Deputy Commander of the God's Knights?

Daren narrowed his eyes, quietly weighing the meaning behind the title.

Given the "Saint" in his name, this man—who bore an uncanny resemblance to "Red-Haired" Shanks—was undoubtedly a Celestial Dragon.

The God's Knights... one of the most secretive and powerful factions within the World Government, composed entirely of elite Celestial Dragons. They wielded the authority to judge even their own kind, tasked with safeguarding the dignity and power of the royal lineage. Their primary duty was to protect the Celestial Dragons and uphold their rule.

And if the man standing before him was their deputy commander, then he had to be among the most formidable and high-ranking of all Celestial Dragons.

Saint Figarland Garling.

Daren had heard the name before.

The reigning champion of the God Valley War. The man who claimed victory in that legendary battle.

He hadn't expected to run into him here.

Was this a test?

Daren glanced at the hand extended toward him, noting the black leather glove—and sneered internally.

This man's tone and demeanor were gentle, approachable, completely lacking the overbearing arrogance so typical of World Nobles. He didn't seem like the kind of idiotic swine Daren had dealt with among the Celestial Dragons before.

But the fact that he hadn't even removed his glove said it all.

Behind that cordial front, his contempt and disdain for humans ran deeper—far worse than the rest of those pigs.

"Saint Figarland Garling-sama... sneaking up behind a battle-hardened Marine isn't exactly a good habit either."

Daren suddenly chuckled.

This guy came in with a veiled provocation. If he wanted to play games, Daren was more than happy to oblige.

Figarland Garling paused for a moment—then his smile slowly turned amused.

The two locked eyes.

Their hands clasped.

And in that instant—

Boom!!

At almost the exact same moment, a flash of crimson ignited in both their eyes as their fighting spirits exploded!

A torrent of black and red lightning erupted into the air, surging into a roaring storm that spread violently in all directions.

The sky darkened.

The ground around them groaned and cracked under the crushing pressure of their clashing Haki. The blue-tiled roofs and white walls trembled violently as flakes of dust rained down.

An oppressive force blanketed several city blocks. Even the CP agents hiding in the shadows were forced to one knee, eyes wide with dread.

"Vice Admiral Daren... impressive spirit."

Though Saint Figarland Garling still wore that lofty, elegant smile, his eyes had turned dark. His blood-moon-shaped hair rippled wildly in the wind.

This Marine—this young Marine—actually possessed Conqueror's Haki on par with his own!

No wonder the secret archives of the World Government called him the greatest Marine genius in 800 years.

"Likewise."

Daren's smile remained calm. The cigar between his lips flickered faintly in the gusts of wind.

This Celestial Dragon was absurdly strong. In terms of controlling Conqueror's Haki, he was without a doubt on the level of an Admiral.

And the eerie way he had silently approached Daren from behind—it made him wary.

He had always been a bit lacking when it came to Observation Haki, a known weak spot compared to his physical strength and other attributes. But something like that had never happened before.

If this guy had wanted to attack... with Daren completely unaware, he could've been taken out in one strike.

Well—maybe not killed. But seriously injured? Absolutely.

Garling's eyes flickered with a flash of anger at Daren's indifferent response.

Arrogant, just as the rumors claimed.

He wasn't just some ordinary Celestial Dragon. He held real power and influence.

The God's Knights had the authority to judge—even execute—other Celestial Dragons.

Did this guy really think that awakening Conqueror's Haki was enough to challenge him?

A cold smirk curled on Garling's lips as he suddenly tightened his grip.

But the next moment—his smile froze.

Something was wrong.

The force, the density... it was off!

The instant he tried to crush Daren's hand, it felt like gripping solid diamond—completely immovable!

Even worse, the terrifying strength that began pulsing back through Daren's hand gave him the illusion...

That he was grappling with a battle-scarred warrior from the Giant Tribe!

Bit by bit, Figarland Garling's expression stiffened—until his face flushed bright red.

Tear!

The black leather glove suddenly burst apart, scattering into pieces as it fell.

Only then did Daren release his grip, reining in his aura as he offered a look of feigned "apology."

"My apologies, Saint Figarland Garling-sama."

"I accidentally ruined your glove. I'll do my best to compensate for it."

Saint Figarland Garling's eyelid twitched. His smile stiffened.

"No need. Vice Admiral Daren, your strength truly lives up to your reputation."

He took a deep breath and quietly hid his reddened, trembling hand behind his back, forcing a thin smile.

"It seems the upcoming escort mission will be in very capable hands."

Escort mission?

A flicker of confusion passed through Daren's eyes.

So the condition for becoming an Admiral… is to carry out an escort mission?

And the ones being escorted... are Celestial Dragons?

Seeing his expression, Figarland Garling's smile turned mocking, laced with amusement.

"Vice Admiral Daren probably hasn't been informed yet, has he?"

"The nobles of the Holy Land are about to host another hunting tournament—and they've prepared lavish prizes for it. Some of them even include powerful Devil Fruits."

"For an event this grand, naturally a strong Marine officer is needed to handle the escort..."

A World Noble hunting tournament?

Daren's heart sank.

Those damn Celestial Dragon fools really forgot the pain as soon as their wounds healed.

Wasn't the lesson from God Valley enough? Just twelve years later, and they're already strutting again, begging for disaster?

Having dealt multiple times with Dragon and Bartholomew Kuma, Daren knew very well that the true cause of the God Valley incident... was the Celestial Dragons' hunting tournament.

A massacre disguised as sport.

And now, the condition laid out by the Five Elders... was for him to escort another one of these "tournaments"?

A test of loyalty, then?

So the World Government played obedience games too...

A blazing fury began to rise in his chest, but Daren's eyes remained calm.

He looked at Figarland Garling and smiled.

"Such a grand occasion—it's truly worth celebrating."

"I won't let you down."

He turned and strode swiftly toward Pangaea Castle.

Watching the Marine's retreating back, Figarland Garling's cold smile deepened.

"I really am looking forward to it, Rogers Daren..."

"The look on your face when you find out where the hunt takes place... should be quite something."

...

Daren pressed forward.

The white buildings of the Holy Land receded behind him, replaced by an endless stretch of emerald plains.

Garling's mocking smile and smug words kept replaying in his mind, stirring a quiet sense of unease.

Before long, a towering white staircase began to emerge in the distance.

Its pristine steps stretched upward from the earth, climbing toward the clouds, where the faint silhouette of an ancient, weather-worn castle loomed.

Flanking the staircase stood rows of massive stone statues, godlike and imposing, gazing down with cold indifference on all who dared climb this "Stairway to the Heavens."

Daren suddenly stopped in his tracks.

It seemed he had guessed something. His fingers twitched slightly.

And just then—

Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!

Pale, ghostlike figures silently materialized around him. Their presences interlocked, subtly sealing off every path of retreat.

"Vice Admiral Daren. The Five Elders request your presence."

The lead CP0 agent spoke in a raspy voice from beneath his mask, his tone laced with unspoken threat.

"So if I refuse... you'll attack me?"

Daren gave them a flat look.

"You're all that confident you can stop me?"

Swept by his icy gaze, the CP0 members instinctively stepped back, as if facing down a beast.

"Forget it..."

Daren suddenly let out a quiet chuckle.

He stepped forward.

With each step, his aura climbed higher.

By the time he reached the base of the majestic Celestial Stairway, the force radiating from his body surged like a storm. Thunder cracked. Wind howled.

The CP0 agents stared at the defiant figure, awe and fear surging in their hearts.

In the distance, Kong watched silently. His expression was dark. His fists clenched tightly.

The snow-white stairway stretched toward the heavens, sacred and solemn, stirring reverence in all who looked upon it.

And compared to this ancient staircase that had stood for 800 years—

The scarred body of the Vice Admiral seemed so small.

But his presence...

Was like a mountain. Immovable.

And then, his voice echoed across all of Mary Geoise—low, forceful, and filled with defiant pride.

"Vice Admiral Rogers Daren of Marine Headquarters, 'King of the North Blue'... requests an audience with the Five Elders!"

...

(100 Chapters Ahead)

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