"Damn you, Darren! You've betrayed the faith in justice! You're a disgrace to the Navy! A blight on righteousness!"
Gion's indignant voice echoed behind him, but Darren simply laughed as he walked out of the side hall of the palace.
He didn't care what others thought of him.
Paying too much attention to reputation would only tie his hands and feet, leaving him unable to act freely.
This was a world where the law of the jungle prevailed.
Darren didn't deny that some in the Navy genuinely upheld their ideals of justice, and he respected them for it.
Their willingness to sacrifice everything for their beliefs, youth, energy, even their lives, was admirable and noble.
This was why Darren didn't dislike Gion, despite her being "troublesome."
Because the existence of people like Gion, the "fools", was what brought hope to the world.
But Darren knew he couldn't live up to such ideals.
The right path was simply too difficult.
Without monstrous talent like Sakazuki or a privileged background like Gion's, Darren had to climb step by step in the chaotic North Blue.
Every move he made was a dangerous gamble, like walking a tightrope over a cliff.
So he had to be cautious, shrewd, and opportunistic, seizing power, wealth, strength, and influence wherever he could.
And now, it was time to reap the fruits of his hard-won victory.
With this thought, Darren quickened his pace.
…
Nightfall.
The capital city of Verna in the Kingdom of Yadis was ablaze with lights, bustling with activity.
In the grand palace, the banquet hall was filled with nobles, dignitaries, ministers, heirs, and wealthy merchants, all dressed in their finest attire.
The chandeliers cast a brilliant light, reflecting mesmerizing ripples in the wine glasses held by the guests.
Conversations flowed freely.
"Let me tell you, that battle was truly thrilling. Germa 66 is indeed a wicked army, and their leader, Vinsmoke Judge, is as powerful as a monster…"
On one side of the banquet hall, Kaji, dressed in a brand-new tuxedo, stood amidst a group of noble ladies and debutantes, wine glass in hand, boasting gleefully:
"You wouldn't believe it, but his weapon was a cutting-edge technological marvel. The spear he wielded could release electric currents strong enough to knock out an elephant."
The ladies gasped in awe, their hands covering their mouths.
"And then?"
"And then?" Kaji deliberately lowered his voice, trying to make it deep and magnetic, imitating Darren's demeanor. With a faint smile, he said:
"Germa's technology is impressive, but as a prodigy trained rigorously at Marineford headquarters, someone like Vinsmoke Judge is no match for me."
"With just one casual kick, I sent him flying over ten meters."
"Even as he struggled in the face of justice, I grew tired of his noise and decided to shut him up for good."
The ladies stared at Kaji with wide eyes, their gazes sparkling with admiration, making him feel secretly delighted.
"That's amazing, Major Kaji!"
"As expected of a genius from headquarters!"
"For you to so effortlessly defeat an 'evil army' like Germa 66, it's incredible."
Soaking in the flattery, Kaji felt a euphoric sense of satisfaction, as though every pore of his body had opened up.
Ah, North Blue is truly the best…
The noble ladies and young misses in their finest attire, the best red wine, premium cigars, and an impressive performance by a troupe of dancers…
No wonder that scoundrel Darren chose to linger in this place.
As for the truth behind his earlier words?
Well, when war broke out, the Germa Kingdom was far enough from the coastline, and the sea's dense fog obscured visibility. Even the Adis Kingdom's forces couldn't discern what was truly happening, let alone these ladies enjoying the luxury of the capital, Wilna.
Piecing it all together, Kaji sipped his red wine lightly, exhaled a swirl of smoke from his cigar, and sighed, a melancholic look on his face.
"Do you know something?" he asked.
"I've spent my whole life searching for a worthy opponent. I thought coming to the North Blue would bring some excitement to this genius's otherwise dull existence, but alas, it was nothing but disappointment."
The ladies and young misses were even more captivated upon hearing this. Their eyes sparkled as they gazed at Kaji, their exclamations filling the room.
"Even Major Kaji is so powerful, how incredible must Lord Darren be?"
"Indeed! Lord Darren is not only strong but also so handsome and charming."
"Exactly, exactly..."
As thoughts of the North Blue Navy's supreme Captain crossed their minds, the young misses blushed, while the noblewomen appeared utterly smitten, their eyes brimming with infatuation.
Kaji: …
Wait, did none of you hear what I just said?!
Wasn't I talking about myself, the genius?! How did this conversation turn into praising that scoundrel Darren?!
He wasn't even present at the banquet!
Kaji's inner outrage swelled, his facial muscles twitching as his expression darkened.
He took a furious drag from his cigar, his face filled with frustration.
"Um... Mr. Kaji..."
A timid voice suddenly called out from behind.
He instinctively turned to see a girl in a white lace dress standing there, her face flushed. Her delicate hands fidgeted nervously, exuding a youthful, bashful charm.
What a beautiful, pure girl!
Kaji felt as though his heart had been struck by something. His pulse skipped a beat, and his eyes practically turned into hearts.
Love!! This is love!!
His mind screamed with joy.
"Um... Mr. Kaji, I was wondering..."
The girl shyly lifted her gaze to glance at him, her timid eyes meeting his for a fleeting moment before darting away, like a startled deer. In a soft, sweet voice, she asked:
"Could I… have your Transponder Snail contact number?"
She's shy!!
She wants my Transponder Snail contact number!
She must have heard about my 'achievements'!
She likes me!!
Kaji, overwhelmed, nodded enthusiastically.
"Of course! I'll give you my private Transponder Snail number right away."
He couldn't stop himself from grinning ear to ear.
"No... I meant, do you know Lord Darren's contact information?" the girl said, shaking her head shyly, her cheeks tinged with red.
Crack!
Kaji felt his heart shatter as if struck by lightning. His heartbeat halted, and the hearts in his eyes turned to stone and split apart.
Under the girl's confused gaze, he staggered like a deflated balloon, silently retreating to a corner of the banquet hall. He squatted there, motionless.
Two streams of tears unwillingly rolled down his face.
In the distance, Lady Gion, wearing a high-slit pink evening gown, rejected her fifteenth dance invitation. She glanced at Kaji, who sat sulking in the corner, a cloud of gloom hanging over him, and her lips twitched.
Taking a sip of her wine, she bit her silver teeth, clenching her fists as if recalling something.
….
On the other side, Darren arrived at the port and boarded the warship.