"The Roger Pirates disbanded?"
"Seriously?!"
"It's true! They say every last one of them vanished without a trace!"
"Could the Marines have captured them?"
"Impossible! If the Marines had the power to capture Roger, how could he have become the Pirate King in the first place?!"
"..."
News of the world's strongest pirate crew disbanding swept across the seas in less than two days. It hit like a massive bombshell, throwing countless people into shock and confusion.
In the eyes of the world, the Roger Pirates had just completed their earth-shattering circumnavigation of the globe. They stood at the absolute peak of their glory. Logically, this should have been the moment for them to recruit fresh blood, carve out territory, and launch a new round of wars to seize control of the New World in one decisive stroke.
That was the kind of overwhelming ambition and swagger everyone imagined a "Pirate King" should have.
Yet at this critical juncture, Roger shattered all expectations by disbanding his crew and disappearing without a trace.
This bizarre turn of events abruptly silenced the seas that had been whipped into a frenzy by the rise of the Pirate King.
---
The New World.
Dressrosa.
On this tropical island, the air was rich with the fragrance of flowers in full bloom.
A bustling commercial pedestrian street stretched out before them.
The street was spotless. Fountains burbled softly, ornate street lamps stood at even intervals along the road, and pedestrians flowed past like shuttles on a loom.
Shops on both sides displayed dazzling arrays of goods. Toki, radiant in a long, flowing dress, walked down the street, completely charmed by everything around her. Her beautiful eyes shone with pure wonder.
Spanish-style architecture, warm and exuberant people, young women in Western dresses dancing fiery, sensual routines in the streets... This foreign culture, so utterly unlike Wano, filled Toki with boundless curiosity.
"Do I look pretty?" she asked, tucking a small sunflower into her long green hair. She gave Darren a playful wink, her smile teasing.
"My dear lady," Darren replied, pressing down his black top hat and theatrically twirling his fake handlebar mustache, putting on a gentleman's airs, "in my eyes, you are the fairest of them all."
They had both done simple disguises for their outing.
Toki had curled her originally straight, pale green hair into soft waves that suited Dressrosa's vibrant atmosphere. She had traded her kimono for a long, polka-dotted flamenco skirt and wore a brown linen sun hat on her head.
She looked every inch the vacationer on a tropical island—relaxed, comfortable, and full of life.
Darren, meanwhile, had put on a slightly flamboyant black tailcoat, a gentleman's top hat, a silver-tipped cane, and a silver pocket watch clipped to his waist.
His demeanor was polished and refined, entirely lacking the savagery and oppressive aura one would associate with a world-class criminal.
He hadn't come to Dressrosa with any particular scheme this time.
Part of it was to rest and relax—but more importantly, he wanted to spend time with Toki.
"Pfft!"
Toki couldn't help bursting into laughter at his absurd mustache and over-the-top performance.
"This look really doesn't suit you at all," she chuckled.
Darren clutched his chest in mock agony.
"How could you say that, Miss Toki? You're breaking my heart!"
Toki shot him a reproachful glare, but after a moment she decided to play along. She cleared her throat and said,
"My apologies, Mr. Rogers. I did not think before I spoke."
Then, with a sly sideways glance at him, she added, "But... someone as busy as you—how did you ever find the time to take me shopping today?"
Darren sighed dramatically. "What choice did I have? Miss Toki, it's almost impossible to get a date with you!" Then he suddenly lowered his voice and winked. "By the way... does your husband know you're out on a date with me today?"
Gasp—
The bystanders around them collectively sucked in a breath, eyes going wide as they stared at the two of them, curiosity written all over their faces.
Darren and Toki, handsome man and beautiful woman, had already drawn plenty of attention just by walking down the street together. Their presence alone had passersby turning their heads again and again.
But now, no one had expected this seemingly romantic couple to have such a shocking twist to their story.
So exciting... and so scandalous.
The onlookers cast Toki meaningful glances, as if saying, These young people really know how to play.
A pretty blush instantly spread across Toki's cheeks. Catching Darren's teasing, half-amused gaze, she felt her fists clench on their own.
You devil!
Her teeth itched with anger—but after a quick glance around, she pasted on a sweet smile and counterattacked.
"Then what about you, Mr. Rogers? Wouldn't your wife mind?"
Darren: "..."
He suddenly felt the weight of every nosy gaze in the street land squarely on him.
"Ahem... My wife is a beautiful, elegant, gentle, considerate, and generous woman. She's truly remarkable. She would understand," Darren said, coughing lightly. As the men nearby gave him discreet thumbs-ups, he stepped forward without missing a beat and took Toki's hand.
Toki could only roll her eyes at him.
Hand in hand, they continued walking.
"But, Husband, are you sure coming out like this won't... cause any trouble?" Toki asked after a few steps, unable to hold back her worry any longer. "Won't it interfere with your work?"
Darren looked at her gently and shook his head.
"Don't worry. It won't."
"You can't stay shut up in your room all day. It's not good for you. I know these past few months have been hard on you."
Looking at the warm, gentle woman in front of him, Darren felt guilt twist in his chest.
Ever since he had "taken" her, she had been living at Marine Headquarters.
He had promised to bring her back to Wano, but he had never managed to find the time. The Beasts Pirates still held Wano, and the right opportunity had yet to come.
Even after she became pregnant with his child, he had barely been able to spend time with her. Missions, battles, the World Government—he was always being dragged away. Because of that, Toki had even faced mortal danger.
Thinking of everything this smiling woman had quietly endured alone, Darren felt a deep, dull shame.
"Today, we're not thinking about anything," he said softly. "We're just going to enjoy ourselves."
He reached out and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, smiling warmly.
Toki paused, then nodded hard. "Okay!"
That day—
They walked hand-in-hand along Lovers' Avenue.
They sat side-by-side in the opera house, watching dancers whirl across the stage.
They played in fields of fragrant flowers.
They cheered together for the brave gladiators at the Fighting Fish Colosseum.
Time slipped by, and before they knew it, twilight had fallen.
The setting sun cast a soft glow over the city, stretching their shadows long and thin across the ground.
"I had so much fun today," Toki said, her voice full of happiness.
Clinging to Darren's arm, she gazed up at his profile, eyes full of affection.
"I'm sorry it took me so long to give you a date that's even halfway decent," Darren murmured.
"Nonsense..." Toki shook her head, her eyes already drooping with sleepiness.
Darren crouched down, bent forward, and hoisted her onto his back. He carried her away, each step steady and unhurried.
Before long, the woman on his back was breathing evenly, clearly fast asleep.
"Thank you, Husband," she mumbled drowsily, a contented smile curving her lips.
Darren let out a soft chuckle and shook his head.
As he carried Toki back to the hotel, the Den Den Mushi in his arms suddenly rang.
Seeing the signal, Darren paused, then quickly stepped out onto the balcony before answering.
"Dragon?"
A deep, urgent voice crackled from the Den Den Mushi.
"Darren, I need your help. Right now."
Dragon didn't waste time with pleasantries. "One of my comrades is in trouble. She's the East Army Commander of the Freedom Fighters... We lost all contact with Headquarters a day ago, and the latest intel suggests she's likely been captured by the World Government."
He hesitated for a heartbeat, then added, "Her name is Ginny, and she's Kuma's fiancée... Please, I'm begging you!"
To be continued...