"Godfather, Byrnndi World came to me."
Daren listened in surprise to the voice coming through the military Den Den Mushi, his expression growing stranger as he puffed on his cigar.
He had just received orders from Sengoku to track down Byrnndi World, and not even two minutes later, the guy had "volunteered" himself—by going straight to his godson?
Across the desk, Momonga looked just as baffled, mouth twitching in disbelief. He nearly burned his lips on his cigar before snapping back to his senses.
Daren and Momonga exchanged a glance. It felt almost too easy.
Daren exhaled slowly, mind already turning.
"He wants arms. A massive stockpile of them," Doflamingo growled through clenched teeth. "The lunatic almost razed the garrison on Rubeck Island to the ground. He gave me three days to build him a super-heavy cannon."
A super-heavy cannon!?
Daren's eyes narrowed, a glint of sharp light flashing deep in his pupils.
"Looks like that old man Sengoku really backed him into a corner..."
He muttered, frowning slightly. Then he asked, "Is he injured?"
On the other end, Doflamingo, supporting himself with bloodied hands, forced himself upright and rasped, "Yeah."
He hesitated for a moment, then gritted his teeth. "Godfather, what should I do? If Byrnndi World gets his hands on a weapon like that, with his Devil Fruit powers..."
"—Then give it to him."
Daren suddenly cut him off with a smile.
"Give him whatever he wants—arms, weapons, cannons—the more the better. If he can take it, we'll supply it."
Before he could respond, Daren continued, "That's how we'll handle it. Doflamingo, I'm glad you contacted me and let me know."
A cold smirk curved his lips.
"You don't need to interfere with Byrnndi World."
"If he wants weapons, give them to him."
"As for the damage to the Rubeck Island garrison... I'll make him pay."
"Doflamingo, remember this. In this world, people are often subjected to sudden, humiliating insults—and that's something you have to endure. Don't let hatred cloud your judgment."
"But I can promise you one thing..."
The Supreme Commander of the North Blue rose slowly, reached for the cloak of justice on the coat rack, and draped it over his shoulders.
"Byrnndi World... won't leave the North Blue alive."
Waves rolled beneath a pitch-black sky, the stars barely visible.
But across the military fortresses of Germa 66, lights blazed and music soared.
Today was the baptism of the Vinsmoke family's eldest daughter—the royal princess of the Germa Kingdom in the North Blue.
To celebrate her birth, Vinsmoke Judge, King of Germa and commander-in-chief of Germa 66, hosted a lavish banquet and invited representatives from many of the North Blue's allied nations.
"This is so boring... Do we really have to attend this so-called baptism?" Tokikake yawned as the warship slowly docked.
"This sea isn't just about fighting. It's also about diplomacy," Daren replied with a smile. "Besides, the Germa Kingdom is one of our long-standing allies."
Gion and Tokikake both rolled their eyes in perfect sync.
If they hadn't known better, they might've believed Daren's smooth talk.
"Admiral Daren, my lord is waiting for you in the banquet hall."
A man dressed like a proper butler in a black tuxedo stepped forward and bowed as Daren disembarked.
"King Judge is too kind. It's my honor to witness Princess Vinsmoke's baptism," Daren replied with a graceful nod.
Following the butler's lead, the group soon entered the grand banquet hall of Germa.
The hall was opulent, its ceiling adorned with gleaming crystal chandeliers. Waiters in suits moved through the crowd with trays, offering drinks and delicacies to the guests.
Tokikake noticed several prominent North Blue figures among the crowd—rich merchants in ornate robes, nobles dripping in gold and silver, royal envoys, ministers, and influential power players from across the region.
If you listened closely, you could hear them whispering about politics, trade profits, shipping routes, land deals, noble titles, high society gossip, and shifts in power.
These weren't just partygoers. Their every word and action shaped the North Blue's political heartbeat.
But the moment Daren and his entourage stepped inside, all the laughter and clinking glasses halted. Conversations stopped mid-sentence. Every gaze in the hall shifted toward the dark-haired Marine at the front.
The lively atmosphere turned eerily quiet. The silence was so heavy, it pressed down on Tokikake's shoulders, forcing him to swallow hard.
Unlike the other guests in formal suits and robes, Daren wore his usual sharp black suit. His black tie was loosely knotted, and a pristine white cloak billowed behind him.
With deep-set eyes, a sharp nose, and slicked-back hair, he exuded a wild elegance that drew every eye in the room.
Behind him were twenty elite Marines, grim and imposing, marching into the banquet like they owned the place. It felt less like a ceremony, and more like a tiger prowling its domain.
The men looked at him with awe and fear.
The women... with undisguised desire.
"Tch, show-off. You're just here to witness the ceremony, you know..." Tokikake muttered sourly. The latest_epɪ_sodes are on_the novel✶fire.net
But even he had to admit—Daren shone in this moment.
Men wanted to be him. Women wanted to be on him.
"Hahaha! Admiral Daren, welcome to Germa!"
A booming laugh broke the silence.
Vinsmoke Judge, clad in royal regalia, strode forward from the crowd with a wide grin, extending his hand.
"To have you here for my daughter's baptism is an honor."
Daren took his hand with a smile.
"I wouldn't miss such an important occasion."
p@treon com / PinkSnake