"What did you say!?"
Bullet stared at Daren, his eyes wide with disbelief. He clearly hadn't expected Daren to hold such a high opinion of him.
But even as shock filled him, he instinctively straightened his back, and a blazing fire lit up in his eyes.
His reaction made Daren chuckle inwardly.
Bullet was still young, not much older than Doflamingo. Though his body was built far beyond his years—strong, towering, and powerful—mentally, he was still just a kid.
Especially in the world of pirates... who among these rough men could resist hearing words like these?
And more importantly, these words came from Daren, a man who had crushed countless legendary pirates.
Recognition from Daren.
That alone carried an immeasurable weight.
At that moment, Bullet felt a surge of power course through him, his body trembling slightly with excitement.
"Isn't it true?" Daren said seriously.
"How old are you, Bullet?"
"Sixteen? Seventeen? At your age, you've already reached a level where you could stand shoulder to shoulder with Kaidou and Whitebeard!"
"Give yourself just a few more years to grow... and who on this sea would dare claim they could defeat you?"
Bullet stood frozen, as if struck by lightning.
That's right!
He was still so young!
The road ahead was long, and as long as he had time to grow, there would be no one in the world who could match him!
Daren's words exploded inside Bullet like a thunderclap, scattering the dark cloud of defeat that had hung over him, and reigniting a fierce fire in his eyes.
"But if you're locked up in Impel Down," Daren suddenly shifted his tone, now laced with mockery, "all of that will be gone."
"Think about it—if you can't beat me now, after a few years in Impel Down, the gap between us will only get wider."
"You'll never again have the chance to fight for the title of 'the strongest in the world.' Let alone conquer the seas."
"Who knows... maybe by then, you wouldn't even be able to beat someone like Crocodile."
"Enough!!"
Bullet suddenly roared, his eyes bloodshot as he cut Daren off.
"Shut up, Daren!!"
He gasped heavily, struggling violently against the Seastone shackles, making them rattle and clank against the wall.
His emotions raged like a stormy sea.
Just a moment ago, Daren had lifted him up to the peak—only to throw him crashing into the depths a second later.
With Bullet's pride and thirst for strength, how could he possibly accept that?
Watching Bullet's reaction, Daren smiled in satisfaction.
The fish had already bitten the hook.
For someone as proud and stubborn as Bullet, death wasn't the scariest thing.
What was truly terrifying was being unable to fulfill his lifelong dream—and watching helplessly as those he once looked down on rose above him.
"Shut up? That's impossible, Bullet... This is the punishment the victor gives to the defeated," Daren said with a light smile.
"But if it were anyone else, I wouldn't waste my breath."
"I don't want to lose a powerful opponent like you."
"So, become one of the Shichibukai."
"As long as you agree, you'll regain your freedom. It won't affect you at all."
"You can continue challenging stronger opponents, chasing after your dreams."
"And most importantly... aren't you curious about how I became so strong? I'll share that secret with you."
"You'll grow stronger and stronger, crushing every enemy in your path, and one day, you might even challenge Roger again!"
Daren's voice, carrying a faint laugh, echoed through the dim prison of the ship like a devil's whisper, laced with an irresistible temptation.
Bullet gritted his teeth hard, clearly struggling inside.
He was wavering.
Seeing this, Daren's smile deepened as he added,
"And you don't have to worry about being tied down after becoming a Shichibukai. I can guarantee it—apart from the occasional emergency summon, the Marines have no authority to order around a Shichibukai."
"Besides, once you become one, you and I would technically be allies."
He delivered the final blow.
"And then, you can come challenge me anytime you want."
Silence.
A heavy, suffocating silence fell over the cell.
Bullet's breathing slowed. He lowered his head, letting his messy golden hair cover his face.
Daren didn't rush him. He simply sat there, smoking quietly, patiently waiting.
After a full minute...
"So, what's the secret to your strength?" Bullet asked hoarsely, lifting his head.
Daren smiled with satisfaction.
...
On the deck of the warship.
Borsalino remained lounging on a beach chair, leisurely soaking in the sun, while the three Vice Admirals stood on guard, carefully scanning the sea around them.
Suddenly, as if sensing something, the three Vice Admirals' faces turned grim.
"Alert!"
They drew their swords in unison, their eyes fixed sharply on the cabin door.
The Marines around them reacted instantly, drawing their weapons and aiming countless gun barrels at the cabin exit, their expressions tense and serious.
Bang!!
The cabin door shattered as it was blasted open.
A hulking, fierce figure stepped out of the darkness, casually cracking his neck as he strode forward and plopped down beside Borsalino, completely ignoring the hostile stares and the aimed guns.
"Relax, everyone. The man in front of you now is our ally... Douglas Bullet-sama," Daren said with a relaxed smile as he stepped out of the cabin.
They recruited him!?
The three Vice Admirals glanced at Bullet, who was sitting there chugging wine and tearing into meat, then exchanged a look before quietly withdrawing their men.
Soon, after eating and drinking his fill, Bullet let out a loud burp and casually lit a cigar.
"So that's it?" he asked, glancing over at Daren.
Daren shrugged and grinned.
"How you act from here on out is entirely up to you."
"...Just don't let yourself get killed too easily. Otherwise, all my time and effort would have been wasted."
"Tch!"
Bullet snorted, his fighting spirit blazing to life.
"I won't lose again before I beat you, Daren!"
"Do you agree to that?"
As he declared it, a burst of his Conqueror's Haki surged out, stirring fierce winds around them.
Daren lit another cigar and smiled.
"That's perfect."
"Oh, right," he added, pausing for a moment.
"Congratulations... Shichibukai-sama."
...
(40 Chapters Ahead)
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