Coin Island.
The vast, opulent banquet hall fell into a dead hush.
Reporters from more than a hundred outlets stared at the smiling former Marine Vice Admiral on stage, pens trembling in their hands.
It's actually true.
They'd suspected as much, but hearing it from the man himself hit like a tidal wave.
The legendary ex-Marine—now the world's most wanted criminal—commanded a fleet that could stand beside weapons of mass destruction.
"Th-then… the Mary Geoise incident…" a reporter stammered.
"That was on my orders," Darren said, spreading his arms with unapologetic candor. "The Holy Land was all but razed, and I bear the primary responsibility."
Hiss—
Not only the reporters in the hall but countless viewers around the world watching via Visual Den Den Mushi gasped as one.
He admitted it.
He actually admitted it.
Was he not afraid of the World Government's retaliation?
Right—retaliation had already come, and he was still here, alive and well. So much for that.
Another reporter lifted a shaking hand, swallowing hard. "R-Respected Mr. Darren, can you confirm whether you truly fought the Gorosei—the highest authority in the World Government?"
"The Gorosei were indeed the most formidable opponents I've ever faced," Darren replied with a smile. "I owe them my thanks for their guidance."
He turned to the lens, his smile widening. "Especially the generous instruction of Saint Jaygarcia Saturn."
A ripple of confusion ran through the press corps.
---
On the Red Line, in the Holy Land of Mary Geoise, at the World Government's Chamber of Deliberation—
Crack.
Saint Saturn crushed the teacup in his grip, scalding tea splattering across the floor. Red veins crawled through his baleful stare.
"That damned brat."
The other four Gorosei said nothing, their faces equally dark.
No one understood the weight of that boy's words better than they did.
On Felsek Island, Rogers Darren's power hadn't merely improved—it had transformed.
"This isn't on us," Saint Warcury rasped, brow furrowed. "That boy is a monster among monsters. His talent is immeasurable. He draws strength from every battle and every kill. He grows in the act."
The other four paused, then nodded as one.
"Agreed."
"Agreed."
"Indeed."
---
Wano Country.
"Worororororo! That's the feeling!"
The Beasts Pirates gaped as Kaido—seething a moment ago—burst into roaring laughter, his face twisted with savage glee.
He snapped his gaze to Queen, who was crawling out of the rubble, and bared his teeth.
"Queen, did you see that?"
"I knew it… I knew it all along!"
"I'm not the only one who's gone through this!"
Queen rolled his eyes, mumbling, "Of course I know."
I've gone through it too, you oaf.
---
Marine Headquarters.
"That's so cool!" Kuzan slammed a fist lightly against the table, eyes gleaming at the Den Den Mushi screen.
"How terrifying… taunting the Gorosei before the entire world," Borsalino drawled, stroking his stubbly chin with a sly grin.
"What a big mouth, Darren," Sakazuki said coldly.
"Bwahahaha! The brat's got guts, doesn't he?" Garp cackled, chewing a senbei.
"Enough!" Sengoku's fist crashed onto the conference table, his voice booming. "You idiots! Remember who's in the room!"
The admirals fell silent at once, scarcely daring to breathe.
---
It took a full minute for the press to digest the revelation.
When they looked back to the black-haired youth, awe shone in their eyes—and something else, buried deep: admiration.
To challenge the highest authority in the world, alone… the thought alone set their blood to racing.
An absolute power that had ruled for eight centuries.
A god beyond mortal reach.
Yet a single man dared to defy that throne.
Whatever their allegiances, that courage—the audacity—pulled at countless hearts.
After a still beat, another reporter stood and asked:
"Darren-san, you were once a shining star of the Marines, revered by countless officers. Overnight you became the most wanted 'First Criminal' at sea…"
He glanced warily at Darren.
"With a change in status this drastic, how do you see yourself now?"
Darren smiled.
"No need to be so tense. I'm here to answer your questions."
"As for the 'status,' I don't think it matters much."
"In my eyes, position doesn't decide allegiance. What you do decides who you are."
"And the bounty? Merely a flattering gesture from my colleagues at Headquarters."
He winked. "Even if you tied me up and hauled me to Marineford, I doubt they could scrape together five billion berries."
Laughter rolled through the hall.
---
Bang.
Sengoku's fist hit the table again. Bloodshot eyes, a ragged breath. "That damned brat! He thinks he's funny?!"
He swung his glare toward Garp. "Is this amusing to you, Garp?!"
Garp clapped both hands over his mouth and shook his head vigorously.
A tic tugged at Sengoku's eyelid. He drew back for another blow—only for Tsuru to murmur, bone-dry, "Calm down. These desks aren't cheap."
Sengoku froze, hand hovering. He grabbed his teacup instead, drained it in one pull, then dropped into his chair, anger still simmering.
Tsuru only shook her head.
From anyone else, it might have read as a joke. From that brat? It was the plain, ugly truth.
And the truth hurt.
Headquarters really couldn't raise five billion berries right now.
Between repeated large-scale sorties—from the Roger Pirates encirclement to North Blue escorts—and the chaos Darren had unleashed at Headquarters only days ago, their coffers were in tatters.
Battleship repairs, ammunition resupply, infrastructure rebuilt from rubble—everything bled money.
As Chief Staff Officer, Tsuru knew better than anyone how dire the books had become.
To be continued...