Sakazuki

Marineford.

Akainu finished his paperwork and looked out the window; the sun had only just begun its descent toward the west.

He stood up, draped on his Coat of Justice, and pushed open the door to head outside.

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

Two passing Marines spotted Akainu and looked thoroughly startled, scrambling to salute him.

"Mm."

Akainu nodded, staring straight ahead as he walked forward.

Only when Akainu's figure vanished around the corner did the two Marines let out a long breath, patting their chests in lingering fear.

"Vice Admiral Sakazuki's presence is terrifying—he's like a hunk of burning steel!"

"Yeah, every time I see him, I can't help but feel afraid..."

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

"He seemed to be smiling..."

Sakazuki, smiling?

The two Marines exchanged a glance, picturing Sakazuki's face breaking into a grin.

Too terrifying.

An illusion. It had to be an illusion!

"Yo~ Sakazuki, rare to see you not working?"

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

"Zephyr invited me to the Elite Training Camp to guide them in practical combat."

Akainu's expression was as cold and hard as ever, the picture of a steel-blooded soldier.

"Oh~ is that so~"

Kizaru nodded thoughtfully.

"Then you'd better give them some real guidance, huh~"

"You don't need to tell me, Borsalino. I'll make them face their own strength."

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

Kizaru turned his back to Akainu, a strange glint flashing behind his amber-tinted lenses. He curled his lips and shifted direction accordingly.

"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 ground was already packed with Elite Training Camp students, and Kuzan and Kizaru, standing in the corner, went unnoticed.

All eyes were fixed on Akainu and Leon in the center.

"Vice Admiral Borsalino, you've fought Leon before, right? What's your take?"

Kuzan gazed at the field, anticipation brimming in his eyes.

"He's an absolute monster~"

Kizaru rested his chin on his hand, and Kuzan nodded in hearty agreement.

"When Zephyr first called me over, I didn't think much of it."

"But once I stepped onto the field, I realized that kid Leon's physical ability is downright terrifying!"

"Without using Haki or Devil Fruit Abilities, going head-to-head with him is pure torture..."

Kuzan recalled some unpleasant memories, which only made him more eager to see the clash between Leon and Akainu.

"If Sakazuki gets too careless, he might be in for a rough time..."

Kuzan and Kizaru exchanged a knowing smile, saying everything without words.

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

"I heard you had a daughter—congratulations!"

Leon greeted Akainu politely.

Akainu crossed his arms, squinting as he carefully sized up this disciple of Garp, someone he had little history with.

He hadn't expected that Zephyr's so-called guidance would mean fighting this brat...

"Go, Leon! Wipe the floor with the Vice Admiral!!!"

"Vice Admiral Sakazuki! Teach this arrogant punk a lesson!!!"

The crowd began to stir, and to Akainu's surprise, the cheers for Leon were clearly louder than those for him.

"It seems you have quite a reputation here, kid."

"Heh, compared to watching the strong crush the weak, people prefer seeing the underdog turn the tables, don't they?"

Akainu frowned.

This arrogant little brat actually thought he could defeat him!?

"Then let me see what you've got!"

Akainu took off his Coat of Justice and tossed it aside, signaling for Leon to strike first.

"Then I won't hold back."

The moment the words left his mouth, Leon's figure vanished from sight.

"He's only been training for how long, and he can already use Shave so proficiently..."

"If I were at the same age, I probably wouldn't be his match."

Kuzan murmured in admiration from the sidelines.

"Truly terrifying."

"But..."

"Sakazuki is serious now."

Leon's speed left afterimages, yet when his fist came flying, Akainu stood his ground and casually parried the attack.

"I'm not done yet!"

Leon switched tactics on the fly, pivoting on his left leg to whip out a roundhouse kick.

Akainu remained cold and unyielding. Even without using his Devil Fruit Ability, he had already possessed the strength of a swordsman before eating his fruit.

And his hand-to-hand combat was no joke either.

Akainu threw a punch, and Leon blocked it in time with his right arm.

The two separated for a moment.

"Is that all you've got?"

Standing firmly in place, Akainu taunted Leon.

In truth, when he had landed that full-force punch just now, Leon hadn't collapsed as he'd expected—and that had already put Akainu on guard.

As Akainu predicted, Leon charged straight at him head-on.

"Youngsters are still too young."