With a couple days of downti, Darren used the opportunity to stroll through all of Marineford.
Technically speaking, Marineford wasn't a single island, but rather a network of interconnected landmasses—almost like a fortified archipelago.
From an administrative standpoint, it was divided into military and civilian zones.
The military sector included the central fortress, the elliptical harbor, massive defense structures, armories, Marine headquarters, training grounds, and offshore patrol routes.
The civilian zone—also known as the residential or comrcial district—was ho to locals, Marine families, and high-ranking officers. Most senior staff had their personal estates here.
Though Marineford was the core of world justice, its residential district still featured a thriving comrcial street, serving the daily and social needs of those stationed here.
For supplies and trade, Marine HQ granted select rchant fleets trade permits. These licensed rchants transported goods from across the world. Once their ships docked, they underwent strict inspection before being allowed to deliver to the civilian district.
Now, sitting in his courtyard on a beach chair, Darren puffed his cigar, deep in thought.
Buru buru... buru buru...
The military transponder snail buzzed to life, snapping him out of his thoughts.
Darren pulled it from his coat, saw the signal, and let a sly grin spread across his face.
"Well, well... The Supre Commander of the North Blue, Momonga, gracing with a call? I'm honored."
Momonga's tired voice ca through the line.
"Spare . I'm telling you, this job isn't fit for human beings."
Darren chuckled.
"Now you see the kind of pressure I was under."
On the other end, Momonga sat alone in the base commander's office of the 321st branch.
His eyes were sunken, exhaustion etched into every line on his face. He took a hard drag on his cigar and growled.
"I don't know how you survived it. I can handle internal affairs—training, procurent, budgeting, drills, pirate suppression... all manageable."
Then his voice rose in anguish.
"But what the hell is with all these banquets?!"
"Parties, receptions, auctions, wine tastings—every single day! Do those nobles and bureaucrats even have real jobs?!"
"They keep flooding with invitations! And now that they know you took the top spot in the training camp... it's gotten worse."
"They're like sharks who've slled blood. I've got ten transponder snails for civilian contact—they never stop ringing!"
His voice cracked with misery. His office reeked of liquor, his eyes bloodshot.
"Darren, do you know what kind of hell I've been living these past two weeks?"
"It's always food or drinks, kabuki halls or rigged poker gas. Luxury gifts, rare cigars, exotic wines—my office is overflowing. I try to turn them down, and they kneel on the spot!"
"Won thrown at left and right. I play a lousy pair of threes and they fold like I dropped a royal flush."
"I don't know how much longer I can take this."
He slamd the desk, panting.
"Do they think I'm so kind of clown?!"
"I'm a Marine, damn it! A man of justice!"
Darren grinned wider, his cigar glowing.
"Co on, Captain Momonga. You're living the dream life. So people would die for that."
"I'd rather die fighting pirates!"
Hearing Darren laugh made Momonga grit his teeth in fury.
Darren chuckled.
Power was the shortcut to everything.
When strength reached a certain level, titles, wealth, reputation, influence—they all bent the knee.
Back in the North Blue, Darren didn't rely on politics or diplomacy. His authority ca from one thing: undeniable power.
The flattery, the fake smiles, the bootlicking—they were all submission in disguise.
And now, having taken the number one spot at Marineford's elite training camp, the ssage was clear:
Rogers Darren's strength wasn't limited to the North Blue.
He was a global force—one of the strongest Marines in the world.
No wonder the nobles and rchants of the North Blue had latched onto his successor like leeches. They weren't fawning over Momonga—they were fighting for a spot near his shadow.
It had been Darren's plan from the start.
The louder he roared at Marineford, the more unshakable his hold back ho beca.
Still... he had to admit, this side of things didn't suit a man like Momonga.
"You're just wound too tight. Relax a little, Momonga."
Darren's tone softened.
"If a party or dinner invitation isn't worth your ti, ignore it. We're Marines. We don't exist to kiss up to fools with money."
"Focus on strengthening the fleet. That's the real goal. Of course... if you need to unwind at a kabuki show now and then, I won't judge."
He winked.
Momonga rolled his eyes.
Social gas were never his strong suit—but Darren's words did bring so relief.
"How's Germa 66?"
Darren asked.
At once, Momonga's tone sharpened.
"Nothing unusual for now. Our arms deals with Vinsmoke Judge are proceeding normally."
Darren nodded.
"And my dear godson?"
Momonga exhaled.
"Doflamingo's growing fast. His power's increasing at a frightening pace. A few days ago, he tore through a pirate with a thirty-million bounty in under a minute."
"But overall, he's been restrained. Following your rules."
"Good," Darren smiled. "Still... you never congratulated for placing first."
Momonga scoffed.
"Wasn't that obvious?"
"I've got to go. New Germa weapons shipnt just arrived at port. I need to oversee it."
"Thanks. When I'm back in the North Blue, drinks are on ."
"You better."
The line cut.
Darren had just put away the transponder snail when a head suddenly popped into view, blocking his sunlight.
A wide grin, eyes full of sches.
Darren: "..."
"Seriously? Don't you people knock anymore? Aren't you afraid I'll hit you one of these days?"
He sighed. He'd known Tokikake was eavesdropping behind the wall the whole ti.
Tokikake rubbed his hands together, snickering.
"Hey, Darren... I wanted to ask you for a favor..."
Darren raised an eyebrow.
"No."
Tokikake's face dropped like a stone.
Then—
With a loud thud, he dropped to his knees and grabbed Darren's leg, howling.
"Please, Darren!!"
"I want to transfer to the North Blue! They need a deputy, right?! Let be the Deputy to the Supre Commander of the North Blue!"
"I want that kind of life too!!"
"That kind of inhuman torture—let this selfless genius Tokikake shoulder it alone! I beg you!!"
His wails echoed through the courtyard like a man possessed.
Darren: "..."
---
To be continued...
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