Sakazuki knew of the man before he got to meet him.
The man is everywhere he goes.
News of his battles and his victories spreads like wildfire everytime there's a new update of his recent expenditure, bringing back new cellmates to those at Impel Down.
The reports of his missions and stories of his strength serve as famous tales around Marineford and other countries. There is no one who doesn't know the Black Crane, his fame rivals even his teacher, Vice Admiral Monkey D. Garp himself.
He heard how brutally he was, handling the whole class of trainees on his first battle all by himself. How merciless he fights, leaving his enemies no chance of defense themselves. The only ending they had is either dead or unconscious.
Yet, he is well known as a gentle kind person, who rarely fails to bring back gifts and souvenirs after missions.
"How contradicting." Sakazuki unconsciously said while reading about the man, the book portrays the Captain expertly. The moon shone brightly during that sleepless night.
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Neji Hyuga exists in every corner of Marineford.
From Vice Admiral Garp's loud bragging about his beloved apprentice to Admiral Sengoku everytime he went there to submit the monthly report. The man's booming voice resonated throughout the whole hallway along with the sound of crunching rice crackers and the Admiral's tired yellings.
From the academy's professor's praisings and lessons, encouraging young trainees to be like him. To fight bravely, fulfilling the honorable role of a protecting Marine, defending the peaceful life of the people from the dirty touches of pirates. The symbolized flag of the Marine flies high and mighty.
From talks among the soldiers themselves, excitedly discussing the latest and newest news of his victories. They sing his beautiful appearance to the sky, complimenting how fair and noble he has looked dressing completely in white. Like a virtuous angel who serves God of Justice himself.
(Though that clearly didn't stop some newly recruited trainees repulsively confessing their love and admiration to his poster everytime Sakazuki got the misfortune of passing by.)
"How disgusting!" He cursed, stopping himself from bashing their heads straight to the wall for getting on his nerves.
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"That brat is a good marine!!! One of my best!!" Garp had once said, looking so painfully smug when Kuzan had finally built up the courage to boldly ask his idol about the man's favorite student (though he is the only student that Garp has). Borsalino thought it was funny to drag him along to listen.
"Arara, he sounds interesting~ I hope I will meet him soon." Even when he had held off in front of his hero, Kuzan's laziness still presented itself in each word he said.
"Buhahahahahaha. You will, brat!! That kid is pretty hard to miss!!" The Vice Admiral laughed loudly, hand slammed hard on Kuzan's back, knocking him over the chair. It's an admonishing scene when the man is so relaxed despite the mountain of paperwork towered on his desk. (Admiral Sengoku has his sympathy.)
Perhaps it was due to the miracle of Garp's words, though Admiral Sengoku greatly disagreed with that (He yelled "You damn Monkey" everytime Garp skipped another monthly report or did something stupid.) and Sakazuki agreed with him, but the infamous Black Crane returned to Marineford after his 2 years station the very next day.
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Our strands of Memories (One Piece Naruto Crossover)
FanfictionThe dying genius of the Hyuuga clan is being transported to a new world. Being a new person with a new life yet the same past, what will he do? Following the shade of blue and the dazzling yellow, he will have to make his own decisions. Meeting t...
