Chapter 21: Kizaru and Akainu

**Marineford, Leisure Area**

The future Admirals, Borsalino and Sakazuki, wandered aimlessly down a bustling street.

Dressed casually, Borsalino wore a yellow shirt, a white hooded hat, and a pair of brown sunglasses perched on his nose. Sakazuki, on the other hand, sported a red shirt, exposing his muscular chest, where a tattoo of rose petals sprawled across the left side. His Marine-issued white cap sat low over his stern face, giving him the air of a gangster.

Compared to Sakazuki's imposing presence, Borsalino looked more like a carefree street punk.

Peeling a banana as they walked, Borsalino glanced at the ever-serious Sakazuki beside him and sighed.

"Sakazuki, it's our rare day off. Can't you at least try to relax?"

Sakazuki adjusted the brim of his cap slightly, his voice low and firm.

"I still have several training sets to complete. After a quick meal, I'm heading back to continue."

Borsalino shrugged, finishing his banana in three bites before casually tossing the peel onto the ground.

Sakazuki frowned. Without a word, he bent down, picked up the banana peel, and held it in his palm. His hand glowed a deep, menacing red, and within seconds, smoke rose as the peel disintegrated into ashes under the intense heat, scattering into the wind.

"Borsalino, you should at least maintain some discipline. People are already calling you 'Yellow Monkey' behind your back."

Borsalino chuckled, showing no concern. However, behind his brown lenses, a flicker of golden light flashed momentarily.

"How rude," he said lazily. "But oh well, people have always treated us like monsters anyway. I'm used to it."

With his hands now clasped behind his head, he picked up his pace.

Sakazuki, still walking behind him, suddenly muttered,

"I've already taught them a lesson."

Borsalino stopped in his tracks for a brief moment before turning his head slightly. A smirk formed on his lips as he drawled,

"Oh~ Sakazuki, you're really too hot-tempered... You didn't use your powers, did you?"

"No need," Sakazuki replied flatly. "They weren't worth it."

"That's good. If I don't use my fruit, I can't beat you anyway."

"You wouldn't win even if you did."

"...…"

Borsalino choked on his words and decided to let it go. He put his hands in his pockets and started whistling as they continued down the street.

After a short walk, they stopped in front of a barbecue restaurant.

*Gurgle~*

Borsalino turned, his sunglasses gleaming as he stared at Sakazuki with feigned confusion.

"Sakazuki, did you hear that strange noise just now?"

Sakazuki's expression darkened. The sound had clearly come from his own stomach—Borsalino was obviously messing with him.

There was no helping it. While the food at Marine Academy was decent, eating the same thing every day got tiresome.

Glancing at the mouthwatering barbecue poster at the restaurant's entrance, Sakazuki gritted his teeth, turned around, and prepared to leave.

"Oi, oi, don't go," Borsalino called after him. "I really want barbecue today. Just eat with me this once, and I'll treat you!"

Sakazuki stopped, glaring at him. At that moment, the irresistible aroma of sizzling meat wafted from inside the restaurant.

Sniffing the air, he reluctantly relented.

"Fine. But don't eat too much. Instructor Zephyr says excessive oil isn't good for training."

Borsalino let out a dramatic sigh and waved dismissively.

"Yeah, yeah. Let's just indulge this once. Come on!"

---

### **In a Corner of the Barbecue Restaurant**

Carl and his friends sat around a grill, watching the meat sizzle.

Ginny, resting her chin on her hands, stared longingly at the pork belly, her lips pursed in impatience.

"Brother Carl, how much longer? I'm starving!"

Carl chuckled and flicked her smooth forehead playfully.

"You're just being greedy! Be patient, like Kuma."

Kuma, hearing this, scratched his head in embarrassment and muttered weakly,

"Brother Carl, actually... I'm kind of hungry too…"

"...Alright, alright. I'll add more charcoal," Carl sighed. "But don't blame me if it gets burnt!"

Ginny nuzzled against Carl's arm, grinning.

"I wouldn't blame you, Brother Carl. Even if it burns, I'll still eat it all!"

Carl laughed but was about to say something when a distinctively lazy voice came from the restaurant entrance.

"Boss! Any seats left? I want a big serving of beef, fat and lean!"

A deep, serious voice followed.

"Two extra bowls of white rice."

"Sakazuki, you and your obsession with rice."

Hearing the name, Carl paused, looking toward the entrance.

A waiter hurried over, greeting the new guests warmly. Under his guidance, Borsalino and Sakazuki made their way inside and sat down—right beside Carl's table.

Borsalino stretched as he took his seat. Turning his gaze toward Carl, he smirked.

"This little brother, you've been staring at me quite a bit. Do we know each other?"

Carl didn't hesitate to respond with a friendly smile.

"Sorry, that was rude of me. You just have a unique presence. I couldn't help but take a few extra glances."

"Ahem…"

Sakazuki suddenly coughed twice, shooting a glance at Borsalino.

Borsalino, however, seemed intrigued. Ignoring the mention of his *unique presence*, he leaned in and asked,

"You look unfamiliar. Just arrived?"

"Yes, we're here to join the Marines."

At the mention of recruitment, Borsalino immediately pulled his chair closer to Carl, settling in as if they were already friends.

"Well, what a coincidence! Maybe we'll be classmates. Let's introduce ourselves—name's Borsalino, and that guy over there is Sakazuki."

Carl glanced at Sakazuki, who gave him a curt nod, his smile a bit stiff.

Returning the gesture, Carl briefly introduced himself, Ginny, and Kuma.

"It seems you two will be our future seniors. Nice to meet you."

Borsalino waved a hand dismissively.

"Don't worry about seniority. The two of us aren't very social at the academy. You might want to keep your distance from us."

"Oh? And why's that?" Carl asked, flipping the meat on the grill. "I feel pretty comfortable around you two."

"Well, you see, we're considered 'monsters' at the academy. No one really wants to hang around us. So, Sakazuki and I just stick together for warmth."

Carl smiled, watching the sizzling meat.

"Is that so…?" he murmured. "Maybe we'll end up being the same kind of people."