Daren's expression suddenly turned oddly complicated, and the look he gave Tokikake was filled with layered emotions—and a touch of pity.
Tokikake hadn't expected to run into Daren here of all places. His face tensed immediately.
"You, you… I, I…"
Under Daren's half-smiling gaze, Tokikake's face turned bright red as he stammered out a clumsy excuse.
"What's with that look? I'm just gathering intel!"
"Public service! It's all for public service, you know?!"
Of course I know. I'm the one who taught you that.
Daren set down the Den Den Mushi and pointed with a smile at the lavish, gold-adorned club behind Tokikake.
"Oh? Funny, I could've sworn I just saw you walk out of there."
Tokikake's expression shifted instantly. He strode over quickly, straightened up, and declared,
"That's right! That's exactly where I was collecting intel!"
With a solemn face and righteous tone, he continued,
"Thanks to my in-depth investigation, I've obtained valuable information on pirate activity. This intel will be crucial for future Marine operations against crime!"
"Mr. Jill! Mr. Jill!"
Just then, a young woman in a bunny girl outfit stepped out of the club, smiling as she called out to Tokikake.
"Here's the VIP card you just signed up for. From now on, you'll enjoy a 20% discount on all services."
She handed him the card with both hands, gave a polite bow, and displayed flawless manners.
Daren: …
Tokikake: …
"So the VIP card's already been topped up?" Daren asked with a playful grin, clearly enjoying the situation.
"Ahem, well… 20% off is a good deal…" Tokikake chuckled sheepishly, scratching his head.
"Are you a friend of Mr. Jill's?" the bunny girl asked sweetly.
The moment she saw Daren, her eyes lit up. She eagerly wrapped herself around his arm, her curvy figure pressing close as she purred,
"Want to come play? We've got all kinds of entertainment here…"
"No thanks," Daren said smoothly, extracting his arm with practiced ease. "I'm not interested in paying for things."
The girl looked him up and down, then suddenly smiled brightly.
"For a guest like you, payment isn't necessary."
Tokikake: ???
...
Inside the tavern.
Daren took the glass of whiskey from the bartender and took a relaxed sip before turning to Tokikake, who was glaring at him with obvious resentment.
"What'll you have? My treat."
Tokikake pouted, then angrily ordered the most expensive drink on the menu before grumbling,
"Seriously though, what are you doing here?!"
Daren casually lifted his shirt, revealing blood-stained bandages wrapped around his chest, and said with a grin,
"After the whole deal at Totto Land's Yakigashi Island, I swung by Wano Country. Ended up getting into a fight with Kaidou… got injured, so I picked an island to rest up. Didn't expect it to be Pleasure District."
"Ah, that makes sense. You fought Kaidou, no wonder…"
Tokikake nodded at first, but then froze, his eyes widening in disbelief. He jumped out of his seat like he'd been electrocuted.
"Wait—what!? You went one-on-one with Kaidou?!"
He stared at the Marine Vice Admiral in front of him as Daren calmly lit a cigar, his jaw practically hitting the floor.
Daren took a deep puff and smiled.
"No need to be so shocked. Stuff like this'll happen more often from now on."
One round of sparring was far from enough.
There was still plenty of value to wring out of Kaidou-sensei. He hadn't even learned Ryuo or Conqueror's Haki infusion yet.
More importantly, with his current strength, going to Wano wasn't nearly as dangerous anymore.
Hearing this, Tokikake clutched his head in exasperation.
"Damn it! You've gotten that strong already?"
Daren quipped, "If you stopped going to places like that so often, you could be too."
"No way."
Tokikake shook his head like a rattle, answering firmly,
"There are just too many poor girls in this vast sea! I, Tokikake, the genius of Headquarters, must use my love and warmth to care for them—do my part to help them live better lives!"
As he said this, a holy glow seemed to shine from his acne-ridden face. He clenched his fists, his eyes full of deep, solemn conviction.
"This... is my justice!!"
Daren: …
"Tokikake, you do realize they probably make more than you, right?"
Tokikake's face froze.
"Impossible!"
Daren replied with a bit of irritation,
"This is the Pleasure District, not a slum."
The Pleasure District was the most luxurious red-light district in the world. With such high-end clientele, the staff here naturally earned a lot.
Tokikake's expression twitched, but he quickly straightened up and declared,
"That's fine! My mission is to spread the great love of justice!"
Then, as if suddenly remembering something, he chuckled slyly,
"You just wouldn't understand, Mr. 'No Good'. My skills… they're top-tier combat power!"
He gave Daren a knowing smirk only guys would recognize, boasting with full confidence.
"Five minutes to end the battle?" Daren said flatly, taking a sip of his drink.
Tokikake stiffened.
"How do you know!?"
He stared wide-eyed, his face turning beet red.
Daren let out a sigh.
"I saw you walk in with my own eyes."
"And before I could even finish a call, you were already walking out, pulling your pants back up."
Tokikake faltered instantly, his face flushed purple with embarrassment.
Seeing his pitiful state, Daren gave him a sympathetic pat on the shoulder and said,
"It's fine, man. Efficiency is key."
"If it's still not working out… I heard Yamakaji's got some medicine that works pretty well. Might be worth a shot."
Tokikake slumped like a wilted eggplant, face miserable.
"I already used it."
Daren: …
Well. Very good. Exceptional, really.
Truly a gifted individual.
He opened his mouth but didn't know what to say.
"Oh, and Daren—don't tell Gion I was in the Pleasure District."
Tokikake quickly bounced back, rubbing his hands together with a sycophantic grin toward Daren.
Daren raised an eyebrow and gave him a look.
This guy really wasn't giving up. Persistent, to say the least.
Sensing the meaning behind Daren's stare, Tokikake said seriously,
"I came to the Pleasure District purely to care for the public."
"My relationship with those girls is strictly a clean, financial arrangement."
Daren: …
Before he could respond, Tokikake was already off fantasizing again.
"Hehehe, I heard the Queen of the Pleasure District, Stussy… she's supposed to be an absolute beauty. I wonder what she tastes like… hehehe…"
Yeah, I know.
The taste of a vampire... not bad.
Very smooth.