"Arrest... Gol D. Roger!?"
The moment Fleet Admiral Kong's voice crackled out from the military Den Den Mushi, every Marine on the ship stiffened—faces pale, breath caught.
The man who stood at the very summit of the seas, a true living legend. Named alongside Whitebeard and Golden Lion Shiki, he was one of the three great pirate legends of the era.
Though unlike Shiki or Whitebeard, Roger didn't command vast fleets. His crew was small—but each member was a monster in their own right. The Roger Pirates were the most well-rounded and impenetrable crew among the legends.
"You heard him," Dragon said, hanging up the call. The warmth had vanished from his face, replaced by cold gravity. "Looks like my escort ends here."
He turned toward the navigator. "Nearest island?"
"Sir! There's a supply islet half an hour to the northeast!" the navigator saluted.
"Set course now. This is a direct order from HQ," Dragon said as he looked at Gion and Tokikake. "You two don't have a problem with that... do you?"
When serious, Dragon's authority was absolute—none of his usual goofiness remained.
They exchanged glances and both shook their heads.
Orders from Fleet Admiral Kong left no room for discussion. And more importantly... they knew the truth:
Taking part in a mission against a pirate like Roger... was suicide.
Among the Marines, there was an unspoken rule: Pirates of Roger's level—Roger, Whitebeard, Shiki—were to be handled only by Admirals or equivalent-level forces. Everyone else was to stand down unless explicitly ordered otherwise.
"Darren," Dragon said, turning to him. "You fought Byrnndi World, sure. And lived. But let's be honest—luck played a big part. This isn't the same. Roger's crew is stacked with high-level threats. This isn't your fight."
Gion and Tokikake nodded silently in agreement.
But then... Darren's calm expression made them uneasy.
"Yeah... it's a bit early for me," Darren said with a surprising nod.
They sighed in relief—
The more he smiled, the more the bloodlust leaked into his gaze.
"...But I still want to go."
Gion and Tokikake shouted at once, a chill running up their spines.
Because they knew Darren.
Once he decided something, nothing could change his mind.
"Hey hey, we're talking about Gol D. Roger!!" Tokikake hissed. "This isn't like those small-time North Blue pirates! Byrnndi World was strong, but Roger? He's a different league!"
"Oh?" Darren raised an eyebrow.
Gion stepped in, sweat trickling down her neck.
"There are things you don't know. Like... the God Valley Incident."
That name alone made the air grow heavy.
Though the incident had been buried by the World Government, people like Gion and Tokikake—elite officers—knew the truth.
Eight years ago, a man had risen who even the World Government feared.
"He was the ruler of the seas before Roger," Gion said. "He gathered monsters to his side—Whitebeard, Shiki, Kaido, Big Mom. They were all once part of the Rocks Pirates."
"With that power, he challenged the World Government directly. Eight years ago, he attacked the Celestial Dragons' residence. That battle... was the God Valley Incident."
"The Marine mobilized. Vice Admiral Garp and Pirate Captain Roger... formed a temporary alliance. Together, they took down Rocks."
"That's when Garp became a hero."
She looked at Darren seriously.
"Roger helped defeat Rocks. That's the kind of power we're talking about. He's the most dangerous enemy the Marine has ever faced."
And that's why Gion tried to stop him.
She hated Darren—but she didn't want to see him throw his life away.
But they had forgotten one thing.
Darren was... Darren.
"You make great points," he said, grinning wide.
"Which makes me want to go even more."
Tokikake buried his face in his hands.