How the hell did Tokikake end up here?
This was the New World, and he had just been promoted to Commodore. Logically, he should've been buried in transition paperwork and military affairs. How could he possibly show up here?
What's that?
This is the Pleasure District?
...Oh. Never mind then.
Daren stared at the sleazy figure in the distance, face twitching, and instinctively raised a hand to cover his forehead.
Today, Tokikake seemed to be deliberately low-profile. He wasn't wearing his uniform but had dressed in simple casual clothes—an eye-catching, brightly colored shirt on top and a pair of loose shorts on the bottom, his hairy calves fully exposed.
Hands in pockets, toothpick in his mouth, flip-flops on his feet... he strolled confidently into the bubble bath center like he owned the place.
Several bunny girls posted at the entrance to welcome guests lit up the moment they saw him. Their eyes sparkled like gold coins as they eagerly rushed forward, wrapped themselves around Tokikake's arms, and pulled him inside.
"Mr. Jill, where have you been? We've missed you so much..."
"We sisters talk about you all the time..."
"Mr. Jill, you've gotten even more handsome since we last saw you!"
Their praises were bright, flirtatious, and suspiciously sincere—proof of their top-tier professional charm.
"Hahahaha! Did you really miss me?"
Surrounded by beautiful women showering him with affection, Tokikake looked as if he were floating. He swayed with every step, completely drunk on the moment.
"Of course... You're one of our VIPs."
"A dashing man like you? We never see anyone else like that around here..."
"Mr. Jill, are you planning to have all of us serve you together again?"
The girls pressed in closer, their soft bodies leaning against him without a hint of reservation, their tone dripping with sultry pressure.
"Of course! Hehehe..."
With a sleazy grin and flushed face, Tokikake puffed up proudly, planting his hands on his hips.
"I just got promoted! Time to celebrate in style!"
He threw his arms around the girls and swaggered into the club with them like a conquering hero.
...
Watching the whole scene unfold from afar, Daren's mouth twitched slightly.
This guy Tokikake... Was he always this much of a player?
From the looks of it, he seemed to be a regular here, too.
Daren shook his head, speechless, but didn't bother getting involved.
It wasn't exactly rare for Marines to hit up entertainment districts during their downtime.
In the original storyline, that bastard Tokikake often ran off to gamble in Gran Tesoro. As long as he didn't cross the line, headquarters usually turned a blind eye.
Being a Marine was exhausting work. After a lifetime of fighting, wasn't it fair to enjoy a little fun?
"But I guess it's about time I report in on what happened in Wano..."
Daren rubbed the rough stubble on his chin and began scanning for a way to contact Marine HQ.
His military-issue Den Den Mushi had been tragically reduced to goo under Kaidou's educational beatdown.
Back at the hotel, while pulling his pants on, Stussy had offered to use her channels to get in touch with headquarters—but Daren had declined.
Better to keep his "true deal" with Stussy under wraps for now.
Looking around, he quickly spotted a small newspaper office across the street.
After tossing out a generous wad of cash, the manager eagerly presented him with one of their dedicated Den Den Mushi units.
"Brrrr... Brrrr..."
After dialing in, Daren lit a cigarette and stood casually by the roadside, waiting for the call to connect.
Soon—
"Brrr!"
The Den Den Mushi connected.
"Hello?"
A stern voice came through—it was Admiral Sengoku.
Daren smiled.
"Admiral Sengoku, this is Daren."
He immediately held the Den Den Mushi far away from his ear.
Sure enough, after a moment of silence, the Den Den Mushi's expression morphed into a furious mimicry of Sengoku's face, flames practically shooting from its eyes.
"Daren, you little brat! So you still remember how to contact headquarters!?"
"Do you have any idea how much work and coordination I've done on this end to support your mission!?"
The Den Den Mushi glared furiously, spitting in every direction.
Daren scratched his ear nonchalantly and replied with a grin.
"Apologies, Admiral Sengoku. The situation in Wano Country was far more complicated than expected. I was also seriously injured—that's what caused the delay."
"Seriously injured!? And you still had time to visit the Pleasure District while recovering!?"
The sound of a table being slammed echoed through the line.
"This is how you 'recover' from an injury!?"
Daren: …
...Uh, busted.
A flash of awkwardness crossed his face.
If nothing had happened, it wouldn't be a big deal—but the problem was, something definitely had happened.
And it had been with the Queen of the Pleasure District.
Still, with Daren's level of shamelessness, he instantly denied everything with a straight face.
"Ahem. Admiral Sengoku, I swear... I've been quietly recuperating this whole time. I absolutely have not had any financial or sexual entanglements with anyone in the Pleasure District."
Hearing that, Sengoku's anger cooled a bit. Suspicion lingered in his voice.
"You're telling the truth?"
Daren's face turned righteous.
"Please, Admiral. I'm a Marine, trained under strict discipline. You can trust me."
After all, if he didn't pay… it didn't count as a financial transaction.
That was perfectly logical.
Sengoku slowly let out a deep breath.
There was no reason for Daren to lie about something like this. It looked like he really had gone into hiding in the Pleasure District to recover.
And if he had actually fought Kaidou in Wano, then injuries were inevitable. Daren wasn't at the level to match Kaidou head-on yet.
Just then, Daren's voice came back on the line—sounding smug.
"And besides, Admiral Sengoku, you know with my charm... I don't need to pay!"
Bang!
Sengoku collapsed backward in exasperation.
He sat back up, his face filled with disbelief.
You're actually proud of that!?
Clutching his chest in frustration, Sengoku barked through the line.
"Report. Now!"
"How bad are your injuries? Do you need a warship to pick you up?"
"We've already sent Sakazuki and Borsalino's warships into the New World to prepare for a potential assault on Wano. They're on standby and can head for the Pleasure District at any time."
Sakazuki and Borsalino?
Daren's eyes flickered slightly.
Under normal circumstances, if the Marines were prepping for war against the Beasts Pirates, Sengoku himself would likely be leading the charge.
But now, with Sakazuki and Borsalino spearheading the operation, it was clear the power dynamics within the Marines were shifting.
The new generation of monstrous Marines was gradually taking over the frontlines, pushing the older generation into more strategic, behind-the-scenes roles.
Just like in the original timeline, Sengoku had begun to retreat to headquarters, overseeing planning, coordination, and broader strategy.
"No need, Admiral Sengoku. My body's fine now. I'll be ready to return in a few days."
Daren replied calmly.
Borsalino was alright. If he came around, they might even grab a drink and wander the Pleasure District together.
But Sakazuki?
Absolutely not.
Daren glanced at the crowds flooding the Pleasure District, where pirates threw money around like water, and couldn't help shaking his head.
If Sakazuki ever set foot in this place… with his personality, he'd probably level the entire island with a Ryusei Kazan.