"You really are a lunatic..."
Momonga couldn't help but give a wry smile as he listened to Daren's outrageous words.
"Are you sure this is something I'm even supposed to be hearing?"
Daren chuckled.
"Why not? From the day you said you wanted to follow me, I knew you had the potential."
"The World Government's long history of indoctrination has split this sea into rigid classes. The Celestial Dragons sit high above, controlling everything. But as times change and new heroes rise, those entrenched ideas are bound to collapse."
He slowly leaned back in his chair, raised his glass, and took a refined sip.
"Of course, that's just my theory. I'll need more examples and data before I can say anything for certain."
Momonga looked at Daren's half-smiling eyes and felt increasingly uneasy. His mouth twitched.
"So you're planning to use me as a guinea pig, huh?"
Daren grinned.
"Your name is Momonga, isn't it?"
Momonga: …
Daren burst into louder laughter as he caught the expression on Momonga's face—like he'd just swallowed something foul.
After a while, he finally calmed down a bit and spoke more seriously.
"Not entirely a joke. I don't trust anyone else to handle the North Blue."
"Once I leave for Marineford, you'll be in charge here, Momonga."
His expression hardened.
"Doflamingo may act obedient now after being knocked into line, but he's still ambitious at heart."
"We can keep using the Germa card. Stir up some friction between the two sides. Our North Blue Marines will just stay in the middle as mediators. No need for the house to jump into the game too often—otherwise, the players all fold."
"But strategy and politics are just one part of it. What matters most is strength."
Momonga nodded firmly.
"Don't worry. I haven't slacked off in my training for even a single day."
Daren gave a satisfied nod.
At that moment, a sharp, urgent ringing came from the Den Den Mushi.
"Brurururu... Brurururu..."
Daren and Momonga both paused, turning their eyes to the military Den Den Mushi on the desk.
"This is Daren," he said calmly, reaching to pick it up.
"Daren, it's me."
The solemn voice of Admiral Sengoku came through, filled with a heavy tone.
"Admiral Sengoku. What happened?"
Daren frowned and exchanged a glance with Momonga.
From the intel they had, Sengoku was currently working alongside the World Government's CP agents on a mission to hunt down and eliminate the 'World Destroyer,' Byrnndi World.
"There's been a problem with the operation to capture Byrnndi World. Due to the increased bounty, he's grown more cautious. Reinforcements from Headquarters have already sealed off the only sea route from the North Blue to the Grand Line... but Byrnndi World and his men are still hiding somewhere in North Blue waters."
On the other end, Sengoku's brows were furrowed as if someone had painted them thick with black ink.
"Daren, I know you've been running things in the North Blue for years. You've got influence and connections here... This time, I need you to tap into those networks and help us locate Byrnndi World's hideout."
Hearing that, Daren raised an eyebrow.
Ever since he took the fall for Saint Xildes, the Marines had doubled Byrnndi World's bounty from 200 million to 400 million Berry.
But he hadn't expected the man to become this cautious and alert as a result.
Daren paused in thought for a moment before speaking slowly.
"Admiral Sengoku, mobilizing the North Blue fleet and tapping into my network... that won't be a problem."
"But what I'd like to know is—have you already engaged Byrnndi World again?"
"—You're trying to gauge how far he might retaliate?"
Sengoku truly lived up to his title as the 'The Resourceful General.' He immediately grasped the intent behind Daren's question.
"Yes, Admiral. If Byrnndi World is injured, there's a high chance he'll respond with excessive violence."
Daren's voice grew a touch heavier.
"I'm not just talking about retaliation against the Marines—but also against civilians."
Sengoku fell silent for a moment, then said quietly,
"I've indeed clashed with him a few times recently... and yes, he's been injured."
Daren smiled, satisfied.
"Understood, Admiral Sengoku. I'll arrange for my men to begin tracking Byrnndi World's whereabouts immediately."
An opportunity for merit like this... I can't let it slip away.
With the North Blue already sealed off, and given the sailing technology of this era, it's impossible for Byrnndi World to cross the Calm Belt and reach the New World.
Which means—this is a game of catch with the lid sealed.
A legendary pirate, a man who once stood shoulder to shoulder with Whitebeard and Roger... Of course Daren wanted to see for himself just how far he still was from that level.
...
Meanwhile.
North Blue.
Rubeck Island, Harbor.
A battered pirate ship, scorched and torn from battle, slowly drifted into the harbor.
At its bow stood a towering figure with arms crossed, exuding an overwhelming presence.
He wore a horned helmet and had a grayish-green beard. His pale green eyes gleamed with a murky, ruthless glint.
Byrnndi World.
A blood-soaked bandage was tightly wrapped around his chest.
"Damn... ambushed in the gutter by that damned yellow monkey..."
Byrnndi World pressed a hand against his wound. Though the bleeding had stopped, the spot where the laser beam struck still ached with a dull throb.
No one had expected that tall Marine Rear Admiral to be even more despicable than he looked—launching a sneak attack right in the middle of Byrnndi's fight with Sengoku.
"World... are you alright?"
An old, frail man approached with effort. An IV hung from his arm, his expression fatigued, his skin etched with age.
Byojack—First Mate of the World Pirates. Their strategist, and more than that, a brother figure to Byrnndi World.
"Don't worry, Brother. I'm fine."
In front of Byojack, Byrnndi actually gave a somewhat goofy smile.
The two had relied on each other since childhood, bound by a shared dream: to sail around the world on the greatest adventure of all.
Byojack looked at him with concern, lips parted, but said nothing in the end.
"So, Brother... you're sure the biggest underworld broker in North Blue is on this island? That guy named Doflamingo?"
Byrnndi World narrowed his eyes, scanning the bustling island and its harbor, his tone laced with menace.
Byojack nodded weakly.
"Yes. The Donquixote family is already the dominant Mafia force in the North Blue. Based on the intel we've gathered, their reach is vast, their methods—ruthless. Even the North Blue Marines keep their distance."
"But World... are you sure about this?"
"We can still turn back."
Byrnndi World let out a booming laugh.
"Brother, our dream of sailing the world—it's still unfinished!"
"The great voyage of the World Pirates... how can it end in the North Blue!?"
With a sweeping gesture, his presence surged.
"Go. Find that brat named Doflamingo... From him, we'll seize the power to crush the Marines!"
(40 Chapters Ahead)
p@treon com / PinkSnake