Three minutes later.
Daren, now dressed in a clean military uniform, knocked on the door of the chief instructor's office.
"Zephyr-sensei, you wanted to see me?"
He greeted as he stepped inside—only to spot Sengoku sitting on the sofa, wearing a confident smile as he looked over at him.
"Admiral Sengoku."
Daren paused briefly, then quickly raised his hand in a formal salute.
Zephyr had already stepped down from his position as an Admiral of Marine Headquarters. Within the training camp, their relationship was strictly that of master and student, without a rigid superior-subordinate structure.
But Sengoku was different. He was still an active Admiral, and Daren's direct superior. So, at least on the surface, proper decorum still had to be observed.
"Well, Daren, how's your training going lately? Any problems?"
Zephyr asked with a smile, his eyes filled with obvious pride and admiration.
Daren shook his head and smiled.
"Not at the moment. Your teachings have been rich and insightful, Zephyr-sensei. It'll take me some time to fully digest and absorb everything."
Look at this kid, such a smooth talker!
Hearing that, Zephyr's smile deepened, and he raised an eyebrow at Sengoku in a teasing, almost provocative way—
As if to say, See? Daren growing under my guidance was clearly the right choice.
So childish!
Sengoku rolled his eyes in open disdain.
At that moment, Daren turned to Sengoku and smiled politely.
"It's been a while, Admiral Sengoku. You're looking as sharp as ever."
"Mm, not bad yourself," Sengoku replied, his face instantly blooming into a wide, pleased grin.
Zephyr: "..."
"Cough cough..."
Sengoku quickly reined in his smile, cleared his throat twice, and looked at Daren with a more serious expression.
"Daren, the reason I came to the training camp this time is to see you specifically. There's an urgent mission."
For me?
Daren frowned slightly.
A mission?
The training camp during this period wasn't anything like the formal, closed-off military academies of later generations.
In the original timeline, training camps were eventually replaced by proper military schools with much broader enrollment. During that time, cadets weren't allowed to freely enter or leave the campus—it followed strict modern standards.
But the training camp now was different.
It gathered elites from all over the world, and cadets could be deployed on missions during their training if needed.
That said, in order to maintain the quality of instruction, the military generally avoided sending students out unless absolutely necessary.
"What exactly do you mean, Admiral Sengoku?"
Sengoku replied in a solemn tone.
"To maintain operational secrecy, I can't tell you the details of the mission until you officially accept it."
"There's only one thing I can tell you."
He slowly straightened up, his expression turning grim.
"The target of this mission is extremely powerful—ruthless, brutal, soaked in blood. Countless people have died at his hands."
"According to evaluations by the staff department, his combat power is likely approaching that of the 'World Destroyer,' Byrnndi World."
Daren's brows furrowed tighter.
"So, Admiral Sengoku, you want me to accept a mission this dangerous without even knowing who the target is?"
Sengoku's expression stiffened for a moment before he nodded.
He knew full well how unreasonable this request sounded. That's exactly why he'd first tried to get Zephyr's support—hoping they could stand on the same side.
Seeing the looks on both Daren and Sengoku's faces, Zephyr's heart settled. He smiled and said:
"Daren, you don't need to worry. If you don't want to go, just say so. It won't affect you in any way."
"At this stage, what matters most for you is to stay focused on your training and growth."
Sengoku added, a little impatiently:
"Daren, while the mission target is indeed formidable, your Devil Fruit ability happens to counter him perfectly."
"That's exactly why I came to you."
"Also, you won't be acting alone. You'll be serving as a deputy on this mission—someone else will be leading it."
"For you, the risk is within a manageable range. It'll be easier than the fight against Byrnndi World, at the very least."
My ability can counter his...?
Daren fell into thought, his mind racing as he sifted through everything he knew.
He might be arrogant and headstrong, but he wasn't a fool with a death wish.
Ever since taking a direct blow from Roger, he'd fully realized just how far he still was from standing at the top of the sea.
Right now, he was in a crucial phase of growth. Unless absolutely necessary—and unless he had a solid chance—staying in the training camp to build up his strength was clearly the wiser choice.
Still, who could this target be, that even someone like Sengoku would be this cautious?
A combatant on par with the "World Destroyer" Byrnndi World…
Violent, brutal, soaked in blood…
And given the current timeline...
A name quickly rose from the depths of Daren's mind, growing clearer by the second.
"Admiral Sengoku, if I agree to join the mission—who's the commander?"
Daren asked after a brief pause. Zephyr looked slightly surprised by the question.
Before Sengoku could answer, a low, hoarse voice cut through the air behind them.
"It's me."
At some point, the door to the chief instructor's office had been pushed open.
A cold, oppressive aura swept in like a chilling wind.
Daren froze as he heard the voice, then slowly turned around.
A tall figure in a military cap stood there, stern and imposing, his eyes clouded with an ever-present gloom.
"So... ready to throw down, Daren?" the man asked coolly.
Daren met Sakazuki's gaze, his own expression calm.
The two locked eyes in silence.
One second.
Two seconds.
Three seconds.
Then a smirk slowly curled on Daren's lips, sharp and defiant.
"It's been a long time since we fought side by side, Rear Admiral Sakazuki."
...
"Sengoku, you bastard!! You set me up!!"
After Daren had left with Sakazuki, Zephyr finally exploded.
Slamming the table, he puffed out his cheeks and glared.
"You didn't say the mission commander was Sakazuki!!"
He was fuming.
What a joke!
Before Sakazuki left the North Blue, Daren had been his adjutant!
There was no way Daren could refuse a mission from his former commanding officer!
Sengoku lounged in his seat, casually munching on senbei, digging into his ear with a relaxed expression as he played dumb.
"Really? I didn't mention that?"
"Hahahaha... not important."
Zephyr was grinding his teeth now.
He knew Sengoku was cunning—but he hadn't expected this level of sneakiness!
"There are so many outstanding Vice Admirals at HQ—why did it have to be Daren?!"
"And if the target's so dangerous, why aren't you, the Admiral of Headquarters, handling it yourself?!"
Zephyr demanded.
Sengoku suddenly set his senbei aside. His tone dropped, grave and cautious.
"Because something even more dangerous is happening at the same time."
He wiped his mouth. A serious glint flashed in his eyes.
"According to Garp's intel, the Roger Pirates have entered the New World. Judging by the course of the Oro Jackson, Roger's likely headed to meet Whitebeard."
Zephyr's expression shifted at those words.
...
(70 Chapters Ahead)
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