The Greatest Disgrace in Marine History-Chapter 226 - 128: Gion’s Heart

On the streets of the civilian district in Marineford, Tokikake followed Gion's footsteps, trembling all the way.

He could feel the killing intent rolling off her slender figure ahead. The sharp, deliberate clack clack clack of her heels striking the ground echoed like war drums.

He didn't dare breathe too loudly. Hands stuffed into his pockets, head lowered, he muttered under his breath:

"When did Gion awaken Armament Haki? Could it have been before me...?"

"No, no, this isn't the time to think about that."

He slapped himself across the face.

"Focus!! Tokikake! Focus!!"

"Think—how could Darren possibly fight his way solo through the entire Beasts Pirates?! Not even Admiral Sengoku could pull that off!!"

"Yes, it must be false. Definitely just a rumor!"

"Fake news!"

Tokikake clung to this illusion, forcing out a dry smile:

"And as for him fighting the Whitebeard Pirates... That's even more impossible. There's no way Darren, after being captured by Kaido for barely ten days, suddenly powered up enough to go head-to-head with the 'Strongest Man in the World,' right!?"

"The Beasts Pirates aren't some kind of Elite Officer Training Camp. If anyone could do that, what's the point of our Marine Headquarters establishing such a camp in the first place?"

"Yes, exactly!"

"And that thing about some world-class beauty... come on, how could that be true..."

He laughed stiffly, a bead of cold sweat forming on his brow.

"How could a real beauty fall for a disgrace like Darren? If anyone deserves affection, it's someone like me—a thoughtful, gentle genius like Tokikake..."

"Exactly, that's right."

"Those soldiers must've been exaggerating!"

Like a drowning man clutching driftwood, light returned to Tokikake's eyes. He clenched his fists.

"The woman Darren brought back must be plain..."

"—Yeah, right!!"

He clenched his teeth again.

Knowing Darren's perverse tendencies, when had he ever been with someone not beautiful!?

Marguerite, the seductive and enchanting First Lady of the Yadis Kingdom in the North Blue;

Miss Silphine, the bright and lively princess of the Rost Kingdom;

The sultry, long-legged captain of the Nur merchant fleet in her high boots;

Maria, the buxom blonde nurse from the Marine Headquarters hospital...

One after another, vividly alluring faces flashed through Tokikake's mind, each memory gnawing at his sanity like a swarm of termites.

"No, I don't believe it!"

His eyes reddened suddenly. He growled and clenched both fists tightly.

"I won't accept this!!"

Flames blazed behind his eyes, and both fists simultaneously coated themselves in Armament Haki.

He stormed up to Gion's side.

Together, the two of them marched straight toward Darren's residence, brimming with fury.

The nearby citizens seemed to sense the storm brewing, quickly backing away and keeping their distance.

In under three minutes,

They came to a halt before a quiet courtyard.

Lush green vines climbed the low wall. Through the gaps, the branches of an oak tree reached outward. The small wooden gate ahead had an old-fashioned charm.

"Let's barge in, Gion! With our power now, we can definitely teach that bastard Darren a lesson!"

"Let him see just what our training has accomplished!"

Staring at the wooden gate, Tokikake suddenly felt a twinge of hesitation. He nudged Gion for support.

Gion said nothing.

Her face was like a mask of frost as she stared at the courtyard. Her lips pressed tightly together, and the hand gripping her golden blade, Konpira, began to tremble slightly.

"Huh? Gion, what's wrong?"

Tokikake blinked and turned to her.

To his surprise, the killing aura that had been surging from her had suddenly... diminished.

Gion remained silent.

She lowered her head, staring blankly at her blade. Her eyes lost focus, and a cloud of confusion and conflict slowly spread across her face.

What's wrong with me...?

Why am I so angry?

That shameless, vulgar scoundrel bringing a woman back... isn't that just what he does?

It's not like I only met him yesterday.

Besides, what does any of this have to do with me?

We don't even have any kind of relationship!

We're not even... friends!

What right do I have to be angry?

Do I even have a reason to be upset?

A whirlwind of thoughts raced through Gion's mind.

Her eyes were dazed, her body still.

"Gion? Gion?"

Even after several calls, there was no response. Tokikake's mouth twitched, his face wilting like an eggplant struck by frost.

"Damn it..."

He cursed under his breath, drew a deep breath, and summoned his courage. He stepped forward and knocked hard on the door.

BANG BANG BANG!

"Please wait just a moment."

A voice answered gently from inside.

Tokikake froze completely.

That voice... so sweet, so soft!!

Like a breeze through an empty valley, it had an old-world grace to it.

He swore to the heavens—if it were a Den Den Mushi conversation, he could eat for days just hearing that voice, no face required!

What he didn't see was the way Gion's expression turned pale the moment she heard that voice.

Soon, the sound of wooden sandals approached softly.

Then, the wooden door creaked open.

And a beautiful, gentle face appeared before Tokikake and Gion.

Bathed in the morning light,

Toki stood there in a kimono, her pale green hair flowing, wooden sandals tapping against the ground. She tilted her head and smiled sweetly at the two visibly shaken guests.

"May I ask who you are?"

Time seemed to pause.

A breeze stirred, lifting Toki's hair and kimono hem. Behind her, fallen leaves danced through the courtyard, forming a picturesque, poetic scene.

"S-So beautiful..."

Tokikake stared dumbfounded at the girl before him.

His eyes turned into hearts, jaw practically touching the ground, drool trailing from his mouth.

Suddenly.

He dropped to his knees with a thud, pounded his fists weakly against the ground, and sobbed:

"Damn it!! It's true!!"

"That bastard Darren!!"

He wailed like a broken man.

Toki: (*^_^*)?

Beside him, Gion also stared at Toki's gentle and lovely smile, lost for words.

Her gaze dropped to Toki's hands—she was holding a freshly washed Marine uniform, ready to hang out to dry...

In that instant, Gion felt her chest tighten, her face turning pale.

It's already gotten this far...?

In front of her stood the image of a kind and graceful woman, a perfect wife.

And herself...

Gion looked down at her own blade—cold, sharp—and in its surface, saw a face contorted with barely restrained rage.

Shame surged through her heart.

Of course...

An unnamed bitterness flooded her chest and spread outward like ripples.

Huff...

Gion let out a long breath, sheathed her sword, and forced a smile onto her face.

"I'm sorry for the intrusion. We're here to inform Commodore Darren to return to the training camp."

With that, she turned abruptly, gritted her teeth, and snapped at the sobbing Tokikake beside her:

"Tokikake, we're leaving!"

"Huh?" Tokikake blinked up, still drowning in grief.

"Today, you're training with me!"

Gion said coldly.

"Training?"

Tokikake blinked in confusion. Then as realization dawned, he shivered from head to toe.

"Nooo..."

"Why is it always me who ends up hurt..."

He cried even harder.

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To be continued...