The sun was dazzling, the shade beneath the trees cool and calm.
On the island's beach, waves lapped rhythmically against the reef-strewn shore, building into foamy white crests.
Daren slowly forced his heavy eyelids open. It felt like every muscle in his body had been torn apart, waves of exhaustion and pain crashing down on him.
"So heavy..."
He muttered, then looked down—only to find a delicate, stunning face resting peacefully against his chest, sound asleep.
"Daren-san... you'll protect me, right?"
Amatsuki Toki was curled up in his arms like a sleeping kitten, her head tucked against his chest. Every so often, she shifted slightly, murmuring softly.
"Daren-san is so handsome... no, Daren-san..."
"Gentler, please..."
A faint blush spread across her pale cheeks.
Daren: "..."
What kind of dream are you having?
"Ahem..."
He cleared his throat lightly.
Having a beauty in his arms didn't mean he was entirely unaffected—but considering his condition, with his injuries still fresh and his shoulder half-numb from being used as a pillow, it wasn't quite the romantic moment one might think.
"Mm..."
Toki stirred with a soft noise, slowly waking up.
She opened her fawn-like eyes and met Daren's amused gaze.
Their eyes locked.
"Ah!!"
Like she'd been shocked, Toki sprang up from his chest, her face instantly flushed a deep red.
"Um... Daren-san, I'm so sorry..."
"I-I was just too tired and dozed off without realizing..."
She scrambled to explain, head lowered, unable to meet Daren's amused expression. Her gaze darted around nervously, fingers fidgeting in front of her.
Daren chuckled and glanced down at himself.
His bandages were fashioned from strips of his own shirt. The wrapping was clumsy and uneven, and at the end... a bowtie.
"Looks like you're not too skilled in medical treatment, Toki-san."
Toki bit her lip shyly, face bright red, and stammered,
"I... I..."
She got stuck after just "I"—and didn't seem to be getting any further.
Daren laughed.
"Relax, I'm teasing. Thanks for looking after me, Toki-san. I owe you one."
Toki summoned the courage to meet his gaze, and in a voice as soft as a whisper, said,
"Daren-san... you can just call me 'Toki.'"
Daren nodded.
"Alright. Then you can just call me Daren."
He glanced around at the surroundings.
"Toki, how long have I been out?"
She let out a breath and replied softly,
"One day."
Just one?
Daren reached into his pants pocket and pulled out a crumpled pack of cigarettes, lighting one.
As smoke drifted upward, he sank into thought.
His battle with Kozuki Oden hadn't come as a surprise.
What he hadn't expected... was how close he came to killing him.
Honestly, aside from Oden's impressive swordsmanship and Haki, his hand-to-hand combat skills were shockingly underdeveloped.
Maybe it was a reflection of Wano Country's culture.
The traditions of Wano weren't unlike those of a certain well-off country during Earth's feudal era. Officially ruled by a "Shogun," but in reality, power was held by regional daimyō.
The nation's structure was rigidly hierarchical, and a deeply ingrained sense of loyalty to the shogunate pervaded every layer of society.
Samurai—the largest military force in the country—upheld the "Bushido" code, serving as enforcers for the elite, a tool for controlling the common people.
Samurai of Wano were known across the world for their swordsmanship.
But Kozuki Oden had never left his homeland before—and had never faced off against a true master of martial arts.
That's what allowed Daren to exploit his opening.
"It's kind of a shame, really..."
Daren pinched his temple, shaking his head with a wry smile.
If the Whitebeard Pirates hadn't shown up in time, he might've actually finished that final strike.
"What's a shame, Daren-san?"
Amatsuki Toki tilted her head, curiosity written all over her face.
"That I didn't meet you sooner."
With Daren's smooth-talking nature, the words slipped out without hesitation.
Toki's face instantly turned scarlet, her heart thudding in her chest.
There's no denying it—flirting really does depend on looks. If someone like Tokikake had said that, the whole scene would've been anything but charming.
Suddenly, as if remembering something, Daren waved his hand.
Whoosh!
A streak of black light shot out from the depths of the jungle, slicing through the air with razor-sharp force, carving a deep trail in the ground before coming to a halt right in front of Daren.
The sword had a tri-lobed guard, purple-black flame markings etched along the blade, which gleamed cold and deadly.
The moment Toki laid eyes on it, a chill ran down her spine.
She wasn't sure if it was just her imagination, but as the sword drew near, a bone-deep chill seemed to radiate through the air—so strong even the sun's warmth couldn't pierce it.
"Daren-san, this sword..."
"Enma. One of Wano's national treasure-grade Meito. A strange, powerful weapon built for killing."
Daren's eyes narrowed as he stared at the black blade hovering before him.
He slowly stood up and reached for the bow on his bandages, untying it.
Toki's expression shifted into panic.
"Daren-san, you've only been resting for a day. Don't push yourse—"
"Huh!?"
Her bright eyes flew wide open. Her soft pink lips formed a perfect "O."
As the bloodstained bandages fell away, Daren's body came into full view—layered with scarred muscle, lean and powerful like a predator ready to pounce. It was the physique of a beast built for war.
The wounds on his chest and abdomen had already scabbed over, fresh pink skin showing at the edges.
"This..."
Toki could hardly believe what she was seeing.
"You'll get used to it. I've got a pretty sturdy body."
Daren gave her a wink, then turned away, ignoring the renewed blush burning across her cheeks. His gaze returned to the sword suspended in midair.
Enma—the blade said to "cut through Hell itself."
In the original story, this sword would unleash its wielder's Armament Haki without restraint, erupting with terrifying power.
But for an ordinary person, it would drain them dry and kill them.
Zoro had spent a long time taming it, and in the final war, he'd wielded Enma to glorious effect—earning the title "King of Hell."
In Daren's previous battle, he had relied on the power of the Jiki Jiki no Mi to control Enma from afar. But that was hardly the same as taming it.
"Well then... let's see if I'm worthy."
A crazed glint flashed in his eyes as he reached out and seized Enma's hilt!