"Conqueror's Haki..."
Momonga murmured the words under his breath. But the moment their weight sank in, his eyes shot wide with disbelief as he turned to stare at his commanding officer, who sat casually puffing a cigar, one leg slung over the other.
"Wait—you awakened Conqueror's Haki!?"
Darren gave him a sidelong glance and grinned. "Yeah."
Back on Rubeck Island, when Darren had clashed with Doflamingo, Momonga had been occupied elsewhere—coordinating the island blockade, evacuating civilians, and issuing deployment orders. He hadn't witnessed the clash of wills firsthand.
"When did it happen!?"
Momonga sucked in a sharp breath. His mind reeled.
In the entire North Blue, even the last Supreme Commander—the legendary Sakazuki, known as the "Monster"—had never awakened it.
Sure, on the Grand Line or in the New World, there were plenty of pirates with the gift: Whitebeard, and the elusive Gol D. Roger to name a few.
But in the Marines? That was a different story.
As an institution built on strict discipline and hierarchy, with the Celestial Dragons looming overhead, the conditions were far from ideal for the birth of kings.
In all of Momonga's knowledge, only three Marines had ever awakened Conqueror's Haki: Fleet Admiral Kong, Admiral Sengoku, and Vice Admiral Garp—the "Hero of the Marines."
And now Darren—this very man sitting across from him—was claiming the same?
That would put him above even Sakazuki and Borsalino.
"If you're asking when exactly..."
Darren exhaled a trail of smoke, his eyes flickering with amusement.
"Probably around the time Saint Shaldes was mauled to death by that Sea King... give or take."
"If you're interested in awakening it yourself," Darren added lightly, "I might know a shortcut."
A foreboding chill ran down Momonga's spine.
Still, curiosity won out.
Darren flicked a coin into the air.
Mid-spin, the coin morphed.
Its surface rippled like water before twisting and hardening into a gleaming silver dagger. Razor-edged. Point first to the heavens.
"Kill a Celestial Dragon," he said, like he was ordering coffee.
Momonga nearly choked.
His face twitched violently, a cluster of veins popping along his forehead.
"You're not serious."
"Maybe. It's just a theory—but I'd say it has merit."
"Wouldn't work on pirates, of course. Most of them already live without limits. But for Marines? Killing a 'god' would shake the very core of their indoctrination."
"Because at its essence, Conqueror's Haki is just the projection of one's will. And nothing stimulates willpower like a moment of utter rebellion."
"Extreme stress, not physical—but spiritual."
He leaned forward slightly, eyes glinting.
"From the moment we put on this uniform, we're trained to follow orders. To uphold justice. But every one of us knows the truth..."
"We don't serve justice. We serve the World Government."
"And at the top of that structure sit the Celestial Dragons."
His voice dropped lower, silk wrapping around steel.
"So tell me, Momonga—what's more thrilling for a Marine than killing the very gods who command him?"
"Imagine their faces, twisted in agony. Imagine them kneeling, begging for mercy. Stripped of dignity, stripped of divinity."
"Wouldn't you like to see it?"
The smile Darren gave him was sharp, almost playful.
He burst out laughing. "Hahahahaha!"
Momonga rolled his eyes. "You bastard. You really are the devil."
"No wonder that Doflamingo brat is completely under your thumb. I'm starting to suspect your Devil Fruit lets you mess with people's minds."
He shivered involuntarily.
He hadn't wanted to admit it, but for a moment—a single terrifying moment—he had been tempted.
The blade in the air shimmered once more.
Then it melted back into a coin.
Perfect. Identical to the one it had been.
Darren caught it, then placed it gently on the desk.
"Whether it's real or not, the human heart is simple."
"Everyone has a weakness. A desire."
"Money, power, status, women, fame, addiction... violence is crude."
"But breaking someone's will? That takes precision."
He stood, eyes distant.
"And the desire to destroy beautiful things—that's one of the most universal of all."
"Even Marines feel it."
"We might be sworn to protect, but we're still human."
He flicked ash into a tray.
"When you look at something truly magnificent, you feel awe. You want to preserve it. But another voice, deep in the shadows of your heart..."
"It whispers, 'What if I destroy it?'"
"Hence, all the tragic tales of love that turns to murder."
He turned to Momonga, smiling.
"And what is the most sacred thing in this world? The most divine, the most untouchable?"
"The World Government. The Celestial Dragons."
"Imagine a day when the people of this world—instead of fearing them—start to look at them differently."
"What a beautiful day that would be."