The heart burst in Daren's hand, spraying blood in all directions.
Behind the CP0 mask, the agent's pupils quickly lost their light. Blood gushed from the hole in his chest, soaking the pristine white silk robe in crimson.
With a dull thud, the body hit the ground, blood pooling rapidly beneath it.
Silence.
Not a single sound.
Crocodile stared at Daren, completely shaken by the sudden attack. His pupils shrank and trembled violently.
Tokikake and the other Marines looked even more stunned, expressions full of disbelief as if they couldn't trust their own eyes.
"D... Daren... you just killed... him..."
Tokikake gulped, his face pale, voice trembling.
That was a member of the World Government's highest intelligence agency!
In many ways, they could even be considered a superior force to the Marines themselves. Daren had killed a CP0—was he openly rebelling against a direct order from the World Government!?
"I didn't want to. But he was just too damn arrogant."
Daren shrugged with a helpless look, pulling a handkerchief from his pocket and casually wiping the blood from his hand.
Tokikake: …
The Marines: …
Their expressions said it all—they were on the verge of tears.
He was arrogant for a reason!
CP0 agents reported directly to the top brass of the World Government—sometimes even to the Five Elders themselves. Not to mention Daren, even someone like Admiral Sengoku wouldn't necessarily be shown any respect by them.
Just then—
"Brrru... Brrru..."
A soft ringing echoed from the fallen CP0's coat.
Tokikake and the others instantly sucked in a breath, their faces turning white.
"We're screwed... totally screwed... The government's checking in on his status... There's no covering this up..."
Tokikake grabbed his head in panic, practically pulling his hair out.
"Relax, relax..." Daren chuckled calmly. He reached into the CP0's robes, pulled out the still-ringing military Den Den Mushi, and answered it without hesitation under the stunned gazes of the others.
"Moshi moshi?"
There was a brief pause on the other end—then a low, chilly voice spoke:
"Who are you? Where's Falcon?"
Daren smiled.
"Reporting in, this is Vice Admiral Rogers Daren of Marine Headquarters."
"Falcon... If I'm not mistaken,"
He glanced at the corpse on the ground with a faint smirk.
"That should be the CP0 agent you're referring to."
...
On the other end of the Den Den Mushi—Pangaea Castle, World Government Headquarters.
Rogers Daren!?
The Five Elders, seated or standing, all froze. One, dressed in traditional samurai garb, paused mid-swipe while polishing his long blade.
"Daren, why do you have Falcon's Den Den Mushi?"
The bald elder with the distinctive handlebar mustache frowned deeply and spoke in a heavy tone.
"I am Topman Warcury. What is Falcon's status?"
As he spoke, Saint Ethanbaron—who had been tending to a legendary cursed sword—lifted his head. A glint of cold menace flashed behind his rimless glasses.
...
Back on the island, the moment Tokikake and the Marines heard that name, they collectively gasped. A chill surged up from the soles of their feet, shooting straight to the top of their skulls.
Topman Warcury!!
One of the Five Elders—the highest ruling authority in the World Government!
As the "Warrior God of Justice," he was also known by his noble title: Saint Topman Warcury.
This wasn't just some minor oversight...
The Five Elders were personally monitoring this incident!?
Their hands instinctively went cold.
Despite everything, Daren's expression didn't change at all. A slight smile curled at the corners of his lips.
"Reporting to you, Lords... there's been a development. Falcon was killed during the mission."
"What?" Topman Warcury—no, Saint Topman Warcury—asked sharply.
His aged eyes narrowed with suspicion, and he spoke coldly,
"Who killed him?"
The moment the question landed, Tokikake and the other Marines began to tremble.
"Oh, that would be Crocodile,"
Daren said with a pleasant smile.
Crocodile, who'd been silently observing, suddenly widened his eyes, locking them on the Marine Vice Admiral with disbelief and fury.
"He discovered Falcon tailing him. The two clashed in a fierce battle,"Daren went on without hesitation.
"By the time I arrived to provide support, Crocodile had already taken him out."
Tokikake: …
The Marines: …
Crocodile: …
All of them stared blankly at the Vice Admiral standing there spouting lies, their faces twitching uncontrollably.
Crocodile in particular was shaking with rage, his face flushed red. If his injuries weren't so severe, he'd already be charging over to tear Daren apart.
...
Silence fell on the other end of the Den Den Mushi.
After a few seconds, Saint Topman Warcury spoke again.
"What is Crocodile's current status?"
Daren straightened slightly and replied,
"Rest assured, my lord. I have the target under control. If you give the word, I'll execute him immediately."
Crocodile's eyelid twitched.
"No. Crocodile is one of the individuals under our evaluation," Saint Topman Warcury interrupted.
After a brief pause, the Five Elders gave Daren a short explanation of the Shichibukai plan.
"Since Crocodile has demonstrated the strength to eliminate Falcon, it proves he has the qualifications to be considered for the Shichibukai."
"Daren, you've done well. I wasn't wrong about you."
"I already saw your talent and capability during the Saint Xildes incident in the North Blue."
"And since you're on the scene now, I'll grant you temporary authority to extend an offer to Crocodile—to invite him into the Shichibukai."
Daren gave a slight bow and nodded.
"As you command, my lord."
"By the way, Saint Topman Warcury..."
"You may address me as Topman Warcury," the elder said with a smile.
"Yes, Topman Warcury... regarding Falcon?"
"He's dead. That's the end of it. The dead hold no value," Warcury said indifferently.
"Understood, my lord."
Daren nodded again, pausing briefly before speaking with a sudden spark of thought.
"As for the other candidates for the Shichibukai, do the Lords have anyone in particular in mind?"
"Hm?"
Topman Warcury made a curious sound.
Daren smiled.
"No offense intended. I simply believe I may have a candidate who fits the bill perfectly."
"Who?"
"Donquixote Doflamingo."
...
(40 Chapters Ahead)
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