Sakazuki

Marineford.

Akainu finished his work and looked out the window. The sun had only just begun to sink in the west.

He stood, draped his Coat of Justice over his shoulders, and headed outside.

"Th-this... Vice Admiral Saka... Sakazuki!"

Two passing Marines spotted Akainu and stared in shock, fumbling to salute him.

"Mm."

Akainu nodded and walked on without looking aside.

Only after Akainu's back disappeared around the corner did the two Marines finally let out a long breath and pat their chests, still shaken.

"Vice Admiral Sakazuki's presence is incredible. He's like a piece of burning steel!"

"Yeah. Every time I see him, I can't help feeling afraid..."

"And did you notice? Just now, Vice Admiral Sakazuki..."

"He seemed to be smiling..."

Sakazuki smiled?

The two Marines exchanged a look, picturing a smile on Sakazuki's face.

Terrifying.

It had to be an illusion!

"Yo~ Sakazuki, taking a break from work for once?"

Kizaru, just back from an outing, ran into Akainu and raised a hand in greeting.

"Teacher Zephyr invited me to the Elite Training Camp to give them some pointers on combat."

Akainu's expression was as hard as ever, his manner that of a stern soldier.

"Oh~ I see~"

Kizaru nodded thoughtfully.

"Then you'd better give them some good pointers~"

"You don't need to tell me, Borsalino. I'll make sure they understand their own strength."

After a brief exchange, Akainu continued toward the training grounds.

With his back to Akainu, Kizaru's strange glint flashed across his tinted lenses. He curled his lips into a smile and turned to follow.

"Vice Admiral Borsalino, over here."

"Oh? Vice Admiral Kuzan is here too."

Kizaru strolled over to Kuzan with his hands in his pockets. The training grounds were already packed with Elite Training Camp recruits, but Kuzan and Kizaru, standing in a corner, hadn't drawn their attention.

Everyone's eyes were fixed on Akainu and Leon in the arena.

"Vice Admiral Borsalino, you've fought Leon before, right? What did you think?"

Kuzan gazed toward the arena, anticipation in his eyes.

"He's a monster~"

Kizaru rested his right hand against his chin. Kuzan nodded in agreement.

"When Teacher Zephyr first asked me to come, I didn't think much of it."

"But once I stepped into the ring, I realized that kid Leon's physical strength was downright terrifying!"

"Without Haki or Devil Fruit Abilities, facing him head-on is pure torture..."

Some unpleasant memories resurfaced in Kuzan's mind, making him all the more eager to see Leon and Akainu face off.

"If Sakazuki lets his guard down, he might have a rough time..."

Kuzan and Kizaru shared a knowing smile.

"Vice Admiral Sakazuki, I didn't expect Teacher Zephyr to ask you to be my opponent..."

"I heard you had a daughter. Congratulations!"

Leon greeted Akainu politely.

Akainu folded his arms and narrowed his eyes, carefully sizing up the young man before him, a disciple of Garp's with whom he had little contact.

He hadn't expected Zephyr's idea of giving Leon some pointers to mean having him fight the kid...

"Go, Leon! Take down the Vice Admiral!!!"

"Vice Admiral Sakazuki! Teach that arrogant brat a lesson!!!"

The crowd started to roar. To Akainu's surprise, the cheers for Leon were clearly louder than those for him.

"Looks like you're pretty popular around here, kid."

"Heh. People would rather see an underdog make a comeback than watch a strong guy crush him, wouldn't you say?"

Akainu frowned.

Did this arrogant brat really think he could beat him!?

"Then show me what you've got!"

Akainu took off his Coat of Justice and tossed it aside, signaling Leon to make the first move.

"Then I won't hold back."

Before the words had even left his mouth, Leon vanished from where he stood.

"He hasn't been training for that long, and he's already using Shave so skillfully..."

"If I'd been his age, I don't think I could've beaten him."

Kuzan praised him quietly from the sidelines.

"He really is something."

"But..."

"Sakazuki's taking this seriously, you know."

Leon was moving so fast he left afterimages, but when his fist came flying, Akainu simply stood there and calmly blocked the attack.

"Not done yet!"

Leon changed his move at once, pivoting on his left leg to whip out a kick.

Akainu's expression remained hard. Even without using his Devil Fruit Ability, he had already been a master swordsman before eating the fruit.

And his hand-to-hand combat skills were no joke, either.

Akainu threw a punch, and Leon managed to block it with his right arm.

The two separated for a moment.

"Is that all you've got?"

Akainu stood unmoving and taunted Leon.

In fact, his full-strength punch had just landed on Leon, but Leon hadn't lost the ability to fight as Akainu had expected. That had already put him on guard.

As Akainu had predicted, Leon charged straight at him again, headfirst.

"Youngsters really are too young."