The notion of sparring with Sakazuki flickered through Darren’s mind—and died just as fast. That man didn’t believe in friendly bouts. Every swing was a kill shot.
If Sakazuki got serious, he wouldn’t care about Darren’s "Indestructible Body." He’d drive a Hell Hound straight for the skull—magma surging, Armant Haki behind it. Darren wasn’t convinced his body could take a clean hit like that. Whitebeard’s fate was warning enough.
"Damn, what a headache..." Darren rubbed his temples and exhaled. Having a monstrous physique ca with a price: pushing it any higher was brutal. He suddenly understood why Kaido rampaged through the New World, courting death and brawling the Marines—desperation to break through a ceiling.
"If this won’t budge, I’ll shelve physique training for now and push strength, speed, and Haki."
He eased into the decision.
Boosting his body was the most efficient path to overall power—more durability, survivability, and room to redline—enough to keep him in the fight even against superior foes. He’d lived that truth more than once. But if the body had plateaued, raising the rest made sense. His strength and speed hovered in the low eighties; Armant and Observation barely cleared seventy. With the right regin—or the right teacher—there was room to climb.
Strolling on, Darren sifted through candidates for his next "training partner."
"Hm?"
He stopped. A pimply, slovenly face slid into his path, beaming a sycophant’s grin.
"What now?" Darren said, rolling his eyes at Tokikake’s obsequious stance. Unease prickled.
"Hehehe..."
Tokikake rubbed his hands and asked, shaless, "Hey, Darren—what would you say our relationship is?"
Darren stared. "Nonexistent. If you insist on labeling it, you owe a favor. You’ve been living on my unlimited black card."
"Exactly!" Tokikake slung an arm over his shoulder, winking like a hustler. "You trust with sothing that valuable—that makes us brothers-in-arms, right?"
"Get to the point or I’m gone. I don’t have ti to chat."
"Heh, I know you’re busy..." Tokikake’s hands rubbed again in giddy little circles—like a fly.
"That’s why I’m here to lighten your load! At the eting you ntioned pulling forces from Headquarters for G5. What do you think about ?"
He flourished a gold-embossed box of cigars, plucked one, and offered it with a grand smile.
Darren eyed him, reached past the single cigar, and took the whole box.
Tokikake’s smile froze.
Darren pocketed it and grinned. "You sure? G5’s a backwater—nothing like the freedom you enjoy here. Once you’re stationed, you’re stuck. No more Pleasure District runs. G5 barely has supplies, let alone won. Don’t co crying to ."
"Absolutely not!" Tokikake thumped his chest, face pink. "I’m going to ease your burden—and I’ll take full responsibility. No whining, no quitting! What kind of friend wouldn’t back you? We’ve survived death together! If you’re in trouble, how could I sit back?"
"You an—are you an ingrate who bites the hand that feeds him?" Darren asked.
"Yes—" Tokikake blinked. "Hey! That was fast!"
"You’re not even pretending to be tactful."
"Be honest," Darren said, sighing. "Or you’re staying at Headquarters."
Tokikake hesitated, then admitted, "Well... the Shichibukai Fisher Tiger asked G5 to patrol around Fish-Man Island, right? I think I’m perfect for that assignnt."
He drew in a breath, squared his shoulders, and declared with solemn heat, "I want to represent the Marines and Justice by protecting the rmaid girls—no, Fish-Man Island—safeguarding friendship and peace between humans and rfolk. I’m willing to sacrifice myself!"
Darren’s lip twitched.
So it’s rmaids, huh...
"You’ve got my card," Darren snapped. "You can find any beauty you want in the Pleasure District. Why bother?"
Tokikake chuckled sheepishly. "It’s the sa few hundred girls, Darren. After this many visits, I’m starting to feel bad freeloading."
Darren stared, speechless.
"Tell the truth," he said through his teeth.
"It is the truth," Tokikake insisted—but a lancholy crept into his eyes. "Honestly, I’m tired of the glitter. I want a gentle girl from a decent family, soone I can treat right."
"If you won’t be straight, forget it." Darren turned away.
"Wait... actually..." Tokikake darted a glance around, made sure they were alone, and stamred, "They’re... way too experienced. By the ti they get started, I... I’m already done."
He ended on a tragic sigh, martyr’s posture and all.
Darren just stared.
"So you see, Darren—"
He stopped. The veins in Darren’s forehead bulged; a fist clenched; a murderously bright edge lit his eyes.
"Forget it! I didn’t say anything. The Pleasure District is fine—quick and convenient!"
Tokikake shivered, sensed death, and vanished in a blur—Rokushiki footwork flashing across the courtyard.
"Incredible," Darren muttered, watching him disappear. He took a few slow drags, temper cooling.
A pang of envy flickered. That damned Tokikake lives so easy. Am I working too hard?
He shook it off, pulled a Military Den Den Mushi, and keyed an encrypted line.
A deep, arrogant voice answered at once. "Godfather?"
"Your na isn’t on the latest Shichibukai roster, Doffy," Darren said, voice level, gaze sharpening. "You know what to do."
Silence.
Then Doflamingo’s cold, manic laugh spilled from the receiver. "Heh heh heh... I understand, Godfather."
---
In the New World, Doflamingo snapped his Den Den Mushi shut and rose into the sky, floating like a flamingo riding the wind. Cloud, seabird, and blue horizon stread away behind him. The gale tore at his pink feather coat until the plus danced like fire.
"Old n... if you won’t give it to , I’ll take it," he chuckled.
A chill glead beneath his sunglasses as his grin widened.
Ahead, a lavish island glimred—neon avenues, crowds in motion.
"Co on then, Queen of the Pleasure District. Let’s see what kind of deal you want to make with ."
To be continued...
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