บท 68: Chapter 67
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Chapter 67 Life Is Simple
In the evening, at the base chief's office, Darren stood half-naked, biting a lighted cigar while standing in front of the huge floor-to-ceiling windows. From his vantage point, he overlooked the entire 321 Branch. Warships patrolled the island on a set course, and the Marine formation could be glimpsed on the school field, where occasional shouts and the sound of blows reverberated. Soldiers in uniform busily maintained the forts and ships docked at the pier.
The setting sun filtered through the glass, casting Colonel Marine's tall figure in a long shadow and bathing him in warm light. Smoke swirled around his face, adding depth to his eyes.
"The progress of strength is indeed getting slower," Darren muttered with a helpless sigh as he exhaled a puff of smoke. He gazed at the scabbed wounds on his palms and chest, confident that after a good night's sleep, he would feel better upon waking.
His extraordinary physique granted him both robust defense and accelerated recovery. The 'regular' training of the past could no longer improve his various abilities — his body had entirely adapted to this level of stress and stimulation.
After returning from the Germa Kingdom, Darren enlisted Flying Squirrel, Gion, and Kaki for 'special training.' This would not only expedite their talent development and boost their strength but also introduce new challenges for himself.
Despite the trio not being enough to truly pressure Darren, sparring with them helped him improve his physical data slightly. Essentially, the talents of the three 'Flying Squirrels' stood out in the entire sea.
Lost in thought, Darren tapped into his 'perception' ability to assess his condition, thus accessing his own 'data panel':
Physical fitness: 61.753
Strength: 57.192
Speed: 59.241
Fruit: 72.111
Aside from his Devil Fruit ability, the past month had seen marginal increases in his fitness, strength, and speed, mostly due to the intense sessions with the three trainees. However, the growth of his Devil Fruit power was even more gradual.
Knock, knock, knock. A soft tapping on the door interrupted Darren's reflection.
"Come in," he called out softly.
The door swung open, and Flying Squirrel, clad in a crisp uniform and cap, walked in confidently. Darren poured a glass of icy whiskey and offered it to him with a smile.
"How do you feel?" Darren asked.
With a wry grin, Flying Squirrel took the glass and replied, "Not great. Not everyone enjoys the thrill of battle and pain like you do, you maniac."
The 'special training' over the past ten days had been tough — never allowing him a restful night... After each day's session, every bone in his body felt disjointed. Even lying in bed brought no relief from the muscle soreness.
Darren just shrugged and said with a smile, "Pain is a good thing. It reminds you that you're still alive. In battle, feeling the opponent's attack with my body helps me to better perceive their strength, speed, physique, and even their will, allowing me to spot their weaknesses."
Annoyed, Flying Squirrel rolled his eyes.
He picked up the wine glass, raised his head, and drank it down.
Darren is like that. He can often rely on his speed and instant burst to evade his opponent's attacks, but he frequently chooses not to.
The rough and wild nature of his fighting style contrasts sharply with the flexibility, cunning, and smoothness of his political skills.
Given the choice between dodging and facing an attack head-on, he always opts for the latter.
This fighting style has developed over the years, possibly influenced by his former boss, Sakazuki.
He likes to trade blow for blow, engaging with his opponents at the most perilous moments.
Such a person is the type of opponent you never want to encounter.
Like a mad, hungry wolf, even with its internal organs damaged or limbs broken, it will still grin and bite off a piece of flesh from its opponent with its remaining sharp teeth before it dies.
When Darren heard Flying Squirrel's complaint, he smiled disapprovingly and refilled his wine glass.
"It's not a good habit to dodge in battle. It will make you cowardly, hesitant, and doubtful," he said.
"Once it becomes a habit, you'll start to rely on dodging subconsciously, and your enemy will be able to predict your moves easily."
"Keeping an escape route in battle means you may be safe, but you also forfeit your chance of winning."
"The habit of dodging does not bode well for personal growth."
"Will, boldness, the determination to win, and the crisis between life and death... This is crucial for improving combat power."
After some thought, Darren had another insight to add.
"On this sea, there is only one Polusalino."
The thought of that 'monster' with a yin and yang face crossed his mind. Even the usually stern Flying Squirrel couldn't help but twitch the corners of his mouth.
He sighed and said thoughtfully, "But if you fight for your life without an escape plan every time, how many lives do you think you have?"
Darren took a sip from his glass and mused, "Who knows?"
His gaze drifted to the distant sea while cigar smoke lingered around his flawless and serious profile, and his steady, powerful voice filled the empty office.
"However, people only live once, and I just want to live happily."
"I believe life is very simple; you either go forward or backward."
"Stepping back might not seem problematic at first."
"You might deceive yourself, 'it's okay, just let it go, just a temporary retreat, then come back stronger...' But once there is a first time, a second will inevitably follow."
"Retreat after retreat, dodge after dodge, compromise after compromise... Can you still claim to be the same person?"
"There are countless reasons to step back, but only one to go forward, and that one is enough."
A smile began to form on Darren's lips.
"I'd rather die than lose."
He clenched his fist. "I am going to win."
Flying Squirrel fell silent, contemplating the significance of Darren's words. They weren't just about battle; they were about Darren's countless past decisions.
Always advancing, never stepping back.
Whether it was against Germa 66, the world's leading military power, or facing the supreme power of the Celestial Dragons, the phrase "swallow your words" was never in Rogers Darren's life dictionary.
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