One Piece: So What If I Sin, Lie, and Lust? I'm Still a Good Marine

Day after day passed.

Marine Headquarters, Military Academy, Training Camp.

Yellow sand whipped across the training ground. Except for Magellan, all the fourth-term officer cadets stood in formation, their expressions respectful as they looked toward the Vice Admiral standing at the center of the field.

After more than two months of basic training, they had finally awaited this moment—Officer Daren's physical training class!

"The so-called training of physique is essentially the comprehensive strengthening of your physical abilities."

With a cigar between his lips, Daren stood casually with his hands in his pockets, sweeping a relaxed glance across the gathered cadets.

"There's a reason Zephyr-sensei arranged this special course two months after the start of training."

"The foundation of physique training is impact resistance."

"Without a certain level of physical fitness, rushing into high-intensity impact training would just be foolish self-harm."

"Over the past two months, Zephyr-sensei has assigned you extensive physical conditioning and close combat drills. In a sense, it's been all about building a solid foundation."

Daren smiled.

"So, before we officially begin the physical training course, does anyone have any questions for me?"

At his words, the cadets paused, then their eyes lit up with curiosity.

Someone raised their hand.

"Hmm, Bone?"

Daren smiled as he looked at the pale, thin young man who appeared somewhat sickly.

Bone looked visibly excited, almost nervous, and stammered,

"U-um, Instructor Daren, there's a rumor that you've trained your physique to the point of 'Indestructibility,' that even the Navy's heavy artillery can't harm you... is that true?"

Daren smiled and nodded.

"It's true."

Everyone collectively gasped, faces filled with disbelief.

They were elites, carefully selected through rigorous testing from all over the world. Though they had all heard the legends about Daren—many could even recite his battle achievements by heart—few had ever seen him in action personally.

Now, having it confirmed directly from Daren himself left them completely stunned.

It was true!

A person could actually train their body to be as tough and unbreakable as diamond!

"T-then... could you show us?"

Bone nervously swallowed and asked carefully.

Daren hesitated for a moment, glancing around the field.

"The facilities here are a bit limited, so it might not be very convenient..."

"Let me handle it!"

A deep, booming voice suddenly cut him off. Everyone instinctively turned toward the sound—and their eyes gradually widened in shock, mouths forming perfect "O" shapes.

Boom...

A heavy rumble came from the entrance of the training ground. Zephyr's massive, imposing figure strode forward, dragging behind him a rapid-fire heavy cannon!

The cannon towered over four meters high, its enormous black barrel gleaming darkly under the sun. The yawning muzzle looked like the gaping mouth of a beast of war, exuding a terrifying presence.

The cannon was so large and heavy that it gouged a long furrow into the earth as Zephyr dragged it forward.

Daren's mouth twitched slightly.

Under the frozen gazes of everyone, Zephyr dragged the cannon to the center of the training ground, panting heavily and muttering,

"I'm exhausted... This thing is ridiculously heavy!"

After catching his breath, he smiled at Daren and said,

"Daren, this is a teaching prop I found especially for you."

Daren: "..."

"Zephyr-sensei, where did you get this cannon?"

The students stared blankly at the exaggerated heavy cannon, utterly speechless.

This thing... it was even bigger than the main cannons mounted on Buster Call-class warships!

"Oh, I had a hard time dismantling it."

Zephyr answered casually.

Everyone froze, and the longer they looked at the cannon, the more familiar it seemed.

"Wait..."

"It can't be..."

"This is..."

They slowly pieced it together, their jaws nearly hitting the ground.

This heavy cannon... was clearly one of the three most powerful cannons stationed at the front of the Marine Headquarters' Central Military Fortress!

Zephyr-sensei actually dismantled it!?

"Zephyr-sensei, you're not seriously planning to use this cannon to bombard Daren-sensei, are you?"

Shuzo, with his bronze-colored, knotted muscles, asked in a trembling voice, his expression frozen.

"Bombard? No, no, no..."

Zephyr waved his hand dismissively.

"This is a teaching demonstration. How could you call it bombardment?"

Bang!

Everyone collapsed headfirst onto the ground.

Isn't that just bombardment!?

"Hahahaha! Come on, Daren, let these brats see the defense of your 'Indestructible Body'!"

Zephyr laughed heartily and eagerly loaded the cannon.

The cannon, which normally needed a team to operate, was being handled alone by him, as he pointed the massive barrel directly at Vice Admiral Daren.

His eyes gleamed with an intense, almost uncontrollable excitement that even his sunglasses couldn't fully conceal.

Whoosh!

The cadets scattered like startled ducks, fleeing from Daren at top speed.

They glanced nervously at the excited Zephyr, then at Daren, who stood there dark-faced, whispering amongst themselves:

"No way, I get the demonstration part, but why does Zephyr-sensei's smile look... so twisted?"

"He looks way too excited."

"Did Instructor Daren somehow offend Zephyr-sensei?"

"How should I know..."

"But I heard that Vice Admiral Daren's 'Indestructible Body' wasn't taught by Zephyr-sensei."

"Maybe that's why he's holding a grudge?"

"Sounds about right..."

"...."

Before they could process what was happening—

BOOM!

An earth-shattering cannon blast rang through the training ground, making the ground tremble violently and leaving everyone's ears ringing.

...

Three minutes later.

Hundreds of heavy shells had been fired, and the training ground was filled with flickering firelight and rolling black smoke.

Everyone lay flat on the ground, covering their heads, staring blankly at the massive, charred crater at the center of the field, nearly twenty meters across.

Thud, thud, thud...

Light footsteps echoed through the smoke.

Daren's tall figure slowly emerged from the giant crater.

His military uniform was in tatters, his skin was covered in dust and soot, and even the cigar he had been chewing on was half-blown away.

"Hey, hey, old man, don't you think this is going a little overboard?"

He shot Zephyr a dark look.

Zephyr just chuckled mischievously.

Daren shook his head, turned to face the students, and suddenly grinned.

"Alright, the demonstration's over. Time to officially start training."

Seeing the devilish smile on Vice Admiral Daren's face, all the new recruits shivered instinctively.

...

Half a day's training flew by.

By the time Daren lit a fresh cigar and walked out of the training ground, not a single student was still standing.

They were scattered all over the ground, bruised, battered, and groaning in pain.

"Brrrr..."

After changing into a fresh military uniform, Daren was just thinking about getting some food to recover his strength when the military Den Den Mushi tucked in his pocket suddenly rang.

He pulled it out and answered the call.

"This is Daren."

Sengoku's grave voice came through the line:

"Daren, get to my office immediately. Something big has happened."

He paused for a second, as if still trying to process the shock, then added, his voice hoarse and heavy,

"The Heavenly Tribute... has been stolen."