After leaving the tavern, Daren didn't head straight back to base.
He hadn't brought a warship or subordinates with him on this mission. The journey from the New World back to Marineford was long, and with his injuries still not fully healed, the safest option was to hitch a ride aboard Tokikake's warship.
The ship needed an hour or two to resupply—just enough time for Daren to take care of a few things.
Back in the familiar top-floor suite of his luxury hotel, he had barely opened the door when he saw a graceful figure already waiting, seated on the leather sofa in front of the floor-to-ceiling window.
Today, the Queen of the Pleasure District wore a sheer black dress with red-soled high heels. She sat with her legs crossed, one pale foot gently toying with her dangling heel, radiating both mystery and seduction.
Her allure filled the room—mature, elegant, and dangerously enticing.
"Heading out?"
Stussy held her wine glass with practiced poise, the crimson liquid catching the light and highlighting the curve of her lips.
"You got the message, didn't you? That bastard Shiki is stirring again."
Daren smiled as he shut the door behind him, walking over to the bar to pour himself a whiskey.
As a senior agent of the World Government's top intelligence agency, she naturally had access to Marine movements and classified orders.
"Shiki's ambition runs deep. With his strength and his powers, even the government keeps a wary eye on him."
"Now that he's on the move again, he's definitely planning something."
Stussy narrowed her eyes slightly, her voice calm and cool.
Daren raised an eyebrow and turned with a smirk.
"So this is your way of telling me to be careful? Honestly, I figured you'd prefer I died at Shiki's hands. That way, your little secret would go to the grave with me."
Stussy let out a soft laugh.
"When I first heard the news, I really did hope you'd die."
"But then I thought... for a man as entertaining as you, wouldn't it be such a waste to let you go so soon?"
"Ah, I see now... makes perfect sense." Daren nodded as if he had an epiphany.
See what?
Stussy blinked, caught off guard.
Before she could respond, the Marine Vice Admiral in front of her had already started unbuttoning his shirt, walking toward her one step at a time.
"Wait—what are you doing?!"
Her calm cracked, a flicker of panic flashed in her eyes.
Daren answered as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.
"You said you'd hate to see me die… so clearly, you just want my body."
This damn bastard!
What the hell is going on in that head of his?!
Stussy's tone turned sharp.
"Didn't you say last time was the last time!?"
Those shameful positions from before flashed through her mind, and a faint blush crept over her elegant face as she struggled to stay composed.
Daren chuckled.
"We're both adults. No need to dance around it, right?"
"This bastard..." Stussy bit her lip, then, not bothering with anything else, brushed past him and stormed out of the suite.
Watching the flustered Queen of the Pleasure District make her exit, Daren couldn't help but smile.
Once the door clicked shut again, he picked up his glass, took a sip, and sank into the sofa.
Then, casually, he said,
"You can come out. She's gone."
The words had barely left his lips when a breeze stirred silently through the room.
A murderous aura spiked.
Before him, pale green wind compressed into a tight miniature cyclone—and from the heart of that storm, a tall figure burst forward.
Daren's eyes sharpened as he sprang up from the sofa like a predator.
The two clashed in perfect sync, striking at the exact same moment!
Five fingers splayed and curled into a three-fingered dragon claw... the exact same opening move!
"Ryusoken!"
"Ryusoken!"
Two clawed hands, shrouded in flickering black light, tore through the air—three fingers curled into dragon claws, tracing a trail of dark, phantom brilliance. With the force and will to crush all domination, they clashed violently in midair.
Boom!
A deep, thunderous shockwave exploded between them.
The air tightened for an instant. A burst of wind erupted, surging through every corner of the room.
Yet, despite the force of the impact, both combatants had flawless control over their power. The shockwave didn't crack the walls or shatter the glass.
It was a draw.
But neither paused. The moment the clash ended, they shifted tactics without hesitation.
Drop the knees.
Swing the elbows.
Like arrows fired from fully drawn bows!
Bang!
Bang!
Their knees collided. Elbows slammed against each other.
Another sharp crack filled the air.
Both figures staggered back a step.
Then, channeling strength from waist and legs, they hurled their fists with brutal force!
The air itself seemed to ripple around their fists, pulsing outward in concentric waves.
"Genkotsu!"
"Genkotsu!"
Another thunderous collision—brief, brutal. They broke apart again, each retreating several steps.
"Hahahaha! So you really did learn the old man's style!"
The figure, blurred by the lingering storm winds, finally took shape.
He stood tall, a cold, commanding presence, cloaked in a dark green hooded coat that obscured most of his face. Even standing still, his aura cut like a blade.
Daren looked up at the man and grinned.
"It's been a while, Dragon."
The man was, unmistakably, Dragon.
Dragon pulled back his hood, revealing a sharp, brow-less face full of intensity. His messy black hair fell loose behind him, and he laughed heartily.
"You've gotten a hell of a lot stronger, Daren."
The look in his eyes was a mix of surprise, awe, and complexity.
How long had it been since they'd last met?
Barely half a year.
And yet in that time, Daren had broken through his limits—he'd fully stepped into Admiral-level combat strength, now standing as Dragon's equal.
What shocked Dragon most was the brief exchange just now. Daren's physical resilience... far beyond anything he expected.
Paired with overwhelming power output—if not for Dragon's superior Haki and close-quarters technique, he might've lost.
And most of all... Daren had actually mastered the Ryusoken and even his old man's Genkotsu technique!
What kind of monster was this guy?
No—he was the real "monster," wasn't he?
Daren, still smiling, flicked a cigar over to Dragon and sat back down.
"Yeah. I found myself a pretty great teacher."
"Zephyr-sensei?" Dragon raised a brow. He brought the cigar to his nose, inhaling deeply. A flicker of bliss crossed his face—he looked like he might cry.
It had been ages since he'd had a cigar this good.
"Nope," Daren said, shaking his head.
"Wait... it wasn't my old man, was it?" Dragon asked again.
Another headshake from Daren.
"Then who? Don't tell me Kong himself started training you?"
Dragon couldn't resist lighting the cigar now, curiosity burning in his eyes.
Daren grinned.
"Kaidou of the Beasts."
Dragon: ???