Nighttime, Marineford Headquarters Training Grounds.
Two figures crossed paths in the arena, sparks flashing with the sharp clash of metal.
Sakazuki's fists were coated in Armament Haki.
His figure flickered and appeared in front of Morris, his right fist swinging out.
Morris didn't dodge or flinch.
The long blade in his hand surged with black Armament Haki, instantly solidifying as he slashed down.
Fist and blade collided, locked in a deadlock.
Morris grinned, his left hand forming a palm covered in Armament Haki, thrusting toward Sakazuki's abdomen.
Sakazuki slightly curled the fingers of his left hand and, without even looking, reached diagonally downward.
He grabbed the incoming palm in one swift move, and with immense force, flung Morris's hand upward.
"This kind of power...!"
Morris's pupils shrank abruptly. He was completely unable to resist.
His palm was forcibly slammed into his own blade by Sakazuki's left hand, knocking the blade off course.
Sakazuki's right fist was now unimpeded.
With one strike, Morris was sent flying, crashing into a distant stone wall.
"Cough, cough... Not bad, kid. That's some strength you've got."
With a wave of his hand, Morris pushed aside the rubble and jumped out as the wall behind him collapsed with a roar. He coughed as he spoke.
"Come on, let's see your swordsmanship next."
Old fists fear young strength—Morris decided to switch tactics.
Sakazuki didn't object.
He raised his right hand flat, placed his clenched left fist against it, then drew it outward.
Like drawing a sword, a magma-forged long blade over three meters in length appeared.
The blade was two meters long, the hilt one meter. The blade was thick, and the hilt thin—an odd design.
Sakazuki gripped the blade with his right hand, raised it vertically, and placed his left hand under the pommel.
Armament Haki surged along the blade, instantly solidifying it into a black sword.
His figure vanished, reappearing instantly before Morris, slashing down with the force of a charge.
Morris held his blade with both hands, Armament Haki flowing, raising it horizontally to block.
The two blades clashed and separated. The tremendous force caused Morris's hands to go numb, almost making him drop his sword.
But Sakazuki didn't let up.
A rapid series of crisp strikes rang out, like a storm of steel.
In the blink of an eye, the two had exchanged an unknown number of blows. Sakazuki's eyes focused, and a powerful burst of energy exploded from him.
Morris was sent flying again.
He crashed into the rubble of the wall that had just collapsed.
With the sound of falling stone, Morris stood up, pushing aside debris, his tone resigned:
"That's enough, that's enough."
"You've got strength that could rival the Giants, kid."
"But man, letting loose like that feels great."
Hearing the complaint in Morris's voice, Sakazuki smiled slightly, and the two walked to the edge of the arena, sitting down on the steps.
The sea breeze blew past, carrying a hint of salt.
After a long silence, Morris spoke with a sigh:
"Sakazuki, I'm counting on you all from here on out."
"Why do you say that, Vice Admiral Morris?"
Sakazuki knew this was a sore spot for Morris, but he couldn't bring it up directly. He could only ask with slight curiosity.
Hearing the tone of confusion in Sakazuki's voice, Morris rolled his eyes and chuckled lightly:
"Come on, drop the act. No need to comfort me."
"I've weathered all kinds of storms. It's just a mere Admiral position, right?"
"There's no chance for me in this lifetime."
"But I can teach the next generation."
"I've already submitted my application—to transfer to the rear and become an instructor."
"One day, one of my students will become an Admiral."
'No killing... Hah, what a joke.'
The Marine camp was divided into Hawk and Dove factions. The Doves' policy of preferring capture over killing was always looked down on by the Hawks.
Likewise, the Doves disapproved of the Hawks' preference for killing over capture.
Now that the last Admiral seat had been settled, the decisive positions in the upper ranks were completely dominated by the Doves.
No wonder Morris gave up—it was simply hopeless.
Sakazuki listened to Morris's words, fully understanding his feelings.
There had once been a glimmer of hope, but after years of effort, he realized that hope had been reserved for someone else.
Anyone would feel dejected after that.
But Morris had moved on. If I can't do it, then I'll train the next generation.
One day, they'll prove I was right.
"Vice Admiral Morris, here—this is for you."
After a moment of thought, Sakazuki took out a small notebook from his clothes and handed it to Vice Admiral Morris.
Morris looked at the notebook in his hand.
He softly read the large characters on the cover:
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