During the two or three days of downtime, Daren took the chance to casually explore all of Marineford, the Marine Headquarters.
Strictly speaking, Marineford wasn't a single island, but rather a cluster of landmasses resembling an archipelago. Through administrative planning, it was divided into civilian and military zones.
The military zone mainly included large-scale defensive structures like the central military fortress and elliptical harbor, along with major armories, the administrative offices of various Marine divisions, training grounds, and the offshore areas patrolled by warships.
The civilian zone—also called the residential and commercial district—was home to Marineford's local residents and the families of Marine personnel. Most high-ranking officers' homes were also located here.
Even though Marineford served as the center of justice for the entire world, the residential area still had a fairly bustling commercial street to support daily life and leisure.
For supplies and trade, the Marine Headquarters issued trade licenses to well-established merchant caravans. These caravans transported goods, food, and various necessities from all over the world. Once they arrived, their ships had to undergo strict inspections to ensure no dangerous goods were onboard before being allowed to deliver cargo to the civilian zone.
Daren sat in a beach chair in his courtyard, puffing on a cigar and lost in thought.
"Blub-blub… blub-blub…"
A sudden ring from his military Den Den Mushi pulled him out of his thoughts.
He pulled the device from his coat, and upon seeing the signal, a faint smile tugged at the corner of his lips as he connected the call.
"Well, well—what an honor that the esteemed Admiral of the North Blue, Momonga-sama, has the time to call me."
Momonga's weary voice came through the line.
"Don't joke around… This Admiral job in the North Blue? It's not a life for humans."
Daren chuckled.
"Now you understand the pressure I was under before, don't you?"
On the other end, Momonga sat alone in the office of the 321st Branch's Base Commander. His eyes were sunken with fatigue, and he looked absolutely drained. He took a long drag from his cigar and gritted his teeth.
"I don't know how you held up before. Forget internal Marine affairs—training, procurement, budgeting, drills, pirate clean-up... I'm used to those. I can manage that."
His voice suddenly pitched up, filled with frustration.
"But what's with all the endless banquets!?"
"Every single day—it's parties, dinners, drinking sessions, auctions, wine tastings! Do those nobles and politicians not have actual work to do?!"
"Invitation after invitation... Especially after they found out you ranked top of the class in the headquarters training camp, the social invitations just exploded."
"They're like sharks that smell blood—rushing in one after another. The base has ten Den Den Mushi set up for communication and civilian distress calls… and they won't stop ringing!"
Momonga's eyes were bloodshot, his breath reeking of alcohol. He looked utterly miserable.
"Daren, do you have any idea what my last two weeks have been like?"
"Every day, it's either booze or food—cabarets, private gambling dens, endless gifts of luxury cigars and fine liquor. I can't even refuse. If I do, they drop to their knees on the spot… My office can't even hold all the gold and silver piling up!"
"They keep throwing beautiful women at me, and even when I play a measly pair of threes at the card table, they're like, 'Oh no, that's too big, I fold'…"
"I don't know how much longer I can keep this up."
He slammed a fist onto the desk, eyes red and breath ragged.
"What do they think I am!?"
"I'm a righteous Marine!!"
Hearing Momonga's complaints, Daren's smile only deepened. He couldn't help but tease:
"Captain Momonga, you do realize you're living the dream life—something most people can only wish for."
"—I'd rather be out risking my life against pirates!"
Hearing Daren's gloating, Momonga nearly lost it, gritting his teeth in frustration.
Daren couldn't stop laughing.
Power was the ultimate shortcut.
In the face of absolute strength, all authority, status, fame, and wealth had to step aside.
Back in the North Blue, his influence didn't come from political maneuvering—it came from overwhelming power strong enough to suppress the entire region.
Those smiles and flattering words were all just masks of submission under his might.
After arriving at Marine Headquarters and seizing the title of "Top of the class," it was clear that the strength of Rogers Daren wasn't confined to the North Blue. Even across the entire world's Marine forces, he held unmatched dominance.
Naturally, once the nobles, merchants, and officials from the North Blue caught wind of it, they swarmed like bloodthirsty sharks, throwing themselves at Momonga—Daren's deputy and successor—in a frenzy of flattery and pandering.
And that had been Daren's plan all along.
The more noise he made at headquarters, the more unshakable his influence in the North Blue became.
Still, this kind of social scene was a poor fit for someone like Momonga, whose nature was serious and composed...
"In truth, you're just too wound up. Relax a little, Momonga. Don't let it weigh on you."
Daren chuckled.
"Those so-called banquets and dinner parties? Just turn them down if they're not necessary. We're Marines—there's no need to waste time entertaining a bunch of bloated drunks."
"Focus on developing your hard power. That's what really matters. Of course, if it gets too stressful, there's no harm in unwinding at a cabaret now and then."
Daren gave him a wink.
Momonga rolled his eyes.
Socializing really wasn't his strength, and Daren's words gave him some relief.
"How's things going with Germa 66 lately?"
Daren asked.
The mention of business instantly shifted Momonga into work mode. His tone turned serious.
"Not much movement for now. Our collaboration with Vinsmoke Judge is still proceeding as usual."
Daren nodded.
"And how's my adorable godson?"
Momonga exhaled a long puff of smoke and replied in a low voice.
"Doflamingo's influence is still expanding, and his power is growing fast. A few days ago, he got into a fight with a pirate who had a bounty over thirty million. Didn't even take a full minute—he shredded the poor bastard into pieces."
"But overall, he's still keeping things under control in the North Blue, sticking to your rules."
"Good."
Daren smiled in satisfaction.
"But speaking of which, you still haven't congratulated me on becoming top of the class."
Momonga snorted.
"Wasn't that a given?"
"Anyway, I've got work to do. A new shipment of weapons from Germa 66 just arrived at the port. I need to inspect it."
"Alright, thanks for your hard work. When I'm back in the North Blue, I'll treat you to a drink."
Daren said with a grin, earning an exaggerated eye-roll from Momonga.
The military Den Den Mushi call ended.
Just as Daren put it away, a head suddenly popped up in front of him, blocking the sunlight.
Grinning ear to ear, full of shameless flattery.
Daren: "..."
"I swear, you guys have no manners at all. Barging into someone's yard without knocking—aren't you afraid I'll beat you up?"
Daren let out a helpless sigh.
He'd already noticed this guy eavesdropping by the wall.
Tokikake chuckled awkwardly and rubbed his hands together.
"So… Daren, can I ask you for a favor?"
Daren raised an eyebrow.
"No."
Short and firm.
Tokikake's face immediately fell.
Then—
With a thud, he dropped to his knees, clinging tightly to Daren's legs, and burst into dramatic sobs.
"Please, Daren!!!"
"I want to transfer to the North Blue! Isn't there a vacancy for Vice Admiral? Let me be Momonga's deputy!"
"I want that life too!"
"A life not fit for humans should be shouldered by me, Tokikake—the selfless genius! Please!"
His cries were absolutely gut-wrenching.
Daren: "..."
...
(60 Chapters Ahead)
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