"Master…"
The word left Stussy's lips before she could stop it, and the moment she heard it, her whole body tensed. Her long legs pressed together instinctively, silver teeth gritting hard enough to ache.
What kind of twisted thing is going on in this man's head?!
How can a Marine possibly know how to toy with people like this?
And who's really running the Pleasure District—me, or him?
"We'll see about that!" she snapped, her voice sharp with fury. "But until then—keep your hands off me!"
I won't let that arrogant bastard Darren win! she swore silently. If I lose, I'll never be able to look him in the eye again!
"Fine," Darren said lightly, the ghost of a smirk tugging at his lips.
He knew that with his current influence, there were few things in this world he couldn't accomplish. Meddling with the Shichibukai was child's play by comparison.
But the bet—that was no passing whim. It had a purpose.
What he wanted wasn't simple cooperation. He wanted to conquer the Queen of the Pleasure District.
He could have controlled her easily through threats—her double-agent status was a convenient leash—but that wasn't his style. He preferred devotion born of awe, not obedience born of fear.
A woman like Stussy would only yield to someone who shattered her resistance completely, who proved himself too powerful, too untouchable to defy.
And the chaos he planned to stir up in the Shichibukai system would be the perfect stage to do it.
He already knew exactly how he would pull it off.
With a faint, confident smile, Darren flicked the ash from his cigar and turned toward her. "Now that we've cleared up the formalities, let's talk business."
"Business?" Stussy blinked in surprise.
Then her eyes narrowed, catching the predatory gleam in his gaze. "Y-you… what are you planning?"
Darren chuckled and slipped an arm around her waist. "What do you think?"
Still not enough?! Stussy's eyes widened. This man's stamina is inhuman!
His rough, calloused hand brushed across her back, and despite herself, a shiver raced down her skin.
"Weren't you going to keep your hands off me until the bet was over?" she snapped, half angry, half breathless.
"The bet can wait," Darren said with a grin.
—
An hour later, Darren, looking utterly refreshed, buttoned up his uniform and vaulted effortlessly out the window, disappearing into the bright sky above the Pleasure District.
Fifteen minutes passed before Stussy stirred again, limp against the tangled sheets. Her eyes fluttered open, cloudy with exhaustion and disbelief.
"That damn bastard…" she muttered, glaring at the shredded remnants of her nightgown. "What kind of man rips it apart like that…?"
Her voice trembled with outrage, but even she couldn't deny the faint, traitorous heat still lingering beneath her skin.
---
Two weeks later.
The calendar now read Year 1495 of the Sea Circle Calendar.
At the Marine Headquarters hospital in Marineford's military district, a doctor flipped through a medical report and beamed at the couple before her.
"Congratulations, Vice Admiral Darren, Lady Toki. The examination results are excellent. The fetus is exceptionally strong—remarkably so. Truly worthy of the Vice Admiral's lineage! The heartbeat alone is nearly twice as strong as a normal fetus at this stage."
Darren and Toki both exhaled in relief, smiles softening their faces.
For a man who had faced Kaido, Golden Lion, and death itself without flinching, Darren found himself oddly nervous. This was his first child—his first time standing at the threshold of fatherhood in two lifetimes.
"However," the doctor added gently, "given the baby's rapid development, Lady Toki must prioritize rest. No overexertion, and plenty of nourishment."
"Understood," Darren said with a respectful nod.
Toki's hand caressed the slight swell of her abdomen, her smile tender and luminous. The subtle glow of motherhood lent her beauty an almost ethereal softness.
After thanking the doctor, Darren accompanied her home.
Since his conversation with Sengoku weeks ago, the mansion's security had been fortified to the highest level. Medical staff now lived on-site, and dozens of elite guards kept constant watch. Even without using Observation Haki, Darren could feel the quiet vigilance surrounding the estate.
"Come, Toki. Rest for now," he said gently, guiding her to the sofa. "I'll have the kitchen prepare something light for you."
After making sure she was comfortable, he stepped out into the courtyard, lit a cigar, and exhaled slowly.
Pregnancy, he realized, demanded more of him than any battlefield. It was a different kind of responsibility—one that filled him with both weariness and warmth.
He smiled faintly, thinking of Toki's serene expression. It's worth it.
"Already worried? You've got a lifetime of headaches ahead, boy."
The familiar, booming voice drifted in from the doorway.
Darren looked up to see Zephyr striding in, chest broad as ever, carrying a neatly wrapped fruit basket.
"Zephyr-sensei? What brings you here?" Darren asked, surprised.
Zephyr chuckled, tossing the basket into his arms. "You brat! You haven't set foot in my training camp since you graduated! Figured I'd have to come drag you out myself!"
He let out an exaggerated sigh. "Then again, I suppose an old man like me's got no business lecturing you anymore. I'd only hold you back."
Darren winced, smiling awkwardly. Still holding that grudge, huh…
He rubbed the back of his neck. "I've been meaning to visit, Zephyr-sensei, really. Things have just been—"
"Save it," Zephyr said with a booming laugh, waving a hand. "I'm only teasing."
"I know you're busy. You've been through hell since you graduated—Totto Land, Wano, Kaido, Golden Lion, and even that Buster Call against the Demon Heir…"
His tone softened. "Having a student like you is my pride, Darren."
He looked around the house and smiled warmly. "How's Toki holding up?"
Darren's shoulders eased. "She's doing well, sensei. The doctor says both she and the baby are healthy."
"Good." Zephyr's massive hand clapped down on his shoulder, nearly shaking the cigar from his lips. "I know you won't sit still for long, you restless punk. Don't worry—I'll keep an eye on her for you."
Then, his expression shifted. The smile faded, replaced by something thoughtful.
"But that's not the only reason I came," he said.
Darren straightened. "What is it, Zephyr-sensei?"
The old man chuckled. "Relax. It's nothing grim."
He took off his sunglasses, eyes gleaming with a rare hint of excitement. "The Training Camp's been expanding fast. More young blood coming in than ever, and this old body can't keep up with them all."
A wry grin tugged at his mouth. "Given your… unique training history, I thought maybe it was time to try something different."
He leaned closer, his tone carrying both challenge and pride.
"Young Darren," Zephyr said, voice rich with meaning, "I want you to serve as a special instructor at the Elite Officer Training Camp."
To be continued...