"Merchant, adventurer, traveler, Marine—even pirate… King Neptune, do you really think labels like that matter to someone like me?" Darren asked with a faint smile, meeting Neptune's bewildered gaze. He didn't show his hand; instead, he answered with a question of his own.
Neptune and his entourage fell silent. The many "rumors" about this Marine Vice Admiral flashed through their minds, choking off any reply.
Neptune pursed his lips. "To be frank, Vice Admiral Darren, Tiger isn't on Fish-Man Island. He hasn't returned for quite some time."
Darren frowned. Not on Fish-Man Island? He didn't doubt the king. After their recent "discussions," there was no way Neptune would dare lie.
Seeing that faint frown, Neptune's heart tightened and he hurried to explain:
"Fisher Tiger is a world-renowned traveler. He's been roaming ever since he resigned as Captain of the Ryugu Palace Guard several years ago."
"The last time he came back was half a year ago."
So Fisher Tiger was missing?
Darren thought for a moment, then drew a cigar, lit it, and asked, "Is there any way to contact him?"
Neptune gave a wry smile and shook his head. "I'm afraid not."
Darren let it go with a nod. "In that case, Your Majesty, if any word of Fisher Tiger reaches Fish-Man Island, inform me at once."
"Of course, Vice Admiral Darren," Neptune promised.
"Then I won't impose any longer."
Business concluded, Darren turned to leave.
Minutes later, his uniquely designed miniature submarine slipped from the island's coral avenues, arced up through the water column, and vanished into the distant sea. Only then did Neptune and his men release a collective breath, their legs giving out as they sagged to the floor, utterly spent.
The pressure that man exerted was terrifying.
"Your Majesty," Minister Turtle ventured, "what do you think he wants with Tiger?"
Neptune's face grew grave. He shook his head. "I don't know."
"But one thing is certain," he said. "This will shake Fish-Man Island to its core."
His fist clenched, eyes flickering with helplessness and resentment.
The Fish-Man race, unmatched in raw strength on these seas, still lived under others' heels.
And he—the so-called Great Knight of the Sea—had to bow and scrape to protect his people.
It was unbearable.
Yet Darren's visit might not be entirely a misfortune.
Perhaps… this is an opportunity, Neptune thought.
---
Several days later at Marineford, Vice Admiral Darren stood straight-backed in Admiral Sengoku's office, his expression solemn.
"That's the situation, Admiral Sengoku," he reported. "During this mission, I established friendly ties with the Ryugu Palace."
"This operation not only showed the Fish-Men the Marines' resolve to eradicate pirates, but the palace also praised how we uphold Justice. I believe it can stand as another model of civil-military cooperation, just like in the North Blue."
Sengoku stared at him, the corner of his mouth twitching.
I don't believe a single word of that.
"Civil-military… cooperation?" he repeated flatly.
"Yes," Darren said with saintly earnestness. "This monumental success is entirely due to your strategic guidance, Admiral. Without your directives, it would have been impossible."
A sharp pang shot through Sengoku's chest.
How does this brat spout such pompous nonsense with a straight face?
"Forget it," Sengoku sighed. "Since Fish-Man Island hasn't lodged any complaints, we'll let it pass."
He was helpless before a subordinate who simply wouldn't be managed.
What could he do—beat the boy?
With that monster's physical defense, even Sengoku's Golden Buddha might not leave a mark.
Go all out and fight him seriously? Ridiculous.
Scold him?
What a joke. Darren's hide was thicker than his defenses.
And most importantly, this troublemaker had actually driven off the Roger Pirates.
That alone made punishment impossible.
"Oh, by the way, Admiral," Darren said, as if remembering, "since Fish-Man Island, any word on Vice Admiral Garp's pursuit of the Roger Pirates?"
He hadn't crossed paths with Garp on the island, so Garp must have gone straight after Roger.
Sengoku exhaled. "No news yet. According to Vice Admiral Garp's adjutant, Bogard, they fought the Roger Pirates fiercely near Fish-Man Island. After surfacing, Garp even clashed with Roger in a—well—truly exhilarating, no-holds-barred brawl."
"Unfortunately, they were evenly matched. With veterans like 'Dark King' Rayleigh and Gaban guarding the flanks, the Roger Pirates managed to break away."
Darren said nothing. The corner of his mouth twitched.
Makes sense. If the Roger Pirates were easy prey, the Marines would've ended this long ago. No way this stalemate drags on.
Sengoku added, "The chase continues. Latest intelligence points to Totto Land—the territory of Big Mom, Charlotte Linlin."
He gave Darren a peculiar look.
Darren pretended not to notice. "If that's all, Admiral, I'll take my leave."
Sengoku waved him off.
---
Walking toward the family quarters, Darren fell into thought.
He knew why Roger was headed to Totto Land: the Poneglyph.
Big Mom—mad old hag that she was—held a red Road Poneglyph, but she couldn't read the ancient script.
To circumnavigate the Grand Line and reach the Final Island, Roger needed all four Road Poneglyphs to pinpoint its location.
Darren wanted to move, but he couldn't.
The wounds from their clash at Fish-Man Island still hadn't healed. Those slashes, loaded with crushing Haki, had left damage ordinary blows couldn't.
Charging into Totto Land just to pick up scraps would be suicide. He'd only get himself killed.
Losing to Roger he could accept. Falling into Big Mom's hands was another matter entirely—no telling what twisted methods that madwoman would use.
He shook off the thought.
Let Garp and Roger tear into each other. It had nothing to do with him. He just wanted to get back to Toki as soon as possible.
Lost in thought, he reached the gate of the family quarters.
He stopped short. A burly figure stood there, a crate of eggs and milk in his arms, hand raised to knock.
"Zephyr-sensei?"
To be continued...