"...I will set the rules!"

With that defiant declaration, the world's most wanted criminal raised his hand and pushed open the heavy wooden door.

In an instant, blinding lights and a tide of voices surged from the other side of the conference room, engulfing the tall figure of the black-haired young man.

The world truly had been waiting for his answer.

He tugged at his tie, the smile at the corner of his mouth growing more unrestrained, and stepped forward to meet the gaze of the entire world.

Only after the doors closed again, and the roaring cheers and flashing lights faded like retreating waves, did Morgans and Stussy begin to snap out of the soul-shaking awe that had overtaken them.

For a long while, they stood frozen.

Eventually, Morgans exhaled a long breath of stale air and turned toward the blonde woman still sitting dazed on the sofa.

The cigarette between her slender fingers had already burned down to the filter—extinguished without her noticing.

"So... has he always been that domineering?"

Morgans muttered in slight disbelief.

As Underworld Emperors of the New World, Morgans and Stussy had crossed paths countless times over the years—rivalries, subterfuge, power plays, temporary alliances... Their relationship, both adversarial and collaborative, had bred a deep familiarity.

So when Morgans spoke to Stussy, there was none of the pretense he used with Daren—just the casual tone of one seasoned partner to another.

Stussy was silent for a moment.

But in her mind, she once again saw that man—cigar in mouth, dinner knife in hand, calmly slicing away the rotting flesh from his own body with a smile.

Reluctant though she was to admit it, she gave a faint nod.

That simple gesture caught Morgans off guard.

She actually agreed?

Morgans knew better than anyone just how proud Stussy was.

Even with his extensive intel as the "Big News," he'd never uncovered anything about her origins.

She could call even someone like Big Mom—Charlotte Linlin, a Yonkō who dominated the New World—by name without fear.

And yet, this Queen of the Pleasure District, a woman of such high standards, acknowledged Rogers Daren's presence and resolve.

Now that was fascinating.

Noticing that Stussy was still a little dazed, Morgans' eyes flicked with mischief.

He suddenly leaned in and asked,

"Is he that domineering in bed too?"

Stussy nodded instinctively—then immediately caught herself, her eyes flaring with anger.

Her fingernails flicked.

Flying Shigan!

Duk duk duk!

Several finger-thick holes appeared in the wall behind Morgans, smoke and dust rising in their wake.

A cold bead of sweat rolled down Morgans' forehead as he helplessly raised both wings in surrender.

Stussy stared at him coldly, expression unreadable.

"If that man didn't still need your connections, you'd already be a corpse."

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I went too far!"

Morgans bowed deeply, his voice filled with exaggerated sincerity—just enough to hide the grin he couldn't wipe off his beak.

Inside, he was roaring with laughter.

'Big news! Big news!'

…

As the man stepped through the heavy wooden door, a barrage of flashbulbs erupted in the spacious banquet hall.

"He's here!!"

"I can't believe it's really him!"

"Rogers Daren survived after clashing with the Five Elders, the supreme authority of the World Government!"

"He's not in uniform!"

"Has he left the Marines for good?"

"What's the purpose of this press conference?!"

...

Every reporter and intelligence agent present seemed to go mad, their eyes locked on the tall, upright figure with blazing intensity, hearts pounding uncontrollably.

The former Vice Admiral of Marine Headquarters.

The monster once hailed as a "legend."

The man who brought down Byrnndi World and Shiki—two of the Great Pirates at their peak—and earned monumental achievements for the Marines.

And now, the most wanted man in the world.

The criminal with the highest bounty alive.

A life filled with twists and chaos—his very existence was already the world's greatest headline.

To stand here and get firsthand coverage from this living legend—

for the journalists present, this moment was the absolute pinnacle of their careers.

In an instant, the hall turned frenzied.

Reporters snapped their shutters with wild urgency, flash after blinding flash lighting up the room.

They surged forward, jostling and shoving, afraid to miss a single second.

"Daren-san, is the World Economy News report true? Did you really battle the Five Elders?"

"Daren-san, as the current highest-bounty criminal on the seas, how do you feel?"

"Daren-san, with the government and Marines now offering open bounties for you, does that mean you've officially broken ties with the Marines? If so, what identity will you assume moving forward on the seas?"

"Daren-san, rumors say you command a fleet of overwhelming power... Some nations have even labeled it a 'weapon of mass destruction.' Are those claims true?"

...

The questions came in waves, nonstop.

But Daren just smiled as he walked forward.

His polished brown leather shoes sank slightly into the soft carpet.

The flashbulbs played across his chiseled face—calm, handsome, with his black hair slicked back, exuding both freedom and wildness.

All eyes followed his every step, unwilling to look away.

At last, he reached the red-brown podium and gently tapped the microphone.

The media staff instantly activated their video Den Den Mushi.

Whoosh!

Layers of soft, blurred light slowly projected across the high platform, illuminating the tall, commanding figure of the black-haired man.

At the same time...

As the Den Den Mushi signal transmitted—this very image was broadcast live across the globe to every Member Nation, non-Member Nation, major faction, and neutral island.

In that moment, the world felt as if it had been struck by a nuclear bomb.

A deafening uproar exploded across the globe.

...

Marine Headquarters—Marineford.

Central Military Fortress.

Highest Military Conference Room.

Every top-ranking Marine, led by Sengoku, was present. The room was thick with smoke, and the mood was suffocating.

"So even now, you haven't found a trace of that brat Daren?"

Bang!

Sengoku slammed his fist onto the table.

His expression was dark as he glared at the silent Marine officers before him.

"What the hell are you all doing!?"

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