CHAPTER 381: CHAPTER 24: I’LL BE RIGHT BACK

Darren’s smirk deepened at Sengoku’s words.

Though his fiery speech had stoked the embers of war within the room—cutting clean through the usual red tape—the real question remained: would Marine Headquarters approve the operation?

But judging by the way Sengoku and Kong’s expressions were beginning to soften, their initial resistance was already unraveling.

Darren had been eyeing the G-5 Branch for a long time.

Tucked deep within the New World and far from the reach of Marineford, its remoteness had bred a natural lawlessness. But more than its location, it was the branch’s infamous reputation that drew Darren in.

The Marines stationed there were notorious—rogues in uniform, their behavior indistinguishable from pirates. Orders from above were casually ignored, and chain of command meant little. It was chaos... and for Darren, it felt like destiny.

If he could take G-5 for himself, he wouldn’t just gain a posting. He’d carve out a sovereign corner of the sea—a fiefdom under Marine colors, but outside Headquarters’ grasp. Even the iron rule of the World Government wouldn’t reach that far.

Far from the capital, even the emperor’s hand grows short, Darren mused. There, I can do as I please.

It was the clearest path to power.

After his promotion to Vice Admiral, he had two official options.

He could remain at Headquarters, carrying out assignments handed down from the top. Or he could take command of a Marine base somewhere along the Grand Line.

But either way, he’d be shackled—watched, regulated, controlled.

That wasn’t the life he had in mind.

Then I’ll volunteer for G-5 myself.

But taking G-5 was just the first step.

Next came his clique.

In the lawless depths of the New World—where Yonko influence loomed and pirate alliances clashed—holding ground would take more than rank. Darren needed loyal allies. Fighters. People who’d walk into hell at his side without question.

That was the real reason he needed this war.

"To restore the Marine’s reputation and authority worldwide, we must act swiftly."

His voice dropped, turning cold. Calculated. Deadly.

"We’ll wash away this humiliation with blood."

A heavy silence settled.

Kong’s brow furrowed. Sengoku’s lips pressed into a tight line.

"Darren," Sengoku warned, "don’t forget the state of Headquarters. Our funds are strained, manpower is low, and supplies are stretched thin. We can’t afford the costs of a war—not now."

Darren waved the concern aside with an air of nonchalance.

"Those worries are... unnecessary."

Unnecessary?

The room froze. Kong’s eyes narrowed. Sengoku stared, baffled. Even Garp looked up from his tea.

Waging war wasn’t something done lightly. Ships, men, munitions, logistics—it required a colossal investment. They weren’t pirates, after all. Marines couldn’t just plunder their way through problems.

How the hell do you go to war without money, troops, or weapons?

But Darren wasn’t finished.

"Not for this operation."

He stubbed out his cigar with a quiet hiss, walked to the coat rack, and flung his Vice Admiral’s snow-white coat over his shoulders in one smooth motion.

Then he turned to Borsalino, who was busy inspecting his fingernails.

"Vice Admiral Borsalino," he asked, "is Enma ready?"

Borsalino gave a lazy smile. "She’s stabilized—more or less. But I’d still advise against being reckless."

Darren grinned. "Relax."

The coat draped across his broad shoulders fluttered behind him as he stepped toward the exit. His voice rang out, deep and commanding.

"The key to this operation is speed, strength, and overwhelming force."

With every step, his presence grew heavier—like thunder building before a storm.

He reached the door.

Sunlight spilled into the room. Wind from the distant sea rushed in, lifting his new cloak high into the air. It billowed behind him like a banner.

Darren looked back.

"Wait here," he said with a smile. "I’ll be right back."

No sooner had he spoken than a beam of eerie black light erupted from the horizon—like a blade cutting through space itself—and stopped just before him.

He stepped effortlessly onto the obsidian edge of the Demon Blade. A magnetic surge hummed beneath his feet. And then—he was gone.

Launched skyward in an instant, a blur of dark light streaking toward the clouds.

Inside the office, stunned silence hung heavy in the air.

The gathered officers exchanged bewildered glances.

"Young Darren... what’s he trying to pull now?" Garp muttered, flabbergasted.

Sakazuki’s scowl deepened, then eased—as if he’d just solved a puzzle he hadn’t realized he was working on.

Kong and Sengoku met each other’s gaze. And in that instant, a wordless understanding passed between them. Their eyes widened. Shock—and a touch of disbelief—lit their faces.

"Oh, I nearly forgot," Borsalino said airily, still smiling. "After the graduation ceremony, Vice Admiral Darren asked me for a little something."

"What kind of something?" Zephyr asked suspiciously.

Borsalino chuckled and lifted an eyebrow. "A permanent Log Pose. One that points to one of the subsidiary islands... in Big Mom’s Totto Land."

The room erupted.

Gasps. Shouts. Disbelief.

Darren was heading for Totto Land?!

Alone?!

Was he insane?!

A suicide mission if there ever was one—except...

Then they remembered. Darren’s terrifying speed. His bizarre Devil Fruit ability. His unfathomable mobility.

With that power, unless Big Mom herself showed up, he could escape from anywhere in the blink of an eye.

No—

They remembered what he’d done during the Marineford War. His strength. His tactics. His ability to command.

Even if Big Mom came herself... she might not be able to stop him.

Which meant Darren—this Marine Vice Admiral—could now soar through the seas like a force of nature, unbound and untouchable.

Like the second coming of the Golden Lion.

The realization struck all at once, and a chill of awe swept through the room.

A flying admiral, blitzing across the Grand Line. A nightmare to pirates. A symbol of Marine wrath.

Kuzan’s eyes sparkled.

"This is insane," he breathed. "He’s really going after Totto Land alone... that’s so cool!"

Then he buried his face in his hands. "Damn it! My Devil Fruit’s completely useless now!"

Kong ignored Kuzan’s grumbling, his attention locked on Borsalino.

He stepped forward, voice low and intense. "What else did Darren ask you for?"

The tension sharpened.

Everyone turned to Borsalino, eyes narrowing in anticipation.

With maddening calm, he reached into his coat and pulled out a small device.

"This."

A smirk tugged at his lips.

"He said, ’If there’s going to be a victory... the whole world ought to see it happen.’"

Time stopped.

Every face turned toward the object in his hand—expressions frozen.

Then—

"Bwahahaha! You sly little bastard!" Garp roared, slapping his thigh so hard it echoed through the room.

It was a Visual Den Den Mushi.

Darren’s plan was crystal clear now.

He wasn’t just launching a solo assault.

He was going to storm Totto Land—live, for the whole world to see.

To be continued...