Time passed in its own solid, fulfilling rhythm.
Before long, half a year had gone by.
Throughout those months, Darren never once removed his Seastone cuffs. Mornings were spent sparring with Garp by the abandoned port. Afternoons, he endured daily "gang beatings" from his fellow cadets—each session pushing the limits of his developing Observation Haki.
As for nights... well, Darren had no say in those.
Sometimes it was Gion. Sometimes it was Toki. Sometimes it was Gion first, then Toki.
Let's just say—life was eventful. Though his back was paying the price.
A surprising benefit, however, was that the longer he wore the Seastone cuffs, the more accustomed he became to them. The draining effect of Seastone on Devil Fruit users seemed to grow weaker over time.
Though the Magnet-Magnet Fruit remained sealed, that once paralyzing sense of weakness had dulled significantly.
Marine Headquarters — Abandoned Port
Wrecked Marine Ships lay strewn across the barren ground, their hulls riddled with fist-shaped craters.
Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!
As always, Darren was using a warship as a punching bag—drenched in sweat, muscles straining with every blow.
Each punch was accompanied by the crisp clink of the Seastone cuffs.
Not far off, Garp lounged under a sun umbrella, munching on donuts as he watched Darren's back, a satisfied smirk tugging at his lips.
Wearing those cuffs reduced Darren's punching power to a mere fraction of normal. Destroying even one ship had become ten times harder.
But the kid never quit.
Just then, an energetic voice rang out.
"Hey!! Mr. Garp!! Teach me too!!"
Garp blinked. He turned—and saw a tall figure with black curls waving eagerly.
Since finding out last month that Garp had been training Darren, Kuzan had shown up every day, brimming with enthusiasm, begging for lessons.
Like I have time for this... Garp thought.
Word was, Golden Lion Shiki had resurfaced in the New World. Sengoku was already swamped.
Roger's side seemed calm, but not long ago he'd clashed with "Red the Aloof," Patrick Redfield. Their battle had torn apart a small island and sent several nations into a panic.
Garp had planned to set sail again soon. So at first, he turned Kuzan down flat.
The kid just got more fired up. Rejected one day, back the next—ten times more determined.
"Go bother a training camp instructor, Kuzan," Garp grumbled.
"But I've learned all they can teach!" Kuzan shouted, eyes burning as he stared at Darren's back.
"I can't fall behind him. Darren's my rival for life!"
This idiot... Garp pressed a palm to his forehead.
"...Fine, fine. Come here."
He didn't dislike Kuzan. In fact, the kid's talent was undeniable—another "monster" like Sakazuki and Borsalino.
It's just that Garp had bad memories from mentoring his son and Sakazuki. He wasn't exactly a fan of "genius proteges."
Honestly, if it weren't to repay a personal favor to Darren, he wouldn't be training him either.
Kuzan lit up and jogged over, eyes shining with expectation.
Garp got up, walked to one of the wrecked ships.
Darren paused his training, wiping sweat and watching curiously.
Just like with Darren, Garp said:
"Watch carefully. I'm only showing this once."
His gaze sharpened—then bam—he punched.
A deep, thunderous crack.
The massive ship erupted into a cloud of debris.
Kuzan's eyes sparkled, jaw slack as he stared at the shattered massive ship.
"That... was awesome..."
He glanced sideways, fully expecting Kuzan to be confused.
He knew his own teaching style was... basic.
He was even hoping it'd scare Kuzan off.
But instead, Kuzan frowned thoughtfully—then grinned.
"I think I got it..."
Garp was stunned too.
Kuzan scratched his head, chuckling. He walked up to another ship and, clumsily mimicking Garp's stance, swung a punch.
The ship groaned under the blow. Cracks rippled across its hull.
"...I think this is the right motion. Didn't quite break it, though."
Kuzan scratched his cheek awkwardly.
Darren and Garp stared, dumbfounded.
"You... you really got it!?"
Garp's eyes gleamed. He grabbed Kuzan by both hands.
Garp blinked—then threw back his head.
"Bwahahaha!! I knew it!! It wasn't my teaching—it was your lack of talent!!"
He jabbed a finger at Kuzan.
"You've got it, kid!! From today on, you're training with me!"
Kuzan laughed excitedly.
Darren stood there, watching the two simpletons cackling together, lines of stress appearing on his forehead.
He rubbed his temples.
So "serious punching" can only be understood by single-celled organisms, huh?
"Darren!! Did you see that? I'm catching up!!"
Darren didn't even want to answer.
Just then, a slow, teasing voice interrupted:
"Pretty lively here, huh..."
As the voice faded, countless golden photons gathered in midair, forming the figure of a tall man.
Borsalino smiled and nodded to Garp, then turned toward Darren.
"Commodore Darren, you've got a mission."
Before Darren could speak, Garp scowled.
"Oi, Borsalino. Darren's my student right now."
Borsalino raised his hands in mock innocence.
"Orders from Admiral Sengoku..."
Garp's face stiffened.
Yeah... I know what kind of mess my son's caused Sengoku...
He cleared his throat.
"Well then, Darren—you'd better go. No point wasting more time training if your talent's that mediocre."
He turned to Borsalino, deadpan.
"...What's the mission?"
"Golden Lion... Shiki."