"Darren-san, you've truly opened my eyes," Morgans said, flicking a glance at Stussy as she followed Darren out of the cabin, then looking away with a smile. "I imagine the World Government is in utter chaos right now?"
Darren exhaled smoke, gaze drifting to the endless sea below. "Not necessarily."
"Oh?" Morgans arched a brow. "The battle's decided. As long as the North Blue Fleet owns this sky, even the great World Government can't break through. They'll surrender the North Blue without a shot. You think the Gorosei still have a card to play?"
Darren chuckled. "Who can say?"
He didn't elaborate.
Partly because he had no reason to trust where Morgans truly stood.
Partly because he genuinely didn't know.
Before he crossed into this world, he hadn't followed the story to its end. Before Felsek Island, he'd even assumed the Gorosei—supreme authority of the World Government—were merely five very old men.
Who could have guessed those five would be that monstrous, with a grotesque gift that bordered on an "Undying Body"?
If not for his own overwhelming strength—and a body tempered to an absurd, "Indestructible" extreme—even flight from the Magnet–Magnet Fruit would not have saved him in the North Blue.
As for whether the Government still held deeper forces or hidden trump cards, he had no clue.
Such things were blacker than black. Stussy, a senior CP0 agent, didn't know. Why would a mere Marine?
The Government's disdain for the Navy was no secret. They would never share their deepest secrets with the Marines.
"Deterrence sounds grand," Darren said evenly, "but it's the last tool of the weak against the strong."
"The outlook isn't rosy. Even if they have no more hidden cards, if the Gorosei simply stop making elementary mistakes, I won't get another opening."
"In a straight-up clash, the North Blue loses."
For now, his strength could not support a direct assault on Mary Geoise. The Gorosei, CP0, the God's Knights—too many monsters on one side of the board.
In that sense, the elders were right: the Government's foundation ran deeper than Marine Headquarters.
"You're a strange one, Rogers Darren," Morgans said after listening, surprise pricking his eyes. He tilted his head, studying Darren with an odd look. "Invite me aboard your flagship, take me into thin air—most men would unfurl a grand strategy, sell me on their dream, flaunt their might the way you did on the broadcast. That's what politicians do."
"You should be waxing about the North Blue's future, the fleet's next expansion—locking down my support and pulling me off the fence."
"But you didn't. You told me the truth."
Darren lifted a shoulder, palms open. "Boasting's a bad habit."
"Men brag about their strength all the time, but you can't hide lack. In the end they do nothing but spray spit."
"I'd rather let people feel my sincerity for real."
Stussy's mouth twitched; a few black lines might as well have appeared on her forehead. Morgans burst out laughing.
"Is that the truth?"
"Of course not," Darren said, smiling. "The truth is I can't fool you."
"'News King' Morgans—President of the World Economic News Paper. A man who'll defy Government orders. Even if I kept quiet, your net would find it anyway."
He winked. "And I'd rather not spray you with spit."
"Kuwahahaha!"
Morgans threw his head back, laughing from the belly. "Fascinating! I knew I hadn't misjudged you—you are compelling, Rogers Darren."
The gentleman's veneer he'd worn at their first meeting sloughed off; his tone turned easy, familiar, as if they were old friends.
"I admit it—you're sincere," he said. "But you should also understand… a man like me has no allies."
"Allies mean nothing to me," Darren said. "You're a businessman, Morgans. By chance, so am I. Let's call this what it is: business."
Morgans' interest sharpened. "What do you propose?"
"I want your connections and your net," Darren said. "And at certain times, in certain places, I'll ask you to tug a string—small favors, nothing dramatic."
Morgans clicked his tongue. "That won't be cheap. What's your price?"
Darren's eyes narrowed in a smile. "As long as I live, you'll have the world's most sensational Big News."
Morgans' eyes glittered. "And if you die?" he asked, amused.
Darren held out his hand. "Trust me—if I die, the news of my death will be the most sensational story in the world."
Morgans paused—then broke into roaring laughter. "Excellent! I acknowledge you, Rogers Darren!" He extended a wing, clasping Darren's hand. "Then we'll end it here. I won't disturb your recovery."
He glanced at Stussy and smiled. "If you need anything later, you know how to reach me." From his tuxedo pocket he produced a gold-embossed card and passed it over. "News doesn't write itself. I've work to do."
Darren slipped the card away. A thought seemed to strike him. "One more thing. If you can, look into the Roger Pirates' movements."
To be continued...