The battleship sailed steadily along its designated course, heading toward Marine HQ—Marineford.
"Yes, Fleet Admiral Kong… The mission was executed flawlessly."
"...That's right. In this operation, Commodore Darren displayed remarkable strength and precise judgment..."
"Mhm, mhm. No problem at all…"
Sengoku ended the call with the military Den Den Mushi, a satisfied smile unconsciously forming on his face.
He stood at the prow of the ship, arms spread wide as he stretched lazily, the boundless blue sea before him bringing an invigorating sense of calm.
This Coin Island operation had been a tremendous success.
It marked the Marines' greatest victory over criminal forces since the God Valley Incident, with the total annihilation of the Golden Lion's invincible Flying Pirate Fleet.
Though the lion's share of credit belonged to Darren, and Sengoku had merely "assisted from the side," he was still the commanding officer—he'd certainly earned his share of the merits.
"That damn kid Darren... Always stirring up trouble, but damn if he isn't powerful."
The memory made Sengoku chuckle, shaking his head with a mixture of amusement and exasperation.
Looking back now, it was clear: several key operations had only succeeded because of Darren.
"World Destroyer" Byrnndi World.
"Beasts" Kaido.
And now, "Golden Lion" Shiki...
No matter who he faced, Darren consistently broke through with astonishing strategy and judgment, turning the tide in the Marines' favor and earning great achievements.
Sengoku himself, in contrast, often felt like he was just picking up the pieces afterward.
That time with Byrnndi World—Darren had taken him down before Sengoku had even lifted a finger.
During the Kaido operation, by the time the Marine main force arrived at the Beasts Pirates' base, Darren had already destroyed most of their weapons production. All they did was mop up.
And this time?
Sengoku's mouth twitched.
"Well, that's not my fault. I can't fly, after all."
He muttered, consoling himself.
But just then—he froze.
"What was that!?"
Something had stirred his instincts. He spun around abruptly.
A figure plummeted from the sky at terrifying speed, crashing straight through the deck.
BOOM!!
A massive hole erupted in the deck, splinters flying everywhere.
"What happened!?"
"Are we under attack!?"
"Prepare for battle!"
"...!"
The sudden commotion set the Marines scrambling. Weapons drawn, they surrounded the smoke-filled impact zone, eyes sharp and cautious as they approached.
But the sight that emerged stunned them into silence.
"Commodore Darren!?"
Darren lay in the pit, pale-faced, a shocking wound torn across his chest, blood gushing out and staining his uniform deep red.
"—Tch!!"
Such a brutal injury!
Gasps swept through the Marines.
Panic immediately followed on deck.
"Doctor!! Get the doctor, now!!"
…
"Ugh…"
Darren groaned back into consciousness, his whole body wracked with pain.
"Giant swordsmanship… That crazy hag really didn't hold back."
Grimacing, he rubbed his forehead and slowly opened his eyes.
A circle of Marines had gathered around him. At the front stood Sengoku, eyes filled with concern.
"...Admiral Sengoku."
Relief washed over Sengoku the moment he saw Darren was alive. Then, frowning, he barked:
"Oi oi, you damn brat... What's with that grumpy face?"
"That how you greet your old man?"
Darren felt around, pulling out a crumpled pack of cigarettes. He lit one, stuck it between his lips, and managed a weary smirk.
"I was hoping to wake up to a sexy nurse…"
He took a slow drag, eyes dropping to his chest.
His uniform had been opened; the wound crudely treated and wrapped in bloodstained bandages.
At his words, Sengoku's eyelid twitched.
Hold it in… You must hold it in… The brat just pulled off a major victory.
Sengoku took a deep breath, forcing a strained smile.
"What the hell happened to you?"
He was well aware of the strength of Charlotte Daifuku and Charlotte Perospero—perhaps slightly above Marine Vice Admirals, but clearly no match for Darren.
Besides, he'd personally left them in critical condition.
"Don't tell me... you ran into Big Mom?"
Sengoku's gaze sharpened, eyeing Darren's injuries, suspicion rising.
Darren rolled his eyes.
"Who else but that crazy hag?"
Sengoku's face froze.
This brat... actually picked a fight with Big Mom!?
Darren ignored Sengoku's stunned expression and fell into thought.
Big Mom's strength had exceeded his expectations. He'd underestimated her.
By now, he'd exchanged blows with nearly every infamous pirate in these seas:
Byrnndi World, Roger, Kaido, Whitebeard, Golden Lion, Charlotte Linlin…
From those encounters, Darren could now roughly rank their raw strength.
The weakest was undoubtedly the first he took down—legendary pirate Byrnndi World.
World's "World Destroyer" title owed much to his More-More Fruit. His base strength wasn't all that impressive.
As for the strongest…
Darren exhaled smoke slowly, eyes narrowing.
That one was harder to judge.
Roger, Whitebeard, and Golden Lion all gave off the same overwhelming pressure—monstrous power that felt near-unstoppable.
Unless Darren himself reached their level of legendary strength, it was impossible to say which of the three was strongest.
And more importantly, battles at that level hinged on countless variables—
Physical condition, climate, mental state, momentary bursts of power…
Any of them could tip the scale.
As for the remaining two—Charlotte Linlin and Kaido—
Darren sighed.
Because of the later Wano arc events, he'd misjudged Big Mom's strength.
Though both she and Kaido had once served under the Rocks Pirates, their status within the crew had been very different.
Kaido had still been an intern; Charlotte Linlin, already a commanding officer.
And at this point in time—
Kaido was just thirty, still in his youth. His strength was growing, but he hadn't yet reached his Wano-era peak.
But Big Mom was different.
She was 39—at her absolute prime. Whether in swordsmanship, physical might, combat experience, or the sheer intensity of her Conqueror's Haki, she far outclassed Kaido at this stage.
It was only her deceptively odd appearance that led him astray.
---
To be continued...