As he looked at Tokikake wailing and contorting his face in exaggerated grief, several dark lines practically formed across Daren's forehead.
At the same time, though, a strange hint of admiration rose in his heart.
Even Daren had to admit—this bastard Tokikake could really bow without an ounce of shame… and not lose face doing it.
"Are you sure about this, Tokikake? That's not something just anyone can handle."
Daren casually pulled his leg out of Tokikake's grip, his tone half-teasing, half-genuine.
"Endless rounds of socializing, fine liquor, expensive cigars, women, gambling, performances... That stuff eats away at your body and grinds down your will."
"Even someone like Momonga, a real man's man, is on the verge of breaking—and you? You're still the fourth-ranking cadet in our Marine Headquarters Officer Training Camp. You're the Navy's future. The hope of justice. I just can't bring myself to make you shoulder such a dreadful burden."
"No problem!!"
Tokikake suddenly yelled, springing to his feet. Chest out, tear-streaked eyes blazing with righteousness.
"Daren, precisely because I'm the fourth seat, because I'm a pillar of the Navy and the backbone of justice… I have to shoulder a responsibility even greater than anyone else!"
His tone radiated a sense of noble sacrifice. The Marine cloak on his back flared up behind him, despite the lack of wind.
"I must dive into the front lines and endure the baptism of those sugar-coated bullets! Only then can I transform into a truly great Marine!"
He bent deeply at the waist in a solemn bow.
"Please!"
"Please… let me take on this suffering!"
Daren: "..."
Classic Tokikake... I almost fell for that nonsense.
Shaking his head with a sigh, Daren couldn't be bothered to argue with the fool. He waved him off casually.
"I'll think about it."
Not that it mattered. Sengoku alone would never approve transferring Tokikake to the North Blue.
But Tokikake completely misread his response and beamed with delight.
"I get it, I get it."
He shot Daren a knowing look full of meaning.
"Don't worry, Daren! From now on, anyone who opposes you is an enemy of Tokikake the genius!"
He clenched his fists, his eyes practically spitting fire.
"All for the glory of the North Blue!"
Daren's mouth twitched.
Good grief, your enthusiasm is off the charts.
And Tokikake... that half-baked face of yours, paired with that shameless, sycophantic grin—seriously, you look exactly like one of those bootlicking extras in a low-budget war drama...
...
Half an hour later…
Training camp, drill grounds.
The scorching sun blazed overhead as yellow sand swirled in the air.
Zephyr, arms crossed and wearing sunglasses, looked over the assembled third cohort of training camp recruits. A satisfied smile tugged at his lips.
"After the duels three days ago, I trust you've all gotten a good sense of each other. So let's skip the pointless chatter and get straight to business."
His gaze swept across each face.
"Here at this camp, you'll receive the most elite, high-level military education the seas have to offer."
"Swordsmanship, hand-to-hand combat, navigation, meteorology, physical training... all of these are part of the curriculum—and they'll be on your final exam as well."
"But the most essential, the very core of your training, is learning to develop the strength of your own body."
"Starting today, I will begin instructing you in the physical combat system known as the Marines Rokushiki."
Zephyr shifted seamlessly into lecture mode, his expression stern and focused.
"The Rokushiki consists of six techniques: Soru, Tekkai, Kami-e, Geppo, Rankyaku, and Shigan. These six techniques complement each other, forming a powerful system that covers offense, defense, and high-speed movement."
"I'm sure, given your current ranks and positions, you've at least heard of the Rokushiki before—maybe even seen a Marine officer use them in actual combat."
At this, many nodded in agreement.
The Rokushiki wasn't exactly a secret in the Marine ranks. Plenty of officers had mastered one or two of the techniques.
Suddenly, Zephyr smiled and pointed to Doberman.
"Doberman, in your view, what's the greatest strength of the Rokushiki?"
Doberman paused briefly, then responded in a firm tone:
"Combat effectiveness, Zephyr-sensei."
"Shigan delivers explosive short-range damage, while Rankyaku is a medium-to-long-range technique that makes up for Shigan's limited reach..."
"Soru enables rapid movement—ideal for closing in or retreating quickly. Geppo builds on Soru, allowing for short-term aerial movement, essentially letting the user hover in the air."
"As for Tekkai and Kami-e, they're both defensive techniques."
"If you can master all six forms, the human body becomes a highly efficient combat machine—capable of attacking, defending, bursting, and advancing. No matter the situation, you'll be able to respond with ease and flexibility."
The others nodded in agreement at his response.
Only Daren frowned, just slightly—so subtle it was barely noticeable.
What the others didn't know—he did. He knew the plot.
The true powerhouses ruling the seas? Not one of them relied on the Rokushiki.
On the contrary, the so-called Rokushiki experts had all been defeated because of it.
The critical point? Unlike the others, Daren had already—through his own bodily development—naturally "grasped" several of the Rokushiki techniques.
So in this area, he had more credibility than anyone else here.
But in real combat, he'd discovered the Rokushiki wasn't nearly as "practical" as the rumors made it out to be.
Tekkai amplified one's perception of defense, but the moment Soru was activated, there was a brief window of stiffness—a momentary vulnerability.
For average fighters, that didn't matter much. But to a real powerhouse, it was an obvious opening.
Rather than calling the Rokushiki a set of combat techniques, it might be more accurate to call it...
"Well said. Looks like you've done your homework," Zephyr's voice cut into Daren's thoughts.
He smiled and gave Doberman an approving look.
"But you're not entirely right."
Zephyr's tone shifted.
"Let me tell you the truth right now…"
He raised a large hand and clenched it into a fist.
"The true purpose of the Rokushiki isn't actual combat."
"This isn't some powerful fighting style you think it is—it's a strict, refined, and intricately designed training system."
"Shigan and Rankyaku help enhance the explosive strength and control of your limbs."
"Tekkai and Kami-e—one boosts overall physical durability, the other sharpens your neural responses and bodily awareness."
"Soru and Geppo train your muscles for instantaneous bursts and control."
Zephyr's voice boomed like thunder, echoing with force.
"In short… Rokushiki is a well-grounded system of training, designed to push the human body to its limits!"
"It has nothing to do with real combat."
"Many people get it wrong. They treat the Rokushiki as if it's meant for battle and stupidly try to use it against true powerhouses. That's completely missing the point!"
"You're not mistaken—yes, I'm talking about those sneaky lackeys from CP!"
At that line, Zephyr's voice was dripping with undisguised scorn and contempt.
...
(60 Chapters Ahead)
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