"Don't forget, Admiral Sengoku... The architectural structure and foundations of Marineford are unlike those of any other island or nation. We used a massive amount of metal and steel as the main load-bearing framework."
Daren took a slow sip of his hot tea, crossing one leg over the other with a faint, knowing smile. Blue arcs of electricity crackled around his fingertips, and several metallic objects in the office began to tremble in an unsettling rhythm.
"Your gaze is terrifying—try softening it a little. And that golden light around you? Maybe tone it down, it's blinding... I'm really nervous right now. I'm afraid I might accidentally snap my fingers."
Sengoku: "..."
Watching Daren sit there so casually, Sengoku felt his heart was about to burst. Anger surged within him, his fists clenching so hard they crackled like breaking glass.
This damn brat actually dares to threaten me!?
He could hardly believe it. He, Sengoku the Admiral, was being threatened—right in his own office! Someone had walked straight in and used sheer power as leverage against him.
And yet, an undeniable, brutal fact was staring him in the face...
That brat had actually succeeded!
If he really fought Daren here in Marineford, the damage wouldn't just be a few broken chairs and smashed desks.
With the terrifying large-scale destructive power of that Devil Fruit, Daren could turn the entire Marineford into rubble in less than five minutes.
Marineford was known as the most heavily fortified war bastion in the world, its architecture strong and secure. Especially after the Shiki invasion, Sengoku had personally ordered vast quantities of high-strength steel to reinforce the fortress structure and island foundations, preparing for future attacks of the same magnitude.
But now...
That massive and costly reinforcement project had become Daren's greatest weapon—something he could use at any moment to destroy Marineford itself!
With just a flick of his fingers, he could wipe out most of the base, including the central military fortress.
Just thinking about how much money and effort he'd poured into that project made Sengoku's chest ache, his heart bleeding with regret. He'd never imagined that the brat he once trusted would become his enemy!
Wait a second!
A sudden realization struck Sengoku.
It seemed...
He vaguely remembered that the proposal to reinforce Marineford's buildings and foundations with high-strength metal had actually come from Daren himself—during the post-Shiki invasion military review meeting!
Even so, he shouldn't have agreed so easily... even if Daren had saved Marineford from Shiki's assault.
I remember now.
The situation back then...
Sengoku's expression shifted rapidly before freezing in a complicated grimace.
He remembered clearly now.
Daren had indeed made that proposal at the meeting. Sengoku, cautious as always, hadn't spoken immediately and had instead let the others share their opinions first.
At that time...
Kuzan was the first to stand, laughing boldly. He'd said something like, "That's my rival for you!"—a meaningless line—and then promptly voted in favor of Daren's plan.
Well, that wasn't surprising. Kuzan and Daren had always gotten along well.
Who else was there?
Right, Sakazuki!
Sakazuki... Wait, he hadn't said anything. He'd just voted in favor!
Sengoku: ...
No, something felt wrong.
What about Borsalino?
Sengoku frantically searched his memories for clues. Then, all at once, it hit him—he remembered.
And he froze, speechless.
Borsalino said with a lazy smile,
"What a terrifying plan…"
What do you mean, a terrifying plan!?
That alone already sounds wrong!
And coming from Borsalino's sarcastic tone, it sounded even more off!
Sengoku's expression slowly froze. He remembered everything.
Aside from those few, Tokikake and Gion had also voiced their support, and most of the other officers had voted in favor as well.
What was there to argue about? At that time, Daren was Marineford's hero—the man who'd saved them all. A selfless Marine prodigy, a rising star of justice. How could anyone suspect him of bad intentions?
Zephyr and Garp didn't even need to be mentioned. Those two old bastards were Daren's teachers! And in the end, even Tsuru herself had cast her vote with that look—like a mother-in-law admiring her son-in-law—kind and full of approval.
Remembering it all, Sengoku remained standing where he was, but it felt as though his soul had drifted out of his body. He stood there like a statue caught in the wind, blank and motionless.
"This isn't right…"
It finally hit him—far too late. So back then, even as an Admiral, he'd already been sidelined?
"Daren, what exactly are you planning?"
After standing there stiffly for a long while, Sengoku took a deep breath and spoke in a rigid voice. As he did, the golden Buddha light surrounding him quickly receded.
Daren pointed to the seat beside him and said with mock helplessness,
"Come now, Admiral Sengoku, don't be so tense… We go way back, don't we?"
"I'll pour you some tea. Yeah, have a sip, calm down a bit. Come on, smile for me, old ma—ah, I mean, for this kid of yours?"
Sengoku's mouth twitched violently, the veins on his forehead pulsing as if they might burst at any second. A stiff, pained smile crept onto his face—one that looked worse than crying.
Daren almost burst out laughing. Almost—but he managed to hold it in.
"Actually, besides catching up, there's something else I wanted to discuss."
Daren smiled as he casually picked up a cigar from the coffee table, bit down on it, and lit it.
"I have no interest in catching up with you."
Sengoku's tone was hard and unyielding.
"And," he continued, eyes sharp with suspicion, "Daren, don't forget—we're enemies now!"
"That's not important. I'm not exactly shy."
Daren grinned, waving a hand dismissively as he exhaled a puff of smoke. His eyes gleamed faintly.
"If I'm not mistaken, that 'Red the Aloof' guy has been imprisoned in the Sixth Level of Impel Down—'Eternal Hell'—ever since Fleet Admiral Kong and Vice Admiral Garp defeated him, right?"
"—What do you think you're doing!?"
Sengoku shot to his feet, his face paling as hostility flared in his eyes.
"Daren, don't think that threatening me with Marineford will let you do as you please! Justice allows no room for negotiation! Patrick Redfield, 'Red the Aloof,' is an extremely dangerous man. I absolutely will not allow you to enter Impel Down and set him fr—"
"—Am I more dangerous than him?"
Daren interrupted with a faint smile.
And Sengoku's words stopped dead in his throat.