Tokikake clapped Darren’s shoulder with a chuckle, mischief dancing in his eyes. "Don’t even think about it," he said smugly. "You’ve got Toki—the goddess of Marineford. Someone like you doesn’t stand a chance with Stussy, the Queen of the Pleasure District."
He flipped his hair with a flourish, grinning. "But me? I’ve still got a shot. Headquarters’ genius, Tokikake, never fails with the ladies!"
Darren exhaled a lazy curl of smoke, smiling faintly. "Bold words for a man who can’t last five minutes."
Tokikake’s face twitched, his posture stiffening like a kicked doorframe. "You know nothing!" he barked. "A good life is about intensity, not duration!"
Before Darren could respond, a sharply dressed man appeared beside their table, silent as a shadow. With a polite bow, he presented a gold-embossed card.
"Mr. Darren," he said, voice smooth as silk. "A gift from Lady Stussy. This VIP card grants you unrestricted access to all establishments within the Pleasure District."
Darren raised a brow.
Tokikake’s eyes nearly fell out of his head. "What?!"
Darren accepted the card with a nod. "Give her my thanks."
"Yes, Mr. Darren." The man bowed again and vanished just as quickly as he’d arrived.
Tokikake slammed his fist on the table, eyes wild. "You’re already entangled with the Queen of the Pleasure District?! When did this happen?!"
Darren thought for a second, then smiled. "Yesterday, I think. We had... a very pleasant evening."
He clutched his head and let out a strangled wail. "Damn it all! DAMN IT!"
"You bastard! You already have a woman like Toki waiting back home, and now you’re chasing Stussy too?! I’m telling Toki!"
Darren reached into his pocket and casually pulled out the card. "Use it for a few days," he said flatly.
His despair evaporated in an instant, replaced by a dazzling, almost reverent grin. He snatched the card like it was holy scripture.
"Oh, how shameful of me... You’re my closest friend, my greatest comrade, my most trusted brother!" He thumped his chest dramatically. "Darren, I swear—my lips are sealed!"
The next few days passed quickly.
With a rare stretch of authorized leave, Darren took full advantage, immersing himself in the Pleasure District—one of the most extravagant cities on the sea.
Tesoro, the man who would one day be known as the Golden Emperor, was still a nameless street performer then, his towering dream of Gran Tesoro not yet built. But the Pleasure District was already a world-renowned haven of indulgence—its glamour exceeded even Darren’s expectations.
While known for its courtesans, the district was far more than flesh and perfume. Lavish casinos, gladiator arenas, and mesmerizing stage shows made it a playground of vice and spectacle. Even Darren, King of the North Blue, found himself quietly impressed.
"Tokikake," Darren said one morning, glancing up from his newspaper, "if you don’t slow down, you’re going to drop dead."
Tokikake looked like a ghost. His skin had gone pale, deep shadows clung beneath his eyes, and his cigar trembled between his fingers.
"I’m fine..." he muttered, voice hoarse. "I’ve still got twenty-eight places left to visit..."
"Six," Darren corrected with a sigh. "And there’ll be other chances. You don’t have to die for it."
But Tokikake snapped upright, suddenly burning with passion. "Wait—you mean I can use the card again later?"
He leaned in, eyes trembling with emotion. "Don’t mess with me, Darren. If you’re lying, I’ll never forgive you!"
Darren looked at him, mildly horrified. "Fine. Whatever. Keep it. I don’t need it."
He’s lost at least twenty pounds since we got here. If this goes on, I might have to organize a funeral.
"YES!" Tokikake roared, punching the air. "Darren! You’re a real brother!"
He pointed at him dramatically, eyes shining. "From now on, anyone who dares touch you—I’ll flatten them!"
Darren raised a brow. "You sure?"
"Alright then. Kaido’s in Wano, Big Mom’s still in Totto Land. Roger just entered the Grand Line and will hit the New World soon. Shiki’s off the radar, and Whitebeard’s territory is stable." He grinned. "Take your pick."
Tokikake froze, a bead of sweat rolling down his temple. "Er... well..."
Darren chuckled softly and shook his head. He folded his newspaper neatly, set it on the table, downed his glass of whiskey, and stood.
"Let’s go. Time to head back."
He dropped a few bills on the table and walked toward the tavern door.
"Huh? We’re leaving?" Tokikake blinked. "Your leave’s not over yet."
"Doesn’t matter. Sengoku’s probably been trying to reach us." Darren’s voice turned sharper as he walked. That easygoing aura faded, replaced by the calm, commanding presence of a Marine Vice Admiral. Every step sent a ripple of authority through the tavern.
"Sengoku?" Tokikake muttered.
Right then, his Den Den Mushi rang loudly.
He fumbled it open. "This is Commodore Tokikake of—"
"What?! Admiral Sengoku?!"
His face paled instantly.
"Yes! Understood! Darren and I will return to Headquarters immediately!"
He slammed the receiver down and bolted after Darren, panic flaring in his eyes.
Back on the table, Darren’s newspaper remained, the headline printed in bold:
"Flying Admiral Golden Lion Shiki on the Move—Flying Pirates Begin Recruiting!"
And beneath the byline: Written by Morgans, President of the World Economic News Paper. Official source ıs 𝕟𝕠𝕧𝕖𝕝✦𝘧𝙞𝙧𝙚✦𝕟𝕖𝕥
The final arc of this volume begins now.