Kaidou's base got destroyed?
When Daren heard the news, he was momentarily stunned.
His recent promotion from Commodore to Rear Admiral didn't seem to faze him much. Though social ties were important, in the end, strength was what mattered most in this sea. With his power, the promotion was only a matter of time.
"You don't look too happy about it…"
Borsalino smiled as he watched Daren fall into deep thought.
"To jump three ranks from Captain to Rear Admiral in such a short time… that kind of promotion speed is unheard of. You've even caught up to me in rank now…" He rubbed the stubble on his chin. "I bet Sakazuki's got a massive headache right about now…"
But Daren's brows furrowed tightly.
"No, Borsalino. What I'm thinking about is… now that their base has been destroyed and the coordinates exposed, where did Kaidou go?"
Borsalino gave him a glance and shrugged.
"Who knows? Kaidou's a mythical creature who can fly. If he really wants to hide, who in this sea could find him?"
Daren's eyebrow twitched. A vague thought seemed to brush past the back of his mind, but it vanished before he could catch it.
"I heard back in the Rocks Pirates days, Kaidou and Big Mom got along pretty well."
Borsalino scratched his head.
"…Could he have gone to seek refuge with Big Mom?"
"Not likely."
Daren shook his head.
With Kaidou's personality, he would never willingly play second fiddle. Besides, the moment those two monsters meet, it's more likely the sky would collapse from their clash.
"Unless…"
He looked up at Borsalino, then blinked in confusion.
"What are you smiling at?"
Borsalino raised his hands in mock surrender.
"Who, me? I'm not smiling."
But that smug look on his face made a bad feeling well up in Daren's gut.
"You're totally smiling!"
"Alright, alright. So, have you figured out how you're going to explain your disappearance these past couple of days?"
Borsalino teased, pointing toward the sea.
Daren followed his gaze—and the scene that greeted him made him instinctively want to bolt.
Several imposing Navy warships had already docked. Hulking figures leapt down from them one after another, striding forward with furious momentum.
Was it just his imagination, or did their eyes seem to be glowing red?
The corner of Daren's mouth twitched uncontrollably.
"No… no way…"
Before he could finish, furious voices boomed out like thunder.
"Daren, you little brat!! Where the hell have you been these past two days!? If you're alive, you should've reported in!"
"Do you have any idea how many islands we've turned upside down looking for you?!"
Daren winced as he looked at the three figures storming toward him: Sengoku, Zephyr, and Garp—each cracking their knuckles with terrifying intensity. For the first time in his life, Daren felt a pang of panic.
"Um… Zephyr-sensei, Fleet Admiral Sengoku, Vice Admiral Garp…"
"Please, let me explain—wait, no, I mean, let me clarify—"
But the trio, full of pent-up rage, had no intention of listening. Their nostrils flared as they marched straight at him.
Three massive fists whipped up a gale as they shot toward him, growing larger in his pupils by the second!
These damn old geezers don't play fair at all!
Daren cursed internally, then suddenly had a flash of inspiration and blurted out:
"I fought with the Whitebeard Pirates!!"
Boom!!
All three fists halted just inches from his face, their fierce winds making the muscles on Daren's face ripple.
"What did you just say?"
Zephyr's eyes went wide.
"He said he fought the Whitebeard Pirates!"
Garp turned and shouted straight into Zephyr's ear.
"I'm not deaf! What the hell are you yelling for!?"
Veins bulged on Zephyr's forehead as he snapped back at Garp.
"You kept asking, I was just being helpful…"
Garp grumbled while picking his nose.
Zephyr clenched his fists: ヽ(#`Д´)ﾉ
Sengoku stood nearby, a dark expression on his face as he watched these two fools bicker. He pinched the bridge of his nose, then narrowed his eyes and turned to Daren with a grave tone.
"Daren... are you serious, or is this some kind of joke?"
A bead of cold sweat slid down Daren's forehead.
He nodded carefully.
Given how wrecked his body was right now, he couldn't take another round of beatings from these old men. Sengoku might be manageable, but Garp and Zephyr? Their punches were brutal. If they let loose, it'd set his recovery back by at least another day.
"Yes. It was… a complete coincidence."
Facing the three furious veterans, Daren didn't dare act cocky. After all, they had dropped their duties and traveled all the way to the New World just to rescue him. From their exhausted faces and weathered appearances, it was clear they'd been genuinely worried.
So Daren answered honestly:
"I broke the arm of one of Whitebeard's... well, sworn brothers, I guess. Almost took him out…"
"Then, to create an opening to escape, I launched an attack on the Moby Dick—but it was blocked."
"And then Whitebeard snapped."
"He unleashed the power of the Gura Gura no Mi, caused a tsunami, and sank an entire island."
"I barely escaped with my life."
At that, Daren flashed a proud grin at the stunned trio.
Daren: b(￣▽￣)d
Sengoku: …
Zephyr: …
Garp: …
The next moment—
"You little brat! You still think you haven't caused enough trouble!?"
Sengoku roared, visibly in agony.
Whitebeard. It was Whitebeard!!
The most protective, most dangerous Yonkō in the New World!!
"And Garp, Zephyr, you two idiots—shut your mouths already!! Quit laughing!!"
Sengoku spun around furiously, glaring at the two who were standing there arms crossed, heads thrown back in laughter.
Zephyr: "Hahaha!! As expected of my student!!"
Garp: "Bwahaha!! That's the adjutant I've been counting on!!"
Sengoku: …
He looked like he was about to crack all his teeth from clenching.
"First Byrnndi World! Then Roger! Then Kaidou! And now Whitebeard!?"
He clutched his head in despair, eyes bloodshot as he stared at Daren.
"Are you trying to pick a fight with every legendary pirate out there!?"
"So who's next? Big Mom? Ochoku? Captain John? Or even Shiki!?"
Hearing that, Daren tilted his head, thinking aloud.
"Hmm… well…"
"—You're actually thinking about it!?"
Sengoku's furious roar echoed across the entire island.