Marine Headquarters, Admiral's Office.
"Sengoku, are you sure it's okay to let Garp, Kuzan, and Tokikake attend the wedding?"
Staff Officer Tsuru stared at Sengoku, who was leaning back on the sofa, her expression complicated.
"What else can we do? We can't send Sakazuki and Borsalino, can we?"
Sengoku looked helpless and spread his hands.
Staff Officer Tsuru opened her mouth but stopped herself.
After holding it in for a long moment, she let out a long sigh and shook her head with a look of resignation.
It made sense.
Sengoku and she were completely tied up. The Shichibukai appointment ceremony was just around the corner, and headquarters was already overwhelmed—there was no time to spare.
As for Borsalino and Sakazuki, they were completely unsuitable for the job.
"Besides, no matter how much trouble those three cause, Daren is watching them, isn't he?"
Sengoku adjusted his position on the couch, getting more comfortable.
Staff Officer Tsuru gave him a side glance, a flicker of suspicion rising in her heart.
She had the feeling Sengoku had deliberately arranged to send the three of them away.
After all, those three were—
One who snuck around stealing rice crackers every day.
One constantly shouting about wanting to go chase down Roger.
And one endlessly whining to be reassigned to the G5 branch.
It was very likely Sengoku just couldn't put up with their nonsense anymore and shipped them off to get some peace of mind.
The one being wronged here... was poor Daren.
Staff Officer Tsuru recalled the boxes of high-end tea Daren had sent after the "Heavenly Tribute Robbery Incident" not long ago, and suddenly felt a pang of guilt.
...
The warship cruised steadily across the open sea, leaving a clean white trail in its wake beneath the brilliant blue sky.
On deck, however, the scene was pure chaos—filled with song, dance, and an atmosphere more like a festival than a mission.
"Barbecue!"
"Wine!"
"Let's sing!"
"Kick, spin... This is the Marines' victory dance!"
"..."
Daren stared at the three idiots kicking and dancing with their arms around each other, his mouth twitching as dark lines floated above his head.
"Come on, Daren, join the fun!"
Kuzan waved at him, his face flushed with excitement.
"No, thank you."
Daren glanced at the group of Marines watching from the railings, crossed his arms into an exaggerated "No" gesture, and wore a completely serious expression.
A firm and absolute refusal.
They might not care about appearances, but he did.
He was a disgrace to the Marines—not a complete idiot.
He ignored the three "keep dancing, keep playing" morons, found a spot on the deck, sat down, and opened a folder of intelligence reports.
Inside was the guest list for the upcoming grand wedding on Fish-Man Island. Marine Intelligence had done its homework.
Daren lit a cigar and skimmed the names quickly, spotting several familiar ones.
Alabasta Kingdom, the 12th King, Nefertari Cobra;
Dressrosa Kingdom, Riku Doldo III;
Germa 66, Vinsmoke Judge;
…
Aside from that, since Fish-Man Island was a member of the World Government, many other affiliated nations had also received invitations.
For example, the Kano Country, home of the Happo Navy.
And the Drum Kingdom from East Blue's cold-climate region.
"Looks like we'll be running into a lot of familiar faces this time..."
Tokikake strolled over at some point, chewing on a toothpick with his hands in his pockets, then crouched beside Daren.
"Germa 66, hehehe... That self-righteous evil army got their asses kicked by us!"
"It was just me. Not 'us,'" Daren said flatly.
Tokikake froze for a second, then shamelessly grinned.
"Eh, same thing! We're all on the same side, aren't we?"
Daren shook his head in exasperation.
"So, how did you get Admiral Sengoku to let you attend a wedding on Fish-Man Island?"
Tokikake instantly perked up, flicking the tuft of feathers on his head with a flamboyant shake.
"With my dashing good looks, isn't it the perfect choice to represent justice at such a grand wedding banquet?"
"Be honest, or I will take that card back," Daren said coolly.
"I got down on my knees," Tokikake replied, deadpan.
Daren: "..."
He couldn't help giving Tokikake a thumbs up.
"Right, almost forgot..."
Tokikake glanced around, making sure Garp, Kuzan, and the others weren't watching, then lowered his voice.
"I got something good for you."
He furtively pulled a small glass bottle from his coat, filled with dozens of small blue pills.
"Take this... and you'll get stronger!"
He opened the bottle with visible reluctance, clearly intending to share some with Daren.
Daren's mouth twitched violently. He couldn't hold it in.
You're going to a wedding.
Not a rave!
Why the hell are you bringing this many pills? What are you, trying to overdose!?
"No thanks."
Daren made a sharp "no" gesture and turned him down without hesitation.
"You sure?"
Tokikake pressed, dead serious.
"I shelled out a fortune for this stuff! Just this tiny bottle cost me five million Belly! You'll seriously power up with this!"
"What do you mean, 'power up'?"
A voice suddenly rang out behind them.
Kuzan stared intently at the pills in Tokikake's hand, lightning-quick as he snatched a few. His eyes practically glowed with anticipation.
"Unbelievable, Daren! You've been secretly juicing up and didn't even tell me!?"
"I'm not gonna lose to you!"
Before either of them could react, Kuzan popped the pills into his mouth.
"No!!" Tokikake howled in agony.
Gulp~
Kuzan swallowed them down in one go.
Tokikake: ...
Daren: ...
Kuzan: (*￣︶￣)
"Th-this..."
Tokikake's lips turned pale as he collapsed to the ground, trembling.
"It's over... I'm done for..."
He'd tested the pills himself—just one let him sprint up five flights of stairs without breaking a sweat.
And Kuzan had just downed a small handful.
...At least ten.
...
Half an hour later.
Looking at the disturbingly lifelike "ice sculpture" standing on deck, Daren clutched his head in silent despair.
What the hell even is this mess!?
Tokikake, the culprit, was being punished by Garp and now squatted in the far corner facing a wall.
Well, at least it was quieter.
So damn exhausting... Daren grumbled inwardly.
Kuzan had looked like he was about to spontaneously combust.
"Hey, Daren."
Garp walked over just then, arms folded, eyeing him with curiosity.
"What kind of crap have you gotten into again?"
"Not long ago, I went after Roger. I mentioned your name, and the guy practically lost his mind trying to fight me!"
Daren raised his hands, feigning innocence.
"I seriously have no idea."
"But Vice Admiral Garp, even without mentioning me, wouldn't Roger still flip out the second he saw you?"
Garp paused, then nodded in agreement.
"Yeah, that checks out."
Daren: ...
Watching Garp nod like it was the most obvious thing in the world, Daren realized none of his prepared excuses were going to work.
"Vice Admiral Garp! We're approaching the outpost ahead!"
A Marine lookout shouted from above.
"Dock the ship!"
Garp responded.
Their warship would be coated at the outpost before diving ten thousand meters beneath the sea to reach Fish-Man Island.
...
(100 Chapters Ahead)
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