Crying after drinking?
Looking at the "strongest creature on land, sea, and air" sobbing in front of him, Daren was speechless. He couldn't help but glance at King and Queen.
His look clearly asked, "Is your boss always this insane?"
Meeting Daren's strange gaze, King's eye twitched slightly. He picked up his wine glass, took a sip, and turned away.
Queen, on the other hand, gave a sly grin and nodded vigorously at Daren.
Daren: "..."
He looked at Kaidou, who was still wailing like a storm, paused for a second, and a trace of helplessness flashed across his face.
At that moment, Queen and the other pirates were all frantically making exaggerated gestures at Daren, motioning for him to "pat the shoulder."
Daren: ???
His mouth twitched as he awkwardly raised his hand... and then immediately pulled it back.
"Ahhhhhhh!!"
Kaidou burst into even louder sobs, his thunderous voice rumbling through the air and sending the pirates tumbling to the ground.
They looked miserable, gesturing desperately at Daren in a pleading manner, their faces full of despair.
Daren rolled his eyes and, with no other choice, gave Kaidou's shoulder a couple of pats.
"Alright, alright, stop crying... Once you've had your fill of booze, we'll have a proper fight."
"Really!?"
Kaidou stopped crying instantly, his tear-filled eyes locked onto Daren.
Daren: "..."
He forced a smile.
"Yeah. If nothing else, I can promise you that—because right now, I really do want to beat you up."
"Worororo! You said it, Daren!"
Kaidou's flushed face showed a rare look of bashfulness, and he even threw Daren a flirty wink.
...Was that drunken flirting!?
Daren felt like he'd been struck by lightning and almost spat out a mouthful of blood. He quickly chugged several gulps of strong liquor just to keep from throwing up on the spot.
Drunk Kaidou was even more terrifying than sober Kaidou!
Absolutely spine-chilling!
Just as Daren was contemplating whether he should escape early, a series of panicked shouts came from the distance.
"Young master!"
"Young master, don't go over there!"
"Young master, please come back! If you keep running around like that... Kaidou-sama will kill us all!"
"..."
Everyone turned toward the source of the shouting and saw a tiny figure darting barefoot across the ground. Though a bit clumsy and stumbling, her speed was astonishingly fast.
Even the pirates chasing behind her were gasping for breath, unable to keep up.
"Is that..."
"No way..."
"Oh no!"
"We're screwed..."
"..."
The moment King, Queen, and the others recognized the small figure, their expressions changed dramatically.
"Daren-san!!"
A sweet, childish voice called out. The little girl spotted Daren and immediately picked up speed, like a nimble little beast. With a few leaps, she landed right in front of him.
"I finally get to meet you in person!!"
Her voice trembled with excitement. Her face was flushed with joy, white short hair slightly tousled with sweat, long lashes blinking over sparkling eyes as she stared directly at the black-haired young man before her.
"I'm your biggest fan! My name is Yamato!"
Yamato?
Daren froze.
He examined the flushed-cheeked, adorable little girl before him, his mind racing.
Short white hair that gradually shifted to green and then blue at the tips. A middle part with two small red devil horns poking through at the top. The back tied into a small ponytail, fastened with two orange pins. Gold earrings dangled from her ears.
She wore a sleeveless white kimono marked with blue patterns and two diamond-shaped emblems at the chest, secured at the waist with a massive shimenawa rope.
Her red skirt fluttered around her muddy, pink bare feet. Her ankles were bound with shackles that had rubbed her skin red.
Dirt smudged not just her feet but also her otherwise delicate face—yet none of it took away from her charm or childlike innocence.
That look... and she said her name was Yamato...
Staring at the little white-haired girl, a striking image began to form in Daren's mind.
Kaidou's daughter, Yamato!
The Kozuki Oden super-fan from the original story!
Wait a minute—what did she just say?
She's my fan?
Daren couldn't help but grin.
He glanced at Kaidou, who sat there dazed, face flushed red from drunkenness, clearly still not sober.
"Hello, Yamato."
Daren smiled and reached out to ruffle Yamato's hair.
"Nice to meet you."
Such an affectionate gesture from her idol made Yamato's cheeks flush red.
She closed her eyes in delight and nuzzled her head against Daren's hand like a little beast snuggling up to its master.
"It's over!"
Queen looked like he'd been struck by lightning, his face turning deathly pale.
King's expression froze.
The other pirates stood rigidly in place.
"Daren-san, I never thought I'd actually get to see you in person… Could you give me your autograph?"
Blushing slightly, Yamato solemnly pulled out a notebook and held it out to Daren.
Daren blinked in surprise, took the notebook, flipped through a few pages, and saw that it was filled with articles and magazines about him—many of them featuring his handsome photos.
He couldn't help but chuckle.
"No problem."
He picked up a pen, scribbled his signature, and handed the notebook back to Yamato.
"Awesome!"
Yamato cheered and jumped with joy, hugging the notebook tightly like a treasure.
"Daren-san, did you know?"
"I've always admired you. It's because of you that I wanted to become a Marine!"
"But my father doesn't think I could ever become one… because I'm the child of a pirate!"
"So back then, I decided—I want pirates to die!"
She lifted her chin and waved her fists passionately while Queen, King, and the others' faces gradually darkened.
Daren's mouth twitched, trying not to smile.
But he forced it down.
He was a professionally trained Marine. Under normal circumstances, he would never laugh.
"Mm-hm, that's a great dream. A bold one too. Keep it up."
Daren ruffled Yamato's hair again.
The encouragement from her idol made Yamato even more ecstatic. She was overwhelmed with joy.
"I-I was also thinking… once I grow up…"
She clenched her little fists, her cheeks glowing red, her voice growing shy and halting.
Could it be…
As if realizing something, King's icy façade cracked.
Queen's jaw nearly hit the floor.
The surrounding pirates started backing away in terror.
"What is it?"
Daren blinked.
"I… I…"
Yamato suddenly bit her lower lip, then summoned all her courage and blurted out with embarrassment,
"I want to marry Daren-san!"
The entire world seemed to freeze at that moment.
Then—
An explosive fury erupted like a volcano, laced with overwhelming Haki that burst forth in an instant.
"Daren, you little punk… you've got a death wish!!!"
"Ha!"
Daren finally couldn't hold it in and burst out laughing.
Well, looks like you just sobered your old man up—with rage.
...
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