Darren watched Sakazuki's back until it disappeared, then shook his head.
"How long were you planning to watch the show, Vice Admiral Borsalino?"
He sighed and turned toward the empty training ground.
"Sorry, sorry," Borsalino's languid drawl floated through the air, deliberately irritating. "The killing intent between you two—those sparks—truly terrifying, you see?"
Countless golden photons gathered and rose into a tall silhouette. Borsalino lowered his arms with a mutter. "I'd rather not get caught between two monsters."
Darren rolled his eyes. "If I remember right, you're the one who encouraged that little spar back then, weren't you, Vice Admiral Borsalino?"
"I merely made a suggestion," Borsalino said, feigning innocence. "You were the one who followed through, Vice Admiral Darren."
Too tired to argue with a chronic prankster, Darren changed the subject. "So you're one of the special instructors too?"
Borsalino nodded. "It's Zephyr-sensei's invitation. I'm swamped with military duties, of course, but out of respect for the old man, how could I refuse?"
...
Are you sure you're that busy?
Darren's mouth twitched.
"So for this session, the special instructors… just the three of us?"
Borsalino smiled slyly. "There's more to it than that."
More? A prickle of foreboding bloomed in Darren's chest.
"Hahahahaha! Darren! As expected of my lifelong rival! You're a special instructor too!"
The boisterous voice crashed in from behind.
Hearing that manic energy, Darren sighed and turned. Kuzan stood there with his hands on his hips, smugness radiating off him.
"This is all coming together…" Darren rubbed at his temples.
Except—
"Kuzan, when did you get promoted to Headquarters Vice Admiral?" he asked, noticing the insignia on Kuzan's Marine coat.
They'd eaten late-night snacks together the night before; Kuzan had been in casual clothes and nicely drunk, so no one had brought it up.
Kuzan's grin faltered. He scratched his head. "Well, you know, I went with Mr. Garp to hunt the Roger Pirates a while back… and then there was the Battle of Edd War. Headquarters just promoted me afterward."
Darren: ???
Hold on… a "Roger Pirates hunt" with Garp was basically a taxpayer-funded vacation. And Edd War? I practically designed that operation. I'm the one who finished off Golden Lion Shiki. How are you the one getting promoted? That old geezer Sengoku drags his feet on my Admiral Candidate status but has time to bump Kuzan to Vice Admiral?
Darren silently cursed Sengoku, wishing his entire senbei stash would go missing.
"Alright, so there are four special instructors…"
"That's right," Borsalino said, smiling. "And Zephyr-sensei's tweaking the Training Camp curriculum this term."
"Zephyr-sensei will still oversee the overall training, but we special instructors will handle practical combat—each specializing in a specific area."
"For example…" He tipped a finger toward himself. "I'll be teaching swordsmanship in the practical classes."
"And me!" Kuzan burst in, excited. "I'll be teaching close-quarters combat!"
Darren pieced the plan together in his head.
Let the chief instructor build a comprehensive foundation—physical training and basic knowledge—for all recruits, then have specialists take over focused courses. Let the experts handle their specialties. It made sense.
Kuzan, trained under both Zephyr and Garp, had a rock-solid base. Sticking him with introductory basics would be a waste.
As for Borsalino… Darren eyed him, still unsure where the man's true edge lay. Devil Fruit mastery? Close-quarters? That almost comically sparse sword work?
An eternal enigma who seemed to know a little of everything.
Come to think of it, that left Borsalino as the only one who could plausibly teach swordsmanship to raw recruits.
Sakazuki had handled blades back in the North Blue, yes. But once he acquired the Magma-Magma Fruit, he'd abandoned the sword entirely, throwing himself into brutal close combat. No blade, no matter how refined, could compete with a magma-soaked punch that hit like an inescapable verdict.
That was Sakazuki's way. He'd only ever used a sword to kill pirates faster. The fruit did it faster still; the blade had to go.
Which left Borsalino.
I can't be the one to teach these rookies any "profound" swordplay, can I? Darren thought.
"What about Sakazuki?" he asked aloud.
"Devil Fruit mastery," Borsalino said. "Mostly theoretical coursework."
Darren nodded.
Not everyone had a Devil Fruit, but it was still essential. Even those without powers needed to learn how to counter them.
"Know yourself and know your enemy, and you won't lose."
As for that "mostly theoretical" piece…
Darren's eye twitched.
Zephyr-sensei probably doesn't dare put Sakazuki in charge of live drills. If he snaps, half the class ends up crippled.
We'd set a new record for injuries on day one.
"So… what about me?" Darren raised an eyebrow.
Borsalino teaching swordsmanship, Kuzan teaching martial arts, Sakazuki handling Devil Fruit development…
Haki training usually wasn't part of the Training Camp syllabus…
Looks like I'm extra baggage.
Kuzan turned to him too, curious. He'd only just returned to Headquarters and knew little beyond his own assignment.
"You…" Borsalino studied Darren, a knowing smile tugging at his lips as he rubbed at his stubble. "You'll take charge of a special program for the new recruits."
"What?"
"Physique."
...
Darren's face darkened.
No wonder Zephyr looked so oddly resentful when he invited me…
He's still sore I learned the Indestructible Body from Kaido.
"Oh—one more thing," Borsalino added, as if it had just come back to him. "Zephyr-sensei instituted a dual selection system. Trainees are ranked by strength, and the top performers get first pick of instructors. A little motivation."
"The top four trainees will also serve as adjutants to us four special instructors."
His expression soured as he glanced at Darren. "Looks like we're babysitting."
"Tch, whatever. Thanks anyway."
To be continued...