The laser cannon installed on the Pacifistas—had Vegapunk already developed a working prototype that quickly?
Watching Borsalino's figure as he bent forward and exited the hospital room, Daren thought to himself.
If that's the case, then Vegapunk must have already unraveled the secret behind transferring Devil Fruit abilities.
That was an unexpected bonus.
At this point in time, the Shichibukai system hadn't been established yet, and the Pacifist prototype "Tyrant" Bartholomew Kuma likely hadn't even set sail.
Which meant that the Pacifists who showed up during the Sabaody Archipelago incident in the original story probably didn't even exist as a concept yet.
If the North Blue Fleet could be equipped with a certain number of laser cannons...
Rows of invincible warships piercing the clouds and descending from the skies, sweeping everything within range with the most advanced laser weaponry on the seas.
Just imagining the scene sent a thrill through Daren.
Overwhelming technological superiority...
If this plan succeeded, he was going to show these so-called great pirates just what the power of science really meant.
Knock, knock...
A soft knock came at the door.
"Come in."
Daren answered.
The hospital room door opened gently. A tall, black-haired woman strode in on high heels, exuding a bold, confident aura.
"What a rare visitor..."
Looking at the striking figure known as the "Flower of the Marines," Daren couldn't help but tease.
Gion gave Daren a cold glance, casually placed a bouquet on the bedside table, and said flatly,
"You're still alive. Villains really do live long."
Daren shrugged.
A face swollen like a pig's head peeked out from behind Gion, grinning and wincing.
"You're looking pretty energetic..."
Seeing Tokikake's bruised and battered face, now even more haggard, Daren burst into laughter.
"Tokikake, what happened to you? Got beat up at a brothel?"
Tokikake's face flushed deep red. He glanced nervously at Gion and began to stammer.
Bullseye...
Daren's eye twitched, a few dark lines creeping across his forehead.
He shook his head.
"You two need something?"
Gion spoke slowly.
"The officer training camp is about to begin. Lieutenant Commander Tokikake and I are also part of this cohort. We'll be heading to headquarters for training alongside you."
Daren nodded.
"Yeah, I saw the list already."
With their strength and rank, it was only natural that they'd get slots in the officer training camp.
Even if it was a bit early for them.
Considering their time in the North Blue had significantly sharpened their abilities and experience, Sengoku placing them in the program ahead of schedule made sense.
Of course, it was also possible the old fox just wanted him to keep playing babysitter for these two.
"Congratulations to you both."
Gion nodded and turned to leave. But just as her foot crossed the threshold, she abruptly paused and stepped back.
She stood there silently for a moment.
"Captain Daren—no, Commodore Daren... I believe I owe you an apology."
"Oh?"
Daren smiled with interest.
"Why's that?"
Gion murmured,
"I take back what I said about you before."
"Even if you smoke, drink, love money, chase women, enjoy killing, and have a huge lust for power..."
She bit her lower lip.
"You're still a good Marine."
"Hmm, fair enough."
Daren's eyes narrowed in amusement.
"Looks like you realized something."
Gion said nothing.
On the way back from capturing Tokikake, she had spotted two familiar figures.
A small, cozy flower shop.
Inside, a father and daughter dressed differently, with altered hairstyles and dyed hair—completely changed in appearance.
But she had recognized that innocent little girl instantly.
Daren, however, suddenly grinned.
"But I still prefer the old you. All wild and untamed."
Gion's expression darkened, and she stomped out of the ward in her heels, leaving behind the cheerful laughter of the Marine commodore.
In the ward, Tokikake shook his head, watching the scene with a look of amazement.
"You've really got something... I've never seen Gion apologize to anyone before."
Daren chuckled.
"Just because it hasn't happened before doesn't mean it never will."
"Psh!" Tokikake snorted. "You're such a show-off!"
He paused, then suddenly threw an arm around Daren's shoulder, grumbling.
"But seriously, you're cold, man... Taking out Byrnndi World and not bringing me along for the glory?"
He raised a clenched fist, eyes blazing with fire.
"Standing on that warship in the sky, watching you fight down on the island—my blood was boiling. I was shaking all over with battle fever..."
"Really? I heard from Momonga that you turned pale and your hands were shaking so badly, you almost broke the railing."
"That was... fear of heights!"
Tokikake blushed furiously.
"You get it? Fear of heights!"
"If you'd let me down, I could've fought alongside you. Maybe we wouldn't have even needed Borsalino. The two of us, side by side, could've taken Byrnndi World down ourselves!"
His voice was full of indignation.
"Man, that would've been the perfect tale... The genius Marine from HQ, Tokikake, defeating a legendary pirate! Just think of all the ladies—no, the public support I'd get!"
"I'd be the rising star of the Marines, the beacon of justice!!"
Daren glanced at him.
"But that's exactly how I heard you bragging about it..."
Tokikake faltered.
"I... I... I..."
His face shifted colors, then he dropped hard onto a chair, grabbed the fruit basket nearby, and began angrily gnawing on it.
Daren laughed and shook his head.
He stood, slipped on his uniform, and pulled a brand-new justice cloak from the coat rack.
"I'm heading out for a bit."
"Where to?"
Tokikake asked with his mouth full, gnawing on a watermelon.
"To visit a brothel."
"Whoa, whoa, whoa—take me with you!"
"Aren't you afraid Gion will beat you to death?"
"Well, you know, I was just testing you... A virtuous man like me would never go to a place like that."
"Oh? And here I was thinking I still had a bunch of unused VIP cards from the gifts people sent me..."
"Commodore Daren! Something this corrupting to Marine morale must be destroyed—leave it to me! I swear I'll carry out the mission!"
"..."
(40 Chapters Ahead)
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