The very thought sent chills down the spines of all the Marine officers present.
No one knew better than the Marines just how insane Shiki could be.
This pirate, whom Admiral Sengoku had openly called a "legend," was so terrifying and dangerous that, in many ways, he surpassed even Roger and Whitebeard—let alone Kaidou and Big Mom.
He treated human lives like weeds, stopping at nothing to achieve his goals. Cruel and decisive in his killings, he saw his subordinates as disposable tools. That madness, that overwhelming Haki, and that utter disregard for limits had already been on full display during the recent battle at Marineford.
After all, even Whitebeard and Roger had their lines they wouldn't cross.
Every time he appeared on the seas, it was a guaranteed storm of bloodshed and chaos.
This time, he led his fleet in a crazed assault on major towns, islands, and ports—not for plunder or supplies.
So what was his goal?
"So what is that guy really after?"
Sakazuki's hoarse voice suddenly cut through the air, laced with a chilling killing intent that made everyone stiffen.
Sengoku shook his head, his expression grim.
"We haven't uncovered anything yet. The Flying Fleet's movements are difficult to predict, and Shiki's personality is wildly erratic. Based on what I know of him..."
He paused, brow deeply furrowed.
"Many of the places he's hit might just be decoys."
"So what you're saying, Admiral Sengoku, is that Shiki is deliberately attacking towns and islands unrelated to his actual goal, just to mislead our pursuit and investigation—to mask his true objective?"
A veteran Vice Admiral from headquarters couldn't help but ask.
"Exactly. That possibility can't be ruled out."
Hearing this, a heavy silence fell over the room. The tension was palpable, and the officers sat in silence, brows furrowed with worry and frustration.
Seeing this, Sengoku and Kong exchanged a glance—both recognizing the weight in the other's eyes.
This was what made Shiki such a formidable threat.
His cunning, his unpredictability, his overwhelming strength... It wasn't an exaggeration to say he was the most dangerous pirate on the seas.
And reality bore that out.
Since the God Valley Incident, almost every one of those defiant individuals who once served under Rocks had risen to become powerful and infamous pirates.
Ochoku, who now ruled Hachinosu. The former Empress of Amazon Lily, Gloriosa. Buckingham, once part of the MADS illegal research team...
Big Mom, who built the Totto Land empire. Kaidou, who took over Wano Country. Whitebeard, with his vast territory and powerful fleet...
Though all of them were remnants of the Rocks Pirates like Shiki, none posed as great a threat to the world—or the Marines—as he did.
Every time Shiki moved, the Marines were forced to react, dancing to his tune.
It was a frustrating position to be in.
"That guy seems to be searching for something."
A calm voice suddenly broke the silence.
Everyone turned to look.
There sat Daren, legs crossed, smiling as he pulled out a cigar. Beside him, Kuzan eagerly offered a lighter.
Sengoku's mouth twitched slightly at the sight.
However, he managed to rein in his emotions and asked patiently,
"Searching? Daren, do you know something?"
Daren lit his cigar, took a puff, and smiled.
"I don't know either."
"But take a look at the islands Shiki has attacked."
He gestured toward the massive sand table in front of him. Each of the towns, islands, and ports targeted by Shiki had a small red flag stuck in it.
"In just a few days, Shiki has attacked sixteen locations."
As he exhaled smoke, Daren spoke calmly and clearly.
"Among them, eight places—like Ross Town, Sleeping Valley, and Rising Sea Island—are remote, economically underdeveloped, and impoverished. If Shiki really wanted to create a smokescreen to mislead us, he would've chosen prosperous, wealthy nations, not these obscure little towns and islands."
"After all, the more extravagant the trick, the larger the stage needs to be."
Kong's eyes flickered, and he couldn't help but ask,
"So, Daren, based on your understanding of Shiki, what do you think his true objective is in attacking these locations?"
At that, the rest of the officers began to understand.
Why had Fleet Admiral Kong seated Daren beside him and granted him such a high-profile presence at this strategy meeting?
Simple. Because Vice Admiral Daren was the only Marine who had repeatedly thwarted Shiki's schemes through both intellect and skill.
If anyone in the Navy knew Shiki best, it was undoubtedly Daren.
Daren turned toward Kong and gave a small nod.
"Reporting to Fleet Admiral Kong, a better question would be—what do these places have in common?"
"Besides being poor, remote, and sparsely populated, there's one more critical connection."
"They all have long histories and are tied to mysterious legends."
He pointed to a location on the sand table.
"Ross Town has passed down tales of demons for centuries."
"Sleeping Valley, with its unique terrain, has historical roots going back two thousand years."
"Rising Sea Island, with its upward sea current like Reverse Mountain, is considered one of the New World's great natural wonders."
"...The others are similar."
Daren smiled, a glint in his eye.
"It seems he's searching for something tied to ancient history, trying to trace clues buried in myths and strange phenomena."
At that, Kuzan stared at Daren, eyes glowing with admiration.
"Amazing, Daren! How do you know all this?!"
Sakazuki gave Daren another look, clearly intrigued.
The other Marine officers were visibly stunned, eyes fixed on Daren in disbelief.
Vice Admiral Daren's knowledge was far beyond the norm.
Daren looked around, confused.
"Supplementary reading materials from the cultural studies classes at the Marine training camp—world geography and history... Didn't any of you read them?"
They joined the Marines to fight pirates!
Who actually paid attention to cultural studies?
Especially the supplementary reading materials!
"Well, I mean, yeah, we've read them." Follow current novels on n̷o̷v̷e̷l̷f̷i̷r̷e̷.net
"Most of us are training camp graduates after all..."
"We just didn't make the connection right away..."
"Exactly, that's all..."
"Vice Admiral Daren really is top of the class!"
The generals muttered with embarrassment.
Garp quietly shuffled over to Sengoku, nudging him with his elbow and whispering,
"Sengoku, did you know this stuff?"
Sengoku's face turned slightly red. He coughed, straightened up, and said,
"You knew but didn't say anything, tsk..."
Borsalino glanced at Daren, his grin teasing.
"Looks like our Great Pirate has given up on looting and decided to become an archaeologist. Just what does he hope to find in these ancient legends and histories?"
He spoke lightly, but others listened with intent.
As Daren and Borsalino spoke, Kong and Sengoku's expressions subtly shifted. Their pupils contracted.
It was as if they'd suddenly remembered something they'd rather not.
p@treon com / PinkSnake