Everyone was stunned after hearing Lloyd's casual statement. Tsuru frowned and asked with clear disbelief forming in her eyes.
"You ran back using Moonwalk? How long were you running?"
"About a day. I could have had Kuma send me back directly, but I wanted the training."
Tsuru folded her arms, glanced toward Zephyr who was descending from the sky, and said sharply.
"Reckless. Running above the Sea for such a long period while being a Devil Fruit user is seeking death. If you had exhausted your stamina or were caught in a storm, the consequences would have been disastrous."
Even so, shock flickered in her eyes. Moonwalk wasn't like running on land. Its stamina consumption was immense. To use it as a mode of long-distance travel was already outrageous, but doing it for an entire day and then still having enough strength to overpower Gion was… absurd.
The students nearby reacted far more calmly. After all, they had lived alongside Lloyd every single day at the academy.
They were used to witnessing the impossible.
Don't ask questions. If you ask, it's because Lloyd wasn't the same species as them.
Zephyr landed solidly, eyes sweeping across the field. Seeing Tsuru already present and not furious, he relaxed slightly. Squirrel's earlier message must have reached her. The situation didn't seem to have spiraled out of control.
A flicker of yellow light zipped down from the sky, condensing into Kizaru. He stretched his neck lazily and muttered.
"Vice Admiral Tsuru is already here. Looks like the old man worried for nothing."
At that moment, Squirrel came rushing from the office building, panting slightly. His eyes widened when he saw Zephyr and Kizaru.
Zephyr nodded at him.
"Squirrel, you handled the situation well. You assessed the danger and took action immediately."
"But Zephyr Sensei, I only just finished my call. How did you return so fast?"
"Kuma used his ability and sent Borsalino and me back. The placement was just a bit off."
"So that was it…"
Meanwhile, on the deck of Zephyr's warship…
Akainu and Kuma sat cross-legged in silence. Marine soldiers stood guard around them, whispering quietly among themselves.
"Zephyr Sensei and Borsalino suddenly vanished earlier. That ability is insane. Where do you think they went?"
"Probably Marine Headquarters. Since the mission's over and we're this close, no pirate crew would dare cause chaos here."
"To be honest, this mission felt way too easy. I barely did anything."
"That's because of the four students Zephyr Sensei brought. Monsters, every last one. Are rookies really that strong now?"
"Tell me about it. Their Devil Fruits alone are terrifying. Any pirate unlucky enough to meet them is practically doomed. Especially Lloyd and Sakazuki. When they kill pirates, even Zephyr Sensei can't stop them."
"In the past, Zephyr Sensei would try capturing pirates alive. Now, things get wrapped up fast."
"I still get chills remembering it. If every Devil Fruit user in the Navy ends up like them, what happens if we meet one as an enemy?"
"What are you worried about? With people like them in our Navy, we're probably the safest Marines in history."
"True… Hey, look. Sakazuki is standing up again. I thought he was asleep."
Even at two meters tall, Akainu appeared comparatively small next to Kuma, a natural consequence of Kuma's Buccaneer physique. Adjusting his Marine cap, he drew a samurai sword from behind him.
Only half the blade remained. The missing portion had clearly melted from high heat.
Akainu frowned slightly and muttered.
"My Devil Fruit really doesn't suit swordsmanship. How many swords is this now…"
He couldn't help feeling a sting of envy toward Kizaru. That man could casually form a blade of light with his hand. The weapon cut through pirates like tofu. Just watching it would make anyone feel good.
He could technically do the same with magma, but forming a blade was far less practical than simply launching magma fists.
Training with Kizaru at school, he hadn't noticed the issue. Actual combat revealed swordsmanship was inconvenient for him. Yet giving it up felt wasteful after all the effort he'd put in.
Kuma stared silently, then said.
"Lloyd said you're not suited for using a sword."
Akainu blinked.
"He said that? What exactly did he say?"
Kuma hesitated, then repeated Lloyd's blunt evaluation word for word.
"He said you were taking off your pants to fart."
"Huh? What is that supposed to mean?"
"It means you're doing something pointless."
"…"
The foreign idiom hit harder than any punch. But Akainu wasn't angry. It was true. Harsh, but absolutely true.
He looked at the broken sword again, suddenly irritated. With a flick of his wrist, he tossed it overboard. It spun through the air and splashed into the Sea.
Oddly, he felt lighter afterward, as though a weight had been lifted. His stern expression softened by a fraction.
Kuma nodded in approval.
"Good. You finally put your pants back on."
Akainu froze.
Thankfully, he knew Kuma wasn't mocking him. Kuma was sincere to a fault. Besides, Kuma's bluntness had actually helped him resolve a lingering frustration.
If Kizaru had said it, Akainu would have shown that smug monkey exactly why a red dog was feared.
Adjusting his cap again, Akainu muttered.
"Kuma, Zephyr Sensei left in a hurry and didn't explain what happened. Should we head back to Marine Headquarters too?"
"We can't. If we leave, who guards the ship?"
"Good point."
Akainu nodded. Duty came first. A Marine never abandoned his post.
Well… Lloyd didn't count. He reported his departure.
Akainu cast Kuma a respectful look, then resumed his cross-legged posture. The two sat quietly like statues, exuding an aura of unwavering reliability.
_____
The rate at which I get little to no power stones, lol💀
Well, if you want to at least read ahead (60+ to 90+) chapters in advance.
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