"Whoa!"
The entire hall erupted in an uproar.
"Is he crazy? A rookie dares to speak to a Rear Admiral like that?"
"And challenge? Does he know what he's saying?"
Gion suddenly stood up. "Tokikake! What are you doing?! Apologize to Rear Admiral Tatsuki immediately!"
"I'm not crazy!" Tokikake stiffened his neck, jealousy distorting his face.
"Even if you're a superior officer, I, Tokikake, am not convinced! I don't believe someone nineteen years old can be that strong! It must all be hype from Vice Admiral Garp and the others!"
Tatsuki smiled.
He put down his cutlery, wiped his mouth with a napkin, and slowly stood up.
Tokikake was not short, but in front of Tatsuki, whose muscles were perfectly defined, his imposing presence was instantly crushed to dust.
"Challenge me?" Tatsuki looked down at Tokikake, the smile on his face becoming playful. "Are you sure?"
Despite the gentle smile, Tokikake felt a chill that made him involuntarily take half a step back.
But the words were out, and hundreds of eyes were fixed on him, so he could only steel himself and push forward.
"Of... of course. Do you dare to accept? Or are you just a fraud with an empty reputati..."
"Alright." Tatsuki cut him off decisively.
The entire hall fell silent again.
No one expected Tatsuki to actually agree to such an unreasonable provocation from a rookie.
Gion's face turned pale with anger, and she bit her lip apologetically to Tatsuki. "I'm sorry, Rear Admiral Tatsuki, for making you witness such a spectacle. He's just an idiot, he's not worth you lowering yourself to fight."
"No, I think he's very brave." Tatsuki waved his hand, his gaze falling on Tokikake.
"Since it's a challenge, there should be a prize, right?"
Tokikake was stunned. "A prize?"
"Yes." Tatsuki's smile became even more "kindly".
"How about this, let's bet big. If I lose, I'll give you my Rear Admiral position, what do you say?"
"Hiss..."
A collective gasp echoed throughout the hall.
Betting a Rear Admiral position?
Tokikake's face instantly turned purple. He was stunned by the huge stake, how could he dare to take a Rear Admiral's position?
"No... I don't want your rank."
"Oh? That's a pity." Tatsuki looked regretful.
He changed the subject and offered a more "friendly" suggestion, "How about this: the loser puts on a dress and runs ten laps around Marineford. Do you dare?"
"Pfft—"
A Marine at a nearby table, who was drinking soup, spat it out.
A... a dress?
Run ten laps around headquarters?
Everyone's expressions became incredibly vivid, looking at Tokikake with sympathy and... anticipation?
This fun was much greater than any challenge!
Gion's face also turned red. She secretly glanced at Tatsuki, but what she was thinking was: Rear Admiral Tatsuki in a dress... No, no, no! What am I thinking! How could he possibly lose?
Tokikake was stuck between a rock and a hard place. He felt hundreds of eyes in the mess hall shining on him like searchlights, roasting him over a fire.
Agree? Losing means social death.
Don't agree? It's social death now, and he'll be despised by everyone, completely unable to hold his head up in front of Gion.
"You... you..."
"What? Scared?" Tatsuki's voice drifted over. "You don't even have this much resolve, and you still want to pursue Gion?"
"Who says I'm scared!"
Tokikake was pushed to a dead end, practically roaring his agreement.
"Bet then! Who's afraid of who!"
"Good!"
Tatsuki smiled and stepped forward, patting Tokikake's stiff shoulder heavily.
"Very spirited! See you at the training ground at 2 PM."
"Oh, right."
Tatsuki leaned close to his ear and said in a voice only the two of them could hear, "Remember to pick out a suitable dress beforehand. I'm looking forward to your performance."
After speaking, he no longer looked at Tokikake, picked up his own meal tray, and leisurely departed amidst the awe-filled and excited gazes of the crowd.
He was just worrying about where to test his Tensa Zangetsu. He originally wanted to spar with Bogard, but this punching bag delivered right to his doorstep, it would be a waste not to use him.
[Ding! Detected that the host abused his authority, openly bullied a New Recruit, and created a negative impact!]
[Congratulations to the host! You have gained 500 Violation Points!]
Tatsuki's steps paused slightly, and the corners of his lips curved upwards.
Though not much, no matter how small, it was still points.
Most importantly... this fun is just too great.
—
In less than half an hour, news of this bet spread through Marineford as if it had grown wings.
"Have you heard? That New Recruit Tokikake is challenging Rear Admiral Tatsuki."
"You mean that creepy guy who's always pestering Gion? Has he lost his mind?"
"The stakes are that whoever loses has to wear a dress and run ten laps around the Headquarters Plaza naked."
"Holy crap! For real? They're going that big? Quick, quick, go grab a seat."
Rumors always get wilder as they spread, changing from 'running laps' to 'running naked,' but this didn't dampen the Marines' enthusiasm for the spectacle at all.
Even many field-grade officers put down their paperwork, using the excuse of 'inspecting training' to sneak off to the First Training Ground.
2:10 PM.
The First Training Ground, which could accommodate over ten thousand people, was now packed to capacity. A sea of heads moved about, and the roar of voices was deafening.
At the highest observation deck of the stands.
Three tall figures leaned against the railing, creating an area with the lowest atmospheric pressure in the entire venue.
"Young people these days are terrifying."
Borsalino had his hands in his pockets, a punchable smile on his wretched face as he spoke to the two beside him.
"I've heard of that Tokikake kid. His talent is decent, but challenging Tatsuki... Is he looking for a way to commit suicide?"
"Probably just hormones clouding his judgment."
Kuzan let out a yawn, pushed his eye mask up to his forehead, and leaned lazily against the back of his chair.
"Still, Tatsuki is quite the sadistic one."
"Hmph, a boring farce."
Sakazuki stood with his arms crossed, his eyes cold.
"The dignity of the Marines cannot be trifled with. Once this is over, that fool Tokikake should be thrown into solitary confinement for three days."