One Piece: So What If I Sin, Lie, and Lust? I'm Still a Good Marine Chapter 388: Volume 3 – - 31: This Has Nothing to Do with Us

East Blue, Loguetown.

A dimly lit tavern.

"Wahahaha! That's hilarious!"

Roger slamd the wine bottle onto the wooden table and burst into laughter.

His pirate crew had originally planned just a brief stop in Loguetown to stock up on daily supplies. During the break, Roger—craving a drink—had taken the crew to the tavern for so booze.

Unexpectedly, shortly after they sat down, an incredibly entertaining scene unfolded on the tavern's screen!

"Hey, hey, Captain Roger, don't forget—the Marines are our enemies too..."

Seeing the gleam in Roger's eyes, soone couldn't help but cover their face and remind him.

Roger laughed it off.

"So what? That kid's pretty interesting."

Gaban shot Roger a glance and said coolly,

"He took off your pants."

Roger: "..."

Seeing the barely suppressed laughter on the crew's faces and their shoulders shaking, he blushed, slamd the table, and glared at Gaban.

"Didn't I tell you not to bring that up again!?"

"Hahahaha..." The crew burst into laughter.

Buggy and the Red-Haired Shanks, hiding in a corner and sneaking drinks, exchanged a look of lingering fear.

That Marine's wild slaughter on screen had reminded them all too clearly of that terrifying day.

They had almost been killed!

"Damn it! That bastard Daren just keeps getting stronger!"

Bullet shouted angrily, then tilted his head back and gulped down his drink.

He'd thought that after all the intense sparring with Captain Roger lately, his strength had improved considerably.

But watching the brutal carnage unfold on the Den Den Mushi screen, Bullet couldn't help but start doubting himself again.

Everyone else was just watching the spectacle—but Bullet, as a close-combat enthusiast and soone familiar with Daren, saw things more clearly than anyone.

In that surprise assault on Totto Land's Yakigashi Island, Daren's ghostlike mobility and the sheer power of his Cursed Sword were shocking enough. But what truly stunned Bullet was his hand-to-hand combat!

Overwhelming dominance. Crisp, decisive strikes. Ruthless, flawless execution...Even without considering Haki or Devil Fruit powers, Daren's close-quarters combat skills were near perfection.

As Bullet downed his strong liquor, he kept replaying Daren's fighting style in his mind—only to realize, with growing astonishnt, that he couldn't match that sa fluidity and precision himself!

"Don't be discouraged, Bullet."

"Yeah, you're already super strong."

"Once you unlock more powerful Haki, you'll definitely surpass him."

"..."

The others smiled and offered words of comfort.

Watching the rowdy crew, Rayleigh gave a helpless chuckle and shook his head.

"That Marine sure is crafty... to think he'd co up with sothing like this to establish his dominance."

"I'd bet after this, if any of those New World guys are thinking of ssing with G5, they'll start thinking twice about the consequences of Daren's retaliation."

The rest of Roger's crew nodded in agreent.

The intent behind the Vice Admiral's actions couldn't have been clearer.

He was showcasing his overwhelming force to the entire world—to send a ssage, to intimidate.

After all, not everyone was like Shiki—no fixed territory, no clear weaknesses.

Anyone living in this world, even so-called free-spirited pirates, still had soft spots.

Family, friends, turf, wealth, operations, businesses...

That Marine Vice Admiral was putting out a signal—no, a warning:

"If you push too far, I'll destroy everything you hold dear. No matter what it takes."

And with his unmatched mobility and destructive power, he absolutely had the ans to do it.

"The scariest thing is that Daren, this Marine brat, isn't like your average Marine."

Gaban nodded with a serious expression.

"He doesn't have a clear sense of right and wrong. Being upright and honorable isn't his motto—he acts based on his personal whims. That's what makes him so dangerous."

"Wahahaha, what does that have to do with us?"

At that mont, Roger suddenly stretched out his arms and gave a lazy yawn.

He laughed in his usual carefree way, completely relaxed.

"We're so broke we can't even afford booze. We've got no territory, no influence—what's there to be afraid of?"

With hands on his hips, he burst into proud laughter.

Everyone: "..."

So you know we're broke enough to be breathing smoke, and you still dragged us out drinking!?

Behind the bar, the tavern owner's face instantly turned green upon hearing that.

...

Scenes like this were playing out across every major sea and nation in the world.

Daren's jaw-dropping "blitzkrieg broadcast" landed like a bomb in calm waters, sending shockwaves far and wide.

"The new Vice Admiral, Rogers Daren, actually has that kind of terrifying mobility?!"

"One of Totto Land's key strongholds under the Big Mom Pirates was destroyed just like that!"

...

"This is amazing! Does this an the Marines will be able to respond faster when pirates raid towns in the future?"

...

"Damn it! That was a warning shot at us!!"

"He's threatening us!!"

...

Every faction reacted differently, each with their own thoughts and speculations.

mbers of the World Governnt's affiliated nations were stunned. Civilians were cheering in joy. Pirates, anwhile, trembled in fear—and roared in fury.

...

Marine Headquarters, Marineford.

Fleet Admiral's Office.

Five minutes had already passed, yet the high-ranking Marines in the room still stood frozen, unable to hide their shock.

Sengoku lowered the military Den Den Mushi and stood motionless, the whole situation feeling so surreal—as if it had all happened in a dream.

"Fleet Admiral Kong..."

He instinctively looked toward Kong, but before he could speak, a courier burst into the room, drenched in sweat.

"R-report, Fleet Admiral Kong!!"

Kong shot him an annoyed glance and said coldly,

"Didn't I say not to interrupt during a eting?"

The young ssenger, panting heavily, stamred,

"I-I'm very sorry... but this is extrely important!"

"Starting three minutes ago, Marineford has been receiving continuous calls from governnts and royal representatives around the world. They've all sent their heartfelt congratulations on the success of today's graduation ceremony!"

At those words, Kong, Sengoku, and the others were montarily stunned.

They instantly understood what was really going on!

These opportunistic flatterers weren't congratulating them for the graduation ceremony. If that were the case, they would've called long before now.

They were calling now only because they had just witnessed Daren's astonishing long-range strike capability!

Realizing this, the officers looked at each other in silence.

A faint sneer tugged at the corner of Sakazuki's mouth.

Then the ssenger added,

"Also, quite a few mber Nations have expressed willingness to donate to Marine Headquarters to support the reconstruction efforts at Marineford."

At that, Kong and Sengoku's eyes lit up at once.