"Donquixote Doflamingo?"
At the mention of the name, a sharp glint flickered in the eyes of the Five Elders on the other end of the Den Den Mushi.
A defiant, blond brat came to mind.
They remembered that scene vividly.
Wearing sunglasses, the boy had climbed the Celestial Stairway step by step, carrying a bloody head. When he reached them, he tossed it at their feet.
"This is my father's head. I want to become a Celestial Dragon again."
That's what he said.
"Daren, what's your relationship with Doflamingo?"
Saint Topman Warcury's tone turned cold.
Daren smiled.
"Reporting to you, sir, I have no direct relationship with Doflamingo."
"While I was stationed in the North Blue, the Donquixote family under his command expanded rapidly. I launched multiple operations against them, but regrettably, none were successful."
"That was my failure."
"However, it also proves Doflamingo's remarkable talent and potential. Since you are currently considering candidates for the Shichibukai, I merely think Doflamingo could be a strong contender."
"At the very least..."
He glanced at Crocodile with a faint, mocking smile.
"...his strength may prove more impressive."
Crocodile's face flushed with anger as he clenched his teeth.
The Five Elders fell silent.
They exchanged looks, as if confirming something among themselves.
Saint Topman Warcury narrowed his eyes and said slowly,
"Daren, Doflamingo is just a minor pirate in the North Blue. He is not yet qualified to become one of the Shichibukai. He is not under our consideration."
The smile on Daren's face took on a colder edge.
"Understood, my lords."
"In that case, I'll trouble you no further."
"Hmm."
The Den Den Mushi call ended.
...
Crack!
The Den Den Mushi was crushed in Topman Warcury's hand. A flash of killing intent lit his eyes as he said coldly,
"That arrogant Marine brat—does he think he can meddle in the selection of the Shichibukai?"
Another Elder, gripping a katana, chuckled coldly.
"Topman... you don't actually believe what he said, do you?"
"We all know Falcon's strength. While he hasn't reached the level of the Celestial Dragons' strongest shield, he's certainly not someone Crocodile could kill."
Topman Warcury glanced at his friend and sneered.
"Of course I know that, Saint Ethanbaron V. Nusjuro."
"But so what?"
A CP0 agent is just that—expendable. As the supreme leaders of the World Government, they felt no remorse over his death.
"I just didn't expect that brat Daren to rise so quickly."
"His surprise attack on Totto Land caused such a stir that many member and non-member nations are now uneasy about the Marines possessing this level of long-range strategic strike capability..."
That statement drew silence from the other Elders, their expressions darkening.
A file lay before each of them.
On the cover: the name and photo of Rogers Daren.
Saint Ethanbaron V. Nusjuro, the Warrior God of Finance, ran a thin finger along the blade of a cursed purple-black sword, his gaze cold.
"The Marines' direction is shifting."
"Under Daren's influence, the Marines are beginning to show signs of slipping from our grasp again."
"Especially the new generation—each more unruly than the last."
The blond Elder, Saint Shepherd Ju Peter, suddenly said,
"At least Borsalino still follows our orders, doesn't he, Saint Saturn?"
He turned to another Elder—dressed in a black suit, with white curly hair, a fluffy white beard, and a black flat cap. The man leaned on a withered cane.
This was Saint Jaygarcia Saturn, the Warrior God of Science and Defense.
Saturn nodded, his tone icy.
"Borsalino has always followed government orders. He's done well with the task of guarding and supervising Vegapunk."
Saint Topman Warcury chuckled.
"Perhaps we can use that... to sow discord between them."
The Elder with a long white beard, Saint Marcus Mars, the Warrior God of Environment, shook his head.
"The more urgent issue is the Shichibukai plan."
"Daren has matured... The threat he showed in Totto Land rivals even Golden Lion."
"The Shichibukai system helps suppress pirates in the New World—and it also helps keep the Marines in check."
"But we can't push Daren too hard," the blond Elder said.
"Exactly. The methods we used in the past can't be repeated," Saturn added, his gaze lowered.
"He's not Zephyr, after all."
Saint Topman Warcury said slowly,
"With his personality, if we corner him, he could become an enemy even more dangerous and unstable than Shiki."
There was a confident gleam in his eyes—one that spoke of control.
"In fact, his personality works in our favor."
"Power, status, fame, women... if he craves these things, then let's give them to him."
"As long as he has desires, he'll be easy to control."
"The real problem is with those who are immune to temptation."
The other Elders all smiled at that.
"Agreed."
"Agreed."
"Agreed."
"Seconded."
...
Daren watched as the military Den Den Mushi slowly drifted off to sleep, then sneered and crushed it in his hand.
"How infuriating... those old fossils."
He exhaled a plume of smoke shaped like a dragon, turned to glance at the dazed Tokikake and the others, and grinned.
"See? Problem solved."
Tokikake: ...
The Marines: ...
Ignoring them, Daren turned and walked toward Crocodile.
"You heard it too, Crocodile."
He stopped in front of Crocodile, squatted down, and used a handkerchief to wipe the blood from his face.
"Looks like I can't kill you after all. What a shame."
Crocodile glared at him with fury.
"Hey now, don't look at me like that... You didn't care about their feelings when you were killing Marines, did you?"
Daren shrugged.
"Still, just because you get to live doesn't mean you're off the hook."
"From the Grand Line to the New World, you've killed plenty of Marines and civilians... So it's only fair you leave something behind, wouldn't you say?"
Crocodile blinked, caught off guard.
Before he could react, Daren's gaze sharpened. In a flash, he drew Enma and swung down hard!
Slick!
A severed hand spun through the air.
Crocodile's mind went blank for a second. Then the pain hit him like a tidal wave, his bloodshot eyes wide with agony as he let out a howl.
"AAAAAAGH!! You bastard!!!"
His body shook violently on the ground, his right hand gripping the bleeding stump of his left wrist, blood pouring out between his fingers.
"Now this... fits the story better."
Daren muttered, amused by his own joke.
"Oh, one tip—you could attach a gold hook to that arm. Would really sell the pirate image."
"And another thing..."
He raised his boot and stomped down on Crocodile's chest. As Crocodile's eyes bulged with rage, Daren leaned in and whispered coldly:
"Don't forget, I'm not sparing you because of those five decrepit geezers' orders."
"Trust me, I've got the power... Even if I cut you down right here, at worst they'd yell at me a bit. Doesn't mean a damn thing."
"I'm sparing you because I expect more from you."
"Remember this, Crocodile..."
A burning ambition shone in Daren's eyes.
"From this moment on, you're one of the Shichibukai."
"Go ahead—stir up chaos, challenge Whitebeard, hell, even take a shot at Roger. I won't stop you. I can even make sure the Marines and the World Government won't come after you."
"But keep one thing in mind... You don't take orders from the Marines, or the World Government. You take orders from me."
Crocodile's eyes widened, shaken to the core.
This guy... What terrifying ambition!
"Looks like you understand."
Daren smiled, pulled out a fresh gold-embossed cigar, placed it in Crocodile's mouth, and lit it for him.
Then he casually smoothed back Crocodile's pompadour before slowly rising to his feet.
As Crocodile stared in disbelief, the Vice Admiral flashed a bright, mocking smile.
"Well then, congratulations, Crocodile."
"From this moment on, you are a proud member of the Shichibukai."