rld, two figures emerged: individuals of wildly contrasting personalities, yet both terrifyingly aberrant.—Sasaki, Borusalino.They graduated from the officer training camp in less than half a year, ri...In the evening, at the base commander's office.

Darren was still bare-chested, a lit cigar clenched between his teeth. He stood by the massive floor-to-ceiling window, overlooking the entire 321 branch from above.

Ships patrolled the waters around the island in formation, while naval drills could be seen on the training ground. From time to time, shouts and the sound of blows rang out.

Naval soldiers in uniform perform daily maintenance and repairs on gun emplacements and docked warships.

The setting sun streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows, casting a long shadow on the upright figure of the Navy Colonel.

Smoke swirled around his face, making his eyes appear even more profound.

"The progress in strength is indeed becoming slower and slower..."

At one moment, Darren exhaled a plume of smoke and sighed with a hint of resignation.

He lowered his head and looked at the wounds on his palm and chest.

The wound has completely scabbed over. I estimate that after a good night's sleep, it will be almost healed tomorrow.

His superhuman physique granted him formidable defense, and also greatly enhanced his regenerative abilities.

Simply put, the body has fully adapted to this level of external pressure and stimulation.

So after he returned from the Germa Kingdom, he decided to have "special training" with Shuu, Gin, and Katsumi.

On the one hand, it can help them realize their talents faster and improve their abilities.

On the other hand, it also puts new pressure and stimulation on oneself.

Although the combined efforts of the three were insufficient to put enough pressure on Darren, sparring and training with them did cause some loosening and growth in various aspects of his physical abilities.

In any case, the three flying squirrels' talents would be among the best even across the entire ocean.

Thinking this through, Darren gradually calmed his mind and, through the gift of "sensing," clearly perceived his own physical condition, thus deriving his own "data panel."

Constitution: 61.753

Strength: 57.192

Speed: 59.241

Fruit: 72.111

Besides Devil Fruit abilities, over the past month, physical fitness, strength, and speed have all seen an increase of 0.5 to 0.8 units, but they have now reached a point of indefinite stagnation.

Most of it is still thanks to the "special training" I had with three people over the past ten days.

As for the development of the Devil Fruit, progress is even slower.

Tap tap tap...

At this moment, a gentle knock on the door suddenly broke Darren's contemplation.

"Come in."

He replied softly.

The office door swung open, and a squirrel in a crisp military uniform and cap strode confidently inside.

Darren poured a glass of iced whiskey and handed it to Squirrel, smiling:

How do you feel

The flying squirrel took the cup, grinning wryly.

"Not bad, not everyone is crazy like you, enjoying the thrill of fighting and pain."

During these past ten days of “intensive training,” he hadn’t slept a single good night…Every day after the training ended, his bones felt like they were all scattered.

Even lying in bed, my muscles hurt terribly.

Darren shrugged and smiled.

“Pain is a good thing, it reminds you that you are alive.”

"And in battle, feeling an opponent's attacks with my own body allows me to more clearly perceive their strength, speed, stamina, and even willpower. This helps me find their weaknesses."

The flying squirrel rolled its eyes at that, annoyed.

He raised his cup, tilted his head back, and drank it down in one gulp.

Darren is like that, a lot of the time he could actually dodge his opponent's attacks using his own speed and explosive power.

But he often refuses to do so.

His fighting style was brutal and savage, in stark contrast to his politically flexible, cunning, and smooth tactics.

Between dodging and charging, he always chooses the latter.

This is his fighting style honed over many years, perhaps influenced by his former superior, Sakaski.

Likes to exchange injuries for injuries, fighting to the death with opponents at the most dangerous moments...

This kind of person is someone you'd never want to encounter, the most difficult opponent imaginable.

Like a mad, hungry wolf,

Even if the internal organs are crushed,

Even if my limbs are broken,

Even as it was dying, it would still grin savagely and bite off a piece of flesh from its opponent with its remaining sharp teeth.

Hearing the flying squirrel's complaints, Darren smiled nonchalantly and poured him another drink.

"Liking to dodge in battle is not a good habit. It makes you weak, timid, and indecisive."

Once you form the habit of dodging in combat, you will subconsciously rely on it and it will be easy for your enemy to predict your movements.

"In battle, if you're accustomed to leaving an escape route, you might have a retreat, but you also lose the chance of victory."

"Habitually dodging is not conducive to the growth of one's abilities."

"Will, spirit, the determination to win, and crises that occur between life and death... These are the greatest keys to increasing combat strength."

After thinking for a moment, Darren couldn't help but add.

"On this vast sea, there is only one Gol D. Roger."

In his mind, the image of that "monster" with its eerie yin-yang face flashed. Even Squirrelsnout, known for his seriousness and stern demeanor, couldn't help but twitch the corner of his mouth.

He sighed and said:

"But can you keep risking your life without a backup plan How many lives do you have to risk"

Darren raised his glass and took a delicate sip.

Who knows

His profound eyes drifted towards the distant sea, cigar smoke swirling around his flawless, sharply defined profile. A deep and powerful voice echoed through the spacious office.

"But a person only lives once, and I just want to live a happy life."

"I think, actually, life is very simple. Either move forward or move back."

"Retreating... that's not a problem at all."

Even the first time it happens, you might falsely comfort yourself by saying, 'It's fine, just bear with it. It's just one time, just hide for a while, and then find your footing again...' But in reality, once there's a first time, there will be a second time.

“Again and again retreating, again and again dodging, again and again compromising… Can you still be the person you once were”

"There are too many reasons to retreat, but there is only one reason to advance, and that is enough."

A hint of a smile began to play on Darren's lips.

"I'd rather die than lose."

He clenched his fists.

"I'm going to win."

The flying squirrel instantly fell silent.

Listening to the words with their deeper meaning, he knew that what Darren was saying wasn't just about fighting.

Does the meaning behind these words not also reflect countless choices Darren has made in the past

One step back, every step back.

This is how it goes in battle.

Facing the world's leading military powerhouse, Germa 66, such is the case.

Facing the celestial dragons who possess supreme power, it is the same.

The phrase "bearing with silence" ... has never been in Roger Daltrey's vocabulary.

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I ask for everything, and I am grateful.The Tianlongren are the descendants of 19 out of the 20 kings who formed the World Government 800 years ago. They consider themselves the descendants of the "Creators" and enjoy all privileges.They po...