"So what? Investigating has nothing to do with you coming to the Pleasure District, does it?"
Stussy's face was cold as ice, showing Daren no kindness as she spoke sharply.
Even though she'd been taken advantage of, she stubbornly maintained her dignity as the Queen of the Pleasure District.
"This case is too important. We can't afford to miss any clues or intel... In the end, I'm just an employee too."
Daren raised his hands helplessly, making a gesture of surrender.
"Ever since the government and military issued orders for a thorough investigation, the hunts for the Shichibukai candidates have completely stopped. Looks like the killer caught wind of something and decided to lay low for a while."
"Of course, there's another possibility."
"Maybe most of the people on the list have already been eliminated, and now the killer's looking for new targets... if there are any."
As he spoke, he glanced at Stussy, his eyes filled with hidden meaning.
"The Five Elders... they wouldn't happen to have another list of candidates, would they?"
Hearing this, Stussy's hand paused mid-smoke, her pupils shrinking slightly.
This guy... he figured it out!
Waves of shock surged through her heart.
What kind of monster was he, to be able to deduce even something this classified?
No—he wasn't just guessing—he had predicted the Five Elders' moves and reactions!
"So there really is a new list, huh..."
Although Stussy did her best to stay calm, Daren easily noticed the slight change in her expression and smiled with satisfaction.
"In that case, I can rest easy."
He stubbed out his cigar, stood up from the leather sofa, and got ready to leave.
Confirming the existence of the new list was enough.
As for Stussy, Daren figured she probably wouldn't get her hands on it this time.
After all, the first Shichibukai candidate list had leaked from her, and with how cunning the Five Elders were, there was no way they'd entrust the new list to the same group.
They would definitely select a new batch of CP0 members to handle the Shichibukai selection task.
"Wait!"
Just as Daren was about to walk away, Stussy's voice called out from behind him.
"What is it?"
Daren turned around, puzzled, and looked at her.
Stussy stared at the Vice Admiral before her, her expression shifting.
"I get it now."
Daren made an exaggerated "sudden realization" expression, then casually began walking toward Stussy while stripping off his military jacket.
"What are you doing!?"
Stussy was stunned at first, then quickly glared at him, her eyes flashing with anger.
"You called out to me. Didn't you want something?" Daren asked, giving her a strange look.
Stussy: "…"
She shot him an annoyed glare, then pulled a top-secret document from the safe and casually tossed it onto the table.
"This is the government's new list."
She deliberately avoided meeting Daren's eyes, a faint glint flashing deep within her gaze.
"Aren't you supposed to be on an investigation mission?"
Stussy tried to sound casual.
"The Five Elders instructed me to cooperate with you, so I think you have the right to see this new list."
"After all, having the new list might speed up the investigation. At least you can make some targeted moves."
However, what she didn't expect was that when Daren looked at the list on the table, he showed no sign of surprise.
Instead, he narrowed his eyes slightly, the corner of his mouth curling into a mocking smile... directed at her.
"What are you laughing at?"
Stussy frowned, clearly unhappy.
She hated the way Daren looked at her like that—it felt like he was always plotting something behind her back.
"So you mean... this is the new list of candidates for the Shichibukai?"
Daren asked with a half-smile.
Stussy said, "That's right."
Daren blinked and asked, "The Five Elders just handed you such a top-secret new list?"
Stussy said impatiently, "Is there a problem with that?"
Daren suddenly laughed again.
This time, his smile was even more sarcastic.
"Of course there's no problem, but I have a suggestion... I advise you not to set your sights on any of the candidates on the list. Of course, you should also pray that nothing happens to the candidates on the list, otherwise..."
"Otherwise what?"
Stussy raised her eyebrows provocatively.
Daren grinned:
"Otherwise, you're dead."
Stussy was taken aback.
A deep sense of doubt welled up in her heart, but accompanied by Daren's teasing gaze, she gradually realized something, and the color quickly drained from her charming face.
"It can't be..."
She muttered incredulously.
Daren walked over to Stussy and gently cupped her face in his hands.
"Yes, the Five Elders have begun to suspect you. Of course, this is most likely just a test."
"If I'm not mistaken, they only gave this new list to you."
"This means that if the candidates on this list are hunted down again, they will be able to deduce..."
Stussy's face turned pale, and she leaned weakly against the back of the chair, her voice hoarse.
"They'll know that I leaked the previous list..."
Daren patted Stussy on the shoulder, bent down, and said softly,
"So you have to be careful, Queen-sama. Don't die so easily."
He tilted his head.
"You're my favorite toy."
"If you die, I'll miss you."
Stussy's whole body trembled.
She gritted her teeth and looked up, saying,
"Impossible!"
"The Five Elders can't suspect me!"
"I clearly pinned everything on Lone Wolf. He's the most suspicious one!"
Daren laughed and said,
"Then let's make another bet?"
Stussy's expression froze.
Another bet?
She was now almost hypersensitive to the word "bet."
But her competitive nature drove her to say,
"What do you want to bet?"
Daren smiled maliciously and took out a Den Den Mushi.
Stussy's face changed, and her eyes widened.
That wasn't an ordinary Den Den Mushi.
It was an... image Den Den Mushi!
...
Three hours later.
New World, a deserted island.
Boom!
In the distant mountains, a shrill sword slash shot up into the sky, instantly flattening a mountain peak.
The roar of the collapsing mountain echoed continuously, stirring up dust everywhere.
High in the sky,
Stussy looked pale as she watched the terrifying aura erupt from the mountains, her heart surging with waves of emotion, not caring that Daren was holding her waist.
The top fighter in the CP0 series!
She would never mistake that cold, numb aura!
In less than three seconds, a pirate they had casually grabbed was easily torn to pieces by that guy.
And the target they were after was clearly CP0, who was hidden in the list of candidates for the Shichibukai!
In other words, this was a trap!
If she had acted on impulse earlier and tried to take action against the people on the list out of anger towards Daren... then this "surprise" hidden in the list would have been hers!
The Five Elders... really doubted her!
Damn it!
At this thought, Stussy's heart was filled with fear.
"Don't be nervous, our secret won't be revealed, you're still safe."
Daren whispered gently in Stussy's ear.
He could feel Stussy subconsciously tighten her grip on him, and a smile appeared on the corner of his mouth.
This was a sign that their relationship had grown closer.
He really didn't expect this...
The actions of those old farts actually pushed Stussy in his direction.
That saved him a lot of effort.
...
(40 Chapters Ahead)
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