Meanwhile, somewhere in the New World.
In the lawless zone of a neutral island.
"Hahaha! It's not every day Oyaji treats us—let's drink 'til we drop!"
Marco, sporting his signature pineapple hair, stood atop a table, face flushed as he raised his beer mug high.
The rest of the Whitebeard Pirates erupted in cheers, clinking their mugs together in raucous celebration.
"Hey, hey, hey! You guys..."
Whitebeard called out, exasperated, but before he could finish, his crew had already surrounded him, pouring drinks and dragging him into the revelry.
The tavern buzzed with life—songs, laughter, and the clatter of mugs filled the air.
Some grabbed beer bottles like microphones, belting out tunes.
Others laughed so hard they nearly toppled over.
A few drank themselves into a stupor, tears streaming down their faces.
And some simply sat back, smiling as they watched their crewmates let loose.
"Hey, Oden! Don't just sit there zoning out—everyone's having a blast! Come drink with us!"
Marco suddenly noticed something, his eyes lighting up as he dashed to a corner of the tavern.
He threw an arm around Kozuki Oden, who was clad in his samurai garb, and, reeking of alcohol, asked,
"What's on your mind?"
Kozuki Oden snapped out of his daze, looked at the tipsy Marco, and smiled.
Marco narrowed his eyes, then asked,
Kozuki Oden burst into laughter, as if he'd just heard a joke.
"How could I be? I've dreamed of sailing the seas since I was a kid!
To become a free-spirited pirate, explore the world, and witness all the wonders this ocean has to offer—that's the life I, Kozuki Oden, was meant for!
Compared to this vast, endless sea, Wano Country feels far too confined."
Marco frowned, curiosity piqued.
"Then why do you seem so distracted lately? Always sitting alone at the bow, lost in thought."
Kozuki Oden waved it off, trying to appear nonchalant.
"It's nothing, really. Just spacing out."
Marco eyed him skeptically, muttering,
"Is it because you lost to that Marine, Daren?"
"That guy's no pushover. He even took down Kaidou's base and defeated Byrnndi World, the 'World Destroyer.' Losing to him isn't exactly shameful... You'll get another shot someday."
Kozuki Oden laughed heartily.
"Exactly! His appearance only confirmed that my decision to set sail was the right one.
If I'd stayed in Wano, I'd never have encountered such formidable opponents!"
He instinctively rested his hand on the hilt of Ame no Habakiri at his waist, eyes gleaming with fierce determination.
"Next time we meet, I'll win—and I'll reclaim Enma from him!"
At his side, besides Ame no Habakiri, hung a black-sheathed sword.
Marco observed Oden's carefree demeanor, but his curiosity only deepened.
If it wasn't the loss to that Marine bothering him, then what was it?
As the Whitebeard Pirates' "Doctor," Marco was far more attentive to his crewmates' well-being than the gruff Whitebeard himself.
Watching the samurai take a gloomy swig of beer, Marco suddenly seemed to remember something. He asked tentatively,
"You... you're not thinking about women, are you?"
Kozuki Oden spat beer all over Marco's face. His face flushed red as he shook his head furiously and coughed hard.
Marco wiped the beer off his face, completely speechless, the corners of his mouth twitching. Thɪs chapter is updatᴇd by novelFirｅ.net
Come on, could you be any more obvious?
"Is it that pretty girl? I think her name was... Amatsuki Toki?"
Marco asked in a low voice.
Realizing he couldn't hide it, Kozuki Oden fell silent for a moment, then let out a long sigh.
"I don't even know why..."
He scratched his head.
"We barely knew each other, but watching her get taken away by that Marine named Daren... it felt like I'd lost something really important."
The bedroom was a mess.
White socks, a loose kimono, and a purple sash were scattered across the floor. Even the air was heavy with warmth and lingering heat.
Daren dragged himself up weakly, one hand on his lower back, the other carefully pulling the blanket over Toki, who had already drifted off to sleep.
He glanced at Amatsuki Toki's peaceful face, the corners of her lips curled in a satisfied smile. Exhaling softly, he tiptoed out of the room.
"What a damn ordeal..."
Wearing nothing but shorts, Daren slumped unceremoniously on the front step, lit a cigarette, rested his chin in his hand, and muttered,
"Don't tell me I actually have to go find Yamakaji..."
But he rejected the thought almost as soon as it came.
He shook his head and shivered.
Yamakaji might not be the gossipy type, but he was way too soft-hearted. He didn't look like someone who could keep a secret.
If word got out... would he even have any reputation left?
Wait, who was he kidding?
His reputation at headquarters was already "not great."
Still, that didn't mean he should just give up.
This was a man's pride—no way he was going to admit he wasn't up to the task.
"I've got to come up with something else... Seimei Kikan? Nah, that drains my energy. This isn't some life-threatening injury. Seimei Kikan won't cut it..."
With a cigarette in one hand, Daren scratched the stubble on his chin, deep in thought.
"What if... I used Armament Haki to cover it?"
The moment the idea hit, his eyes lit up.
That just might work...
Though... what if it turned out to be too effective?
Yeah, if the original creator of Armament Haki found out someone was using it for that, he'd probably blow the lid off his coffin.
Daren's thoughts began to drift, wandering aimlessly.
He sat there smoking, staring up at the quiet, starry sky.
Behind him, the steady sound of Toki's breathing carried from the bedroom, soothing his mood.
Bathed in the soft light, he couldn't help but smile.
How long had it been since he'd felt this kind of peace and happiness?
He honestly couldn't remember.
Fighting, killing, desire, money, scheming... The life he'd lived before flashed vividly through his mind. It might have been comfortable in some ways, but those memories were long since faded.
He finished the cigarette quickly.
After rinsing his mouth, Daren slipped back into the room, climbed into bed, and pulled Toki into his arms.
Looking at her face, glowing with a serene smile, he gently kissed her forehead and whispered,