The selection of candidates for the Shichibukai…
As Darren walked toward the Fleet Admiral's office, he drifted in thought. He had prepared carefully, but there was no way to be certain his choices would survive the World Government's final cut. In the end, it was their call.
I wonder how Fisher Tiger is progressing…
He frowned and lit a cigar.
"How's Magellan doing these days?" Zephyr asked as they strode along.
Darren blinked out of his reverie and smiled. "Great. The kid's a bit eccentric, but given the Venom-Venom Fruit's peculiar nature, it tracks."
"In talent and potential, Magellan is right there with Kuzan and me."
Zephyr nodded, satisfied. "Kuzan's rising fast, too. Feels like he just joined the Training Camp, and now he's already a pillar of the Marines."
Nostalgia softened his eyes as a gentle smile tugged at his mouth. Long ago he'd given up the fantasy of eradicating all pirates; training exceptional students had become his calling. For the Chief Instructor of the Marine Academy, nothing beat watching his disciples grow into Marines worthy of the name.
"Still, Young Darren," Zephyr said, turning with a look of concern, "are you sure inhaling that much of Magellan's poison didn't leave any lingering damage?"
He hesitated, as if recalling something. "If you feel off, get checked at the Headquarters Hospital or by the Special Science Group."
"Borsalino's team has made real progress analyzing Magellan's toxins," he added. "They've even devised an effective antidote. If there's any complication, they can handle it."
He pressed his lips together. "Don't play the hero and end up with permanent side effects."
The sincerity warmed Darren. He gave a reassuring smile. "Don't worry, Zephyr-sensei. I'll be fine."
What he had no interest in was lying on a lab bed with that smirking Borsalino peering down, stroking his chin and sighing, how terrifying. The mental image alone sent a shiver of disgust through him.
"I'll keep a close eye on Magellan," Darren went on, "but I think he's holding something back."
"Oh?" Zephyr arched a brow. "How so?"
"With his talent and natural aptitude, his Devil Fruit shouldn't be developing this slowly," Darren said, frowning.
Zephyr said nothing. A tic pulsed at the corner of his mouth. Slowly? After two months of special training, Magellan's poison was lethal enough that even a former Admiral like him wouldn't touch it lightly. The quarantine zone's scarred stone told the story: the gas was condensing into a dense mist—and liquid wouldn't be far behind.
Seeing Darren's earnest face, Zephyr let the tease die. He sighed inwardly. Monsters see the world differently. Not everyone is made the same.
The thought left a small bruise on his pride: Darren, barely twenty-two, already wielded power on par with an Admiral. Zephyr himself hadn't reached that rank until thirty-eight.
"So, Young Darren—what's your point?" he asked.
Darren exhaled a curl of smoke. "I think Magellan is suppressing himself."
Zephyr absorbed that in silence. At length, he shook his head with a wry smile and murmured, "…What a kind-hearted kid."
No one truly wants to stay weak. The urge to grow stronger is basic instinct—more so for born monsters like Magellan, Kuzan, and Sakazuki. It sits in the bones.
If Magellan was throttling his own growth, there could be only one reason: fear that his power would slip its leash and maim—or kill—the people around him.
"I'll talk to him again later," Darren said, stopping.
Before them rose the Central Military Fortress, gray-black walls looming, the two sweeping characters for Justice painted in bold strokes that sent a chill through the air.
They had reached the Fleet Admiral's office.
Escorted by a guard, Darren and Zephyr climbed the stairs and entered the highest-level military conference room.
"Reporting, Fleet Admiral Kong," the guard called, tapping the door. "Admiral Zephyr and Vice Admiral Darren have arrived."
At the reply, the door swung open.
"They're here." Fleet Admiral "Steel Bone" Kong sat at the head of the oval table like a warrior at rest between battles. His bare torso was all bronze muscle under the Fleet Admiral's coat, his presence cold and immovable as a mountain.
A faint smile crossed his face as Darren and Zephyr stepped in. He gestured to their seats.
Darren saluted and took in the room: Headquarters' top brass, all present.
There were the three veterans—Admiral Sengoku, Staff Officer Tsuru, and the ever nose-picking Garp—no introduction needed.
Sakazuki stood with arms folded, unreadable. Borsalino, oblivious as ever, inspected his nails. Kuzan, flushed with excitement, waved at Darren from across the room.
Vice Admirals filled the benches. In the observers' gallery sat members of the "Golden Generation"—Gion, Tokikake, Yamakaji, Doberman, Onigumo—faces set and solemn. It was likely their first time at a meeting of this level; they sat stiff-backed and hyper-focused.
"I believe everyone here is generally aware of today's agenda," Kong began once Darren and Zephyr were seated. He cleared his throat, his voice deep and resonant. "The Shichibukai system has stirred no small controversy within the Marines and across the world."
"Some argue that recruiting powerful pirates to our side will relieve pressure on Marine forces, deter, and even sap the strength of other great pirates."
"Others call the Shichibukai a betrayal of Justice—appeasement dressed as policy. They believe it will gravely damage the Marines' reputation and authority."
Reactions rippled around the table, a spectrum of expressions. Darren noted them all.
"However," Kong snapped, steel edging his tone, "from this day forward, I will hear no more of these arguments."
He nodded to Sengoku, who signaled a messenger. Sealed folders began to pass down the line.
"The establishment of the Shichibukai system is imperative," Kong said, grave. "As the World Government's law enforcement arm, the Marines will support its decisions—not question or debate them."
He paused, voice dropping into a harder register. "Though the process has been marred by setbacks—including the deplorable incident of Shichibukai candidates being hunted down—I commend Vice Admiral Darren's work investigating that matter." He inclined his head. Darren returned a small smile.
"But after thorough investigation and vetting, the initial roster is largely finalized."
As the last of the folders reached the officers, Kong laced his fingers and fixed his gaze.
"These contain the final list of Shichibukai members."
To be continued...