" Amazing, you've already gotten the hang of it!"
Sentomaru's excitement was palpable. He jumped in shock and joy as he watched Markus finished punching away at the steel slab in front of him. Sweat dripped from every inch of his body, the sheer heat from the friction coming from the metal wall filled the room with a cloud of smoke.
" Not enough. Still doesn't feel natural. But it's a sharp step in the right direction!" Markus exclaimed.
His own excitement more than matched that of Sentomaru's, however this constant feeling like something was missing still bothered him. Every now and then he'd get the perfect situation down to release his haki, and there were even moments where he would get in the zone and be able to perform the technique multiple times in a row, but even with that, it was still too soon to even think about trying to incorporate it into his fighting style.
Perhaps more live practice would be better suited for helping him better develop the technique. But then who would he spar with? Who could keep up with him?
" Hey, what are you doing? Are you done already?"
Markus turned and looked at Sentomaru, squatting down just next to him so he could properly observe the young man.
" Hey, how about a change of pace?" Markus asked. " How about being my sparring partner, Sentomaru. You seem to be really good with this technique, so practicing it against someone who knows what they are doing and how to counter the attack would make things go a little smoother. Don't ya think?"
" Eh?"
Sentomaru suddenly felt a chill reach up his spine. The way Markus looked at him, it just seemed... off. Like he wasn't viewing him as anything more than a slab of meat on two legs. It was a very concerning moment for the lad, made even more so by Markus' growing expression- One of pure terror- like a snake that cornered his prey.
Markus continued growing closer and closer to the young man, when suddenly a very smooth, yet familiar voice reached their ears.
" Oooh, Sentomaru, you're not supposed to go running off by yourself, ya know?"
Markus and Sentomaru both looked up, from each other, at the newly arrived Vice Admiral in black and white.
" Hey, Uncle Borsalino!"
" Borsalino?"
Markus and Sentomaru both looked over at the man, who was watching them from the doorway- a cigar perched firmly in one of his open hands.
" Ooooh, Markus-kun? Long time. I see you've met Sentomaru, haven't you?"
Borsalino still talked with that slow tone, enunciating each of his words as if the rest of the world would miss it if he didn't.
" Yo, you know this kid, Borsalino?" Markus was quite surprised to see the man again. It was a month ago when his unit supposedly set out for some kind of mission.
" You could say that." Borsalino replied.
" What do you mean by that, Unc?!" Sentomaru exclaimed.
The young man seemed to be quite exasperated.
" After all this time we've known each other?! Doskoi!"
Borsalino gave a slight chuckle- He was clearly amused by the young man's pouting.
" Now, now Sentomaru, don't go acting all ridiculous." Borsalino muttered.
Markus found himself laughing as Sentomaru practically danced around Borsalino- like a small puppy trying to get his masters attention. Their relationship was certainly a strange one.
" Borsalino, how do you know this kid?" Markus wondered.
" Oh, him? We got word about some bear attacks on an island quite a while back, I went there to check it out, but when I arrived this one had already taken them down."
" All by himself?"
" Yup. The kid was so strong and quite insistent on getting a job that old man Vegapunk took him on as a guard." Borsalino explained.
" And that's not all, I've been learning from Uncle Borsalino. That's how I was able to learn haki!" Sentomaru exclaimed. " Now, my defense is the strongest defense in the entire world, Doskoi!"
Borsalino once again uttered a small chuckle as Sentomaru threw his hands forward.
" Now, now, Sentomaru, try to relax or you'll end up hurting someone, don't you think?" Borsalino's coy attitude couldn't hide it, there was a slight sense of pride in his voice.
' But wait a minute....'
Markus stopped for a minute to consider what Sentomaru had said, and then.....
" HEY! Wait a minute!"
Markus suddenly shouted, scaring both Sentomaru and Borsalino as they conversed.
" BORSALINO!!!!!!"
Markus jumped towards Borsalino landed right in front of him with his arms raised, and ready to fight.
" I know... It's been a long time. How about we celebrate this reunion with a little one on one, eh?"
Markus smiled at the man.
" Huh? No way... That sounds like too much of a bother." Borsalino complained. " Why don't you go fight someone else? It's better that way. Besides... I don't think you're ready for this stage yet, Markus-Kun."
" I wouldn't underestimate him, Uncle. I've taught him the secrets to my ultra special defense, Doskoi!" Sentomaru exclaimed.
This bit of knowledge piqued Borsalino's interest. He took his time to observe the bruises on Markus' hands and then his eyes drifted over to the metal wall in the room.
" Hmmmm?! That's scary." Borsalino muttered. He crushed his cigar with his hand and flicked it to the side, landing his shot right in the nearest trash bin, making it look like it was easy. " I guess, I have a little time to spare. Vegapunk hasn't gotten out of his meeting with Kong-san, and Brago-Kun is still with him. Make sure to show me what you've learned properly, Markus-Kun."
" HEH! Now we're talking. I've wanted to have a go at you for a while. This should be a good way to get my body used to live combat again. Don't hold back on, me Borsalino!"
A bright light filled the room, nearly blinding Markus, however; behind that light, Markus could sense something was coming, unfortunately that didn't mean much. Before he could react Borsalino was already in front of him- his leg outstretching towards Markus' face.
Markus' eyes widened as the foot moved in slow motion towards his face.
He raised his arms as quickly as his body could, and a moment later, Borsalino's heavy leg connected, and the sound of a cannon firing sounded throughout the entire building.
A moment later, Markus was off his feet, flying across the yard and landed with a hard and vicious thud into the side of the building, crashing through the walls.
Markus recovered-pulling himself out of the rubble breathing heavily.
' What the hell was that speed?! I've never seen anything like it in my life. He's much faster than I was expecting. And that kick.... My arms are so heavy... It feels like he almost broke them.'
Markus didn't have time to think, as a large shadow loomed over his head.
" Ooooh? Giving up already?"
Borsalino appeared within moments in front of Markus.
" Heh! What a monster."
" Ooooh. I could say the same about you, ya know? How many men would be able to hold themselves up after a kick like that?"
" Yeah, well...." Markus jumped up and lunged at Borsalino. " I'm not done yet; I haven't even tried my new move yet."
" Go ahead! Make sure you don't get to rowdy though, Zephyr-Sensei wouldn't like it if we destroyed this place too much."
Markus grinned and prepared to throw a punch at Borsalino.
Borsalino's body started glowing with bright light as he prepared himself for an attack of his own.
The Unparalleled Speed of the marine's clashes against the unyielding spirit of the next generation, NEXT TIME!!!!
To Be Continued!!!
..........
Hey guys, I'm back... I know it's been a while, but unfortunately, life hasn't been easy. I've been struggling in more ways than one, in ways that I don't really want to discuss. I originally started writing fanficts as a hobby during my pass time, but these days I find myself with less and less, to the point I don't even touch my laptop or PlayStation because I'm so busy trying to manage work and taking care of my mother. I understand a lot of you probably don't care, and probably won't even read this. But for those of you who do, just know I appreciate the support and I'll try to continue this as frequently as possible. Anyways... Thanks guys and peace!