Soru.
The sharp sound of the air being torn apart only reached the eardrums of the onlookers half a second too late.
The world in front of Sakazuki did not even have time to change. One moment, the blond figure was standing there with a provocative smirk, and the next, he had vanished into thin air, leaving only a fading afterimage on Sakazuki's retina.
Where is he?
Sakazuki's monster-like combat instincts screamed a frantic warning. His scalp tingled with the sudden proximity of a threat, and he violently twisted his waist, trying to bring his arms up to defend his vitals.
But he was too slow.
I am right here, Classmate Sakazuki.
A mocking, airy voice drifted from directly in front of him. Immediately afterward, a fist slammed into the center of Sakazuki's chest.
It seemed like a light, effortless tap, but the moment the knuckles made contact with his skin, a terrifying amount of kinetic energy erupted.
Crack!
The sound of a sternum shattering echoed across the training ground.
Pfft!!
Sakazuki spewed a massive mouthful of fresh blood. He instantly lost his center of gravity. The powerful impact caused his body to fold unnaturally into a sharp V-shape in mid-air, sending him hurtling backward with a deafening rush of wind.
Ten meters, twenty meters, thirty meters... Boom!!
The half-meter thick granite wall at the edge of the training ground instantly collapsed inward from the force of the impact. Rubble scattered everywhere and a thick cloud of dust swirled into the air.
When the dust finally settled, every person on the field gasped in horror.
Sakazuki was embedded deep in the crater of the broken wall in a spread-eagled position. His red shirt had been shredded into rags, his head was tilted limply to the side, and the baseball cap he always wore had flown off into a distant corner.
His chest heaved violently twice, and then his eyes rolled back into his head. He had completely lost consciousness.
[Ding! You beat a fellow New Recruit into unconsciousness!]
[Discipline points +300!]
The entire area fell into a heavy, stunned silence. The other new recruits opened their mouths to speak but found they couldn't utter a single sound.
What had they just witnessed? The desperate, life-or-death brawl from a moment ago had instantly turned into a one-sided massacre.
Was that... Soru?!
Zephyr violently ripped off his sunglasses. His fierce eyes, which had seen a thousand battles, were now filled with pure disbelief. He stared intently at Kane, who was standing calmly in the center of the field, meticulously adjusting his cuffs as if he had just finished a light stroll.
How was that possible? As the Chief Instructor, Zephyr knew the difficulty of mastering the Rokushiki better than anyone. It was a superhuman martial art that required years of grueling physical conditioning.
How long had this batch of recruits been enrolled? One week! Zephyr had only briefly demonstrated the principles of the technique during a theoretical class a few days ago. While monsters like Sakazuki and Borsalino could barely manage a couple of clumsy steps during practice, Kane was using it with smooth, deadly accuracy in high-intensity combat.
This was no longer just talent. This was monstrous.
This kid... Zephyr's throat felt dry as he looked at the blond youth's back. His expression became incredibly complicated. He acts like a total slacker, but was he hiding this much strength all along?
Just as Zephyr was reeling from the shock, Kane moved. He took heavy, deliberate steps, walking inch by inch toward the unconscious Sakazuki.
Zephyr's nerves tightened. The kid had been fighting with bloodshot eyes; was he actually going to finish him off?
Kane! Stop! The match is over! Zephyr roared. His figure flashed as he prepared to rush over and intervene.
Kane stopped. He turned around and looked at the rushing Zephyr with an expression of utter, wide-eyed innocence. He scratched his head and flashed his signature smile.
Teacher, why are you so nervous? Kane sighed, looking at Sakazuki embedded in the wall. His tone was suddenly filled with deep self-reproach. Alas, this is all my fault.
He spread his hands and shrugged helplessly. For that last hit, I just got a little bit serious. I really thought Classmate Sakazuki was so strong that he would take the hit and then fight me for three hundred more rounds... I never thought...
Kane shook his head, looking utterly disappointed in his opponent. I never thought he would just faint like that. I genuinely did not expect him to be so fragile. I was truly too much. How could I overestimate my classmate's strength like that?
Pfft!
Kuzan, standing nearby, nearly choked on his own spit. Fragile? Just a little bit serious? He looked at Kane, wondering if this was how a normal person spoke.
Zephyr's mouth twitched uncontrollably. He looked at Sakazuki's miserable state, then at Kane's expression of "I am sorry that I am just too strong," and felt his blood pressure shoot up. This kid... winning wasn't enough for him; he had to crush the man's spirit too.
Enough! Stop with the sarcasm! Zephyr scolded irritably. Hurry up and take him to the infirmary!
Yes, Teacher!
Kane immediately stood at attention and gave an impeccable salute. To make up for my mistake, I request to personally carry Classmate Sakazuki to the infirmary! I want to use my own body heat to warm his injured soul!
Without waiting for Zephyr to refuse, Kane dashed forward and pried the unconscious Sakazuki off the wall.
Then, a breathtaking maneuver occurred. Normally, when carrying someone, the injured person lies prone with their head on the carrier's shoulder. But Kane did the opposite. He carried Sakazuki backward, leaving the man's bruised, swollen face and bloody mouth pointing straight outward for the world to see.
Let's go! Classmate Sakazuki, time to see the doctor!
Kane strode out of the training ground with a light step. But strangely, he "got lost." The way to the infirmary was clearly to the left, yet he deliberately turned right, heading straight for the Administrative Plaza—the busiest area in all of Marineford.
It was seven in the morning, the peak time for staff to report for duty.
Yo! Isn't that Kane from the Elite Camp? A passing Colonel greeted him curiously. Starting your weighted training early?
Reporting, Sir! Kane stopped and deliberately puffed out his chest, bouncing Sakazuki on his back to ensure the Colonel got a clear view of the mangled face. This is my close friend, Sakazuki! He collapsed from exhaustion because he trained too hard! This spirit—persisting in combat even after fainting—is truly moving! I am specifically carrying him around for two extra laps to soak up his righteous energy!
Oh? He is that dedicated? The Colonel looked at Sakazuki's horrific face and was filled with awe. Although it looks like he was beaten up... the Elite Class training truly is brutal. What a promising talent!
Kane beamed brightly and kept moving. From the Administrative Building to the family quarters, and then to the cafeteria entrance. Along the way, Kane displayed Sakazuki's miserable state like a trophy, giving three hundred and sixty degrees of viewing pleasure to half of the Marineford population.
[Ding! Publicly executing a future Fleet Admiral has caused a negative impact. Discipline points +150!]
[Ding! False propaganda, damaging the reputation of a fellow New Recruit. Discipline points +80!]
Kane couldn't stop smiling as the notifications chimed in his head.
One hour later. The Marineford Infirmary.
The sharp, sterile smell of disinfectant pierced the air.
Ugh... Sakazuki let out a painful groan. Consciousness slowly returned to him. His last memory was the moment that damned blond kid vanished, followed by the agonizing pain in his chest.
I lost? I actually lost?
An intense feeling of humiliation surged through him. Sakazuki violently opened his eyes and shot up from the hospital bed.
Kane!!!
The furious roar made the IV stand rattle against the floor. But he froze as soon as he looked around.
The ward was crowded. Zephyr stood by the window with a dark expression. Borsalino was trimming his nails with his legs crossed, and Kuzan was looking at him with deep sympathy.
And right beside the bed, that blond bastard was holding a bowl of medicine, smiling widely. Sunlight streamed through the window, making Kane's hair look dazzlingly bright.
You are awake? Kane picked up a spoon, scooped up a dark liquid, and thoughtfully blew on it to cool it down. He offered it to Sakazuki's mouth. Come on, Sakazuki, time for your medicine.
Sakazuki's hair stood on end. He instinctively recoiled, which aggravated his chest injury and made him grimace. Get lost! Do not touch me with your filthy hands!
Don't be such a stranger, Kane said, his tone so sincere it was nauseating. After all, we fought, and now we share a bond. I really am sorry about earlier. I saw how confident you were, so I thought you had some real skill. Who knew you were so fragile you would collapse after one hit? Look, I specially brewed this medicine for you. It is for your brain... ah, no, it is for your blood.
Sakazuki's face turned the color of raw liver. The veins on his neck bulged. You... who did you say was fragile?!
Oh, well, everyone is saying it, Kane sighed. When I carried you over just now, all the passing officers saw you. You were sleeping so peacefully on my back, with a little bloody bubble hanging from your nose. Everyone was moved by your appearance of training so hard that you collapsed. Now the whole of Marineford is spreading your story—'Glass Cannon Hardman' Sakazuki.
The whole... Marineford? Everyone saw me? A bloody bubble?
Sakazuki felt a loud buzz in his head. His blood pressure instantly exceeded the critical limit. He, the magnificent Sakazuki! The future pillar of the Marines! Not only was he knocked out, but he was paraded around like a monkey!
You... you bastard... Sakazuki's finger trembled violently as he pointed at Kane. He couldn't catch his breath.
Pfft! He spat out another mouthful of blood. Immediately afterward, the man known for his iron will rolled his eyes and fell straight back onto the pillow. He had been literally angered back into unconsciousness.
[Ding! Verbal provocation caused a fellow New Recruit to faint a second time, resulting in severe mental trauma!]
[Discipline points +500!]
Oh dear! Kane exclaimed in surprise. He turned to Zephyr with an innocent expression. Teacher Zephyr! This is bad! Classmate Sakazuki fainted from excitement! He must have been so happy feeling his comrade's care that his brain ran out of oxygen!
Zephyr took a deep breath. He looked at his own iron fist, then at the purely innocent face of Kane. He had never wanted to kill a student so badly in his entire life.
Get out!!!