The night had deepened, its silence broken only by the sound of footsteps echoing through the dimly lit streets of Marineford.
Darren chain-smoked his way down the path, cigarette butts trailing behind him like discarded thoughts. Each drag dulled his frustration a little more. He passed by several Marine patrol units—each of them pausing to salute, their eyes gleaming with reverence. Darren returned their gestures with a weary wave, not breaking stride.
How the hell did Gion find out about Stussy? he wondered, blowing smoke into the night. The Pleasure District's secrets are sealed tighter than a vault.
Tokikake? Could he have—? No, that idiot wouldn't dare. Not after Darren bribed him with a lifetime VIP card.
Shaking his head, Darren let the thought go. Gion was a Vice Admiral. She had her own intelligence network. It wouldn't be surprising if she had eyes in every corner of Marineford.
Eventually, he arrived at the gate of his mansion.
The Golden Lion's invasion had reduced his old family quarters to rubble. But in the aftermath of the war, with his promotion to Vice Admiral and a long string of military accomplishments under his belt, Headquarters had compensated him with this top-tier estate.
Traditional Japanese in style, the mansion sprawled like a noble's retreat—complete with a private hot spring and a manicured garden. Compared to his former humble courtyard, this place was five times the size and ten times the luxury.
Darren adjusted his uniform in the reflection of the lantern-lit gate, then silently stepped inside.
The scent of cherry blossoms drifted on the air as he crossed the courtyard. The house was quiet, lit only by a single oil lamp casting a soft golden hue across the entryway.
Darren lit another lamp with practiced ease—
"Husband, you're back?"
A soft voice drifted from behind.
He froze mid-motion.
"Toki! I thought you'd be asleep," he said quickly, turning around with a nervous chuckle.
Toki stood there in a loose pink kimono, her presence serene, eyes calm as spring water.
That quiet gaze unnerved him more than any blade.
Clearing his throat, Darren tried to play it cool. "The meeting at HQ dragged on longer than expected. I'm sorry I was late."
Toki merely smiled. "It's alright, husband. You must be tired."
With gentle hands, she stepped forward, undid his cloak, and hung it on the rack with the care of a devoted wife.
Darren relaxed a little. Maybe she really doesn't know…
"Sengoku kept me stuck in strategy meetings," he added, casually. "Marines and their endless paperwork."
Toki nodded understandingly.
"Mm. And did things go smoothly with Gion-imouto?"
Darren's expression cracked.
No way. How are they all such good actors?!
Toki giggled behind her hand, clearly amused by his visible panic.
"I imagine Gion-imouto must've been furious about the Queen of the Pleasure District," she teased, eyes glinting mischievously.
Darren's jaw clenched.
Tokikake, you traitorous bastard! I'll bury you. Forget the VIP card—you're dead to me!
He took a breath, then opened his mouth, trying to salvage the moment. "Toki, I—"
But words failed him.
Gion might be fiery and impulsive, but easy to calm. Toki, on the other hand, had a gentle exterior and an iron heart beneath. Her anger came not in storms, but in silence. And that silence? That was what truly terrified him.
But tonight, she was smiling.
And somehow, that made it worse.
"So," she said, voice lilting, "if Gion-imouto receives special treatment... then I should expect the same."
Darren blinked. "Wait, what?"
Before he could react, Toki reached down and pulled the sash from her waist. Her silk kimono slipped away like water, pooling soundlessly at her feet.
Darren's lips twitched. Why does this feel so familiar…?
But by now, resistance was a distant dream.
Two hours later, the room was a storm of scattered clothes and tangled sheets. The once-pristine tatami bed was a battlefield. Toki lay curled against him, sound asleep, her serene smile glowing like dawn.
Darren stared at the ceiling, completely spent.
Even with a Physique of 90... it still wasn't enough…
A pained grimace crept onto his face. He rubbed his temples. "Now I get it. This is what Tokikake's been dealing with…"
He let out a heavy sigh and closed his eyes.
A moment later, Toki stirred. Her lashes fluttered, and she gazed at him with quiet affection. A victorious smile curved her lips.
"It doesn't matter," she whispered, tracing her hand over her lower abdomen. "In the end... I still won."
---
The next morning, at the estate of Commodore Tokikake—
"Aaaah! Darren, I didn't mean to! I'm sorry!"
"No, not the face!"
Boom!
A deafening blast split the air as a pillar of dust erupted into the sky.
The luxurious mansion crumbled, crashing into itself with an earthquake's fury. Walls collapsed. The earth beneath fractured like glass. In seconds, the entire structure was reduced to rubble.
Nearby civilians and Marines came running.
"What the hell was that?!"
"Is it a pirate attack?!"
"That's Commodore Tokikake's place!"
"Get ready—form defensive lines!"
"Protect Commodore Tokikake!"
Marines scrambled to action, weapons raised, eyes wide with tension.
But then, from within the haze of smoke and ruin, a tall figure emerged.
A hush fell.
"Wait... that's Vice Admiral Darren."
"Oh. It's just him."
Relieved, the Marines immediately looked away, pretending they hadn't seen anything.
Darren strolled out of the wreckage, dragging Tokikake by the leg like a ragdoll. The Commodore's face was so swollen and bruised he looked more pig than man.
Darren tossed him unceremoniously to the ground, then sat on Tokikake's chest.
The man let out a pitiful squeal.
"Make another sound and I'll end you," Darren growled.
Tokikake nodded furiously, clapping his hands over his mouth.
Darren turned to a nearby Marine.
"Tell Sengoku I'll cover the damages. Double, if necessary."
Just then, his Den Den Mushi rang—sharp and urgent.
Puru... puru... puru...
Frowning, Darren answered.
"This is Darren."
Sengoku's voice came through, grave and tense.
"Darren. Report to the Fleet Admiral's Office. Immediately. It's the Golden Lion—he's on the move. He's leading his fleet to intercept Roger's Pirates in the New World."
Darren's eyes widened.
So it's begun...
The end of Sea Circle 1494—six months ahead of schedule.
The Battle of Edd War.
To be continued...