The Celestial Dragons—the self-proclaimed gods of the world—had always thrived on hierarchy. Even among their own, status dictated power, and bloodlines determined worth. Families of great lineage ruled over lesser ones, their prestige separating them like heaven and earth.
Saint Warcury, once simply Warcury, had been born into one of those lesser families.
But he had been different.
Even as a child, he had refused to accept mediocrity. To restore his family's honor, he shed his gilded birthright, concealed his celestial lineage, and ventured into the world below. Among the mortals he once looked down upon, he forged himself into something far greater. Through sheer strength and intellect, he rose through the ranks of the God's Knights, carving his name into history.
He was known not only for his unmatched combat prowess, but also for his cunning—his ability to quell crises before they bloomed into wars. Every major reform within the Cipher Pol network—from CP1 to CP0—bore the mark of his will.
The World Government's vast judicial machine, the silent, all-seeing hand of its intelligence arm—both owed their ruthless efficiency to one man.
Saint Topman Warcury. The Warrior God of Justice.
To Stussy, this man was more than a leader—he was the mind and spine of their entire organization.
When Saint Saturn's cold question faded into silence, Warcury, who had been meditating with eyes closed, slowly opened them. His movement was minimal, but the air itself seemed to still.
He was small, aged, and unassuming—yet his presence pressed against the senses like an immovable mountain.
"That Rogers Darren brat…" Warcury rasped, his gravelly voice echoing softly in the hall. "He's as arrogant and unruly as they come. A beast that doesn't bow easily."
For a fleeting instant, Stussy felt relief flicker in her chest.
As expected of the Warrior God of Justice—the embodiment of insight itself! she thought, hope sparking like a dying flame. He sees through Darren at once!
But her relief shattered with his next words.
"Still," Warcury continued, a faint smile curving beneath his mustache, "entrusting this mission to him remains the optimal choice."
The blood drained from Stussy's face. Her hands clenched tightly beneath the table, her nails biting into her palms.
Warcury's tone was calm, methodical—merciless in its logic.
"The ones who targeted the Shichibukai candidates clearly seek to cripple the system itself," he said. "But Rogers Darren has no such goal. After all, the two confirmed Shichibukai—Sir Crocodile, the Sand Crocodile, and Douglas Bullet, the Demon Heir—were both personally recruited by him in the Marines' name."
"If he wanted to undermine the system, he would have done it long ago, quietly, without drawing attention."
He paused, his gaze turning sharp.
"And most importantly—Rogers Darren is a predator of ambition. A man driven by greed and hunger for power. Such creatures cling to their rank with their very lives. He would never jeopardize his own ascent."
The other Gorosei nodded one by one, murmuring in agreement.
"Truly worthy of you, Saint Warcury."
"An impeccable assessment."
"That Marine is a hound. Keep him fed and he'll bite only who we command."
Their quiet laughter echoed through the chamber, polished and cruel.
Stussy's stomach twisted.
No… No, you're wrong! she screamed inwardly, her body rigid beneath her mask. He's not a starving dog—he's a wolf in a Marine's coat! He's building his own pack right under your noses!
Her eye twitched involuntarily. She wanted to speak, to shout the truth, to drag that man's sins into the light—but the weight of the room crushed her voice before it could escape.
Evidence? There was none. Darren had erased every trail, every witness. If she spoke without proof, the Gorosei would see only defiance. Insolence.
And then she, too, would join Lone Wolf in death.
"Fox," Saint Peter, the blond-haired Gorosei, said suddenly, turning his calm gaze toward her. "What's your opinion?"
Stussy's heart jumped. Her throat tightened.
"This humble servant believes your lordships' judgment is flawless," she replied, lowering her head.
A satisfied hum rose from the table.
But Saint Saturn's voice soon followed, soft and sharp. "I heard that after the Totto Land incident, that brat Darren lingered in your Pleasure District for several days."
Stussy hesitated for only a breath. "That's correct, my lord. We… had contact."
Saturn's eyes narrowed, his tone turning glacial. "Did he discover your true identity?"
Every hair on her body stood on end. The air itself seemed to grow colder.
"He… he did," Stussy admitted in a strained whisper. "He uncovered it."
Warcury let out a quiet, almost amused exhale. "That's no cause for concern," he said.
"That boy's perceptive—it would've been stranger if he hadn't noticed. In fact, that's precisely why we've entrusted him with the North Blue incident."
Stussy's head snapped up slightly, her pupils shrinking to pinpoints.
The North Blue… assassination of a Celestial Dragon…
Her heart slammed against her ribs as comprehension struck.
So that was it. Darren hadn't been defying them—he'd been working for them.
From the very beginning.
Lone Wolf's bluster, her own desperate attempts to expose Darren—they had been meaningless. The Gorosei had already drawn him into their confidence, using him as a blade turned against their enemies.
He played me completely, she realized, a sick, bitter taste rising in her throat. All my plans, all my maneuvering… he was ten steps ahead.
The more she thought about it, the clearer it became. Darren's boldness, his composure, the smug certainty in his eyes—it all made perfect sense now.
Whether the Gorosei truly trusted him or not no longer mattered. They believed they controlled him.
But Stussy knew the truth. No one controlled Rogers Darren.
"Leave the investigation to that brat," Saint Warcury declared suddenly. His calm voice carried the cold finality of judgment. "For now, his instincts will serve our purpose."
The room seemed to darken with his next words.
"As for the leak… only a handful could have known the Shichibukai candidate list." His tone hardened, every syllable slicing like steel. "The Marines can be ruled out. Neither Kong nor Sengoku would risk such recklessness. Darren's clearance is insufficient. Which leaves one possibility."
He turned his gaze upon her.
"The source of the leak must lie within CP."
Stussy's pulse stopped.
"Stussy," Warcury said, his eyes narrowing ever so slightly, "do you have any thoughts?"
The room was silent save for the faint hiss of burning incense.
A drop of sweat traced down her temple, her skin prickling with terror.
Her lips parted, but no sound came.
Because the truth was undeniable—
She was the one who had leaked the list.
To be continued...