One Piece: So What If I Sin, Lie, and Lust? I'm Still a Good Marine Chapter 136: Volume 2 – - 38: The Final Eight

Rumble...

In the heavy silence, the collapse of the military fortress thundered through the air.

Shattered walls and the building's entire structure crumbled. Even the thick steel bars inside had twisted and caved in, breaking apart into rubble that crashed down all around.

A storm of dust and wind surged outward, half-burying Dalmatian and whipping his cloak into the air.

He stared blankly at the tall figure of the Marine modore in the distance, his expression a tangled mess of shock and disbelief.

Somehow, his back was soaked with cold sweat.

The other Marines were still frozen in place—mouths agape, eyes wide—unable to process what they had just witnessed.

No one knew how long the silence lasted.

"...Monster."

Doberman finally swallowed hard, his voice dry and hoarse like his throat had been scorched.

He remembered boasting earlier that he wanted to challenge Daren—and now, his face burned with embarrassment.

The others exchanged pale looks, each seeing the same mix of disbelief and bitter helplessness in the others' eyes.

"They're not even in the same league..."

"I'm in the same training camp as that monster...? You've got to be kidding..."

"Okay... now I believe he could take on Byrnndi World."

"That strength... it's inhuman..."

...

Tokikake sighed dramatically and tried to fort them.

"It's fine. You'll get used to it."

"That guy isn't normal anyway."

As if recalling some traumatic memory, he winced and bared his teeth.

The group fell silent again.

Only Kuzan remained full of fire. Eyes shining with excitement, he strode up to Daren and said eagerly:

"That power—and your body... How did you train like that, Daren? That was insane!"

Daren dusted himself off with a smile.

"pared to your Devil Fruit ability? I wouldn't call it much."

Kuzan clenched his fists, fired up.

"You really are the rival I've chosen for life! I can't wait to fight you!"

"Alright, alright. The winner of this match... Daren!"

Zephyr stepped forward at last, unable to hide the grin on his face.

He looked at Daren with absolute satisfaction.

That monstrous strength, iron body, terrifying explosiveness... If this kid mastered Haki under his guidance, he'd be a walking natural disaster.

"Daren, you did well. Your control over your strength is excellent."

Zephyr didn't hold back his praise.

"Thank you, Zephyr-sensei," Daren said with a humble smile.

Zephyr waved a hand and turned to the dazed-looking Dalmatian, offering encouragement:

"Dalmatian, don't be discouraged. I saw your performance—your use of your Devil Fruit, your timing... all very well done. With time, you'll definitely bee a pillar of the Marines!"

Hearing such praise from the respected Zephyr-sensei, the frustration in Dalmatian's heart eased. He raised a salute.

"Yes, Zephyr-sensei! I'll keep working hard!"

"What about me? What about me, Zephyr-sensei?"

Tokikake asked, bounding up with a hopeful look.

Zephyr shot him a sideways glance.

"Hm... you did fine too."

"Got lucky."

Tokikake: ...

"Let's move on to the next match," Zephyr announced briskly.

Two more Marines stepped forward.

But after witnessing the overwhelming display from Daren, the following battles felt... dull by parison.

Only monsters can fight monsters.

That thought echoed in every Marine's mind.

In less than ten minutes, the first round of matches was plete. Zephyr stepped forward and read out the names of the top eight.

Kuzan – mander, from the South Blue

Gion – mander, from Marine Headquarters

Yamakaji – Captain, South Blue Admiral

il – Captain, from the Grand Line

Daren – modore, North Blue Admiral

Onigumo – Captain, West Blue Admiral

Strawberry – Captain, from the Grand Line

Tokikake – mander, from Marine Headquarters

As each name was called, the corresponding Marine stepped forward, shoulders squared and heads held high, forming a line before Zephyr.

Sunlight poured down, casting a golden sheen across their proud, youthful faces.

What a dazzling group...

Daren looked across their faces and couldn't help but be moved.

Aside from himself—this "line-jumping" transmigrator—every one of the seven beside him would bee a future Vice Admiral, legendary names in the Navy's ranks.

Some would go on to mand Grand Line branches, others would guard entire seas, or serve at headquarters executing crucial missions like the Buster Call.

Strawberry, the tall, long-skulled, bearded dual-blade swordsman, had even served as Borsalino's adjutant in the pursuit of the Sun Pirates.

"Hm."

Zephyr beamed with pride as he looked across the eight of them, then said warmly:

"Now that the first round is done, you've all gotten a sense of each other's abilities..."

"So let's move on to the draw. We'll decide the matchups for round two."

He brought out a handful of folded paper slips—clearly prepared in advance.

The group exchanged glances before stepping forward to draw.

"Please not Kuzan or Daren... please not Kuzan or Daren..." Tokikake muttered as he picked his slip.

"C'mon, let it be Daren!" Kuzan said excitedly.

The rest of the group looked at the two of them with exasperated expressions.

Soon, the round two matchups were revealed:

Match One: Tokikake vs. Strawberry

Match Two: Gion vs. il

Match Three: Kuzan vs. Onigumo

Match Four...

Daren slowly tucked away his slip marked "4" and looked up at the crew-cut man smiling back at him.

"Looks like I'm not too lucky... ended up drawing you."

Yamakaji scratched the back of his head with a sheepish grin.

He pulled out a cigar and offered it.

"South Blue local blend. Probably not as fancy as what you're used to, but it packs a punch. Want one?"

Daren glanced at the unbranded cigar in Yamakaji's rough, scratch-covered hand... and chuckled.

"Sure."

He accepted the cigar.

Fourth match: Daren vs. Yamakaji.

...

(50 Chapters Ahead)

p@treon / PinkSnake