'Pfft!'
While Tsuru was left stunned by Sean's words, Gion burst out laughing.
It was her first time hearing someone put it that way. Come to think of it, Sean was truly strange; he constantly said things she had never heard before. Though his phrasing was odd, when she thought about it, it was actually quite fitting.
Or perhaps...
"Sean, you can stay here for a while longer—until that simp leaves," Gion declared.
"You got it!"
'Wow... just when I thought I was stuck, a door opens!' Sean thought. 'Vice Admiral Tokikake, I thank you!!'
"Fine, do whatever you want..." Tsuru shook her head, utterly speechless.
Still, she figured this wasn't a bad arrangement. She knew exactly how much Tokikake's persistence annoyed Gion. If Sean could permanently extinguish Tokikake's delusions regarding Gion, it seemed like a viable strategy.
'''
Seven days later.
At the main gate of the Elite Training Camp, a sleazy-looking man wearing a Vice Admiral's coat and wooden clogs strolled in, hands shoved deep into his pockets.
Upon seeing him, the Marines on guard immediately snapped into a standard salute.
"Vice Admiral Tokikake!"
"Is Sean Campbell inside?"
"He is, Vice Admiral!"
"Hmph. Carry on with your guard duty. I'll go in myself."
"Yes, sir!"
Once Tokikake entered the camp, the expressions of the two guards grew peculiar.
"Do you think Vice Admiral Tokikake is here because of that business between Sean and Vice Admiral Gion?"
"Most likely. But he returned surprisingly fast. I heard he was stationed at the G1 Branch..."
"Don't overthink it. Someone at Headquarters probably leaked the news to him. Too bad we have to stay on guard; the scene in there is probably going to be explosive!"
"No rush. I've got a plan," the other guard said, his eyes darting around.
He pulled out a Den Den Mushi.
'Purupurupuru...'
"Captain, this is Isaac!"
"Hmm? Aren't you on guard duty? Did something happen at the training camp?"
"No, nothing happened, but I think I have food poisoning. Captain, could you arrange for someone to relieve me for an hour?"
"Fine. I'll send someone over. Wait until they arrive before you leave."
"Wait, Captain!"
"What now?"
"Uh, could you actually send two people? Leon feels sick too. We must have eaten something bad for breakfast."
"Leon too? Alright, I got it. I'll arrange it now!"
Hanging up the Den Den Mushi, the guard looked smug. "See? Handled."
"You're a genius!!"
'''
"Ain, this isn't right. Don't just focus on the speed and power of the stomp; you have to master the rhythm of each step!"
"Yes, that's better. Improving your technique increases the effect while reducing your stamina consumption."
"Now, keep practicing it this way. In a few days, your Soru should show significant progress!"
On the training grounds, Sean was providing guidance to Ain every few days as agreed. Occasionally, the insights Sean shared even surprised Zephyr.
To a great extent, Sean's understanding of the Six Powers differed significantly from the conventional naval approach. Take Soru, for example: Marines typically focused solely on the speed and power of the stomp, but no one had ever considered the importance of rhythm.
Just then, a loud, yet distinctly sleazy voice boomed across the camp.
"Who is Sean Campbell?!"
As soon as they realized it was Tokikake, all the instructors and students fell silent, their gazes shifting toward Sean.
Recently, the rumors regarding Sean and Gion had spread throughout Headquarters until everyone knew about them. Everyone could guess exactly why Tokikake was looking for Sean.
"I'm Sean Campbell. And you are?"
"Vice Admiral Tokikake of Headquarters!"
"Oh, are you that simp Tsuru-nee mentioned the other day?"
The words slipped right out of Sean's mouth. Of course, Tsuru hadn't actually used the word "simp," but that didn't stop Sean from adding it. He had a mission to accomplish here.
'Tsuru-nee?'
'Simp?'
At that moment, everyone's eyes widened. No one had expected Sean to start the conversation with such an explosive remark.
As for "Tsuru-nee," they assumed he meant Vice Admiral Tsuru. Since Vice Admiral Gion called her that, it wasn't strange that Sean, who was rumored to be with Gion, would do the same. The crowd nodded in silent agreement.
But the next part...
Vice Admiral Tsuru called Vice Admiral Tokikake a simp?
'Hiss...'
Actually, given how Tokikake acted around Gion, it was pretty accurate. But was it really okay to say that to his face?
Sure enough, Tokikake's expression shifted. The usual sleaze vanished, replaced by a dark, brooding gloom. Although he had never heard the term "simp" before, he could gather its meaning through context.
Regardless of whether Tsuru had said it, this brat was calling him that in front of everyone. This was practically treating him like a doormat!
"Tokikake, what are you doing?"
'Whoosh!'
Two figures suddenly appeared on the training grounds. One was Zephyr, and the other was Gion. The voice that had just spoken belonged to Gion.
"Gion! This kid said—he said I'm a—"
"Said you're a simp?"
"Yes! Exactly! A simp! Uh..." Tokikake stopped abruptly, wanting to slap himself.
Had he just admitted to being a simp?
"We'll deal with the rest later. Right now, the entire Marine is rumored to say you two are cohabiting. This kid has to move out immediately, or your reputation will be ruined!"
"Sean is currently staying at my place," Gion replied calmly. "If a man and a woman living in the same house counts as cohabiting, then yes, I am indeed cohabiting with him."
'Boom...'
The entire training camp erupted. While there had been rumors, most people in the camp believed Gion had simply taken Sean in to teach him swordsmanship. They thought the rumors were just misunderstandings.
But now, Gion had used the word "cohabiting" herself.
For a moment, many of the male Marines shot Sean looks of pure envy and jealousy. Tokikake, meanwhile, was completely frozen, his brain short-circuiting.
"Gion, you're just saying that to spite me, right? That's it, right?"
"I can't be bothered to waste words on you. Sean, let's go!"
Ignoring Tokikake entirely, Gion beckoned Sean to follow her.
And so, right in front of everyone, the two of them walked side by side out of the Elite Training Camp.
They left behind a completely shell-shocked Tokikake.
However, no one noticed Sean's subtle movements or the words he whispered under his breath.
"I did pretty well, right?"
"Stop talking. Be quiet—that guy's Observation Haki is actually quite impressive!"
"Oh, right! Got it!"
At the same time, back on the training grounds of the camp.
"Tokikake, before worrying about Gion, you should probably think about how you're going to explain yourself to Sengoku regarding your sudden disappearance from the front lines."
"You should know that your actions could be classified as desertion. Depending on how it's viewed, this could be a very serious matter."
Zephyr stepped up to the stunned Tokikake and patted him on the shoulder.
What?
Desertion?
'I asked Admiral Akainu for leave!' Tokikake thought.
But then... it occurred to him.
It seemed... it felt as though...
In his haste, after merely mentioning it to Admiral Akainu, he had left without actually waiting for the approval.
He winced.
'Wait, so... am I actually a deserter who fled the battlefield?'
Tokikake was utterly bewildered.
Just then, a squad of Marines led by Momonga entered the training area.
These were no ordinary soldiers; they were the disciplinary unit tasked with enforcing battlefield law, as evidenced by the distinct armbands they wore.
"Vice Admiral Tokikake, by the order of Fleet Admiral Sengoku, you are to be taken into custody. Do you have anything to say for yourself?"
"I'll come with you, but let's skip the Seastone handcuffs, shall we? After all, there are so many people here at Headquarters..."
"Fleet Admiral Sengoku specified that they are mandatory," the soldier replied with a completely straight face. "Otherwise, you won't truly realize the gravity of your mistake!"
"This... fine!"
'''
Although the farce didn't last long, the details of the incident were quickly spread by the Marines.
Naturally, as the story passed from person to person, it became increasingly absurd.
One version claimed that the two men had fought a vicious battle to win Gion's affections, resulting in Sean being severely injured by Tokikake. Consequently, Tokikake was arrested on Sengoku's orders for brutally attacking a fellow officer.
As for Vice Admiral Gion, the rumor mill claimed she had declared publicly that if Sean died, she would follow him in death.
The sheer level of absurdity left Sengoku's eyelid twitching.
Ultimately, he had no choice but to issue a gag order. Within Headquarters, all Marines were strictly forbidden from discussing Sean, Gion, or Tokikake.
Only then...
Did Headquarters finally return to peace.