Staring at the faintly smirking Borsalino before him, Sengoku's face went rigid, his mind going completely blank except for one thought:
It's over.
He had known this "secret" would be exposed one day. But he hadn't expected it to be discovered by the most troublesome man possible!
Damn it! That brat Borsalino's ability was getting more and more uncanny—ordinary Observation Haki could barely sense his presence anymore.
Why hadn't he stayed in a constant state of Observation Haki to foresee the future? Sengoku cursed inwardly, filled with regret. But seriously, who in their right mind keeps predicting the future all day long? You'd die of exhaustion first!
"...Borsalino," Sengoku forced a stiff, awkward smile onto his face.
"Weren't you on an escort mission? How's King Cobra of Alabasta doing?"
Borsalino shrugged.
"King Cobra is doing quite well, actually. He even asked me to pass along his regards to you, Admiral Sengoku, and said he hopes to see you at the upcoming inauguration ceremony."
"As for the escort mission..."
He rubbed the stubble on his chin.
"Once it was over, I thought I'd drop by and see if there was anything you needed me to handle..."
Then Borsalino suddenly grinned, flashing his teeth.
"But I didn't expect that, the moment I boarded the warship, I'd accidentally overhear a secret I really shouldn't have... Daren is actually in Impel Down? That's some terrifying news."
"And from the looks of it, Admiral Sengoku, you seem to know all about it—or maybe even had a hand in it..."
"—Shhh!!!"
In a blur, Sengoku lunged at Borsalino, his weathered face turning crimson with panic. He clamped a hand tightly over the man's mouth and hissed through gritted teeth:
"You brat! Keep your voice down!"
"Are you trying to get me killed!?"
Even with his mouth covered, Borsalino's eyes still gleamed with amusement. He nodded.
Sengoku darted glances around to make sure no one was looking before finally letting go. He shot Borsalino a deadly glare.
"Don't get the wrong idea! This is all Daren's doing—acting on his own! It's got nothing to do with me!"
"He insisted on staying in Impel Down—what was I supposed to do, stop him by force?"
"And besides, I don't have the time or energy to sit around guarding Impel Down all day!"
Borsalino listened, then nodded as if suddenly enlightened, putting on a look of false regret.
"I see... and here I thought you, Admiral Sengoku, had taken a bribe from Daren and used your rank as a Navy Admiral to conceal his identity and secretly help him enter Impel Down..."
"..."
Sengoku's face darkened, and he said nothing.
Borsalino continued with his usual lazy grin.
"It seems that the recent surge of extra military funds for Marine Headquarters just fell straight from the sky... and Daren somehow bypassed all headquarters approval, changed his name, and slipped right into a position at Impel Down."
"Enough already!"
Sengoku's old face turned red. Unable to endure that man's sarcastic tone any longer, he exploded.
"This old man had no choice!"
"He threatened me with the safety of Marineford!"
Seeing Sengoku lose his temper, Borsalino quickly raised his hands in surrender and muttered under his breath.
"You sure looked happy enough when you took the money. How's that 'no choice' now?"
"—What did you just say!?"
Sengoku's beard bristled as he glared furiously.
Borsalino chuckled.
"What I mean is, I can understand Admiral Sengoku's helplessness... After all, Daren commands the North Blue Fleet. He could launch a large-scale, devastating strike against Headquarters anytime he wanted."
"You bore that humiliation for the sake of protecting Headquarters—accepting Daren's outrageous terms and that staggering sum of military aid with tears in your eyes."
"Admiral Sengoku's actions truly embody justice itself. You risked your political career, forcing a smile as you endured trials no ordinary officer could bear."
Sengoku: "…"
The logic made sense. The words weren't wrong.
But somehow, coming from this brat's mouth, they just sounded wrong.
"Still, Admiral Sengoku, I can't help but wonder—what exactly is Daren's purpose in sneaking into Impel Down?"
Borsalino seemed to recall something and asked curiously.
Sengoku rolled his eyes in annoyance.
"How should I know? You think he'd tell me?"
Borsalino rubbed his chin stubble, muttering softly.
"Hmm... looks like this'll have to be reported to the Five Elders. Since Admiral Sengoku was forced into it, I'm sure the Five Elders will understand his situation. They won't blame him—and it certainly won't affect his promotion to Fleet Admiral..."
"But," Sengoku said suddenly, his expression turning serious, "I do have a few guesses about that brat Daren's reason for infiltrating Impel Down."
Borsalino's grin deepened as he leaned in to listen.
"As expected of our Navy's 'Strategist,' Admiral Sengoku. Nothing escapes your eyes. Please, go on."
A vein twitched at the corner of Sengoku's eye. He sighed deeply before speaking slowly.
"If my guess is right, he's aiming to reach the Eternal Hell—to seek a way to break through his Observation Haki from 'Red the Aloof' Patrick Redfield."
He gave a dry laugh.
"That damn brat Daren... now he's finally regretting it. After leaving the Marines, he's had no one to guide his training. And now? He's reduced to seeking mentorship from a pirate."
"'Red the Aloof,' huh..."
Under his sunglasses, Borsalino's eyes glimmered faintly as the curve of his lips grew more amused.
"What is it?"
Sengoku, catching that strange expression, asked curiously.
Borsalino smiled and shook his head.
"Nothing. I was just thinking... maybe Daren really did find the right person."
Sengoku glanced at him.
"You know that man well?"
Borsalino looked perfectly innocent.
"How could I? I've never met him."
"But anyone who once forced both Fleet Admiral Kong and Vice Admiral Garp to join forces against him... can't be an ordinary pirate."
"So maybe—just maybe—Daren really will gain something this time."
Sengoku shook his head without comment. He only hoped that brat Daren wouldn't cause any trouble.
As long as he didn't bring him any headaches, that was good enough.