eyes suddenly lit up.

Not far ahead, a tall and graceful figure stood in line at a bustling breakfast stall.

Her high ponytail swung behind her. A famed blade gleamed gold at her waist. Her gaze was cool and detached.

It was Gion!

Tokikake's eyes darted slyly. He quickly erased the lecherous grin on his face and adopted a casual, indifferent demeanor as he walked over and greeted her.

"Good morning, Gion."

Gion glanced at him.

"Morning," she replied coolly.

Tokikake cleared his throat and called out to the stall's owner.

"Auntie Rochi!"

The woman behind the stall, wearing an apron, looked up. Upon seeing Tokikake, she broke into a hearty smile.

"Oh, Tokikake! You're early today. Usually, you come a bit later, don't you?"

Auntie Rochi beamed.

She had watched this kid grow up.

His looks... well, a bit unfortunate. But he had a good heart. Ever since joining the Marines, he often helped out around this street. A good lad. They were familiar enough to speak freely.

"What's the matter? Your face isn't swollen like a pig's today... Did you finally win one for once? That young guy who always makes you grind your teeth—what's his name again?"

Cough cough cough...

Tokikake turned bright red, coughing furiously. He noticed the faint amusement flickering in Gion's eyes and his face darkened.

"Oh dear, there I go again—too nosy for my own good," Auntie Rochi chuckled, then glanced between Tokikake and Gion. Changing the subject, she asked,

"So, what would you like for breakfast today? It's on me! Steamed buns? Oden? Or ramen?"

A surprised look sprang onto Tokikake's face.

"Auntie Rochi, how did you know I awakened Haki!?"

Auntie Rochi: ???

She looked at him, puzzled, as he kept winking at her. Scratching her head, she said,

"What Haki? I'm asking what you want to eat. I'll make it for you."

Tokikake: ...

He glanced at Gion, who remained serene, as if she hadn't heard a word. Gritting his teeth, he forced the topic.

"This! This is Haki!! A power only true warriors can wield!"

He raised his arm and clenched his fist with a sharp exhale.

Whoosh!

A coat of jet-black sheen swept over his arm, wrapping his fist in a cold, metallic luster.

"See this, Auntie Rochi? This is Haki! With this, bullets and blades can't even scratch me!"

He puffed his chest proudly, sneaking glances at Gion.

"That's... quite something," Auntie Rochi said, reaching out to touch his hardened arm. She looked amazed.

"So... does that mean you can finally beat that young man? What was his name again... Ku-something?"

Tokikake: ...

His mouth twitched. He took a long, deep breath. Then slowly, deflated.

"...No."

Seeing his crestfallen look, Auntie Rochi offered comfort.

"It's okay, you've done great, Tokikake."

"After all, the Marines are overflowing with geniuses. I just heard someone talking—some young man named Darren apparently did something astonishing out in the New World!"

Darren!?

Darren was back?

Tokikake blinked and followed Auntie Rochi's gaze.

A group of Marines, dusty and worn, clearly just returned from a mission, were gathered inside.

Their table was covered with snacks and beer bottles scattered every which way.

One flushed, drunken Marine suddenly leaned in, whispering conspiratorially:

"Hey, hey, I heard Commodore Darren brought back a real stunner! She's already moved into the officers' residential compound!"

The moment those words fell, Gion, who had just turned with a bag of steamed buns, froze mid-step. She stood silent, her pale ears twitching slightly.

Another soldier chimed in:

"You didn't know? Rumor is, that beauty's the reason Darren looked like he'd been drained dry."

"Man, I'm jealous... I saw her too. She's the most beautiful girl I've ever seen."

"What a shame... They say Commodore Darren's a hopeless playboy."

"Now hold on—that's no flaw! A man like Commodore Darren, a true hero—his romantic affairs are not flaws. That's just a case of many labors for the capable!"

"Exactly! It's not playboyishness—it's universal love! Commodore Darren is a role model! Our pride!"

"No doubt about it! He's the guy who escaped from the Beasts Pirates' main base!"

"That Kaido's such an idiot, hahahaha! Trying to capture our Marine 'monster'? Big mistake!"

"Escaped? That's not what I heard. I heard Commodore Darren let Kaido catch him—used it as a chance to scout the Beasts Pirates' base!"

"Eh? That... actually makes a lot of sense. I mean, no way a guy like Darren would get caught by some pirate. Even Kaido couldn't manage that!"

"After all, the legendary pirate Byrnndi World—the 'World Destroyer'—already fell to him..."

"Yeah, I heard Darren faced thousands of pirates in the Beasts Pirates' base, all by himself! Not even Kaido could land a hit... He carved a path right through them alone!"

"Commodore Darren is amazing!!"

"I heard he's about to be promoted to Rear Admiral! Incredible..."

"Also, rumor has it he even clashed with the Whitebeard Pirates afterward!"

"What!? You're kidding!"

"No joke! My uncle's sworn brother's uncle's son serves under Admiral Sengoku—he heard it himself!"

"They say the fight shattered heaven and earth! Whitebeard unleashed his world-ending Devil Fruit and sank an entire island!"

"Gasp—!!"

"Then what? What happened next?"

"What else? The Whitebeard Pirates couldn't even touch Darren's coat tails!"

"Bwahahahaha!!"

...

The Marines burst into raucous laughter. The breakfast stall buzzed with cheer.

At the entrance,

Tokikake stood dazed in the breeze.

Only one thought echoed in his head:

—Beauty, glory, promotion... If only I'd gone with him...

"No way... No way..."

Then suddenly, he snapped out of it. Gritting his teeth, he turned to Gion.

"This can't be true. No way that bastard Darren slaughtered the Beasts Pirates and won the girl—huh? Gion, where are you going?"

Plop!

The steaming bun fell to the ground.

Gion didn't reply.

Expressionless, she unsheathed her magnificent golden sword, killing intent radiating from her as she strode off in a chosen direction.

Tokikake shuddered.

"Gion's face... terrifying!"

Then his eyes widened.

Because what he saw was...

A coat of ominous black slowly spreading over Gion's golden blade.

Tokikake froze.

And recalling his earlier antics, the ten toes peeking out from his wooden sandals curled tightly.

"Damn it!!!"

He cursed and hurried after her.

"Gion, wait for me!!"

---

To be continued...