When Sengoku spoke, the smirk on Daren's lips widened.
Even though he had incited the Marines' battle fervor with that bold speech, the real question was whether he'd be allowed to act on it. Ultimately, he still needed approval from Marine Headquarters.
But judging by the shift in tone and expression from Kong and Sengoku, their resistance was beginning to soften.
The G5 Branch had been a part of Daren's plans for a long time.
Located deep in the New World, far from the command of Marine Headquarters, G5's geography created a natural buffer from direct oversight. But more importantly, G5 was special.
Infamous for being a "rogue" unit, the branch was staffed by Marines who acted more like pirates—wearing the uniform but doing whatever they pleased. They ignored orders, disobeyed commands, and operated as their own law.
Most commanders would see G5 as a nightmare to manage.
For Daren, it was paradise.
It felt like going home.
If he could secure control over G5, he'd carve out a domain of his own within the Navy—one that rivaled the influence he already held in the North Blue.
Far from the center of power, he'd be free to do things his way.
This was Daren's path to building power.
Now that he was a Vice Admiral, two routes lay before him.
The first: stay in Marineford, following orders and handling assigned missions.
The second: be dispatched to a Grand Line branch to serve as base commander.
But whether he stayed or went, both routes kept him tightly leashed under headquarters' supervision. What Daren lacked—what he craved—was freedom. Independence.
That was why he planned to seize G5.
The next step was clear.
He needed a team.
To take full control of G5—and to survive the chaos of the New World where Great Pirates clashed daily—he had to gather loyal followers willing to fight at his side.
That was the reason behind his push for war.
"If we want to truly restore the Navy's reputation and prestige," Daren said, his voice turning cold and sharp, "then we must act swiftly."
"We'll erase the shame with a victory."
Kong and the others frowned.
"Daren," Sengoku warned, "don't forget our current situation—short on funds, manpower, weapons. We can't afford the cost of war."
But Daren simply waved his hand, a cryptic smile on his face.
"We won't need all that. Not yet."
That caught everyone off guard.
"No need?" They all stared at him, confused.
They weren't pirates who could just loot and pillage. Naval operations demanded vast resources—warship maintenance, weapon logistics, troop coordination, sailing preparations…
How could they go to war with nothing?
"At least not for this mission."
Daren crushed out his cigar and reached for his Vice Admiral cloak hanging by the coat rack, draping it across his shoulders. Then he turned to Borsalino, who was casually picking his nails.
"Vice Admiral Borsalino, is Enma ready?"
Borsalino chuckled.
"Enma's mostly stabilized. But... I'd still advise against going overboard, hmm?"
Daren nodded with a grin.
"Don't worry."
The Vice Admiral pulled on his pristine, flowing white cloak and headed toward the door of the Fleet Admiral's office.
His voice was calm, confident, echoing behind him.
"This operation is about impact, intimidation, speed... and overwhelming force."
With each step, his presence intensified.
As Kong and the others stared in stunned silence,
Daren pushed open the door.
The sunlight poured over him.
And in the glow of sea breeze and daylight, that new cloak fluttered high—gleaming like a banner raised to declare war.
Daren turned and smiled.
"Please wait a bit. I'll be right back."
The moment he spoke, a streak of eerie black light erupted from the distant earth, piercing through the air and arriving before him in an instant.
Standing atop the jet-black blade of the cursed sword, he soared into the sky, propelled by a violent magnetic field!
Inside the office, everyone watched in stunned silence as the Vice Admiral's figure vanished into the horizon. They exchanged bewildered glances.
"What's that brat trying to do now?" Garp muttered, blankly chewing his rice cracker.
Sakazuki frowned deeply, then suddenly relaxed, as if something had clicked.
Kong and Sengoku exchanged a glance—and in that moment, they both understood. Shock and disbelief instantly flooded their eyes.
"Right, I almost forgot to mention," Borsalino said with a knowing smile. "After the graduation ceremony, Vice Admiral Daren asked me for two little things."
"What things?" Zephyr asked instinctively.
Borsalino smiled wider.
"One was an Eternal Pose—pointing to an island affiliated with Totto Land."
Everyone's face changed drastically.
Daren... had set his sights on Big Mom's territory?
Was he seriously planning to charge into the heart of Totto Land alone?
Was he insane?
Was he going to die?
But just a second later, realization dawned.
They suddenly remembered Daren's terrifying flight speed—and it all made sense.
With his current power, as long as he didn't get caught by Big Mom herself, he could retreat at any time using his Devil Fruit ability!
No—
Recalling Daren's performance during the defense of Marineford—the overwhelming strength and authority he commanded—they came to a clearer conclusion:
Even if Big Mom showed up in person, she probably couldn't stop him.
Which meant...
With that kind of strength and high-speed mobility, Daren could now travel freely across the seas—just like Shiki once had!
The world was vast. And to Daren, no place was off-limits!
That realization sent a wave of awe crashing through the office.
They could already see it: the image of a "Flying Admiral" soaring above the Grand Line, unstoppable and untouchable!
Kuzan was practically glowing as he murmured,
"That's insanely cool... Daren's really going to storm Totto Land on his own!"
"Damn it!!" he suddenly groaned, clutching his head.
"My Devil Fruit is so useless!"
Kong ignored Kuzan's nonsense and turned to Borsalino, his tone sharp and tinged with urgency.
"And the second item? What else did Daren ask you for?"
Everyone snapped their gaze to Borsalino.
The latter reached into his coat with a playful smirk and pulled out a small device.
"This," he said.
"He told me, 'If this is going to be a victory... then the whole world should witness it for themselves.'"
The moment they saw what was in his hand, every high-ranking officer in the room froze, expressions filled with shock.
A real-time broadcasting Den Den Mushi.
The implication was obvious now.
Daren's plan... had taken shape.
Before the eyes of the entire world—he would launch a solo strike deep into the heart of Totto Land!