Chapter 400: Let Me Show You Around
Stussy wandered the streets of Egghead in a daze. Even after five full minutes, she still hadn't recovered from the shock.
She wasn't exactly surprised that Kizaru had shown up in Egghead.
What she couldn't wrap her head around was that Borsalino—this monster of Marine Headquarters, a top contender for Admiral—hadn't made a move against them.
If it had been Sakazuki or Kuzan standing in their way, that would've been understandable. After all, Sakazuki had worked with Daren in the North Blue and fought alongside him for years. And Kuzan? Everyone in the Marines knew about his close friendship with Daren.
But this was Kizaru—Borsalino!
According to intelligence from the CP divisions within the government, Kizaru was one of the most trusted by the higher-ups. That's why he'd been entrusted with so much authority at such a young age—brought into the upper ranks and placed in charge of the Marine's mysterious scientific research unit.
In other words, he'd always been fiercely loyal to the World Government.
Even if Kizaru hadn't attacked them, Stussy could still barely chalk that up to wanting to avoid a full-blown battle that might devastate the research facilities on Egghead Island.
But now Kizaru was actually leading the way for them!
That wasn't even the strangest part.
The most baffling thing was that Daren had actually followed him—without a second of hesitation, without even questioning whether this might be a trap Kizaru had set for them. He just swaggered along like it was nothing!
Watching the two figures ahead of her—both towering over three meters—chatting and laughing, they looked nothing like enemies from opposing sides.
If she weren't seeing it with her own eyes, Stussy wouldn't have believed any of this.
The whole scene felt like a dream...
"...So, when did this all happen? That's honestly surprising..."
The broad cloak that symbolized his status as an Admiral candidate fluttered gently behind him as Borsalino casually glanced over his shoulder at the blonde CP0 agent. With a half-smile, he turned to Daren.
"A senior CP0 agent... Stussy's rank and position give her access to quite a bit of classified World Government intel."
Daren chuckled.
"Still not as much authority as you, Borsalino."
"I originally thought you were just overseeing the Marine Scientific Force, but I didn't expect the government to trust you enough to give you clearance to guard and even freely enter Vegapunk's lab."
Borsalino scratched his head with a pained look.
"That's the part that gives me a headache…"
"There's just so much work, and I'm still only getting paid at an Admiral candidate's rate."
Stussy: "..."
She stood there dumbfounded.
Looking at Borsalino's mock-serious expression, if she didn't still need him to lead the way—and if she stood any chance of beating him—Stussy felt like she might've already lost it and stomped on his face.
Seriously, what was that?
He's running the Marine's top science unit and has unrestricted access to Egghead... even she, a high-ranking CP0 agent, didn't have that kind of privilege!
And this guy had the nerve to look annoyed about it?
But what came next almost made her keel over.
Daren nodded thoughtfully, completely agreeing.
"That's true. Watching over all that stuff must be a real pain."
What the hell? You're agreeing with him?
"To be honest, I kind of envy you sometimes, Daren..."
Borsalino shook his head, his eyes gleaming.
"Leaving the Marines must've taken a huge weight off your shoulders, right?"
Daren smiled.
"If you're ever interested, the doors of the North Blue Fleet are always open."
Borsalino smirked.
"If I dared to come, would you actually use me?"
Daren narrowed his eyes, the corners of his mouth curling up.
"If I said I would, would you dare to come?"
They locked eyes for a second—then both suddenly burst into laughter.
Stussy looked at the fox-like grins on their faces, and the corner of her mouth twitched.
"We're here."
Borsalino suddenly came to a halt.
Daren and Stussy looked up to see a towering steel structure standing before them like a fortress. On either side of the road, various types of robotic guards stood at attention. The gate in front of the building was massive and solid, yet the design radiated a futuristic, cutting-edge feel.
"Without clearance, even a Marine Admiral would have a hard time getting into the institute."
As Borsalino stepped forward, the eyes of the surrounding robots lit up, casting out thin red beams like scanning lasers.
He walked straight to the front gate, raised his hand, and pressed down on the electronic panel beside it.
Fingerprint confirmed.
Iris confirmed.
With a mechanical click, a burst of white steam hissed out as the gate slowly lifted open.
"High-purity Seastone?"
Daren cast a glance at the thick gate, eyes gleaming with interest.
"That's right."
Borsalino shrugged.
"But I wasn't finished... A fortress like this might be trouble for a Marine Admiral, but for you, getting in would be a breeze."
"Then, by all means—come in."
Borsalino turned back with a smile at Daren and Stussy.
"Let me show you the future of this world."
...
At the same time.
South Blue.
Baterilla Island.
"You're serious?"
In the living room, Roger stared in stunned disbelief at his wife's gentle smile. Even the absentminded toe-scratching he'd been doing stopped cold.
"I'm... going to be a father!?"
Portgas D. Rouge's cheeks flushed as she gently touched her stomach and nodded.
"Mm. Doctor Lia already checked—she confirmed I'm pregnant."
"That's amazing!!"
Roger shot to his feet, swept Rouge into his arms, and twirled around in joy.
"Wahahahaha! I'm going to be a dad!"
"I, Gol D. Roger, will have a child of my own!"
He was overjoyed, but after two spins, he suddenly snapped back to reality. Carefully setting Rouge down, he looked at her with tenderness and guilt.
"Sorry, sorry—I got carried away!"
He patted his chest.
"Don't worry, Rouge. I'll take care of everything!"
"From now on, laundry, cooking, housework—you name it, I'm on it!"
With that, he threw on an apron and stormed into the kitchen full of vigor.
Watching the once-mighty Pirate King now stumbling around the kitchen in an apron, clutching a spatula, Rouge couldn't help but laugh softly.
The gentle curve of her eyes brimmed with quiet happiness.