Marine Headquarters, Marineford.
Gion's residence.
"So, the Pleasure District was fun?"
Gion stood with her arms crossed, a half-smile on her lips, but her eyes shimmered with a chilling killing intent as she looked at the Vice Admiral before her.
Well… it was pretty fun, to be honest.
Mainly the casinos and arenas—that's what made it interesting. It had absolutely nothing to do with the Queen of the Pleasure District... really.
Daren muttered to himself internally.
But the moment he saw Gion slowly place her hand on the hilt of her Meito, a cold shiver ran down his spine. He quickly forced a grin.
"Gion, let me... plead my case—no, I mean, explain!"
Gion's beautiful eyes narrowed into a dangerous slit as she eyed him coldly.
"I'm listening."
Oh? There's still hope!
Daren's eyes lit up slightly.
Judging by her reaction, it seemed she still didn't know exactly what he'd done—or who he'd met—in the Pleasure District.
After a brief pause, a hint of sorrow appeared in his gaze. He let out a long sigh and said helplessly,
"The truth is... me ending up in the Pleasure District to recover wasn't something I planned. It was an accident."
As he spoke, he slowly unbuttoned his military uniform, revealing a physique marked with shocking visual impact.
Countless intersecting scars crisscrossed his torso. Some of the newer ones were still pink and raw.
One particularly horrifying wound—where broken ribs had pierced through his chest—remained vivid and frighteningly clear.
Gion's eyes widened, and she gasped unconsciously.
"Your injuries..."
Daren gave a bitter smile and nodded.
"After the successful raid on Totto Land, I received a secret order from Admiral Sengoku... He said there were signs of the Beasts Pirates and asked me to investigate."
He didn't hesitate to throw Sengoku under the bus.
"Admiral Sengoku lives up to his title as the 'Resourceful General' of the Marines. Just as he predicted... I found traces of the Beasts Pirates in Wano Country. Kaidou had already moved in, and he'd secretly seized control of the nation, turning it into his stronghold."
"Kaidou built a massive network of military factories there. Out of a sense of duty, I chose to act. I tried to destroy their production lines..."
"You fought Kaidou?" Gion's eyes flashed with shock.
Daren nodded with difficulty.
"Kaidou was too powerful. I barely escaped from him and the rest of the Beasts Pirates."
"My wounds were critical, and I was completely exhausted... I lost consciousness while flying."
"When I came to, I was already in the Pleasure District."
He sighed deeply, then raised his eyes to Gion's, filled with sincerity.
"With injuries like these... do you really think I could've done anything inappropriate in a place like that?"
Gion pursed her lips and fell silent.
"So... I misunderstood you?" she murmured after a long pause.
Watching her expression soften, Daren's lips curled into a faint smile.
Still too young...
"Really, you weren't wrong. It's my fault... I shouldn't have made you worry."
His voice was full of remorse.
As he spoke, a coin seemed to appear from nowhere in his hand—like magic.
It was shaped like an old copper coin, with a rustic, antique finish.
"This is currency from Wano Country—spoils from my latest mission."
"I told you before, I'd bring you a coin from every place I visit."
Daren smiled as faint arcs of electricity flickered between his fingers.
The copper coin in his hand began to melt, stretch, and twist as if it were alive. Under the control of his fingertips, it rippled and reformed like it was being crafted by a master artisan, gradually shaping into a delicate, thorned rose of breathtaking beauty.
It bloomed brilliantly in his hand.
"A gift for you, Gion."
Thanks to his ever-deepening mastery of his Devil Fruit ability and the refined control granted by Observation Haki, the golden rose he created this time was clearly more detailed and lifelike than the last.
Gion stared silently at the rose in his palm, speechless.
He really… remembered.
She reached out, took the rose, and carefully placed it in a vase. There, it complemented the previous rose beautifully.
Under the moonlight, both shimmered with a soft glow.
"Do you like it?" Daren asked with a smile.
"Mm."
Gion gave a gentle nod.
Yes! Pulled it off!
Seeing her this calm and sweet, Daren couldn't help but grin.
"As long as you like it, I'll always do my best to make it happen—"
"But how do you explain the Queen of the Pleasure District?"
"...Eh?"
Daren froze as if struck by lightning.
He looked up, the smile on his face stiffening instantly.
Gion gave a sly, half-smile.
"How was she?"
"Huh?"
Daren instinctively took a step back, sensing the sudden shift in air pressure.
She… knew!?
Dammit!!
Her acting had completely fooled him!
Icy anger began to cloud Gion's expression. She sneered.
"I heard Stussy—the Queen of the Pleasure District—is the most skilled courtesan on the seas. She must've taken excellent care of you, huh?"
"Uhh..."
Daren gave an awkward chuckle.
But before he could say another word, Gion lunged.
In a flash, she pinned him to the ground, a fierce expression on her face.
Her sharp eyes flared with competitive fire.
"So... how many times?"
"WHAT!?"
Daren was completely stunned.
A terrible premonition crept into his heart.
That line...
This setup...
Why does this feel so familiar!?
No way—
...
Three hours later.
Daren hobbled out of Gion's residence, one hand clutching his lower back, the other bracing against the wall.
Two dark circles hung under his eyes.
"Women... when they get competitive... they're downright terrifying..."
He shivered and instinctively glanced back at the cozy little house within the mansion grounds.
Bathed in warm light, it now looked like a bottomless beast's gaping maw—and Daren felt his scalp tingle.
It was clear now:
Even an "indestructible body" had its limits.
Thinking about Amatsuki Toki, who was probably still waiting at home...
A smile more bitter than tears crept across Daren's face.
He sighed, shook his head, and limped toward home.
"Yeah... I'm seriously doomed."
...
(40 Chapters Ahead)
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