The Only Hope

In the hospital corridor, the two men gazed at each other from a distance.

Outside the window, snowflakes danced in the air.

Yet Momonga felt that the interior was even colder than the outdoors.

Cold to the marrow.

Darren's smile grew increasingly intense, arrogant, and even bordering on madness.

"You say that such a thing has never happened before..."

"Yes, it truly has never happened."

"But 'never happened' does not mean it is impossible, and it certainly does not mean it is wrong."

His tone suddenly became profound.

"The difference between one and zero is vast."

As soon as these words were spoken, Momonga seemed to be struck by lightning, his hands trembling slightly.

He felt an unprecedented fear firmly gripping him, making it impossible to breathe, leaving him nearly suffocated.

But the next second, he suddenly clenched his fists, raised his head with a resolute gaze, and gritted his teeth:

"I will go with you."

Darren smiled with satisfaction, as if he had finally received the answer he wanted.

However, he refused directly:

"No need, it is more convenient for me to act alone."

"And even if something were to happen to me, I am quite at ease leaving the North Blue naval fleet to you."

"You stay here and keep an eye on those two fellows."

"I will be back soon."

Having said that, Darren turned and left without the slightest hesitation.

It was not until Darren's back disappeared at the end of the hospital corridor that Momonga, who had been standing as still as a statue, slowly let out a breath.

He realized that his back had been soaked in cold sweat at some point.

He stood in silence for a moment, then suddenly turned toward the end of the corridor and gave a solemn military salute.

Even though there was no one there.

Suddenly, Momonga looked out the window involuntarily.

Snow filled the sky, and a gloomy atmosphere shrouded the entire world.

The clouds in the distance were pitch black, with lightning and thunder, as if brewing a world-shaking storm.

"The weather is about to change..."

Momonga murmured, then turned around, his eyes quickly regaining their usual firmness.

"You truly are who you are, Colonel Darren."

He muttered, his voice trembling, yet a sincere smile appeared at the corners of his mouth.

"As your adjutant... I am deeply honored."

He clenched his fists.

Darren was right.

It would be useless for him to go.

With his own strength, he could not help Darren at all.

But by staying behind, perhaps he could do something.

One minute later.

Having left the hospital, Darren arrived alone at the northern part of Batia Island.

This was a region of rolling mountains, and because of the heavy snow, the lush forests that once covered the peaks had turned into a world of white.

Confirming that no one had discovered his tracks, Darren took a crumpled piece of white paper from his pocket.

The paper was only half-complete, clearly showing signs of having been torn.

Vivre Card.

This was his own Vivre Card.

Placing the Vivre Card flat on his palm, he could clearly see it moving slowly in a certain direction, as if driven by an invisible force.

Having determined the specific direction, Darren put the Vivre Card away.

Although this action was indeed very risky, Darren was not a man who acted recklessly.

He had climbed from the lowest-ranking private to his current high position and power, and he had relied on far more than just brute force.

Caution, vision, methods, analytical ability... he considered himself inferior to no one in these regards.

Back when he was receiving the mission, he had already confirmed that the CP members assigned to escort Saint Childers all belonged to the CP1 sequence.

They were a group of intelligence agents not even as capable as the CP9 members guarding Enies Lobby.

This meant that the guards escorting Saint Childers... did not possess Haki.

That was enough.

As these thoughts flickered through his mind, faint electric arcs suddenly danced between Darren's fingers.

An invisible force field instantly expanded from his body.

The metal bracers on his right arm "melted" in an instant, wriggling like liquid metal before rapidly extending into an extremely thin metal plate.

It was about a meter long and less than half a meter wide, with a triangular front, its overall design exuding a streamlined aesthetic.

Like a silver-white skateboard, it hovered steadily in mid-air.

Darren stepped onto the board, knees slightly bent, upper body leaning forward.

The next second—

Propelled by the violent, boiling force of the magnetic field, The metal board carried the Marine Captain forward at an astonishing speed, breaking the sound barrier in the blink of an eye and detonating muffled sonic booms in the void.

Soon, he plunged into the lightning-streaked, pitch-black clouds, disappearing into the distant sky.

At the same time.

In the waters far off Batia Island.

A luxurious official ship flying the World Government flag sailed slowly across the sea.

"Achoo!"

"What the hell kind of weather is this? It's midsummer, yet it's snowing—this isn't the New World."

On the deck, the Celestial Dragon Saint Childers sneezed, tightened his ornate robes, and couldn't help but curse.

Under the gray sky, heavy snow fell, dancing down to land on the deck and masts of the official ship, coating the white-painted vessel in a layer of silver frost.

The biting, icy sea wind blew head-on, and the low temperature caused the glass bubble Saint Childers used to isolate himself from the air to fog up.

"Lord Saint Childers! According to the established itinerary, barring any accidents, the official ship will arrive at the Holy Land in two days."

A CP member in a black suit walked over respectfully, knelt on one knee, and offered a soft mink coat with both hands.

"Twelve members of the World Government's CP1 department will be at your service for this return voyage!"

Saint Childers took the obviously expensive mink coat and draped it over his shoulders, saying with some dissatisfaction:

"Why is it only CP1? Where are the members of CP0?"

Celestial Dragons all had their own personal bodyguards, but Saint Childers' guards had been almost entirely wiped out when they previously encountered the "World Destroyer" Byrnndi World.

Among the intelligence organizations under the World Government, CP0, as the highest echelon of the Cipher Pol agencies, had the authority to mobilize all personnel from CP1 to CP9.

Normally, having encountered such a threat and danger, the Holy Land should have dispatched at least one or more CP0 members to be responsible for his security.

Instead of CP1, which was primarily responsible for intelligence work.

The CP1 team leader said with trepidation:

"Reporting to Lord Saint Childers, the CP0 agents are currently engaged in a pursuit of the great pirate Byrnndi World alongside the Navy, and much of their combat strength has been summoned there."

"For this return trip, the CP department has conducted a security analysis, and there will absolutely be no problems. Please rest assured."

Hearing this, Saint Childers could only nod impatiently.

Although Celestial Dragons had the authority to mobilize CP0, that was limited to major events and times of crisis.

Under normal circumstances, the true authority to mobilize CP0 actually rested in the hands of the Five Elders, the highest power of the World Government.

"My Lord, it is cold; please return to the cabin to rest."

The CP1 leader said respectfully.

Saint Childers waved his hand.

"No, take me to see my wife first."

The CP1 member nodded, turned to lead the way, and walked into another independent cabin.

The cabin was dim, filled with a damp, putrid stench, and even a faint smell of blood permeated the air.

In the center sat a cage reserved for slaves.

A little girl with shackles on her hands and feet and a gag over her mouth sat there, trembling.

The moment she saw the Celestial Dragon walk in, her red, tear-filled eyes revealed a look of defiance as she glared at him.

"What a truly wonderful look in your eyes..."

Saint Childers felt his heart pounding with excitement.

This was the feeling...

Whenever others discovered his identity, they would all become submissive, cowering like pug dogs.

It was utterly boring.

It was precisely this kind of stubborn gaze that made the act of conquest so interesting.

Watching her gradually collapse step by step under his torment, seeing the light in her eyes fade bit by bit...

That process was truly the most fascinating and enjoyable thing in this world.

"Just wait a little longer... my lovely wife, wait just a little longer. Once we return to the Holy Land, we shall live a blissful and perfect life."

He couldn't help but throw his head back and laugh, the irritation caused by the weather swept away as he strode out of the cabin.

Although his blood was boiling and he could barely contain himself, How could a noble Celestial Dragon indulge in pleasure within this filthy, lowly cabin?

Moreover, she was covered in grime and dirt; she had to be cleaned thoroughly upon returning to the Holy Land.

Otherwise, even he would be tainted by that base stench.

The cabin door slammed shut once more.

In the pitch blackness, The dim lamp flickered with the rolling of the ship, casting illusory light and shadows.

The little girl sat there, motionless.

Her knees and arms bore fresh scrapes, likely from being dragged into the cage.

Her thin, small body was curled tightly into the corner, hidden in the shadows.

What no one noticed was, Her small hand was clenched into a tight fist.

Clutching a piece of paper hidden in her palm.

It was the item that handsome Marine brother had slipped into her hand while "restraining" her.

She did not know what it was.

But somehow, She had never let go.

As if it could provide her with safety and shelter, and... in this dark world, Her only hope.