A dazzling golden light flared, filling the heavens.
"Yasakani no Magatama!"
Borsalino struck a languid pose, his white coat billowing behind him as countless golden orbs blazed into being. The air sizzled as they rained down like a storm of molten suns toward the blood-soaked Vice Admiral below.
"Whoa, whoa, whoa… isn't that a bit much?"
Darren grinned, a sinister crimson glint flickering deep within his pupils. In the blink of an eye, his form blurred and vanished, leaving only fading afterimages as he darted between the raining lights.
The deadly orbs screamed past him, their momentum unbroken as they streaked toward Itsumade, who was hurtling forward with wings spread wide.
"Damn it!"
Saint Mars roared, eyes bloodshot. His monstrous jaws opened wide, spewing a tidal wave of crimson flame to intercept the oncoming barrage. The collision triggered a chain of deafening explosions.
Even so, many of the golden orbs tore through the inferno, slamming into Itsumade's massive body and bursting in brilliant, searing blooms of fire and flesh.
The creature shrieked in agony, tumbling violently across the charred earth. Flames devoured the ground; smoke billowed high into the sky.
"My apologies, Saint Mars Excellency! That was terribly careless of me," Borsalino said, hands raised in mock surrender, his tone dripping with insincerity.
Darren took a step forward with a smile—then froze as a crimson blur erupted beside him.
Crack!
The ground split apart, molten rock gushing upward in a violent surge.
From within the blaze rose Sakazuki, eyes blazing with murderous heat. His arm shot forward like a cannon, magma bursting from his fist.
"Magma Hound: Red Lotus!"
Darren's eyes narrowed. He didn't evade—he met the blow head-on, his Haki-clad fist crashing against Sakazuki's.
Boom!
The impact was apocalyptic. One vortex burned red, the other black, colliding and devouring each other in a struggle that tore the land apart. The earth heaved in waves, hurling rocks and flame into the sky.
"So you intend to stop me too, Sakazuki?" Darren asked, his smile sharp, eyes fixed on the young man wreathed in molten fury.
"At the very least," Sakazuki growled, "you won't leave this place unchallenged."
"What a pity," Darren said lightly. "I've no desire to fight you today."
With a twist of his arm, he forced Sakazuki backward, then shot into the air in an instant.
Sakazuki glared upward, ready to give chase with Moonwalk—until a freezing chill crawled up his legs. He glanced down to find both feet locked in solid ice.
"Kuzan…"
He turned to see the younger Marine kneeling on one knee, breath misting into the shape of a dragon. Kuzan clenched his jaw, spitting coldly, "Damn it. That brat actually dodged me."
Sakazuki fell silent, then exhaled slowly. He looked skyward, fists unclenching.
"Little brat Darren! You won't get away!"
A roar tore from the black smoke. Itsumade burst through the firestorm, wings beating violently as it hurled itself at Darren with the force of a meteor. The sheer velocity split the air into rippling rings of pressure.
"Tornado!"
The ground convulsed. A raging column of wind spiraled upward, wrapping around Itsumade's body and locking it in a crushing vortex.
Dragon appeared within the gale, his cloak snapping in the wind. In a blink, Kuma and Ivankov appeared beside Darren.
"Ready?" Dragon asked.
"Let's go," Darren replied with a faint smile.
Dragon lifted his hand, summoning a towering wall of wind that roared between them and their enemies. The barrier shimmered like distorted glass, cutting off the Gorosei and the Marines behind it.
"Even if you flee today, do you think this world will have a place left for you, Darren?!" Saint Warcury bellowed, his nostrils flaring, hot air rolling like thunder.
The other Gorosei glared murderously, their immense forms radiating suffocating hatred.
"I don't intend to hide."
Darren smiled and flicked his fingers. Metallic plates appeared beneath their feet, lifting Dragon and the others into the air.
"From this day on, it's the Celestial Dragons who should fear for their lives."
Rising slowly, Darren looked down upon the supreme rulers of the world, a faint, taunting smile curving his lips.
"I'm a man who prefers peace. As long as no one crosses my principles, I have no need for war."
"Unfortunately, you Excellencies pushed too far, too fast."
"You wanted to see me kneel. When I refused, you called it rebellion and sought a reason to erase me."
"Well then—congratulations, Excellencies. You've succeeded."
"From today forward, I'll become exactly what you've made me—the World Government's most dangerous enemy."
"I'll rob you of peace. I'll haunt your nights and poison your dreams. I'll make the Holy Land tremble beneath the might of the North Blue Fleet."
Saint Saturn sneered. "You think you have that kind of power? Even now, you stand helpless before us."
Darren chuckled softly. "I've already learned what I needed to know."
"Next time, perhaps I'll come prepared to deal with you properly."
"And when that day comes, I hope Your Excellencies can keep your composure."
The Gorosei's pupils tightened, their fury briefly shadowed by unease.
Darren's tone was calm—too calm. His eyes gleamed with a certainty that left no room for doubt.
"So it's true," Darren murmured, grinning as he caught the flicker in their expressions. "You really do have a weakness after all."
"You vile brat!"
"Bastard!"
"Damn you!"
"..."
Realization hit the Gorosei like a thunderclap. Enraged, they unleashed their power in unison.
Boom! Rumble!
The colossal wind wall shattered under their combined might. The ground split, trembling as if the world itself were breaking apart.
Darren threw back his head and laughed, the sound clear and fearless amid the storm. Then, with mock grace, he bowed low.
"Until next time, Your Excellencies."
His voice faded into the howling wind.
Under the Gorosei's stunned and furious glares, Kuma placed his massive hands on Darren, Dragon, and Ivankov's backs.
And then—like ghosts dissolving into mist—
they vanished.
To be continued...