"It's a warship!"
"The Marines are coming!"
"That dog-headed warship... it's the flagship of Marine 'hero' Garp!"
"I didn't expect him to be the Marine representative this time!"
"Wait! Is that... an ice sculpture on the deck?"
"..."
Just as the representatives of the World Government Member Nations were exchanging pleasantries near the port of Fish-Man Island, someone suddenly noticed something unusual and cried out in surprise.
The crowd reacted in various ways. Stussy, who had been gracefully mingling among them, froze mid-smile and subtly backed away.
A uniquely shaped warship approached, its protective coating slowly peeling away to reveal the figures standing on deck.
"Bwahahaha! What a lively scene!"
Even before the ship had fully docked, Garp's booming voice rang out unmistakably.
Wearing his iconic dog-head cap, he leapt from the bow of the ship and landed with a laugh, warmly greeting Cobra, King Riku, and other familiar royals.
On the deck, Tokikake leaned over the railing, eyes locked on the mermaid girls playing in the nearby waters, nearly drooling as his eyeballs looked ready to pop out.
His face turned bright red, saliva dripping, and his body trembled with excitement.
"Heaven! This is literally heaven on earth!"
Seeing him looking like a lust-crazed beast, Daren's mouth twitched and he quietly moved a few steps away.
He turned to the ice sculpture beside him and called out,
"Kuzan, stop sulking. We're here—snap out of it."
He gave the ice sculpture a light tap with his finger.
Cracks began to form on the surface of the frozen figure, spreading rapidly.
With a sharp series of "crackling" sounds, the realistic-looking ice sculpture shattered, and Kuzan emerged from the freezing mist.
"Finally, I'm here..."
Kuzan exhaled deeply, looking visibly drained.
Daren glanced at him, then casually shifted his gaze to Kuzan's crotch and asked with curiosity,
"You alright?"
According to Tokikake, those little blue pills were ridiculously strong—just one could keep you going all night.
And Kuzan, that hot-blooded fool, had popped nearly ten...
Kuzan blinked, then suddenly lit up with energy.
"Dahahaha! Daren, you really care about me as a friend! I'm touched!"
He struck a muscle-flexing pose and laughed loudly.
"I'm totally fine! I could duel you right now—huh? What's that!?"
His eyes caught something in the distance, and his passionate expression turned bright red.
Daren followed his line of sight.
A few bikini-clad mermaid girls were watching curiously, their glimmering tails swishing gently in the water, sending ripples across the surface.
He froze, then turned back to Kuzan—only to find him gone.
In his place stood a brand-new ice sculpture, just as lifelike as before.
Only one particular spot on the statue seemed... unnaturally swollen.
Offline again.
Daren: ...
Alright, those pills definitely work.
He rubbed his temples, already feeling a headache coming on.
"Hey, Daren, kid! Come over here—I'll introduce you to some old friends!"
Garp's voice echoed from nearby.
Daren shook his head and turned to answer.
As he stepped off the warship, all eyes at the port zeroed in on him, unable to look away.
Among the gathered leaders and dignitaries, there wasn't a single person who hadn't heard the name of the legendary Vice Admiral—Rogers Daren.
He had ruled the North Blue, destroyed the Flying Pirates, wiped out the Beasts Pirates' headquarters, launched a blitz on Totto Land, fought Roger, killed Shiki, and taken command of G5...
An unmatched list of ferocious accomplishments.
Combined with his striking appearance and distinctive aura, the man was cloaked in an air of legend.
And now, seeing him in the flesh—
That chiseled face that looked like it had been sculpted by the gods themselves, that wild and untamed charisma, that tall, powerful yet lean physique, all wrapped in a crisp Marine uniform...
The Vice Admiral, hands in his pockets and smiling as he approached, was like a walking aphrodisiac.
Several queens, noblewomen, princesses, and empresses in attendance felt their hearts race and their mouths go dry.
"This is the legendary Vice Admiral Daren, King of the North Blue. He really does have an extraordinary aura..."
Nefertari D. Titi, Queen of Alabasta, with her long royal blue hair, gazed at him, momentarily dazed, and couldn't help but exclaim.
Cobra, who had been sneaking glances at the beautiful mermaids, froze mid-smile. A sudden sense of danger welled up inside him as he locked eyes on Daren, his gaze filled with hostility.
"Come, Daren, this is Cobra, the king of the Alabasta Kingdom."
Garp, completely unaware of the tension, casually introduced them.
Daren offered a polite smile and extended his hand.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Your Majesty Cobra."
Cobra narrowed his eyes, protectively shielding his wife behind him. He shook Daren's hand with a forced smile.
"Hmm, Vice Admiral Daren, you are truly a leader of the Marines. You have extraordinary charisma."
Daren smiled sincerely.
"King Cobra, you are too kind. I've long heard of your reputation. You ascended the throne at a young age, yet you govern with wisdom and strength. Your strategic prowess has brought peace and prosperity to Alabasta."
"Me?"
Cobra pointed at himself in confusion, briefly thrown off.
Daren nodded earnestly.
"Of course!"
"I've always admired you, King Cobra. And now that I've finally met you, I see that not only is your political talent unmatched, but your appearance is also remarkably dignified and impressive!"
"For a great and ancient desert kingdom like Alabasta, with millions of citizens, having a monarch like you... it's the greatest fortune of their lives!"
The moment he finished, everyone present was dumbfounded.
Even Garp was left speechless.
This guy... sure knows how to talk!
Cobra stood stunned, unable to respond for a beat.
A second later—
"Hey, you brat... speaking such truths!"
Cobra suddenly chuckled sheepishly, his face blooming like a flower.
"Wonderful! Garp-san, Vice Admiral Daren is clearly the brightest star in the Marines. Your judgment is spot-on!"
Everyone: ...
Basking in the praise, Cobra straightened up, puffing out his chest.
Garp then pointed to the queen standing behind Cobra.
"Daren, this is the Queen of Alabasta, Nefertari Titi."
Daren looked up and froze.
Isn't that Princess Vivi?
The woman before him carried herself with grace and elegance. She gave a refined curtsy and smiled gently.
Daren snapped back to his senses, realizing this must be Vivi's mother.
"Your Majesty is stunning and graceful... Judging by your appearance, you must be under twenty?"
He asked, feigning surprise.
"Giggle, giggle, Vice Admiral Daren, you're such a flatterer."
Nefertari Titi's eyes sparkled as she flushed slightly from the compliment, extending a well-manicured hand.
Cobra's eyelid twitched violently. He suddenly stepped forward and intercepted, grabbing Daren's hand before his wife could.
"Vice Admiral Daren, you're too kind." He beamed.
Daren: ...
This old guy, seriously?
Still smiling, Daren exchanged pleasantries.
Tokikake suddenly leaned in, lowering his voice.
"Hehehe, Daren."
"What is it?"
Daren asked casually while taking a drag from his cigarette.
"The Queen of Alabasta..."
Tokikake rubbed his hands together and chuckled,
"...I think she still has some serious charm."
Daren: ...
You really dare to say that.
He shot Tokikake a withering look, but just then, he seemed to sense something and scanned the crowd.
A graceful figure, like a startled deer, quickly ducked out of sight.
"What a coincidence..."
A curious smile tugged at Daren's lips.
Suddenly—
"Garp!! You damn bastard!!!"
A furious, hoarse roar erupted not far away, followed by a surge of dense black and red lightning.
...
(100 Chapters Ahead)
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