At that moment, Daren seemed to see a pair of mysterious eyes slowly opening in the deepest darkness among the flowers, staring at him with cold indifference.

Under that gaze, a chilling cold crept up from the soles of his feet, climbing his spine and reaching his brain. His muscles tensed instinctively.

Up to now, Daren had crossed blades with many of the most powerful figures on this sea.

Byrnndi World, the "World Destroyer" who could level the world with his might;

Shiki the Golden Lion, whose twin blades and overwhelming presence had stormed Marineford alone;

Edward Newgate, known as the "Strongest Man in the World," Whitebeard;

Kaidou of the Beasts, the monstrous "Strongest Creature on Land, Sea, and Air" with an Indestructible Body;

Charlotte Linlin, the "Natural Calamity" who ruled Totto Land—Big Mom;

"Dark King" Rayleigh, and even the future Pirate King, Gol D. Roger...

Yet never before had he felt a threat like this!

It was as if a silent, venomous snake had its eyes on him... or like a god above was watching, making his scalp tingle.

Was that... the master of the Empty Throne?

Daren quietly let out a breath, the shadows in his eyes growing heavier, and slowly loosened his clenched fists.

Saint Saturn rested his wrinkled hands on a worn cane, a mocking sneer spreading across his face.

"Daren, this is our final test for you."

Saint Warcury added coldly,

"Your talent, strength, and potential are unmatched—even by global standards. According to the World Government's CP department's classified records, you're considered the 'Marine's greatest genius in 800 years.'"

"We don't want someone like you taking the wrong path."

Daren remained silent.

He gradually composed himself, facing the five highest authorities of the World Government.

"What if I refuse this mission?"

"I'll give up my promotion to Admiral."

The Five Elders appeared calm, but Daren could clearly sense the thick layer of threat flashing in their eyes.

With his strength, he could go toe-to-toe with Whitebeard or Roger, but even he didn't dare claim he could handle all five of these unfathomable old men at once.

He didn't know their true capabilities. Acting rashly would be reckless.

Let alone the mysterious Imu, still silently watching from deep within the flower garden.

"So you still don't understand…"

Saint Ethanbaron V. Nusjuro, gripping his katana, shook his head with a cold smirk.

"This isn't a negotiation. This is a direct order."

Daren's eyes narrowed instinctively.

Seeing this, Warcury sighed.

"Daren, I had high hopes for you. But you've truly let me down."

"You think… we don't know what you've been doing in secret?"

His gaze turned icy.

Daren froze.

Before he could speak, Warcury—the Warrior God of Justice who commanded all of the CP forces—suddenly pulled an image Den Den Mushi from his robes and pressed a button.

Under Daren's stunned gaze, a projection slowly lit up.

The world fell into dead silence.

The atmosphere in the council chamber became suffocating, like a vise clamping down.

On the Den Den Mushi's screen was a sealed, blood-soaked room.

Dark red stains smeared across the grayish-white walls.

Two figures lay there, barely clinging to life, chained by heavy shackles.

A man and a little girl—strikingly alike.

The man was still in a gardener's uniform, dirt smeared across it.

The girl's white dress had been dyed red with blood, her tiny hands tightly clinging to her father's sleeve.

Their eye sockets were hollow, gaping with fresh blood. Their eyeballs had been brutally gouged out, the blood trailing down their faces like frozen tears.

Daren stood frozen in place, his fingers trembling slightly.

He knew this father and daughter.

The man had once knelt before him, sobbing, begging him to save his child.

The little girl had once bravely tried to end her own life, afraid she would drag him down.

They had once been alive and well.

Now, the two of them huddled together in a corner, clinging to each other for warmth.

Waiting for death to come...

Just like their life had always been.

"Don't worry, they're still alive."

Saint Saturn looked at the expressionless Marine Vice Admiral and smiled.

"As Warcury said, you truly are a capable man. Even we were fooled by you in the beginning."

Warcury spoke calmly.

"Even with the government's intelligence network and the CP department's investigative power, there wasn't a single trace."

The blond Saint Peter added,

"You did so well that even Saint Xildes' own father couldn't be bothered to keep pursuing the truth about how his son died in the North Blue."

Saint Mars, his long gray beard swaying, sneered coldly.

"But there's no such thing as a perfect crime in this world. All we needed was to find someone capable of killing Saint Xildes without leaving a trace."

Saint Saturn's smile carried a trace of mockery.

"What we didn't expect… was your motive."

"Stupid," Warcury finished for him.

He raised his head, looking at the motionless Marine Vice Admiral with visible disappointment in his eyes.

"We thought you were different."

"You're greedy, lustful, power-hungry, self-serving..."

"You'll do anything to achieve your goals—even twist facts and manipulate truth..."

"With your exceptional talent, your brilliance, your lack of principles..."

"You're nothing like Zephyr or Garp, with their rigid ideals..."

"It's because of those exact traits that we chose to place our hopes in you!"

"For someone as profit-driven and cunning as you, we really don't understand why you'd make such a foolish move."

"Did you really think we were so ignorant, so incompetent, that we would never uncover your secret?"

Warcury let out a quiet sigh.

"What disappoints me the most... is that you let them live in the end."

Saint Saturn taunted with a smirk,

"If not, we might never have found your weakness."

Warcury said calmly,

"You should've finished them off cleanly."

"Someone like you shouldn't have any weaknesses."

Daren remained silent, his expression slightly blank.

Warcury shook his head and continued.

"However, Daren, we've decided to give you one more chance."

"A man like you deserves it."

"As long as you successfully escort the World Noble Hunting Tournament, we will overlook everything that happened."

He slowly opened his arms.

"This is the greatest mercy we can offer to humanity—because you have the potential to surpass mortals."

"Broaden your vision. Don't waste your energy or time on mere ants. Serving the gods is your destiny."

"All these years of effort... all those years of climbing… do you really intend to throw away the power and position you fought so hard to gain, Daren?"

"If you carry out this escort mission, you'll have everything you've ever wanted."

"Power, status, wealth, fame... You'll become a high-ranking Admiral of the Marines. Whatever it is... we can grant it to you."

"You like making deals, don't you? This one should be very profitable."

"You're a smart man. I trust you'll make the smart choice."

As his words ended, the Five Elders fixed their gaze on the Marine Vice Admiral, a faint but unmistakable killing intent gradually filling the air.

One second.

Two seconds.

Three seconds.

The tension in the council chamber was like a bowstring stretched to its limit—ready to snap at any moment.

Then, finally—

"I understand."

The Marine Vice Admiral suddenly smiled.

On that cold, indifferent face, a genuine smile slowly bloomed.

"I will do everything I can to complete the mission entrusted to me by you all."

Upon hearing this, the Five Elders all revealed satisfied smiles.

"We look forward to your performance... future Admiral of the Marines."

Daren said nothing more and turned to leave.

Just as he stepped out of the council chamber, a hoarse voice called out from behind.

"Ah, one more thing."

Daren paused in his step.

"Just a reminder..."

Saint Saturn stared meaningfully at the broad back of the Marine Vice Admiral, sneering.

"The North Blue was never your North Blue. And you were never the 'King of the North Blue.'"

He seemed to savor the sight of the Vice Admiral's somber back, his tone full of supreme confidence.

"It wasn't true in the past. And in the future... it never will be."

As his words fell, the solemn council chamber doors slowly shut, sealing off the Five Elders' cold, smirking faces one by one.

...

(100 Chapters Ahead)

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