One Piece: So What If I Sin, Lie, and Lust? I'm Still a Good Marine Chapter 769: Volume 4 – Chapter 288: I’m Just Not in the Rig

Half an hour later.

The lavishly decorated luxury penthouse suite was in total disarray.

Shreds of the white CP0-exclusive bodycon dress lay scattered alongside torn black fishnet stockings.

Near the edge of the plush bed, a pair of black high heels with red soles had been tossed carelessly to the side.

A Vice Admiral of the Marines, his body stained with blood, slowly sat up from the bed, walked over to the leather sofa, and dropped into it. Without hesitation, he poured himself a glass of whiskey.

He downed it in one gulp. Only then did Daren exhale slightly, raising his head with interest as he gazed at the trembling, pale figure on the bed. A faint smirk tugged at the corners of his lips.

"Aren’t you supposed to be great at keeping up appearances? What happened to you, giving in this quickly... Senior agent of the World Governnt’s top intelligence organization, Queen of the Pleasure District, Lady Stussy?"

That damn bastard!

Stussy lifted her head from the soft pillow, panting as she glared fiercely at the fierce and arrogant man. Her flushed face was captivating as she gritted her teeth.

"You’re the most wanted criminal in the world now. Your bounty even surpasses those legendary Yonkō. Why the hell are you here?"

Her eyes lingered on the brutal injuries marring Daren’s body, once again shaken by how monstrous this bastard’s physique was.

Wounds this fatal would have killed even CP0’s so-called “strongest shields of the Celestial Dragons” a dozen tis over.

Yet this lecherous freak was still alive and moving. It defied everything she understood about the human body.

Still, no matter how tough soone’s body was, their aura couldn’t lie.

The life force radiating from Daren was weak and sluggish, unmistakably burdened by excruciating pain and fatigue.

Stussy fell silent for a mont, then said coldly,

"You’ve fought against the Five Elders and the monsters of Marine Headquarters. Even with your ‘Indestructible Body,’ you must be at your limit."

"In this condition, instead of returning to your fleet for protection and treatnt, you ca to . Aren’t you worried I’ll break our agreent and hand you over to the Five Elders?"

"I’m still alive, aren’t I? Besides, if you wanted to turn in, you could’ve done it the mont we were talking over the Den Den Mushi."

Daren chuckled casually. He pulled out a blood-stained cigar, stuck it between his lips, and lit it.

"—Cough! Cough!!"

The harsh smoke scorched his wounded throat and lungs, triggering a violent fit of coughing. His pale face flushed with a sickly red, and he gasped several tis before rasping hoarsely,

"...With the state I’m in, there’s no way I could’ve snuck into this top-floor suite without you sensing ." Follow current novᴇls on novel⟡fire

Stussy sneered.

"I wasn’t sure how bad your injuries were at the ti."

She casually grabbed a black silk robe from the bedside and draped it over her flawless body. Her long, pale legs touched the floor as she stood, crossing her arms as she looked down at Daren. Her eyes glead with cold arrogance and biting mockery.

"You managed to stand against the highest authority of the World Governnt and five Warrior Gods without falling behind. Can you bla for being cautious?"

"How could I know if you'd suddenly lash out and snap my neck if I made a wrong move?"

Daren leaned back against the sofa, slowly exhaling a plu of smoke, his smirk laced with provocation.

"So now you're sure?"

Stussy's eye twitched ever so slightly. Her chest rose and fell in fury.

She gritted her teeth, glaring at this shaless scoundrel who clearly thought he had her wrapped around his finger. Forcing herself to remain composed, she suddenly broke into a sultry laugh.

"Fufufu... Yes, I’m sure now."

"After all, if this were under normal circumstances... I probably wouldn’t even be able to stand right now, would I?"

Daren: "..."

His smirk faltered. He opened his mouth, but found himself speechless.

Right... maybe being too strong really wasn’t such a good thing.

"...I’m just not in the right state of mind."

His mouth twitched as he turned his head away and gloomily exhaled a cloud of smoke.

It was rare to see this shaless man look so defeated, and Stussy felt an unexpected wave of satisfaction wash over her. The frustration from monts ago vanished in an instant, and she smiled coquettishly, lips gently curved.

"So, Mr. World's Most Wanted Criminal, you're really that sure I won’t betray you?"

Daren shrugged.

"I wouldn’t call it trust. I just think that with your intelligence and perspective, you wouldn’t go so far as to drag us both down."

"After all, this war is only just beginning. Taking sides too early isn’t sothing a smart person would do."

Stussy’s long lashes narrowed slightly at his words.

"You an... you still think you haven’t lost?"

Daren blinked, as if he'd just heard the most absurd joke, then burst into laughter while clutching his stomach.

"Hahahaha! When did I ever lose?"

"Or is that what you all believe? That I’m bound to lose to those five decrepit fossils?"

He laughed so hard his shoulders trembled.

Stussy’s brows drew together. She scoffed coldly.

"Isn’t that the truth?"

"Sure, your fleet nearly razed half of Mary Geoise, but the foundations of the World Governnt are untouched."

"The Five Elders are now stationed in the Holy Land themselves. You’re not getting another opening like that."

"And now you've completely severed ties with the Marines. You’ve beco the most dangerous criminal in all the seas."

"Without the backing of the World Governnt, without your rank and status as a Marine, you're facing a reorganized World Governnt with absolutely no chance of winning."

"Daren, you know better than anyone—your previous advantage in dealing with the governnt and the Five Elders ca from the fact that you were holding several hidden cards… and more importantly, they didn’t see you as a serious threat."

"But now it’s different. With both the governnt and the Marines issuing a global bounty on your head, they’re coming for you with everything—ruthless, rciless, and absolute."

Despite the pointed warning, Daren simply smiled, unfazed.

"Funny... because you sound a lot like you're worried about ."

Stussy snorted.

"Don’t flatter yourself. If you hadn’t gotten dirt on , do you really think you’d be sitting here this casually?"

Daren shook his head and let out a quiet chuckle.

"From the mont I walked into this room, you had at least three clear chances to take out."

"But I’m still here, aren’t I?"

"If earlier you weren’t sure about the extent of my injuries... now that you are—"

He set down his cigar, spread his arms wide, and smiled.

"Go ahead. Take your shot."