After getting Daren's approval, Dragon left in high spirits.
Not even three minutes later, Stussy strolled in, graceful as ever, her black lace gown trailing behind her and a fragrant breeze accompanying her steps.
"Well, well... I didn't expect you to still be secretly keeping in touch with a Marine defector."
She smiled seductively at Daren, as if she'd stumbled upon some juicy gossip.
"If word got out, even someone like you—riding high as you are—might find yourself in a bit of trouble, wouldn't you?"
Daren shrugged, completely unfazed.
He hadn't planned on hiding Dragon's visit from Stussy in the first place.
If he had, he wouldn't have arranged the meeting in a hotel owned by her.
In truth, he had intentionally let her find out.
"If you're curious, feel free to report me."
He gave her a half-smile.
The flirtatious grin on Stussy's face froze for a second.
This guy—so cocky... She bit her lip, irritated.
Meeting with Dragon in private might cause some political ripples for Daren, but it wasn't enough to sink his career.
If she dared report him, Daren would absolutely leak her secret.
And if that happened, Dr. Vegapunk could be in serious danger.
"I'm heading back to HQ. If it's convenient, have your forces in the New World keep an eye on Shiki."
Daren snuffed out his cigar, rose from the sofa, and grabbed the large cloak hanging nearby, tossing it over his shoulders.
"And why should I take your orders!?" Stussy snapped.
Daren pushed open the door, paused, then turned back with a grin.
"You wouldn't want your little secret getting out, would you?"
Stussy: ...
Her fair face flushed with anger, her expression shifting as rage simmered beneath her calm.
Daren, satisfied, stepped out of the suite.
The door shut behind him.
From inside, the sound of the Queen of the Pleasure District furiously smashing furniture rang out.
...
By the time Daren arrived at the harbor of the Pleasure District, Tokikake's warship was already prepped and quietly docked by the pier.
"Vice Admiral Daren!!"
The Marines on board, spotting him, snapped to attention and saluted with excitement.
"Vice Admiral Daren is sailing with us this time?!"
"It's an honor!"
"He really is as handsome as they say!"
"His presence is incredible!"
"..."
They murmured among themselves, awestruck.
After all, standing before them was the man who had stopped Shiki, and who had stormed Totto Land single-handedly—the Navy's monster.
By now, Daren's formidable presence and dazzling combat record had earned him a massive following within Marine ranks.
"Hmm? Where's Commodore Tokikake? Hasn't he shown up yet?"
Daren smiled, nodding in greeting, then looked around but didn't spot him.
The soldiers responded with discipline.
"Commodore Tokikake said the main goal of this visit to the Pleasure District was intelligence gathering. To ensure our safety, he went deep undercover alone."
"Other than a small group ashore for supplies, the rest remained on the ship."
Daren: ...
So he went 'deep undercover,' huh?
He shook his head.
"Commodore Tokikake is back!"
"Something's wrong with his face!"
"Did he get hurt?!"
"..."
Suddenly, anxious shouts broke out.
Daren turned, confused—only to see several Marines in loose hooded cloaks rushing up the gangway with a stretcher.
On it lay a figure completely drained of energy, pale and gaunt...
It was Tokikake.
Daren's eye twitched.
Yeah... he could already guess what happened.
"Tokikake, you bastard..."
Tokikake was carried over to Daren, weakly smiling through his heavy dark circles.
"The other 28... I handled them all!"
His voice was full of pride.
Daren: ...
"...Very impressive."
He sighed, then gave Tokikake a thumbs-up with a serious expression.
The nearby Marines, unaware of the real story, were so touched by the sight that they were practically in tears.
"Commodore Tokikake truly deserves to be called one of the Navy's 'Golden Generation'!"
"He went deep undercover to gather intelligence… working himself to the bone day and night..."
"He's amazing…"
"Yeah, absolutely..."
Daren shook his head speechlessly, then said in a low voice,
"Set sail. We're heading back to headquarters."
"Yes, Vice Admiral Daren!"
The Marines moved into action at once.
Sails were hoisted, anchors raised—the warship began its journey back.
"I'm going to rest. Unless it's urgent, don't bother me."
Leaving that instruction behind, Daren entered the cabin.
Now that all the hidden injuries and fatigue in his body had been purged by Kuma, he needed time to get used to the new state of his body.
The ship gradually pulled out from the Pleasure District's harbor and drifted off into the distance.
Tokikake, now recovered enough to stand with the help of his fellow Marines, slowly got to his feet.
Standing at the stern, he looked back at the vibrant island, his expression full of emotion and his face streaked with tears.
"I'll be back."
"Miss Asuka, Miss Ozawa, Miss Matsushima, Miss Hata, Miss Matsushita, Miss Inoue, Miss Mikami..."
He clenched his fists tightly, as if vowing something of the utmost importance.
Then—
Thud.
He fell straight backward and passed out cold.
...
One day later.
Daren emerged from his cabin, refreshed and energized, only to spot Tokikake training furiously on deck.
He'd shed his uniform, revealing a scrawny, sweat-drenched upper body, and was doing one-handed push-ups while balancing an enormous barbell on his back.
"Looking lively today..."
Daren greeted him with a smile.
Tokikake grinned, flipped upright in a smooth motion, and the massive barbell slammed onto the deck with a loud bang. The weight was so absurd that the whole ship dipped slightly, drawing startled cries from the crew.
"Of course! I'm Tokikake—the genius of Marine Headquarters!"
He strode over, radiating pride.
"Brrrr..."
Suddenly, the ship's Den Den Mushi rang out.
A nearby Marine picked up the line. His face changed slightly, and he rushed over in haste.
"Vice Admiral Daren, Commodore Tokikake—distress call from a nearby island!"
He held up the Den Den Mushi. A panicked voice crackled through:
"Requesting backup!!"
"This is Team 357 from Marine G11 Base—we've run into a pirate!!"
"He's… way too strong..."
"Sand… it's sand...!"
"Everyone's being pulled into quicksand... Please… send help… Our coordinates are—"
The voice trailed off, fading into static, like it had been swallowed whole.
The Marines grew tense, expressions turning grim.
Daren, however, raised an eyebrow, and a faintly amused smile tugged at his lips.
Sand powers...
It's that guy.
...
(40 Chapters Ahead)
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