Chapter 37: Depressed Akainu

Everyone was shocked after hearing Carl's response. One of them frowned and asked, **"Use Geppo to run back? How long were you running?"**

**"About a day or so. I could have had Kuma send me directly, but I wanted to use this opportunity to train."**

Tsuru crossed her arms, glanced at Zephyr—who was preparing to land above them—and said in a deep voice, **"What nonsense! You actually let a Devil Fruit user leave the warship and travel across the sea for such a long time. What if you had lost strength or encountered a storm?"**

At the same time, she was once again stunned by Carl's physical abilities. Everyone knew that **Geppo wasn't just running—it consumed an enormous amount of stamina.** Using it for such a long-distance journey was unheard of.

And yet, Carl had traveled for an entire day using Geppo, then returned and easily defeated Gion. Now that she thought about it, the whole thing was simply **ridiculous**.

The other students, however, seemed far less surprised than Tsuru. After spending so much time with Carl at Marine School, they had already become somewhat numb to his outrageous feats.

One of them muttered, **"Don't question it. Just accept that he's not like us."**

Zephyr finally landed and sighed in relief when he saw Tsuru was present. Her expression seemed calm, which meant things were under control—**at least for now.** Thanks to Momonga's report, Zephyr already had a rough idea of what had happened.

A "minion" landed behind Zephyr, slowly reforming into the shape of **Borsalino.** He stretched his neck, lazily looked around, and muttered, **"Vice Admiral Tsuru, isn't everything fine? The old man just likes to rush."**

Momonga, who had just returned from making a phone call, was stunned when he saw that Zephyr and Borsalino had beaten him back to the scene.

Zephyr turned to him and **praised him in public,** saying, **"Momonga, you did well this time. You reacted appropriately when things happened."**

Momonga scratched his head. **"But, Mr. Zephyr, I just finished making a call. How did you get back so fast?"**

**"Kuma used his Devil Fruit ability to send Borsalino and me back early, but the landing was a little off."**

**"Ah, I see!"**

---

Meanwhile, **aboard Zephyr's warship…**

On the deck, **Akainu** and **Kuma** sat cross-legged in silence. Around them, Marine soldiers stood on guard, occasionally sneaking glances at the two and whispering amongst themselves.

**"Hey, did you see that? Zephyr Instructor and Borsalino just vanished into thin air earlier. What a crazy ability. Where do you think they went?"**

**"Probably back to Marine Headquarters. The mission's already complete, and honestly, we're so close to HQ that no pirate group would dare cause trouble here."**

**"Speaking of which, this mission was ridiculously easy. We barely had to do anything."**

**"That's because of who Zephyr brought this time! Those four students are absolute monsters! Are all the new recruits this strong now?"**

**"Seriously. The Devil Fruit abilities those four have are terrifying. Any pirate unlucky enough to cross their path is doomed. Especially Carl and Sakazuki—those two are insane. Even Zephyr couldn't stop them when they went all out."**

**"Yeah, in the past, Zephyr Instructor always prioritized capturing pirates alive. We had to waste time escorting those scumbags back. But now? Problem solved—permanently."**

**"Ugh, don't remind me. The way they wiped out pirates was brutal. If every Devil Fruit user is like them, what are we supposed to do if we ever have to fight one?"**

**"Are you stupid? Shouldn't you be happy that these guys are on **our** side?"**

**"True… Hey, look! Sakazuki's getting up. I thought he was asleep!"**

Akainu stood up, his face unusually serious. Next to him, **Kuma** was silent as always.

In Akainu's hands was a **katana—half melted and broken.** The remaining blade was jagged from being burned by intense heat. He ran his fingers over the ruined weapon, looking **visibly frustrated**.

**"Tch… My Devil Fruit ability is really not suited for using a sword. This is just pathetic…"**

For the first time, Akainu found himself **envious of Borsalino's ability.** That guy could create **a light sword** with his bare hands, and it was **insanely powerful—** slicing through enemies like butter.

Akainu **could** make weapons from magma, but… honestly? It was easier to just punch his enemies into oblivion.

Back in training, when he had practiced swordsmanship with Borsalino, he didn't think much about it. But now that he had real battle experience? **He realized how pointless it was for him to use a sword.**

Still… **he had put in so much effort training with one.** He was reluctant to just give up.

Kuma, who had been watching him quietly, finally spoke. **"Brother Carl was right. You're really not suited for using a sword."**

Akainu froze for a second. **He respected Carl's judgment,** so he quickly asked, **"Carl said that? What exactly did he say?"**

Kuma hesitated for a moment before replying, **"He said… 'That guy is like someone taking off his pants just to fart.'"**

Akainu blinked. **"…Huh? What does that mean?"**

Kuma looked at him and calmly explained, **"It means… it's a pointless waste of effort."**

"…"

A **classic** phrase from Earth immediately left Akainu speechless.

Still, **he wasn't angry.** The words stung, sure—but they were also **undeniably true.**

Staring at the broken sword in his hands, Akainu's frustration only grew.

With an irritated grunt, he **tossed the sword off the deck.** The weapon tumbled into the sea, disappearing beneath the waves.

The moment he let go, he felt an unexpected sense of **relief,** like a heavy burden had been lifted from his shoulders.

Kuma, watching him, gave a slow nod and then said, **"Well… at least you finally pulled your pants back up."**

For once, **Kuma was being sarcastic.**

Akainu's body stiffened for a moment, but… **he knew Kuma wasn't trying to insult him.**

He had actually helped him let go of something that had been holding him back.

If it had been **Borsalino** saying this instead, though… **he would've punched him in the face.**

Adjusting his hat again, **Akainu changed the subject.** **"Kuma, Zephyr Instructor left in such a hurry earlier. Should we go back to Headquarters early to check on things?"**

Kuma shook his head. **"No. If we leave, who will protect this area?"**

Akainu thought about it for a moment, then nodded. **"Good point."**

A Marine never abandoned his post without permission.

…**Carl didn't count.** He had actually made a report.

With a newfound sense of peace, **Akainu sat back down beside Kuma.** The two of them remained on the deck, as still as statues—exuding an air of absolute **security.**

The surrounding Marine soldiers felt strangely **reassured.**

No pirate would **dare** attack them with these two around.

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### **(End of Chapter 37)**