"Am I dangerous?"
Faced with Daren's question, delivered with that faintly mocking smile, Sengoku opened his mouth but found himself speechless. He couldn't refute Daren's words at all.
If we're talking about danger, who in this entire ocean could possibly be more "dangerous" than you, you little brat!? Forget "Red the Aloof" Redfield—even Roger, Whitebeard, or the legendary Shiki wouldn't dare to swagger into Marineford, sit in my office, and threaten me like this!
But...
"That's completely incomparable!"
Sengoku slammed his fist on the desk, fuming.
"Redfield is a pirate! If you release him, no one can guarantee what he might do!"
Daren shrugged and smiled faintly.
"I'm also one of the world's most wanted criminals now."
Sengoku's expression stiffened, his jaw tightening as he bit down in frustration.
You're different…
Though anger burned in his chest, Sengoku knew perfectly well that Daren would never attack Marineford. That was what set him apart from a true pirate. Deep down, Daren was still just a young man forced into a corner, driven to rebellion—not someone who'd willingly chosen the path of evil. Sengoku understood that better than anyone.
Seeing Sengoku fall silent, Daren took a slow drag from his cigarette, smoke curling lazily upward as he chuckled.
"But don't worry too much, Admiral Sengoku. I have no intention of releasing that red bat from Impel Down."
Not release "Red the Aloof"?
Sengoku blinked, frowning.
"Then what do you intend to do?"
Daren didn't answer. He simply looked at Sengoku quietly, smiling without saying a word.
Sengoku froze again, then realization dawned on him. His eyes widened gradually, disbelief flooding his expression.
"You... you wouldn't be…"
"Yes, I wish to reside temporarily in Impel Down."
Daren said it with a cheerful smile.
"As you know, since joining the Marines, I've always been part of the regular combat forces and never had the chance to serve in Impel Down."
"I must say, that's truly one of the great regrets of my life."
Sengoku's mouth twitched uncontrollably.
"So now you're volunteering to go to prison?"
Daren spread his hands with a grin.
"What's so bad about prison? These days, it's one of the best options for young people. What else is there to do?"
"Become a pirate? With Zephyr-sensei's efficiency in hunting pirates throughout the New World, setting sail as a pirate isn't exactly the smartest idea right now."
"Join the Navy? The Marines are practically broke—they can barely pay their own salaries."
Sengoku: "..."
Daren sighed helplessly, his tone casual but teasing.
"I actually think Impel Down sounds great. It's quiet, sparsely populated, has distinct seasons. Aside from the 'Hunger Hell' level, you get three meals a day, all handled by professionals. Plus, I've heard a lot of the female jailers are quite pretty—and they like to play some interesting role-playing games."
Sengoku: "..."
"What! The! Hell! Do! You! Think! You're! Doing!?"
He roared, eyes bloodshot, spitting each word through clenched teeth. Sengoku felt like this brat was going to drive him insane.
Daren glanced at Sengoku's trembling fists and decided not to push him any further. Any more teasing, and that bulging vein on the old man's forehead might actually burst.
"Actually, my demands are quite simple."
Daren raised three fingers with a smile.
"First, as I mentioned earlier, I'll be staying in Impel Down for a short while. The infiltration window will be within the next two days, while most of the World Government's and Headquarters' forces are busy on escort duty."
"Second, I don't want anyone interfering with me, so I'd appreciate it if you could make the arrangements."
"Third, while I'm in Impel Down, the Sixth Level—Eternal Hell—is going to get rather lively. I'll need you to help cover for me."
As Daren listed his requests one after another, Sengoku's expression grew darker and darker.
He took a deep breath, forcing his heaving chest to steady, and asked in a hoarse voice,
"You mean you want this old man to arrange for you to be sent into Impel Down?"
"Yes."
"And help you conceal it from the World Government?"
"Correct."
"And ideally give you free rein to run amok on the sixth level?"
"That would be ideal."
Sengoku slammed his fist on the table, yanked Daren by the collar, and roared with bloodshot eyes, spittle flying.
"Have you lost your mind!? Who do you think you are!? And who do you think I am!?"
Daren wiped the spittle from his face and smiled.
"No need to get so worked up, Admiral Sengoku... I'm not unreasonable."
"I don't want to hear it!"
Sengoku roared, clenching his fist to strike Daren's face.
"I can provide the Marine Headquarters with a substantial sum of military aid."
Sengoku's fist froze mid-air, mere inches from Daren's nose. The fierce wind from his punch made his black hair flutter wildly.
Daren maintained his elegant smile.
"This is a costly and burdensome plan after all. I'm willing to offer corresponding compensation... As for the exact amount, name your price."
Admiral Sengoku's expression twisted in conflict before he gritted out,
"Do you take me for a man who bows to money?"
Daren smiled faintly.
"Of course not. Admiral Sengoku is a man of noble character. How could he be corrupted by mere wealth?"
"Nor would I stoop to testing an officer with such vulgar means."
"However..."
He pointed toward the sky above, electric arcs now dancing at his fingertips.
"It seems you have no choice in the matter, and..."
Daren continued with a cheerful grin.
"I only need one month."
Watching Daren's actions, Sengoku narrowed his eyes and suddenly shouted,
"So you're saying that if I refuse, you'll destroy Marineford? You might even deploy the North Blue Fleet for a bombing raid?"
Daren immediately laughed, playing along.
"Yes."
"So Admiral Sengoku, you have no choice. Name your price."
Sengoku's eye twitched. He suddenly gritted his teeth.
"2 billion Belly! You have only ten days!"
Daren nodded without hesitation.
"No problem."
Sengoku froze, then snapped fiercely,
"No! I want 2.5 billion Belly!"
"Agreed." Daren was refreshingly straightforward.
"...3 billion Belly!" Sengoku's eyes were bloodshot.
"No problem."
Sengoku: "???"
...
Five minutes later.
In the Admiral's office, Daren had already left.
Great Staff Officer Tsuru entered silently, watching Sengoku lounging comfortably with his feet propped on the desk. A twitch crossed her lips.
"So... you agreed?"
Sengoku replied irritably,
"Didn't you hear everything?"
Great Staff Officer Tsuru sighed.
"This isn't a good solution."
Sengoku fell silent for a moment, then shook his head.
"That smartass Daren gave me a perfect way out."
"Truth is, both he and we know full well he won't lay a finger on Marineford, right?"
"Besides..."
Sengoku suddenly grinned like a rogue.
"What choice did I have? He threatened me with the entire Marineford."
Tsuru couldn't help but roll her eyes.
The so-called "threat" was merely an excuse—it made it psychologically easier for Sengoku to "condone" Daren's free access to Impel Down.
As for the military funding, that was purely a "bonus."
Given Daren's current strength—enough to kill the captain of the God's Knights—no one could possibly stop him from entering Impel Down.
After all, the headquarters' elite forces couldn't forever guard the Undersea Prison. His visit was merely a courtesy call to avoid unnecessary complications.
But still...
"What exactly is Daren aiming to accomplish by meeting 'Red the Aloof' in Impel Down?"
Tsuru turned to Sengoku and asked.
Sengoku gave a wry smile.
"What else could he be after? Probably off for another 'study session.'"
He massaged his temples, exhaling a heavy sigh.
Ah well. The one who should be fretting now isn't this old man, but that bunch of scum in Impel Down.
With that thought, Sengoku's mood lifted considerably.
...
Hi everyone! All the available raws for this fic have already been translated. It looks like we won't be getting any more updates from the author, and unfortunately all signs point to this being a dropped fic. From now on, I'll be posting 4 chapters per day, but if you want to support the work and read all the other already-translated chapters, feel free to support me on Patreon: p@treon com/PinkSnake