Three days later.

The New World.

A light rain was falling.

Two figures, one tall and one short, stepped off a merchant ship, their faces and bodies concealed beneath large black hooded cloaks.

"I didn't expect that birdman to be so bold as to arrange the meeting here... This place really brings back memories."

The tall figure in front slowly raised his head. From beneath the hood, a sharp, cold profile emerged, and a faint smile curled at the corner of his lips.

The world's most wanted criminal, Rogers Daren.

"He's clearly showing sincerity for this meeting,"

Stussy said softly from behind Daren.

As she spoke, she glanced around the bustling street with interest. A wide cloak draped over her voluptuous frame, hiding any details of her outfit.

At the hem, a slender, pale calf was visible, paired with black velvet high heels. Her tall, elegant figure radiated poise.

"Even I didn't expect that the island you nearly reduced to ruins could be secretly rebuilt by him in less than two years."

Daren smiled.

"After all, he's the most mysterious Underworld Emperor in the underground world. This level of capability is only natural... Information is power."

As he walked across ground paved with various metal coins, he felt the power of the Jiki Jiki no Mi stir within him, as though responding to something.

Faint blue arcs of electricity flickered between his fingers.

Noticing this sharply, Stussy's pupils narrowed slightly.

Information is power?

Perhaps.

But on this island, what you hold is absolute power.

Recalling everything she had witnessed at his side over the past three days, Stussy felt as if she were in a dream.

She had thought herself prepared for Daren's madness and terror, but what she had experienced during those three days completely shattered her expectations.

The first day.

After lighting a cigar, the man casually picked up a table knife and began cutting away the rotting flesh and crystallized skin caused by severe burns and frostbite—one patch after another.

Chunks of decayed flesh slid from his body like thick mud. The horrifying sight of blood splattering everywhere... even Stussy, a seasoned agent skilled in interrogation, found it chilling to the bone.

What unsettled her the most was how, throughout the entire half-hour "surgery," he showed no change in expression—

He even had the audacity to flirt with her.

By the time he was finished, his body was riddled with holes, and he had gone through box after box of bandages and medical supplies just to stop the bleeding.

But on the second day—

While helping him change dressings, Stussy was stunned to find that all his gruesome wounds had already begun to scab over.

Had she not seen it with her own eyes, she wouldn't have believed it was real.

Then came the third day—

The man was already up and about, full of energy, ready to attend the meeting.

Thinking of his outrageous behavior aboard the ship earlier, Stussy unconsciously bit her red lips, her eyes shimmering with frustration.

"Two guests, my boss has been waiting for you."

Just as Stussy's mind was drifting, a man in a black suit appeared before them, bowing deeply.

"Hmm, lead the way."

Daren nodded.

Guided by the suited man, Daren and Stussy soon arrived at a luxuriously decorated hotel.

They passed through the grand lobby and made their way into a small meeting room.

"President, the two guests have arrived."

The black-suited man spoke respectfully, then quietly exited, gently closing the door behind him.

The room's lighting was dim. Elegant oil lamps cast soft, flickering shadows across the space.

On a wide sofa chair sat a figure with an odd appearance.

Daren looked at the birdman before him, dressed in a black tailcoat and wearing a black top hat, and smiled.

"Morgans-san, I've heard a lot about you."

"Nice to meet you."

Morgans stood up from the sofa, raised his wings, and took off his top hat. Smiling like a well-mannered nobleman, he gave a courteous bow.

"Nice to meet you, Rogers Daren... Are you satisfied with the location of this meeting?"

Daren took out a cigar, bit it, lit it, and smiled.

"I never imagined that Coin Island, once reduced to ruins, could be revived in President Morgans' hands and return to its former prosperity..."

Morgans flapped his wings and responded with a modest smile.

"Coin Island became a renowned hub of trade and commerce in the New World due to its superior location, sitting at the crossroads of multiple major trade routes... Its resurgence this time isn't solely my doing."

"This place is where Daren-san made his name."

"Daren-san rose from the chaos of the North Blue and carved a path into the Grand Line. His most dazzling debut battle undoubtedly took place right here on Coin Island—where he singlehandedly destroyed the flying fleet of the Great Pirate Shiki the Golden Lion!"

"But at the time, no one in the world imagined that the fall of one flying fleet would mark the rise of another."

He cast a half-smiling glance at Stussy.

"Just like no one would have guessed that the Queen of the Pleasure District, famed throughout the New World, would be such a... close friend of Daren-san."

Stussy lifted her head and replied coldly.

"If you're looking to die, keep talking."

Morgans quickly raised both wings and chuckled.

"Sorry, sorry, I'm being nosy... But Stussy, surely you understand? We vultures of the underworld survive in these seas by feeding on gossip and information, don't we?"

Stussy scoffed and ignored the birdman, walking straight over to the sofa and taking a seat.

Seeing this, Morgans shrugged theatrically, then turned to the Marine Vice Admiral.

"So, Daren-san, you've met me now."

"Even though I look a bit odd, I doubt you came all this way just to see my face, right?"

His eyes gleamed as he stared at Daren.

"This 'big news' you mentioned... what is it exactly?"

Daren smiled.

"My very existence is big news, isn't it?"

"Indeed!"

Morgans nodded in agreement.

"But I'm still hoping for a special surprise."

"After all, I've used quite a few favors and resources to make this meeting happen."

He lifted a wing and gestured toward a heavy wooden door across the room.

"Behind that door, a live broadcast that links to the entire world is already set up."

"Representatives and journalists from over a hundred media organizations are gathered and waiting patiently for what comes next."

"Daren-san, I'm truly curious... You're taking an enormous risk making such a public speech—so what is it you plan to say? Or rather, what do you plan to do?"

Daren smiled, but didn't answer immediately.

Morgans wasn't in a rush. He simply watched as the former Marine legend, now a world-class criminal, took slow drags from his cigar.

After a full ten minutes, the black-haired young man snuffed out the cigar and lifted his hand to remove the black hooded coat draped over his shoulders.

Beneath it, he wore a perfectly tailored, dark gray suit that radiated power and authority.

"As everyone knows, Rogers Daren is someone who never takes a loss and always returns the favor."

Morgans' eyes lit up.

"So, you want revenge?"

"No. Not just revenge."

Daren took a step forward, heading toward the wooden door.

He adjusted his black tie, swept back his hair with both hands, and the aggression in his eyes grew sharper, more intense.

"I've never blamed the Five Elders."

"The weak submit to the strong—an eternal, unchanging law. It has nothing to do with justice or evil."

"If they were stronger than me—if the Government's military had surpassed the North Blue fleet—then I would have deserved to die."

"But I survived. Which means... maybe the World Government isn't as invincible as people think."

"It also means..."

He paused when he reached the heavy wooden door.

From the other side, faint sounds of noise and commotion filtered through.

The machinery of global publicity was already revving up... The world was waiting for his answer.

The answer from the "world's most wanted criminal."

He turned his head.

"I possess greater strength, so this time..."

Under the stunned gazes of Morgans and Stussy, he grinned wildly.

"...I'll be the one setting the rules."

"What I want is—war!"

...

(100 Chapters Ahead)

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