The towering, sacred Celestial Stairway echoed with the Vice Admiral's sharp, commanding voice.

Though the words from his mouth were, "I greet the Five Elders," the overwhelming aura pouring from his body felt more like a declaration to raze the Holy Land of the Celestial Dragons.

The winds howled around him. His tall, scar-covered frame stood like an unyielding cliff—steep, solitary, and immovable.

One by one, the CP agents lurking around Pangaea Castle emerged, their expressions twisted in disbelief as they stared at the Vice Admiral.

Insane...

That Marine actually dared to challenge the Five Elders!

But before they could react—

Boom!!

An immense, abyssal pressure erupted from the top of the Celestial Stairway, like the weight of a collapsing fortress descending layer by layer from the sky.

Two colossal forces collided in midair, their clash unleashing a storm that ripped through the heavens.

Black and red lightning tore across the sky in every direction, swallowing the firmament in chaos.

All the CP agents dropped to one knee, arms raised to shield themselves from the violent shockwave, eyes wide with dread.

The Five Elders... had responded!

The confrontation lasted only a moment before all the warped distortions vanished without a trace.

Above Mary Geoise, the clouds split open, revealing a vast, bottomless gorge carved into the sky.

"Permission granted. Ascend the Celestial Stairway."

A raspy, aged voice echoed from its peak.

It was Saint Topman Warcury.

Daren narrowed his eyes... and smiled faintly.

He pulled out a fresh cigar, lit it with steady hands, and called out clearly,

"Thank you, Saint Warcury-sama."

His black, battle-worn boots stepped forward once more, rising steadily up the Celestial Stairway.

Still reeking of blood from his clash with the world's strongest man, the scarred Vice Admiral walked slowly through the solemn rows of towering statues.

The colossal effigies of the twenty kings who founded the World Government loomed overhead, their stone faces silently watching him ascend.

He climbed, step by step...

To the very top.

...

In less than three minutes, the Marine Vice Admiral stood before the ancient gates of the fortress.

Smoke curled from the cigar clenched in his teeth, veiling his sharp, cold features. The scent of blood clung to him even stronger now, making nearby guards avert their eyes in fear.

Daren stood motionless before the grand doors, his expression calm and unreadable.

Even without unleashing his Observation Haki, he could clearly feel five terrifying, deathly auras pulsing inside Pangaea Castle. They flickered like shadows from hell, coiled at the heart of this heavenly throne.

But strangely... there was no trace of Imu's presence.

"Come in, Daren."

With the summons granted, he drew in a deep breath, lifted his head, and pushed the door open.

The hall inside was broad and bright. Towering bookshelves lined the walls, filled with neatly ordered volumes. The air was scented with fresh tea, and beyond the windows lay a serene garden blooming with birdsong and flowers.

Far from the oppressive darkness he'd expected, golden sunlight streamed in, casting the room in warm brilliance.

Five elderly figures sat or stood in silence. Even without speaking, their mere presence radiated a crushing authority.

"Daren greets the Five Elders."

A faint smile touched Daren's lips as he spoke coolly.

Only then did the Five Elders slowly lift their heads, their eyes calmly settling on the Marine before them.

Saint Topman Warcury, bald with a goatee, was the first to speak, his gaze carrying layered meaning.

"How do you feel?"

Daren replied,

"Quite good."

It was his first time stepping into this chamber—this hall that symbolized the highest authority in the world.

Saint Topman Warcury glanced at the injuries on Daren's body and gave a faint smile.

"We've already reviewed the battle report on your interception of the Whitebeard Pirates... You did well, Daren. You didn't let us down."

"To serve the Government and the Marines is my honor," Daren answered.

Saint Shepherd Ju Peter, the blond elder, spoke calmly.

"That sense of duty is commendable. We are pleased."

"In that case, let's not waste time."

"I assume Saint Figarland Garling has already mentioned it to you? About the Holy Land's decision to restart the World Noble Hunting Tournament?"

Daren narrowed his eyes slightly and nodded with a polite smile.

"Yes. Saint Figarland Garling-sama and I had a very... engaging conversation."

"Good."

Saint Saturn, clad in black and leaning on an ancient cane, spoke flatly.

"Just before the battle on Miracle Island, Kong came to us and made a very reasonable proposal."

He cast a cold, condescending gaze at the Marine Vice Admiral.

"To promote you—outside the standard protocol—to Admiral of Marine Headquarters... we agreed."

"But on one condition."

Saint Saturn's lips curled into a cold sneer.

"You'll be tasked with escorting the upcoming World Noble Hunting Tournament."

"And the tournament... will be held on Philseque Island, in the North Blue."

His tone was calm—so calm it made the decision sound like idle chatter, as if wiping out the population of that island was of no real consequence.

But in Daren's ears, it thundered like an explosion.

His face remained composed, but deep inside, he sighed.

He'd already pieced together the possibility from Figarland Garling's words and demeanor. But hearing the actual confirmation—that the location was indeed the North Blue—left him momentarily silent.

He had expected the Celestial Dragons to overstep.

He hadn't expected them to leap off a cliff.

He had expected the Five Elders to test him.

He hadn't expected them to spit in his face.

A low-burning fury began to rise in his chest.

After a long pause...

"So... this is the reward you're offering me?"

Daren's eyes turned ice cold. He stared directly at the five supreme powers of the World Government, his expression flat and unreadable.

"From Byrnndi World, the 'Destroyer of the World,' to Shiki the Golden Lion, and just recently the interception of Whitebeard's fleet... I came here with my wounds still healing."

"And what I get in return is to stand by and watch civilians—people I once protected—get slaughtered in cold blood?"

He suddenly stepped forward, the corner of his mouth twisting into a mocking grin.

"The North Blue is where I rose. If the hunting tournament is held there, and the islanders are massacred... what happens to my honor?"

As soon as the words left his mouth, the Five Elders' faces darkened with fury.

"Watch your tone, Daren!"

"This is not the place for your insolence!"

"We've already tolerated your little Haki outburst!"

"Your honor? What's that worth?!"

"You Marines are nothing more than the outer mask of the Government—what honor do you think you have?!"

"Ridiculous!"

"You have no choice in this matter!"

The air in the chamber instantly changed—five icy, oppressive auras erupted, and a suffocating killing intent flooded the entire room.

It pressed down so hard that even Daren's breath hitched for a moment.

Behind the Five Elders, distorted shadows began to writhe and shift, giving off a sense of unnatural terror that chilled the spine.

Daren let out a bitter laugh.

So now he was getting the Akainu treatment, too.

His fingers trembled slightly, his eyes narrowed.

His mind raced—calculating how likely he was to take out at least one or two of them if he struck first.

But before he could entertain the thought any further, an indescribable chill washed over him.

It came without warning.

Bone-deep. Paralyzing.

As if he had been dropped into an abyss of ice.

Daren silently loosened his fists.

His gaze drifted—seemingly casually—toward the far end of the garden beyond the window.

His eyes flickered with a rare, unmistakable fear.

That... was a killing intent powerful enough to end his life.