"Damn you, Darren!! You've betrayed the faith of justice!! You're a disgrace to the Marines!! A stain on the name of justice!!"
Behind him, Gion's furious curses rang out, but Darren simply laughed as he walked out of the palace's side hall.
He couldn't care less what other people thought of him.
Too much concern for one's reputation only tied one's hands and made it impossible to act freely.
This was a world where the strong preyed on the weak, ruled by the most basic law of the jungle.
Darren didn't deny that there were people in the Marines who sincerely held fast to their own sense of justice. He truly respected them.
They were willing to give everything for their ideals and beliefs, to protect what they wanted to protect—even their youth, their energy, and their lives.
People like that were truly admirable and great.
That was also why Darren didn't dislike Gion, despite how much of a "nuisance" she could be.
The world needed "fools" like Gion to keep hope alive.
But Darren knew he couldn't be like that.
Because doing the right thing was just too hard.
Darren didn't have Sakazuki's monstrous talent, nor Gion's privileged family and connections.
Since crossing over five years ago, he'd taken it one step at a time to get where he was now. Especially in the chaotic North Blue... Every step had been incredibly difficult and dangerous, like tightrope-walking along a cliff's edge.
So he had to be cautious. More than cautious.
He had to seize as much power, wealth, strength, profit, and status as he could.
And now it was time to reap the rewards of victory in this war.
With that thought, Darren quickened his pace.
Night fell.
The capital of the Yadis Kingdom, Werner, was brightly lit and bustling with activity.
Inside the palace, the banquet hall was filled with guests.
The nobles, socialites, ministers, crown prince, and wealthy merchants of the Yadis Kingdom arrived in their finery, raising their glasses and mingling.
The crystal chandelier overhead cast dazzling light, setting the red wine in the guests' glasses aglow with alluring ripples.
The guests chatted happily.
"Let me tell you, that battle was a real nail-biter. Germa 66 truly lived up to its name as an evil army. Their commander, Vinsmoke Judge, was a monster in terms of strength..."
Off to one side of the banquet hall, Gion's partner looked quite the gentleman in a brand-new tailcoat. He swirled the red wine in his glass and boasted shamelessly to a group of elegantly dressed noblewomen and young ladies:
"You probably don't know this, but his weapon was cutting-edge technology. The current it released from its spear could knock an elephant unconscious."
The noblewomen and young ladies covered their mouths and gasped in astonishment.
"And then?"
"And then?" Gion's partner deliberately lowered his voice to make it sound magnetic. He imitated Darren's manner, giving a "faint" smile.
"Germa's technology is indeed powerful, but I'm a genius who's been rigorously trained at Marine Headquarters. How could a mere Vinsmoke Judge possibly stand a chance against me?"
"I sent that guy flying more than ten meters with one casual kick."
"Faced with the majesty of justice, he still tried to struggle. In the end, I got tired of listening to him, so I stuffed his mouth."
The women stared at him with wide, sparkling eyes. Their admiration filled him with satisfaction.
"Major Gion's partner, you're amazing!"
"No wonder you're a genius from Marine Headquarters!"
"To think you defeated such a powerful 'evil army' as Germa 66 so easily!"
As everyone praised him, Gion's partner felt as though every pore in his body had opened up in delight.
The North Blue really was great...
So many dazzling noblewomen and young ladies, the finest wine, top-quality cigars, and a magnificent dance troupe...
No wonder that bastard Darren had stayed here all this time.
As for what had really happened in that battle?
Well, when the war broke out, the Germa Kingdom had been some distance from the coast. With the sea fog in the way, even the Yadis Kingdom's troops couldn't see what was going on, let alone the ladies in the capital, Werner.
Having thought through the details, Gion's partner took a small sip of wine and smoked his cigar with a wistful air. Then he sighed dejectedly.
"Do you know?"
"All my life, I've been searching for a worthy opponent. I thought coming to the North Blue might give a genius like me a little excitement, but I ended up disappointed all the same."
The women were even more astonished. They gazed at him with shining eyes and exclaimed in admiration.
"If even Major Gion's partner is this strong, just how powerful must Lord Darren be..."
"That's right. Lord Darren is not only strong, he's so handsome and charming..."
"Exactly, exactly..."
Remembering the appearance of the highest-ranking Marine officer in the North Blue, the young ladies blushed shyly. The noblewomen gazed at him with infatuated, lovesick expressions.
Gion's partner: ...
Wait, weren't you listening to me?
Wasn't this about this genius right here? How did you end up bringing up that bastard Darren again!?
That guy hadn't even come to the banquet!
Gion's partner fumed inwardly. His facial muscles twitched, and his expression darkened.
He took a furious puff on his cigar.
"Um... Sir..."
A timid voice suddenly came from behind him.
He turned around instinctively and saw a girl in a white lace dress standing there, her face faintly flushed. She clasped her pale hands in front of herself, fidgeting with the shy charm of youth.
What a beautiful, pure girl!
Gion's partner felt as if something had struck his heart. His heartbeat slowed for half a beat, and a pair of hearts shot from his eyes.
Love!! This was love!!
He shouted wildly in his heart.
"Um... Sir, I was wondering..."
The girl shyly lifted her eyes and glanced at Gion's partner, then quickly lowered them again, looking as timid as a startled fawn. In a soft voice, she said:
"Could I... have your Den Den Mushi contact information..."
She was shy!!
She wanted my Den Den Mushi contact information!
She must have heard about my "exploits"!
She liked me!!
Gion's partner felt as if he'd been struck by lightning. He nodded frantically.
"No problem. I'll give you my personal Den Den Mushi number right away."
The corners of his mouth rose uncontrollably.
"No... I wanted to ask if you knew how to contact... Mr. Darren," the girl said, her cheeks flushed, shaking her head.
Crack!
Gion's partner felt as if something had struck his heart. His heartbeat stopped, the hearts in his eyes turned to stone, and cracks spread through them.
As the girl stared at him in bewilderment,
he turned around like a deflated balloon, his whole body rigid as stone. With a desolate air, he walked over to a corner of the banquet hall and crouched down, motionless.
Two tears ran down his face, betraying him.
Not far away,
Gion, wearing a pink evening gown with a high slit, had turned down a dance invitation for the fifteenth time. She glanced at Gion's partner, crouched in the corner and shrouded in gloomy black smoke, and twitched her lips.
She took a sip of wine. As if remembering something, she gritted her teeth and clenched her fists.
Meanwhile,
Darren had also arrived at the harbor and boarded the warship.
Before you continue