"So… what do you plan to do? Are you really going to investigate the Marines?"
Momonga frowned, brows tightly furrowed, as he instinctively lit a cigar. His eyes were filled with concern as he looked at the Marine captain before him.
Though the order had come from the highest authority of the World Government, the fact remained—it was an investigation into their own ranks. No matter how official it was, something about it didn't sit right with him.
"Investigate? Why wouldn't I?"
Darren raised his glass and took a light sip, his expression relaxed. A mocking smile played at the corners of his lips.
"This is a direct order from the great and venerable Gorosei. Naturally, I'll carry it out beautifully."
"But now that the investigation of the 'Celestial Dragon attack' is in my hands, we hold the initiative."
Momonga glanced at him, unable to hold back a laugh.
He had to admit, that so-called "greatest mind in a century," Saint Topman Warcury, had indeed demonstrated some rare insight by sensing the inconsistencies in the attack.
But… not much.
Letting the culprit lead the investigation…? Momonga's lip twitched involuntarily.
"Still, we shouldn't let this drag on too long," Darren said as he drew deeply from his cigar. His sharp gaze gleamed under the smoke. "As long as the case remains open, CP0 and the investigative team will remain in the North Blue. I really don't like being watched."
Momonga nodded in firm agreement.
With the arrival of the investigation team, many of their operations had been forced to pause.
With Sengoku, a Headquarters Admiral, present, there wasn't much room to maneuver.
---
The next day.
Batiya Island, City Government Office
Meeting Room.
"What!?" Sengoku's voice rang out in disbelief. "You're saying Darren's been given full authority over the Celestial Dragon investigation!?"
He stared at the document the CP0 agent had presented, stunned.
Gion and Tokikake turned to Darren, equally dumbfounded, as if they had just heard the most absurd thing imaginable.
The masked CP0 agent, dressed in flowing white silk, coldly read from the official mandate:
"In light of Admiral Sengoku's current workload and the imminent operation to capture the pirate Byrnndi World, full investigative authority over the 'Celestial Dragon attack' shall be transferred to Rogers Darren, Marine Captain and Supreme Commander of the North Blue Marines. Effective immediately."
Having finished the reading, the agent cast a chilling glance at Darren.
"The matter is urgent. Captain Darren, begin the investigation at once."
Darren smiled politely and nodded.
"Of course."
CP0 gave a short nod and prepared to leave.
But Sengoku suddenly protested.
"I already submitted my report. The incident was clearly an accident! Saint Shaldes was attacked by a Sea King—"
His words trailed off as CP0 turned to glare at him with an expression that practically screamed, 'Are you stupid?'
Seeing this, Sengoku cleared his throat awkwardly and sank back into his chair.
The agent said nothing more. His figure flickered, then vanished into thin air.
The meeting room fell silent.
Gion and Tokikake exchanged uneasy glances.
Why was the investigation handed over to Darren? Tokikake's eyes were wide.
How should I know? The order came directly from the government, Gion replied, brows knit.
Tokikake raised an eyebrow. So Saint Shaldes's death… wasn't Darren's doing?
I have a feeling it's not that simple, Gion replied, narrowing her eyes.
… Tokikake.
"Hey, hey, what's with those weird faces you two are making?" Sengoku barked irritably.
Gion and Tokikake immediately straightened up in their seats.
"Perhaps Lieutenant Commander Gion and Lieutenant Commander Tokikake have new thoughts on the case?" Darren asked smoothly.
Both of them shuddered involuntarily and looked up, only to see the North Blue Commander watching them with a half-smile, cigar in hand. His gaze made them both uneasy.
"N-No, nothing new," Tokikake stammered.
Satisfied, Darren looked away.
"Darren, what's your take on all this?" Sengoku asked, his tone serious. "Why do you think the government gave you the investigation?"
Darren paused thoughtfully before answering.
"Admiral Sengoku, I believe the government's decision is perfectly reasonable."
"Oh?" Sengoku frowned slightly.
Darren continued calmly, "The case has dragged on too long. As a Marine Headquarters Admiral, you've got more pressing responsibilities. It wouldn't make sense for you to stay bogged down in this."
Sengoku massaged his temple and sighed.
"If that's the case, they should've accepted my report. Then the matter could've been closed already."
He suddenly looked suspiciously at Darren.
"Unless… you've uncovered some new evidence?"
Darren raised his hands in a mock gesture of surrender.
"Of course not. Personally, I still agree with Rear Admiral Borsalino."
He nodded politely toward the yellow-clad officer.
"This was nothing more than an unfortunate accident."
Sengoku narrowed his eyes, suspicion flickering briefly beneath the surface.
"If there are no new leads… there's no reason they'd take the case away from me…" he muttered.
"Pretty convenient though, huh?" Borsalino suddenly chuckled, quietly trimming his nails with a small knife. "Means less trouble for you…"
It seemed like an offhand remark, but Sengoku's eyes lit up.
That's right!
This was a good thing!
He hadn't wanted to be involved with this mess anyway. Investigating a dead Celestial Dragon? Thankless work.
Now that Darren had full control, Sengoku was free to return to more important matters. Whether it was heading back to Marineford or continuing the hunt for Bundy Valdo—it was all better than sitting around here.
Feeling pleased with himself, Sengoku smiled broadly.
He cleared his throat and turned to Darren with a fatherly tone.
"Well then, since the government has placed such trust in you, I expect you to perform well. Don't disappoint them."
Darren gave a modest smile.
"I'll rely on your continued guidance, Admiral."
Sengoku's grin widened as he stood and patted Darren on the shoulder.
"Then I leave it in your hands."
---
That evening.
After finishing his daily training, Darren headed back toward his private estate on Batiya Island, soaked in sweat.
The sun had just begun to set.
His uniform was torn and ragged, barely clinging to his frame. His chiseled body was covered in sweat and dirt, with shallow craters and scorched marks etched into his skin—scars from live ammunition and artillery strikes.
"You really haven't changed at all, huh…"
A lazy voice called out from behind.
Darren stopped in his tracks, smirking as he turned around.
A tall figure leaned against the wall, arms crossed, the golden sunlight bathing his cloak in crimson. The shadows stretched across his face, but beneath his sunglasses, his eyes gleamed with mischief.
"Living like a wild beast every day… don't you ever get tired?"
Darren tossed a cigar his way, lit one for himself, and smiled.
"Not all of us were born monsters like you, Rear Admiral Borsalino."
---
To be continued...