Dragon stared blankly at Daren, looking like he couldn't believe what he'd just heard.
It was as if lightning had struck him—he stood there in a daze, his mind completely blank.
Send us away?
What's that supposed to mean!?
Weren't we just chatting and laughing a moment ago?
You even said, "You've done me such a huge favor. As long as it's not a matter of principle, I'll do everything I can to help you."
So why are you suddenly kicking us out?
I just cleared out the hidden injuries and pain from your body, nearly collapsed doing it… and this is how you repay me?
Ungrateful bastard!
The more Dragon thought about it, the more wronged he felt.
Kuma, standing nearby, also looked visibly stunned.
He couldn't help but glance at Dragon with a questioning look—
Like he was saying, "This is your 'influence'?"
Dragon: ...
"Gentlemen, this way please."
The man in the black tailcoat gave a slight bow to Dragon and Kuma, his gesture inviting them forward. His professional smile was flawless.
"No, Daren, you bastard... what the hell is this supposed to mean!?"
Dragon finally snapped out of it and growled, teeth clenched.
"Didn't you say you'd help with anything that wasn't a matter of principle?"
The man in the tailcoat shot an awkward glance at Daren.
Daren picked up his wine glass, took a sip, and waved for him to step out.
Once the man had exited, Daren let out a sigh and turned to Dragon.
"Dragon, tell me—what kind of person do you think I am?"
Dragon froze, then glanced toward Kuma in confusion.
Kuma looked up at the ceiling, pretending he hadn't noticed anything.
Dragon's mouth twitched slightly.
What the hell is that supposed to mean?
He ran through the possibilities in his head, then made up his mind and answered in a low voice,
"You're my closest friend."
To his surprise, Daren didn't deny it. He simply nodded.
"That's right. I've always seen you as a friend. Otherwise, back in the North Blue, I wouldn't have let you escape."
Dragon: ...
Let me escape?
You couldn't even beat me back then!
Dragon was fuming, but in someone else's house, he had to swallow his pride. In the end, he said nothing.
"Since we're friends… can't you help me with something this simple? I wouldn't have come to you if I had another way."
Daren sighed again and shook his head.
"It's exactly because we're friends that I can't help you with this."
Dragon was caught off guard.
Daren continued.
"I know you're strapped for cash. The moment you showed up, I figured you were here to borrow money."
"Why?" Dragon blurted out.
He thought he'd done a great job hiding it, even using the whole injury removal thing as a pretext.
"The reason…"
Daren took a drag from his cigarette, tapped his temple, and sighed.
"When a friend you haven't heard from in forever suddenly shows up all friendly and enthusiastic… what else could it be but to borrow money?"
Dragon: ...
Kuma nodded in agreement.
"Yeah, makes sense."
Dragon: ...
He opened his mouth, but for a moment, couldn't find a single counterargument.
It really did make sense...
Seeing Dragon stay silent, Daren went on.
"You should know what kind of person I am."
"You're a Marine," Dragon replied immediately.
Daren nodded, then shook his head. "Yes, but not exactly."
Dragon paused, thinking of all the titles that had been circulating about Daren, and cautiously ventured,
"You're… the handsome, powerful, and widely respected monster of Marine Headquarters, the legend killer, the successor of the Three Pillars, the uncrowned king of the North Blue, and the future Flying Admiral?"
Daren nodded. "Correct."
Dragon: ...
"But that's not what I meant," Daren added with another shake of his head.
"Then what do you mean!?"
Dragon was so furious his lips trembled.
If Daren hadn't kept a straight face, he would've thought the guy was messing with him.
Daren tapped his temple again. "What's my most well-known nickname?"
"The Marine… biggest scumbag?" Dragon answered hesitantly.
"That's it!"
Daren's eyes lit up as he finally cracked a smile.
"Scumbag! Being a Marine is just my title. But being a scumbag… that's who I truly am."
Hey hey hey, why do you sound proud of that…
Dragon was overwhelmed with disbelief.
"So what you're saying is…"
"As long as it's not a matter of principle, I can agree to it. However..." Daren's expression turned serious. "Not lending money is one of my principles!"
Dragon: ...
He couldn't help but ask,
"Then what other principles do you have?"
Daren took a deep breath, his eyes glowing with determination.
"I'm greedy, but I never take bribes!"
"I'm lustful, but I never deceive for it!"
"I smoke, but I'll never touch drugs!"
"I love drinking, but I never get drunk!"
"I flirt, but I never let down the girls who like me!"
"I crave power, but I'll never betray my friends for it!"
Every word hit like a hammer, loud and clear.
His solemn expression matched the gravity of his words. When he finished, Kuma could almost swear he saw a divine golden light radiating from him.
He looked ten feet tall!
Kuma was stunned.
"But what does any of that have to do with not lending me money!?"
Dragon's voice trembled with rage.
"I'm saying, I'm a scumbag with principles."
That relaxed smile returned to Daren's face.
"Borrowing money only ruins the purity of a friendship."
"Actually… our friendship isn't that pure," Dragon muttered.
"No, Dragon. Like you said, you see me as a close friend… and that will never change."
Daren shook his head firmly.
Dragon: ...
This bastard!!
He's absolutely messing with me!!
Dragon screamed internally, his face flushed, veins bulging at his temples, fists clenching and unclenching.
If he didn't need a favor, he might've already thrown a punch!
Not that he was sure he'd win...
"So, Dragon, I'm sorry. But based on my principles, I have to turn you down."
Daren shook his head with a look of genuine regret.
Dragon's expression fell. He opened his mouth but couldn't find anything to say.
Truth was, Daren had no obligation to help him.
Back then, he'd helped him escape purely out of personal ties—that alone fulfilled the duties of a friend.
And Daren had paid for it too. He was accused of negligence, and his promotion got shelved because of it.
Now, Dragon was a fugitive wanted by the World Government and the Marines.
The fact that Daren was willing to risk his career just to meet with him—he'd already shown more than enough goodwill.
But to go further, to provide financial support or help topple the World Government—that was too big a risk. If caught, Daren wouldn't just lose his career. He could end up on the run just like Dragon.
"I'm sorry. I got carried away, Daren," Dragon said, forcing a smile.
"I shouldn't have dragged you into this."
Daren gave a light laugh.
"It's alright."
"It's because I see you as a friend that I need to be clear about my principles… I never borrow money from friends."
He paused.
"Because if a friend needs it, I just give it to them."
"It's fine, I understand, Daren. I'll find another way—wait, what did you just say!?"
Dragon suddenly looked up, eyes wide, his expression lit up in shock and joy.
Give it directly!?
There's a deal this sweet!?
"You're serious!?" he practically shouted.
Daren nodded with a grin.
"I'm serious—but I need you to do me a favor."
"Say no more!"
Dragon bowed deeply, his face full of resolve.
He even raised a gust of wind with a wave of his hand, pushing Kuma's head down too so they both bowed.
"Well…" Daren stroked his chin, thinking it over.
"This thing I need... it's risky. You should consider it carefully—"
"No need to consider!"
Dragon cut him off, righteously declaring,
"No matter what it is, as long as I can get your money—uh, I mean, your friendship—I, Monkey D. Dragon, will go through fire and water for it!"
He stepped in close, leaned toward Daren's ear, and growled under his breath with gritted teeth.
"It's settled, Daren. Don't make me… beg you on my knees."
After all the "torment" Daren had put him through, Dragon had completely let go of his pride.
He was sick of being broke.
If this kept up, his dream of overthrowing the World Government and building a peaceful world would drift further and further away.
Daren replied coolly,
"You already knelt down earlier."
Dragon: ...
...
(40 Chapters Ahead)
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