It took less than five minutes.
Under the escort of Sakazuki's warships, merchant ships bearing the flags of major news agencies gradually docked at the shore.
The reporters, dressed in black suits, had just stepped off their ships when they were greeted by the sight of the devastated, oval-shaped military port. Each one was left speechless.
"What happened here?"
"Wasn't today supposed to be the Shichibukai appointment ceremony?"
"Did someone attack Marine Headquarters?"
"Half the military port looks like it's been blown apart…"
"..."
The reporters from across the world exchanged shocked looks, whispering among themselves. Some had already begun snapping photos.
"What exactly happened here?"
Sakazuki, wearing his military cap, walked over to Daren with a grim expression. His cold gaze swept past Crocodile and the others before settling on Bullet.
He asked icily, "What happened here?"
Daren gave a helpless shrug.
"What else? The Shichibukai met for the first time and couldn't stand each other. So, of course, they fought."
Sakazuki narrowed his eyes into dangerous slits.
"And you just let them run wild?"
Daren gestured toward Sengoku with a slight smile.
"I just got here myself and stepped in right away to break things up."
"In the end, it was Admiral Sengoku who almost sank the port."
Sakazuki paused, stunned by the response, then fell silent. Still, Daren could tell he wasn't taking it well.
"...Welcome to Marine Headquarters. On behalf of all Marines, I extend our greetings to you all."
At that moment, Sengoku stepped forward and addressed the gathered reporters with a smile.
"The Shichibukai appointment ceremony is about to begin. Please proceed to the Fleet Admiral's main conference room."
...
Conference room.
Daren took his seat under the guidance of the guards.
He wasn't sure if he was imagining it, but he could swear Sengoku was looking at him with something like silent reproach.
The seating in the military conference room had been rearranged into a tiered structure, like a lecture hall.
At the front stood a temporary platform fitted with microphones.
Facing it was a long, rectangular table.
Six members of the Shichibukai were seated in a row at the massive table, their appearances and auras vastly different, each wearing a unique expression.
In the audience sat high-ranking Marine officials, with Admiral Sengoku at the head.
Dozens of prominent reporters had already set up their equipment, visibly excited as they prepared to capture a moment destined for the history books.
"But who's going to confer the Shichibukai titles?"
"Normally, it should be Fleet Admiral Kong, right?"
"No, I heard Fleet Admiral Kong went to Mary Geoise to report in. Most of Marine Headquarters' duties have been handed over to Sengoku."
"So Admiral Sengoku will handle it?"
"Seems like it."
"..."
As the reporters murmured among themselves, Sengoku cleared his throat and slowly stepped up onto the stage.
Standing before the microphone, he took a deep breath and forced a somewhat stiff smile.
"Well, under normal circumstances, I would be the one to conduct this appointment ceremony."
"But after thinking it over, I felt that perhaps younger people might relate better to one another. So this time, Vice Admiral Rogers Daren of Marine Headquarters will preside over the Shichibukai appointment ceremony."
The moment he said that, the Shichibukai, who had looked half-asleep until now, immediately perked up.
Some looked excited, others sneered, a few gritted their teeth, and some seemed genuinely interested...
Daren blinked in surprise, instinctively turning to glance at Staff Officer Tsuru beside him.
Staff Officer Tsuru gave a helpless look, gesturing for silence before lowering her voice.
"Fleet Admiral Kong just called. He found out the military port was nearly destroyed by Sengoku and flew into a rage. He's decided to have you handle the appointment ceremony."
Daren: ...
He finally understood why Admiral Sengoku had been glaring at him with such resentment.
"Daren, you're awesome! Get up there already!"
Kuzan shot him an excited look and pumped his fist in encouragement.
Shaking his head, Daren adjusted his tie and rose from his seat, walking tall toward the platform.
As he took the microphone from Sengoku, he could hear the latter gritting his teeth.
"Daren, I've gone to great lengths for you."
"I made a huge sacrifice. Don't you think you should show some appreciation?"
The corner of Daren's mouth twitched. He could only force a smile and say,
"Thank you, Admiral Sengoku, for your unwavering support. I have no way to repay you—so I'll contribute what I can to the reconstruction of the military port. All costs will be covered by me personally."
Sengoku finally broke into a satisfied grin.
He clapped Daren on the shoulder, turned to the crowd, and cheerfully announced,
"Let's give a warm round of applause to the rising star of Marine Headquarters, my most trusted right-hand man... Vice Admiral Daren!"
With that, he began clapping.
Clap clap clap!!
Thunderous applause quickly filled the room.
Standing atop the platform under the flashing lights of countless cameras, Daren wore a composed and polite smile.
"I'm grateful to Admiral Sengoku for giving me this opportunity. It's truly an honor."
At the sound of his voice, the room quieted down.
Only the steady clicking of keyboards and camera shutters remained.
"The Shichibukai system is a historic strategy launched by the World Government and enforced by Marine Headquarters. Its primary goal is to recruit powerful individuals as auxiliary forces to counter the ever-growing threat of pirates."
"Under the system, once someone is appointed as a Shichibukai, their bounty is immediately revoked."
Daren cast a half-smile at the six seated below.
"Let's give them a round of applause. From now on, they are officially the most loyal allies of the Marines and the World Government!"
Applause erupted once again.
But the expressions on Crocodile and the others stiffened visibly, clearly reminded of unpleasant memories.
"Now, let's officially announce the titles and code names of the Shichibukai."
Daren smiled, his gaze sweeping one by one across the six seated figures.
At that moment, every Marine in the audience rose to their feet in unison, expressions solemn.
"Donquixote Doflamingo, former bounty: 250 million Belly! Shichibukai codename... 'Flamingo'!"
"Crocodile, former bounty: 281 million Belly! Shichibukai codename... 'Desert King'!"
"Moria, bounty: 218 million Belly! Shichibukai codename... 'Gecko Bat'!"
"Dracule Mihawk, bounty: 369 million Belly! Shichibukai codename... 'Hawk Eyes'!"
"Fisher Tiger, bounty: 263 million Belly! Shichibukai codename... 'Blood Dragon'!"
"Douglas Bullet, former bounty: 2.174 billion Belly! Shichibukai codename... 'Demon Heir'!"
Daren leaned forward slightly, a sharp grin tugging at his lips as his eyes narrowed with amusement.
"Congratulations to all of you—our esteemed Shichibukai!"
He then turned toward the press and extended a welcoming gesture.
"Now it's time for questions from our friends in the media. Feel free to ask whatever you like."
The room fell momentarily silent.
Then, in a flurry, all the reporters shot their hands up, eager to be picked.
Daren casually pointed to one.
"I'm a reporter from the New World Gossip News."
The man with a handlebar mustache locked eyes with Daren, his tone sharp.
"Among the six official Shichibukai, four have only one arm. That's quite a coincidence."
"There are rumors that you're the one who crippled them. Vice Admiral Daren—is that true?"
The moment he said it, Crocodile and the others' faces turned dark.
The other reporters leaned forward, breaths quickening, as flashbulbs flickered madly.
Dozens of curious, gossipy eyes fixated on the tall, striking vice admiral standing on stage.
The flashes intensified.
Daren, standing under the lights, gave a resigned look.
"It was all just a bit of miscommunication during... negotiations. I've already come to terms with the Shichibukai."
"But as for your question—"
He paused, then said in a firm voice,
"Yes. I did it."
The room went dead silent.
Then all at once, it exploded into an uproar.