The atmosphere in the Admiral's office was suffocating.
It felt like the temperature in the room had plummeted, and even the potted plants in the corner seemed to be holding their breath.
Behind his black-rimmed glasses, Sengoku's eyes gleamed with an intensity never seen before. His hawk-like gaze locked onto the young Marine in front of him, and an overwhelming aura of authority radiated from his body, pressing down on Daren.
Daren's heart skipped a beat, but his face remained calm and composed.
Had he been exposed?
No, impossible.
He had full confidence in his skills and planning.
That incident in the North Blue, where a Celestial Dragon was killed—he had handled it perfectly. Not a single trace was left behind.
Subjectively, there was no reason anyone would think he had a motive to target a Celestial Dragon—he had a reputation to uphold.
Objectively, his alibi was airtight. Every clue had been completely erased. Neither the Marines nor the World Government should be able to dig up anything.
If there was anything remotely suspicious, it would be his strength and Devil Fruit ability—both matching the profile of the perpetrator a little too well.
But that alone wasn't enough.
So then... was Sengoku bluffing?
A flurry of thoughts raced through Daren's mind in an instant. He blinked in confusion, just the right amount of feigned surprise showing on his face.
"Saint Xildes-sama?"
"Admiral Sengoku, I don't understand what you're implying."
"The death of Saint Xildes-sama... wasn't it officially ruled an accident? That was your own conclusion."
"'The esteemed World Noble, Saint Xildes-sama, was tragically killed when a massive Sea King attacked during a cruise through the North Blue. The World Government's official vessel was destroyed in an instant. Saint Xildes-sama and numerous CP agents aboard perished. The Marine Headquarters and the World Government extend their deepest condolences'... That was the conclusion of the final report."
"As for accusing me of killing Saint Xildes-sama..."
Daren quickly waved his hands, panic painted across his face.
"How could I possibly dare attack a Celestial Dragon?"
"I'm a law-abiding Marine!"
Sengoku's mouth twitched—he nearly lost his composure.
Right. Of course. The most "law-abiding" Marine in the entire force.
Watching Daren's performance, Sengoku couldn't help feeling a little exasperated.
At first, during the investigation into Saint Xildes's death, he really hadn't found any clues. For a time, he genuinely believed it was just an accident caused by a Sea King.
Back then, in the North Blue, there wasn't a single suspect to go on.
Until the battle against the "World Destroyer," Byrnndi World.
In that fight, Daren revealed combat strength far beyond Sengoku's expectations, along with exceptional command skills and the sheer power of the North Blue fleet under his leadership.
Most crucially, Daren—this North Blue Admiral—demonstrated the ability to fly.
That was the turning point. From that day on, Sengoku began to suspect something.
Though it was just a faint inkling at first, he reopened the investigation into the North Blue incident in secret, just to be sure.
Yet strangely enough, the deeper he dug, the more he found... nothing.
No flaws. No gaps. No proof.
And that's exactly why Sengoku became more and more convinced—
Daren was the one who did it.
He had no evidence.
But his instincts told him he was right.
"Daren, I won't beat around the bush..."
Sengoku cleared his throat, his eyes stern as they locked onto Daren.
"We both understand the situation surrounding the attack on the Celestial Dragons."
"Setting aside the possibility of an accident—if there really was a perpetrator—then the attacker would need to meet the following three conditions."
"First, they'd have to possess overwhelming strength, enough to sink the government ship before the Cipher Pol agents could even react."
"Second, they'd likely have a personal grudge against Saint Xildes."
"Third, they'd probably have the ability to fly."
"At that time in the North Blue, the only person who fit all those criteria and had any history with Saint Xildes…"
Sengoku exhaled slowly.
"Was you, the Admiral of the North Blue—Rogers Daren."
As soon as the words left his mouth, Sengoku stared intently at Daren, searching for the slightest shift in expression.
But he saw nothing.
"Admiral Sengoku, that's not something to say lightly."
Daren smiled faintly, a trace of helplessness in his tone.
"If we're going by your logic, then I'm not the only suspect."
"Oh? And who else would there be?"
"Borsalino."
Sengoku: "..."
Faced with Daren's deadpan reply, he felt a sharp pain in his chest.
Daren gave Sengoku a brief glance, now even more certain he had no proof. He smiled.
"Since you're bringing up old matters, I might as well be honest with you about something."
"What is it?" Sengoku frowned.
Daren let out a soft sigh and spoke slowly.
"When the CP0 agents arrived in the North Blue, they declared I'd be taking over the investigation into Saint Xildes-sama's death. You remember that, don't you?"
Sengoku nodded.
"Of course. The Five Elders took into account that, as an Admiral, I was tied up with pressing military affairs, especially with the urgent pursuit of the 'World Destroyer' Byrnndi World… so they passed the case on to you..."
"—But was that really the reason?"
Daren cut him off, a half-smile playing at his lips.
"Admiral Sengoku, with your wisdom, do you really believe the Five Elders—those who sit above the clouds—actually care whether you're busy or not?"
"Or is it more likely... they simply didn't think you were the right person to investigate a Celestial Dragon's death?"
"That's ridicu—"
Sengoku instinctively moved to deny it, but the words stuck in his throat.
Daren's deliberate tone triggered a memory. Sengoku's expression stiffened.
It was true.
Despite being a high-ranking Marine Admiral, he was still nothing in the eyes of the Five Elders.
By protocol, when a Celestial Dragon was attacked, an Admiral should immediately drop everything to prioritize their protection and the follow-up investigation.
Yet before the case was even closed, the Five Elders had sent CP0 to reassign the case—to Daren.
What did that mean?
Back then, Sengoku had been so focused on taking down Byrnndi World that he never gave it a second thought. He had even felt relieved, thinking he'd avoided a headache.
"Could it be…"
His eyes flickered, and his expression darkened.
"Daren... are you saying the World Government doesn't trust me?"