The starlight was cold and gentle, and it was clearly a quiet and leisurely military academy dormitory.
However, Vergo's whole body was tense, and his hands trembled slightly uncontrollably.
A bone-chilling coldness ran up his spine to his forehead, making his scalp tingle.
The man in front of him wasn't giving off a hint of presence, just standing there smiling, but Vergo felt as if his throat was being squeezed by an invisible hand, making it difficult to breathe.
His whole body was cold.
"Godfather, the young master asked me to convey his regards to you."
Vergo didn't dare to look up and meet the man's gaze, and said in a low voice.
Daren slowly took out a cigar, put it in his mouth, and lit it.
A strange scarlet glow lit up the dark room.
"Hmm, I am very satisfied with Doffy's recent performance."
"However, you haven't answered my question."
Cold sweat beaded on Vergo's forehead, and he hurriedly said,
"Yes, Godfather-sama, it was the young master's order to choose Vice Admiral Borsalino as his instructor."
Having received confirmation, Daren's mouth curved into a faint smile.
That kid Doffy was smart.
Vergo's identity couldn't withstand thorough investigation.
With a little effort, it would be easy to discover the relationship between Vergo and Doffy.
A member of the underworld and a pirate... They had actually infiltrated the Marines as undercover agents and even entered the officer training camp known as the "cradle of generals."
Even with just a little bit of common sense, it was easy to imagine what would happen to Vergo once his identity was exposed.
Choosing Borsalino would make it possible to avoid revealing his identity as much as possible.
After all, with Borsalino's fun-loving personality, even if he noticed something, he would probably pretend not to see it and watch the situation unfold with a curious attitude.
"Hmm, that's a wise choice."
"Now that you're a member of the Marines, let me give you some advice."
Vergo bowed his head even lower.
Daren smiled slightly.
"Forget everything about your past identity, and then fight with your life to climb as high as you can."
Vergo's whole body trembled.
"That's all I have to say."
Daren exhaled a puff of smoke.
He paused, as if he had forgotten something, then looked again at the guy with his mouth wiped clean but still half a piece of steak on his face, and the corners of his mouth twitched.
"Oh, right, this is a lesson for you for daring to attack me just now."
As soon as he finished speaking,
The sharp knife and fork hovering in midair suddenly shot out, piercing Vergo's thigh deeply, and bright red blood seeped out from his pant leg.
Vergo groaned in pain, his body trembling, gritting his teeth but not daring to make a sound.
"Thank you for the lesson, Godfather."
His eyes were bloodshot, but his attitude was even more respectful.
There was no response.
One second, two seconds, three seconds...
The room was dead silent.
Vergo cautiously raised his head and looked at the empty room, gasping for air as if he had been knocked out.
He trembled as he forced the knife and fork embedded in his thigh out, blood spurting out immediately.
The "small lesson" he had just received could have been easily dodged with his strength.
Marine Headquarters, Military Academy.
Chief Instructor's Office.
"Zephyr-sensei, you wanted to see me?"
Daren knocked on the door and pushed it open.
"Yes, Daren, you're here." Tʜe sourcᴇ of thɪs content ɪs Novᴇl_Fire(.)net
Zephyr, sitting behind a desk piled high with documents, looked up and gave a weary smile.
"How's your first day as a special instructor?"
Daren glanced briefly at the newly renovated bathroom at the end of the office, then withdrew his gaze and smiled.
He sat down casually on the sofa, crossed his legs, and lit a cigar.
The smoothness of the gesture made Zephyr's mouth twitch slightly.
Shaking his head, Zephyr asked,
"I called you here to discuss the arrangements for Magellan. You know that his Devil Fruit ability is very special..."
"No need to discuss it. I've already accepted Magellan!"
Before Zephyr could finish, Daren waved his hand and interrupted him.
He hadn't even gotten to the point yet... and the kid already agreed?
He had even prepared a whole speech to persuade him!
Zephyr quickly realized.
"Yeah, that kid's abilities are indeed a little scary."
Daren nodded, though a strange smile curled at the corner of his mouth.
In just one hour under Magellan's "poisoning," his physique had improved by 0.3!
Although the process had been pretty brutal... the feeling of the poison invading and corroding his internal organs was not much different from being sliced apart a thousand times.
But the gain in physique strength made it all worthwhile, no matter how painful.
It was just poison, after all... Compared to the torture he endured at the hands of that fat guy in suspenders, this was nothing.
Zephyr, not noticing Daren's hidden smile, sighed.
"The power of the Doku Doku no Mi isn't something ordinary people can withstand... I almost fell victim to it myself. Luckily, I'm strong enough to resist it."
He said it with a straight face, pride filling his eyes.
"Really? But Zephyr-sensei, I heard from Magellan... you just inhaled a little poison and ended up with diarrhea for three days and nights."
Zephyr's expression instantly froze.
He coughed twice, immediately changing the subject.
"So, are you sure you can withstand his poison?"
"I know your physique is remarkable, but poison invades internal organs and nerves directly... Toughness alone doesn't offer much resistance to that."
"And that kid's poison has a delayed effect..."
"Don't worry, Zephyr-sensei. Don't forget... I'm 'invincible'... huh?"
His face suddenly stiffened as a strange rumbling came from his abdomen.
They stared at each other.
Feeling his stomach churning violently, Daren broke out in a cold sweat.
Zephyr looked at Daren meaningfully, then pointed toward the bathroom with a smirk.
"Go on, it's been renovated."
Before he could even finish, the Marine Vice Admiral had already leapt off the sofa and dashed into the bathroom.
Soon, a series of explosive firecracker-like sounds came from within, accompanied by gritted teeth, muffled groans... and low, pitiful wails.
"Indestructible? Heh..."
A smug smile slowly spread across Zephyr's face as he leisurely picked up his teacup and took a sip.
He shook his head with the air of someone who had seen it all.
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