In the quiet corridor of the hospital, two men faced each other.
Outside, snow drifted gently through the air.
Yet to Momonga, the room felt colder than the winter beyond.
Cold to the bone.
Darren's smile grew broader—wild, defiant, even a little mad.
"You said this kind of thing has never been done before…"
"Yes. That's true."
"But 'never been done' doesn't mean it can't be done. And it definitely doesn't mean it's wrong."
His tone grew strange. Deep.
"Between zero and one… there's a world of difference."
The words hit Momonga like lightning.
His fingers trembled slightly.
An unfamiliar fear clenched his chest, tightening around his lungs, stealing his breath.
But then—he clenched his fists, raised his head, and said with resolve:
"Then I'm going with you."
Darren's smile widened—as if he'd been waiting for that answer.
But he shook his head.
"No need. I move faster alone."
"And if something happens to me… I'm confident leaving the North Blue fleet to you."
"Stay here. Watch those two."
"I'll be back soon."
With that, Darren turned and strode away without hesitation.
Only after his figure disappeared down the corridor did Momonga finally exhale.
His back was soaked with cold sweat.
He stood frozen for a long moment—then slowly raised his hand in a solemn salute…
To the empty hallway.
Suddenly,
He turned to the window.
The snow fell harder now, the skies above blanketed in heavy gray.
Far in the distance, thunder cracked.
A storm was coming.
"…The sky's about to change," he murmured.
Then his gaze sharpened again, steady and firm.
"Captain Darren…"
"…As expected of you."
His voice trembled, but his smile was genuine.
"To serve under you… is an honor."
He clenched his fists.
Darren was right.
He wouldn't be any help in battle.
But staying behind—maybe that he could do something with.
---
One minute later.
Darren left the hospital alone, heading north of Batia Island.
The mountains stretched in rolling peaks, and the once-verdant forest was now blanketed in snow.
After confirming that no one was following him, he pulled a crumpled piece of white paper from his coat.
Only half a sheet—torn unevenly.
A Vivre Card.
His vivre card.
Laying it flat on his palm, Darren watched as it slowly tilted in one direction, pulled by an unseen force.
He memorized the direction and tucked it away.
This was a risky move.
But Darren was no fool.
He hadn't risen from the bottom ranks to North Blue's highest command through strength alone.
He had caution. Vision. Strategy.
Before the hand-off earlier, he'd confirmed that the CP agents escorting Saint Shaldes were all from the CP1 division.
A bunch of intel agents—not even close to CP9.
Which meant—none of them used Haki.
That was enough.
Sparks flickered between Darren's fingers.
An invisible magnetic field rippled outward.
On his right wrist, his metal bracer melted like liquid, morphing into a sleek silver plank—just over a meter long, aerodynamic, edged like a triangle at the tip.
A floating metal board.
Polished, weightless.
His magnet board.
Darren stepped on, knees bent, leaning forward.
And then—
BOOM.
The magnetic propulsion launched him forward in a burst of speed that shattered the sound barrier.
Sonic booms cracked in his wake.
He vanished into the storm clouds above—lightning flashing in the distance.
---
At the same time.
Far off the coast of Batia Island.
A grand government ship flew the World Government flag, sailing slowly through icy waters.
"Achoo!"
"Damn this weather! Snow in summer? This isn't the New World!"
On the deck, Saint Shaldes sneezed, shivering beneath his thick white robes.
Snow coated the deck and sails, blanketing the government ship in a layer of silver frost.
Even the glass dome over his head fogged with condensation.
"Lord Saint Shaldes," a CP agent in a black suit approached and knelt respectfully.
"If all goes as planned, we should arrive at Mary Geoise in two days."
"Twelve agents from CP1 will serve you during this voyage."
Shaldes accepted a luxurious fur cloak, scowling.
"Why just CP1? Where's CP0?"
He still hadn't recovered from the attack by Byrnndi World. His personal guards were wiped out.
Normally, in such cases, CP0—the top of the Cipher Pol hierarchy—would handle security directly.
But now, just CP1?
The agent replied nervously:
"CP0 is currently assisting the Marine in hunting Byrnndi World. Most of their forces are deployed."
"We've analyzed the risk of this voyage. Everything will be fine, I assure you."
Shaldes grunted in annoyance.
He could technically summon CP0—but only in extreme situations.
Real authority over them belonged to the Five Elders.
"Whatever. Take me to see my wife."
The agent nodded and led him into a private cabin.
The interior was damp, dark, and reeked of blood and rot.
At the center stood a cage—meant for slaves.
Inside, Liya sat shackled by wrists and ankles, mouth gagged, body trembling.
As Shaldes entered, her tear-stained eyes flared with stubborn fire.
"…What a beautiful gaze," he murmured, heart racing with delight.
Yes—this was the feeling.
Everyone else grovelled like dogs when they saw his face.
No fun in that.
But this—this fire in her eyes—that was what he wanted.
He wanted to see her break.
Bit by bit.
To watch the light in her eyes die.
That was the joy he lived for.
"…Just wait a little longer, my beautiful wife. Once we reach the Holy Land, our happy life will begin."
Laughing gleefully, he turned and left the cabin.
His desire burned—but he could wait.
A noble like him wouldn't defile himself in a filthy ship like this.
Not until she was clean. Presentable.
Worthy.
The door closed.
Darkness returned.
The swaying oil lamp flickered, casting twisted shadows across the floor.
Liya remained curled in the corner.
Bruised. Silent. Still.
Her knees and arms bore fresh scrapes.
She must've been dragged in violently.
No one noticed—
Her small fists were clenched tight.
Clutching a slip of paper.
It was something the handsome Marine officer had slipped into her palm while pretending to restrain her.
She didn't know what it was.
But somehow…
She hadn't let go.
It felt like warmth.
Like safety.
Like something sacred.
Her only hope…
In a world drowning in darkness.
---
To be continued...