An hour later.
Under Zephyr-sensei's mocking gaze, Daren bent over as if he had twisted his ankle and struggled out of the restroom.
"What's wrong, Daren? Aren't you supposed to be invincible?"
Zephyr looked at the Marine Vice Admiral leaning against the wall and lifted his teacup to hide the smile tugging at his lips.
Daren: "..."
He was invincible, sure, but even the Indestructible Body had its weaknesses!
Rolling his eyes in frustration, Daren hobbled back to the sofa, hesitated for a moment, then grabbed a cushion and carefully set it down before gingerly sitting.
"Ah..."
A soft, pained moan escaped him as he collapsed into the sofa like he'd just survived a world-ending battle, lighting a cigar with trembling hands.
Zephyr couldn't stop his shoulders from shaking.
It wasn't often he got to see this arrogant brat suffer, and the sight did wonders for lifting his overburdened spirits.
"So, are you sure you still want to be Magellan's instructor?"
Daren's hand paused mid-cigarette, and meeting Zephyr's teasing gaze, he grit his teeth, eyes slightly red, and growled,
"Of course! Why wouldn't I? It's just diarrhea. I'll treat it as detox."
Zephyr blinked, then burst out laughing.
"All right, then. I'll leave that kid to you."
From the start, Zephyr had recognized Magellan's ability and talent. In his eyes, Magellan was no less gifted than Sakazuki, Daren, or the other little "monsters."
The only issue was the overwhelmingly dangerous nature of the Doku Doku no Mi. Even Zephyr hadn't found a proper way to train him.
After all, he couldn't just abandon all other duties and spend every day babysitting Magellan around a toilet, could he?
Thinking of certain unpleasant memories, Zephyr shifted uncomfortably in his seat.
"Fine."
Daren rolled his eyes.
He had nothing to say about Zephyr shirking responsibility like that.
But honestly, he didn't have a better choice.
His physique training had hit its absolute limit. No matter what he did, he couldn't make the slightest bit of progress.
He couldn't seriously go off to find Roger or Whitebeard just to get himself killed, right?
Besides, judging from the outcome on Fish-Man Island, even charging headlong into battles might not yield much improvement.
Now that he had finally found a way to strengthen his body further, even if it meant enduring his backside catching fire, he had no choice but to push through.
Endure it. The human body adapts eventually.
Just like back then, when he vomited blood from the fat guy's tortures in the suspenders... after vomiting enough times, it became routine.
Surely his butt would adapt too... right?
A different approach, that's all it was.
"Knock, knock, knock..."
A gentle knock sounded at the door.
"Zephyr-sensei?"
A slightly hoarse female voice floated in, making Daren's eyelid twitch.
Before he could react, the office door pushed open.
"Zephyr-sensei, I saw the lights were still on and figured you were still working, so I brought you some coffee—Daren... Vice Admiral?"
Gion entered with a soft smile, holding a steaming cup of coffee. She paused mid-sentence when her gaze fell on the Marine Vice Admiral lounging on the sofa smoking a cigar. She blinked in surprise, then raised an eyebrow slightly.
"Thanks, Gion."
Zephyr smiled as he accepted the coffee she offered.
"You must've just gotten back. How's the situation at the branch?"
Because of Magellan's situation, Zephyr had sent Gion to the branch to investigate, and she had just returned to headquarters.
"I got back yesterday. I was just too exhausted and spent the day resting at home."
"Here's the report you asked for, Zephyr-sensei."
As she spoke, she handed over a neatly organized file with both hands.
Her eyes, full of smiling intent, swept over Daren, her tone carrying a subtle, meaningful undertone.
"When did Vice Admiral Daren return to headquarters? It's been so long since we last met..."
Daren's mouth twitched.
He had been back for two days now. Between Toki's pregnancy and the drinking party, he had completely forgotten about Gion.
And judging by her tone and expression... it was clear Gion was not happy.
"Well, I'm also..."
Daren was a little flustered and tried to explain, but before he could finish, Zephyr laughed loudly and said,
"This kid came back two days ago. Didn't you hear? They went out drinking!"
Daren: "..."
It's over.
That thought immediately flooded his mind.
He wanted nothing more than to rush over and tear that big mouth of Zephyr's to shreds!
It was just like a husband who finally got time off after a long business trip, only to run off and party with his buddies instead of going home to his wife!
Sure enough.
Hearing Zephyr's words, the twinkle in Gion's eyes grew even more radiant, but to Daren, it was filled with icy killing intent.
"Is that so, a class reunion?"
She lightly ground her teeth together, tilting her head and narrowing her eyes as she spoke.
"Speaking of which, I'm also a member of the third term. Why wasn't I invited?"
Daren felt a chill run down his spine, his brain spinning wildly for an excuse. He coughed lightly and said,
"Ahem, actually, it was just a coincidence..."
"Hmph! Gion, don't even mention it. Those brats didn't even invite me, their teacher!"
Zephyr added indignantly.
—Zephyr-sensei, can you not add fuel to the fire?!
Daren screamed internally.
He barely kept a smile on his face as he said softly,
"If you want to hang out, Gion, we can set up another time."
Gion narrowed her eyes even further, then suddenly turned to Zephyr with a dangerous smile.
"Zephyr-sensei, you should go back and rest."
"What? It's fine, I'm not tired. I can still handle some paperwork..."
Zephyr replied instinctively, but the coldness in Gion's gaze made him shiver without knowing why.
Why is this girl even angry...
Zephyr shrank his head, completely baffled.
Forget it, better not mess with her. Otherwise, Tsuru would come looking for trouble later.
"All right, then."
Zephyr tidied up the documents, got up from his chair, and headed toward the office door.
"Um... Zephyr-sensei, I'll go with you! I have something important to report!"
Seeing Zephyr about to leave, Daren panicked, breaking into a cold sweat.
He braced himself against the sofa with one hand, struggling to stand, his eyes full of desperate hope as he raised his hand to try to stop Zephyr.
Gion suddenly appeared in front of him, her smile chilling as she said,
"I think it's better not to disturb Zephyr-sensei's rest. Don't you agree, Vice Admiral Daren?"
Daren: "..."
He watched helplessly as Zephyr gave him a small wave... and quietly closed the office door.