The Greatest Disgrace in Marine History-Chapter 174 - 76: Not to Say?

Marine Headquarters, Marineford.

Inside the Fleet Admiral's office, the air was suffocating. Not even the potted plants in the corners dared to rustle, as if holding their breath.

"Fleet Admiral Kong, that's the full situation... Kaido of the Beasts suddenly forced his way into the battle, completely disrupted our operation to capture Douglas Bullet, and abducted Commodore Rogers Darren."

Sakazuki stood tall, a lit cigar clenched between his teeth. His complexion was deathly pale, voice heavy with exhaustion and fury. Beneath the wide Marine coat draped over his shoulders, his torso was bare—wrapped in blood-soaked bandages that testified to the hell he'd just survived.

"Darren was acting as my second-in-command for this operation. Him being captured by a pirate... was my failure."

His tone was bitter cold, like magma cooling into obsidian.

"I am willing to take full responsibility for the outcome."

The room was packed with top brass. Garp alone was absent, still operating in the New World. The others had gathered under the weight of this unexpected crisis.

Sengoku, seated near the center, had his head slightly bowed, fists clenched beneath the table.

This mission... had been his idea.

He had personally arranged for Darren to leave training camp temporarily and follow Sakazuki into combat.

And now Darren had been taken—by Kaido no less.

Even if Kaido's sudden arrival wasn't his fault, there was one person he absolutely couldn't explain this to.

Zephyr.

Darren wasn't just another recruit. He was the strongest in the history of Marine training camp. Zephyr had placed enormous hope in him.

Fleet Admiral Kong finally opened his mouth, voice low and thunderous.

"I understand, Sakazuki."

Kong sat at the head of the room, arms crossed over a chest like bronze armor—muscles rippling under every breath.

His severe gaze swept over everyone present before settling on Sakazuki.

"This was not your fault. The situation developed too fast. No one could have predicted that lunatic Kaido would appear out of nowhere."

Sakazuki's injuries spoke for themselves. He'd already gone through a brutal battle against Douglas Bullet. That he couldn't hold his ground against Kaido was understandable.

Kong then pinched the bridge of his nose, sighing quietly.

"As for Zephyr... let's keep this from him for now."

He knew Zephyr too well. A proud, emotional man who fiercely protected his students, especially those with potential. With training camp at a critical point, informing him now would only cause chaos.

Better to wait until they had a rescue plan in motion.

But just as the idea was spoken aloud—

"Out of my way!! If you don't move, I'll mow you down myself!!"

A furious roar erupted just beyond the doors.

"SENGOKU!! You bastard!! Show your face!! I trusted you with my student—and THIS is how you take care of him?!"

Sengoku's face turned ghost-white.

Shit!

Who the hell told him?!

He scowled, teeth grinding. Then, as realization struck, his head snapped toward a certain someone casually picking at his nails.

Borsalino.

"I swear—BORSALINO!! What did you do?!"

Everyone in the room winced.

The man in question raised both hands innocently, as if surrendering.

"Apologies, apologies... I ran into Zephyr-sensei while I was out for a stroll. He asked about Darren, so I told him."

He paused, grinning as he scratched his head.

"I didn't know it was supposed to be a secret."

Everyone: "..."

Sengoku clutched his chest as if stabbed.

Looking at Borsalino's eternally punchable smirk, he had to resist the urge to rip those ridiculous sunglasses off and crush them beneath his heel.

(If only Sengoku could catch him... but Borsalino just had to be the fastest man alive ¯\_(ツ)_/¯)

He needs to be replaced.

He MUST be replaced.

He was still trembling with fury when—

BOOM!!

The office doors exploded inward, reduced to splinters mid-air.

"SENGOKU!!"

Zephyr stormed in, his short violet hair practically bristling with rage. Behind him, panicked guards struggled to keep up.

He scanned the room once—locked eyes with Sengoku, who was clearly trying to hide—and roared:

"I want an explanation."

Sengoku opened his mouth, but the words refused to come.

"You son of a—Darren is MY student! He's the top of this year's training camp!!"

As Sengoku remained silent, Zephyr's fury boiled over. He rolled up his sleeves, muscles bulging, and stomped forward.

"Zephyr-sensei, please!"

"Calm down, sir!"

"Don't do this, teacher!"

Officers and vice admirals rushed forward, grabbing his arms and legs, desperately trying to restrain him.

"Let go of me!! I've had it with this fool!!"

Zephyr snarled, face red with fury.

"'Tactician' my ass—he's just a damn idiot!!"

"Today, I'm shattering those glasses! And roasting that goat for dinner!!"

Sengoku's patience snapped.

The report made it clear—his strategy hadn't been wrong. Darren had been the best possible counter to Bullet's fruit. If not for Kaido, the mission would've succeeded.

Fuming, he rolled up his own sleeves.

"Let him go!" he barked. "If he's lost his mind, I'll knock it straight!"

The officers nearly cried.

Zephyr: "COME ON THEN!!"

Sengoku: "What'll you do with your soft Haki, huh?!"

Zephyr: "Don't cry when I break your nose!!"

Sengoku: "Don't make me slap you in front of your own student!!"

The two lunged, shoving aside everyone in their path.

And then—

"—ENOUGH!!"

BOOOOM!!

Fleet Admiral Kong slammed his massive palm on the desk.

The impact shattered it into rubble, paper flying, walls trembling.

"THIS IS THE FLEET ADMIRAL'S OFFICE!! NOT YOUR DAMN TRAINING GROUND!!"

Black-and-red lightning cracked across the air as a shockwave swept through the room, sending wind and documents scattering.

"You both want a fight?! Then come fight ME!!"

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To be continued...