"Merchant, adventurer, traveler, Marine, even a pirate... King Neptune, do you think something like 'identity' matters to someone like me?"
Facing Neptune's confusion, Daren didn't rush to explain. Instead, he asked back with a faint, almost mocking smile.
Neptune and the others were caught off guard by his words.
They recalled the various "rumors" about the Vice Admiral standing before them and, for a moment, found themselves speechless, unable to argue.
Neptune pursed his lips and said slowly,
"To be honest, Vice Admiral Daren..."
"At the moment, Tiger isn't on Fish-Man Island. In fact, he hasn't returned for quite some time."
Daren frowned slightly.
Not on Fish-Man Island?
He didn't doubt Neptune's answer. After the way things had played out earlier, even if they had a hundred times the courage, they wouldn't dare lie to him.
Seeing Daren frown, Neptune's heart tightened. He quickly added,
"Tiger is a world-renowned traveler. Ever since he resigned from his post as commander of the Ryugu Palace Guards a few years ago, he's been journeying across the seas."
"The last time he returned to Fish-Man Island was half a year ago."
So Fisher Tiger had gone missing?
Daren thought for a moment, then pulled out a cigar, lit it, and said thoughtfully,
"Do you have any way to contact him?"
Neptune gave a bitter smile and shook his head.
"I'm sorry."
Getting the answer he expected, Daren didn't press further. He simply nodded and said,
"In that case, King Neptune, if you hear anything about Fisher Tiger, please contact me immediately."
"Of course, Vice Admiral Daren," Neptune agreed without hesitation.
"Then I'll take my leave."
With his business concluded, Daren saw no reason to linger. He turned and left.
...
A few minutes later,
Watching the Marine Vice Admiral board a uniquely designed small submarine, shoot up from the ground of Fish-Man Island, and vanish into the distant deep sea, Neptune and the others finally let out a long breath and collapsed weakly onto the ground.
The pressure that man exerted was simply overwhelming.
"Your Majesty... why do you think he's looking for Tiger?"
The Turtle Prime Minister asked cautiously.
Neptune's face grew solemn as he shook his head.
"I don't know."
"But one thing's for certain—this will definitely be a monumental event for Fish-Man Island."
He clenched his fists tightly, a flash of helplessness and frustration passing through his eyes.
The Fish-Man race, despite being born strong and suited to life in the sea, still found themselves shackled and suppressed.
And he, the so-called "Great Knight," was forced to bow and scrape just to protect his people.
It was a bitter feeling...
Still, Daren's visit might not be entirely bad.
'Maybe... this is a chance,' Neptune thought to himself.
...
A few days later…
Marine Headquarters, Marineford.
"That's how it is, Admiral Sengoku... During this mission, I've established a close friendship with Ryugu Palace on Fish-Man Island."
Daren stood tall in the admiral's office, his expression solemn.
"This operation not only helped Fish-Man Island fully recognize our Navy's firm resolve in dealing with pirates, but also earned high praise from Ryugu Palace for the 'justice' we uphold... I believe this will become another model of military-civilian cooperation, following the example set in the North Blue."
Sengoku: ...
Staring at the Vice Admiral in front of him, the corner of Sengoku's mouth twitched slightly.
I don't buy a word of that!
"Military-civilian... cooperation?"
"Yes," Daren nodded seriously. "All thanks to your wise leadership, Admiral Sengoku. Without your guidance, I couldn't have achieved such a result."
Sengoku: ...
He felt a sharp pain in his chest.
How could this brat say such shameless nonsense with a straight face?
Forget it...
Sengoku let out a long sigh.
"Fine. Since Fish-Man Island hasn't filed any complaints, we'll just let this matter pass."
When it came to dealing with this stubborn brat, Sengoku was completely helpless.
What could he even do? Beat Daren up?
With that monster's physical resilience, even if he transformed into his golden Great Buddha form, it probably wouldn't leave a scratch.
Seriously duel him with all his strength? No way.
Scold him?
What a joke. With skin thicker than his defenses, words were completely useless against Daren.
Most importantly, despite the mess, this troublemaker did successfully drive away Roger's pirate crew.
On that merit alone, Sengoku couldn't punish him.
"Hmm... By the way, Admiral Sengoku, is there any news about Vice Admiral Garp's pursuit of Roger's pirate crew after Fish-Man Island?"
Daren suddenly asked, as if remembering something.
Since he hadn't seen Garp at Fish-Man Island, he figured Garp must've gone after Roger directly.
Sengoku shook his head helplessly.
"No news for now... According to Garp's adjutant Bogard, they clashed fiercely with Roger's pirate crew near Fish-Man Island. After surfacing, Garp and Roger engaged in, well, an intense battle."
"Unfortunately, they were evenly matched. And with 'Dark King' Rayleigh and Gaban providing cover, Roger's crew ultimately managed to escape."
Daren: ...
Now it was his turn for the corner of his mouth to twitch.
But thinking about it, it made sense.
If Roger's pirate crew was that easy to defeat, the Navy would've crushed them long ago. It wouldn't have dragged on this long.
Sengoku paused, then added,
"Garp's pursuit is still ongoing. Based on the latest intelligence, the Roger Pirates seem to be heading toward Totto Land, the territory ruled by Big Mom Charlotte Linlin."
At that point, Sengoku gave Daren a strange look.
Daren pretended not to notice and said casually,
"If there's nothing else, I'll be going now, Admiral Sengoku."
Sengoku waved his hand tiredly.
...
On his way back to the family quarters, Daren slowly drifted into thought.
He knew exactly why Roger would head to Totto Land.
The Poneglyphs!
Big Mom, that lunatic, had a red Road Poneglyph in her possession, but had never been able to decipher the ancient language.
To sail across the world and reach the legendary "Final Island," Roger needed to gather all four Road Poneglyphs to find the exact coordinates.
As for Daren... there was nothing he could do.
His injuries from the battle with Roger at Fish-Man Island hadn't healed.
Roger's Haki-infused slashes weren't just surface wounds; they had torn at his very organs.
If he rushed to Totto Land thinking he could "snatch a head," one misstep would mean death.
And dying at Roger's hand would be one thing—
But falling into Big Mom's clutches?
Who knew what kind of twisted things that crazy woman might do to him?
Thinking of that, Daren shook his head.
Garp and Roger could kill each other out there all they wanted.
It had nothing to do with him.
All he wanted now was to hurry back and spend some time with Toki.
As he was lost in thought, Daren soon arrived at the gate of the family quarters.
He suddenly froze.
In front of the door, a burly figure was carrying a large box of eggs and milk, raising his hand to knock.
"Zephyr-sensei?"