One Piece: Three Devil Fruits, Beginning with Darkness

**Chapter 21 - Borsalino and Sakazuki**

**Marineford – Leisure District**

The streets of Marineford's leisure area were unusually calm, bathed in the golden glow of the afternoon sun. It was one of those rare moments when the younger generation of Marine officers could take a breather from their relentless training schedules.

Two figures strolled along the paved road, their contrasting auras making them stand out even in the relaxed atmosphere.

One of them, **Borsalino**, wore a loose yellow shirt, a white hooded cap pulled over his head, and a pair of brown sunglasses perched lazily on his face. In his hand, he casually peeled a banana, his demeanor completely at ease.

Beside him, **Sakazuki** was an entirely different sight. His red short-sleeved shirt stretched over his powerful frame, leaving his broad chest exposed, displaying the tattoo of dark red rose petals that decorated the left side of his torso. A white Marine cap sat low on his brow, partially obscuring his intense gaze. His rigid posture and heavy steps exuded the air of a hardened warrior, someone who had already set himself on an unwavering path.

As they walked side by side, they couldn't have looked more different.

Borsalino finished peeling his banana, took a bite, and chewed lazily. He stole a glance at the silent, brooding figure next to him and let out a dramatic sigh.

"Sakazuki, today's a rare day off," he drawled, his voice carrying the same slow, almost careless tone he always used. "Can't you relax a little?"

Sakazuki, who had been staring straight ahead, adjusted the brim of his cap slightly and replied in a low, firm voice, "I still have several training sets to finish today. I'll eat quickly, then return to complete them."

Borsalino shook his head, chuckling softly as he took another bite of his banana. "You really don't know how to enjoy yourself, do you?"

Sakazuki ignored the comment, his mind already planning his next training regimen.

Borsalino, undeterred by the lack of conversation, finished his banana in three quick bites and casually tossed the peel onto the pavement.

Sakazuki stopped in his tracks.

His sharp gaze locked onto the discarded peel, and with an almost exasperated sigh, he bent down, picked it up, and held it in his palm. The temperature in his hand rose rapidly, turning his fingers an eerie shade of crimson. A faint wisp of smoke curled into the air as the peel instantly disintegrated into ash, the remains scattering into the breeze.

"You should be more mindful of your image," Sakazuki muttered, straightening up. "Some people have started calling you 'Yellow Monkey' behind your back."

Borsalino simply raised his eyebrows behind his sunglasses and let out an amused chuckle.

"How rude," he mused, though his tone suggested he wasn't offended in the slightest. A brief flicker of golden light flashed across the lenses of his sunglasses. "But then again… does it really matter? We've always been treated like monsters anyway. I've gotten used to it."

He clasped his hands behind his head and picked up his pace, letting out a long yawn as if the conversation had already tired him out.

Sakazuki, still walking behind him, suddenly spoke again.

"I already taught them a lesson."

Borsalino paused mid-step. His lips curled into a slight smirk before he turned his head slightly, glancing over his shoulder.

"Hey~ Sakazuki, you're a little too irritable…" he said, drawing out his words as usual. "Did you use your powers on them?"

Sakazuki shook his head. "No. There was no need."

Borsalino chuckled, stretching his arms out as he resumed walking. "That's good. It would've been a waste if you went overboard. I'd hate to see you turn Marineford into a battlefield over something so trivial."

There was a brief pause before Sakazuki added, "Even if I didn't use them, they still wouldn't have been able to fight back."

Borsalino's smirk twitched.

"...You really don't hold back, huh?"

For a few moments, the two walked in silence, the only sound being the rhythmic tapping of their boots against the stone pavement.

Eventually, they came to a stop in front of a **barbecue restaurant**.

A large, steaming advertisement was plastered against the entrance, boasting an **"All-You-Can-Eat Meat Platter"** in bold red letters.

At that moment, a low rumbling sound filled the air.

Borsalino turned his head dramatically, staring at Sakazuki with exaggerated confusion.

"Sakazuki, did you hear that?" he asked, feigning innocence. "Some kind of strange noise just now…"

Sakazuki's expression darkened slightly.

There was no doubt about it—the sound had come from his own stomach.

Borsalino was playing dumb just to mess with him.

Sakazuki clicked his tongue in irritation but said nothing. He glanced at the barbecue restaurant's entrance, the thick aroma of grilled meat wafting into the air. For a moment, he hesitated.

Although the meals at Marineford's training facilities were **nutritional and well-balanced**, eating the same thing every single day could wear down even the most disciplined soldier.

But indulging in greasy food…?

He clenched his jaw, then abruptly turned on his heel and began walking away.

Borsalino, however, reached out and lazily grabbed his sleeve before he could escape.

"Hey, hey, don't leave just yet," he said, a hint of amusement lacing his voice. "I've been craving barbecue today. Come on, eat with me for once—I'll even treat you."

Sakazuki stopped, his glare sharpening. Borsalino held his ground, his usual playful smirk never wavering.

Just then, the door to the restaurant swung open, and an even stronger wave of sizzling meat hit them head-on. The scent was rich, smokey, and undeniably tempting.

Sakazuki instinctively twitched his nose.

He exhaled heavily, clearly torn between his strict regimen and the undeniable hunger clawing at him.

After a moment, he sighed and muttered, "Fine. But don't eat too much. Instructor Zephyr said excess oil will affect training."

Borsalino raised a hand to his forehead and let out a dramatic sigh.

"Yes, yes, I understand, Captain Discipline," he said, shaking his head. "Let's just enjoy ourselves a little this time, alright?"

Sakazuki didn't bother responding, already walking toward the entrance.

Borsalino chuckled to himself before following behind.

**A Corner of the Restaurant**

At a small table near the back, Jiger and his two companions sat around a built-in grill, the soft orange glow of the embers illuminating their faces. The group was waiting for their food to finish cooking, the air filled with the tantalizing sound of fat dripping onto the fire, sending up thin wisps of smoke.

Ginny, resting her chin in her hands, stared at the pieces of pork belly sizzling on the grill with an almost heartbreaking level of focus. Her lips pursed in impatience as she let out a small whine.

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

Jiger smiled, reaching out to flick her forehead lightly with his fingers.

"I think you're just being greedy. If you learn to wait a little, maybe you'll pick up some patience from Kuma."

Hearing his name, Kuma scratched the back of his head sheepishly, his massive frame shifting slightly as he mumbled,

"Brother Jiger… actually, I'm kinda hungry too…"

Jiger exhaled with a chuckle, shaking his head as he grabbed more charcoal and added it to the fire.

"Fine, fine. I'll raise the heat, but if the meat burns, don't blame me."

Ginny grinned and leaned against Jiger's arm, her voice turning soft and sweet.

"I won't blame you, Brother Jiger. Even if it burns, I'll still eat it all."

Jiger couldn't help but laugh at her determination, just as a loud, almost exaggerated voice called out from the restaurant entrance.

"Boss! Got any seats left? I want a big portion of beef—fat and lean!"

Right behind that voice, another, deeper one followed.

"Add two more bowls of white rice."

Borsalino's voice carried a teasing lilt as he replied,

"Sakazuki, you really have a soft spot for rice."

At the mention of Sakazuki's name, Jiger's fingers paused over the grill. He instinctively looked toward the door.

The restaurant's waiter had already rushed forward, eagerly welcoming the newcomers and leading them toward an open table. Under his guidance, Borsalino and Sakazuki eventually settled right next to Jiger's group.

Borsalino leaned back in his chair with a stretch, exhaling lazily before turning toward Jiger with a smile.

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

Jiger didn't shy away from the question, smiling as he met Borsalino's gaze.

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

Sakazuki, who had been reaching for a glass of water, suddenly let out a low cough. He briefly lifted his gaze toward Borsalino, his expression unreadable.

Borsalino, however, seemed amused by Jiger's words. He completely ignored the mention of his "unique presence" and instead tilted his head curiously.

"Brother, you look a little unfamiliar. Did you just arrive in Marineford?"

Jiger nodded. "Yeah, we're here to enlist in the Marines."

Borsalino's eyebrows lifted slightly.

"Ah, what a coincidence. Maybe we'll be classmates, then." He scooted his chair slightly closer to Jiger, settling in as if they were already old acquaintances. "Let's do some introductions. My name's Borsalino, and the serious-looking guy over there is Sakazuki."

Jiger glanced at Sakazuki, who offered him a slight nod—his stiff expression barely shifting. It was clear he wasn't the type for casual small talk.

Jiger introduced himself and his companions in turn, smiling as he said,

"Looks like you two are our seniors, then. It's a pleasure to meet you."

Borsalino waved a hand dismissively.

"Senior, junior—it doesn't really matter. The truth is, the two of us aren't very popular at the academy. If anything, you might want to stay away from us once you get in."

Jiger raised an eyebrow. "Oh? And why's that? I feel pretty comfortable around you two."

Borsalino let out a low chuckle, propping his chin on one hand.

"Well, people call us monsters. Who'd want to hang out with monsters, right? So the two of us just stick together."

Jiger tapped his chopsticks against the edge of the grill, watching the flames flicker beneath the meat. His voice was calm when he finally spoke.

"Maybe… we'll be the same kind of people."

A brief silence fell over the table.

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