The warship sailed steadily along its designated route, heading toward Marineford, the Marine Headquarters.
"Yes, Fleet Admiral Kong... the mission was a complete success."
"...Indeed. During this operation, Commodore Daren demonstrated overwhelming strength and sharp judgment..."
"Mm-hmm, yes, no problem..."
Sengoku hung up the call on the military Den Den Mushi, a satisfied smile forming on his face.
Standing at the bow of the warship, he gazed out at the endless blue sea ahead. He unconsciously spread his arms and stretched with a yawn, feeling completely refreshed.
The operation on Coin Island had been a resounding success.
For the Marines, this was their greatest triumph over evil since the Battle of God Valley—they had successfully wiped out the legendary flying fleet of the Great Pirate Shiki.
Although most of the credit belonged to Daren, and Sengoku himself had merely "assisted from the sidelines" as an Admiral, he was still the commanding officer of the operation, so recognition was naturally due.
"That rascal Daren... Always getting into trouble, but he's got real talent."
Sengoku chuckled and shook his head, a mix of amusement and exasperation on his face.
Thinking back, it had been Daren who broke the deadlock in several previous operations.
Byrnndi World, the "World Destroyer."
Kaido of the Hundred Beasts…
And now, Shiki the "Golden Lion"...
No matter the opponent, Daren always managed to turn the tide with his brilliant strategy and precise judgment, earning the Marines a string of major victories.
In contrast, Sengoku often felt like he was just there for show—cleaning up after the fact.
Take Byrnndi World, for example. He hadn't lifted a finger before Daren took him down.
During the Kaidou operation, by the time the main Marine force reached the Beasts Pirates' headquarters, Daren had already wrecked most of the military factory's production lines—they were just there to wrap things up.
And this time?
Sengoku's mouth twitched involuntarily.
"Well, not my fault. I can't fly, after all," he muttered to himself.
But just then, Sengoku stiffened.
"What the—!?"
He sensed something and suddenly turned around.
A figure dropped from the sky at terrifying speed, crashing straight into the warship's deck.
Boom!!
A massive hole was blasted into the deck, wood fragments flying in all directions.
"What just happened!?"
"Are we under attack!?"
"Get ready for battle!"
...
The sudden impact immediately put the Marines on high alert. They grabbed their weapons and quickly surrounded the smoke-filled area, approaching cautiously.
But the next moment, the sight before them left everyone stunned.
"Commodore Daren!?"
The Marine Commodore lay motionless at the bottom of a crater, face pale, a gaping wound torn across his chest. Blood gushed from it, soaking his uniform in crimson.
"Damn!!"
What a horrific injury!
The Marines collectively gasped, cold dread sweeping over them.
Chaos erupted across the deck.
"Doctor!! We need a doctor, now!!"
...
"It hurts..."
Daren groggily woke from unconsciousness, pain coursing through every inch of his body.
"The sword techniques of the Giants... That crazy old hag really didn't hold back."
He winced, rubbing his head as he slowly opened his eyes.
A circle of Marines surrounded him, and standing at the front was Sengoku, his expression filled with concern.
"...Admiral Sengoku."
Seeing Daren awake, Sengoku let out a breath of relief—only to immediately scowl.
"Hey, hey, hey, you brat... What's with that sour face?"
"Is that how you greet me?"
Daren fumbled around and pulled out a crumpled pack of cigarettes. He took one, bit down on it, lit up, and gave a weak grin.
"I was hoping I'd wake up to a hot, sexy nurse..."
As he spoke, he took a drag and glanced down at his chest.
His uniform had been undone, and the wound on his torso had been roughly treated and wrapped in a blood-soaked bandage.
Sengoku's eye twitched at Daren's remark.
Hold it... Just hold it in... This kid just pulled off a major victory.
Taking a deep breath, Sengoku forced a smile.
"What happened to you?"
Sengoku was very familiar with the strength of Charlotte Daifuku and Charlotte Perospero. He figured they were a notch above the elite Vice Admirals at headquarters—but still far below Daren.
And since he'd already heavily injured them, they shouldn't have stood a chance.
"Don't tell me... you ran into Big Mom?"
He eyed Daren's wounds suspiciously, his voice mixed with doubt and surprise.
Daren rolled his eyes.
"Who else but that lunatic?"
Sengoku's face froze.
This brat... he actually went and tangled with Big Mom!?
Ignoring Sengoku's stunned look, Daren sank into thought.
Big Mom's strength had indeed exceeded his expectations—he had clearly underestimated her.
By now, Daren had essentially gone head-to-head with all the major figures of the seas.
Byrnndi World, Roger, Kaidou, Whitebeard, Shiki, Charlotte Linlin...
Through direct confrontations, he could more or less rank their "raw power."
The weakest, undoubtedly, was Byrnndi World—the first legendary pirate to fall by his hands.
In truth, Byrnndi World's physical prowess wasn't particularly high. His title of "World Destroyer" was closely tied to his Moa Moa no Mi ability.
As for the strongest...
Daren exhaled a long plume of smoke and narrowed his eyes.
That was hard to say.
Roger, Whitebeard, and Shiki all gave off the same overwhelming pressure—their power was nearly unstoppable. Unless he could step into that same legendary tier himself, there was no way to judge who was truly the strongest.
And at their level, the outcome of a battle could be swayed by a dozen variables.
Physical condition, weather, mindset, spur-of-the-moment decisions...
Any shift could change the entire flow of a fight between them.
As for the remaining two—Charlotte Linlin and Kaidou...
Daren let out another breath.
Because of the way the Wano Country arc played out in the original timeline, he'd misjudged Charlotte Linlin's strength.
While both she and Kaidou were part of the Rocks Pirates, their standings in the crew had been vastly different.
Kaidou had still been a trainee, while Charlotte Linlin was already a commanding officer.
And at this point in the timeline...
Kaidou was only 30 years old, still in his prime growth phase—far from the peak strength he would later show in the Wano arc.
But Charlotte Linlin was another story.
Big Mom was already 39, at the very height of her power. In swordsmanship, hand-to-hand combat, battle experience, and even the intensity of her Conqueror's Haki—she outclassed Kaidou by a wide margin at this stage.
It was no wonder Daren had underestimated her—Big Mom's current appearance was far too deceptive.