It was the truth.
Even after awakening the Jiki Jiki no Mi and mastering the seemingly impossible ability of "Magnetic Field Rotation," Daren still hadn't found a way to counter the Five Elders' so-called "Immortal Body."
Even when he unleashed "Magnetic Field Rotation" at full power, pushing his body beyond its natural limits, it only boosted his combat strength. It didn't get him any closer to touching the essence of that endless resurrection.
Until he unraveled the secret behind the "Immortal Body," no matter how much stronger he became, Daren knew he could never truly threaten the Five Elders.
"You don't seem too anxious about it, though."
Redfield regarded him calmly, a faint smile tugging at his lips.
"Since it's a problem I can't solve for the time being, there's no point in worrying. It'd only be a waste of energy."
Daren smiled lightly.
"Eight hundred years of history and power… that's not something I can catch up to overnight."
Redfield gave him a curious look, then shook his head with a low chuckle.
"For someone your age, you're disturbingly mature sometimes, you little brat."
He paused, then went on, his tone thoughtful.
"Still, your direction isn't wrong. No matter how strange or extraordinary an ability may be, with Haki strong enough, it can be overcome. That's the one truth shared by everyone who sails these seas."
"I've never personally crossed blades with the Five Elders, but no matter how special their powers are, I doubt they exist beyond that rule…"
He took a slow sip of wine, his movements smooth and refined, and smiled.
"But you shouldn't have come to me. You'd be better off seeking out Garp—or even Roger. Observation Haki might help you stay undefeated, but it's Armament Haki and Conqueror's Haki that serve as the ultimate weapons of offense."
Daren shrugged, his expression somewhere between amusement and resignation.
"You think I didn't already try Roger?"
Redfield blinked, surprised.
"He refused to teach you?"
Daren shook his head, his gaze drifting as if caught in old memories.
"I've clashed with Roger more times than I can count. But no matter how many times we fought, I never could figure out where his limit was."
"When I was first transferred from the North Blue to Headquarters and set foot on the Grand Line, I faced one of his strikes head-on. That single swing shattered my Haki—and nearly split me in two."
"A year later, after graduating from the Marine Headquarters training camp and perfecting my 'Indestructible Body,' I fought him again on Fish-Man Island. This time, I actually managed to wound him… but even then, he completely dominated me."
"And not long ago, we met again in private."
"It was one of the most exhilarating battles of my life… but even then, I still couldn't see the end of his strength."
Redfield listened quietly, momentarily lost in thought. Daren's rate of growth—so monstrous and absurd—left him both astonished and deeply impressed.
"Roger… truly is a legend."
Daren glanced at him, a half-smile tugging at his lips.
"And you aren't? 'Red the Aloof' Patrick Redfield—a man who once stood toe-to-toe with both the Roger Pirates and the Whitebeard Pirates."
Redfield let out a dry laugh.
"Those rumors are far too generous. In truth, I was never worthy of being mentioned alongside monsters like Roger and Newgate."
After several days together, Redfield had come to realize how unexpectedly compatible this kid was with his own temperament.
Fearless. Proud. Reckless. Despite his terrifying talent, Daren trained like a madman, pushing himself right to the brink of death without hesitation.
And because of that, Redfield had grown to genuinely respect him.
Given both their blunt, untamed natures, there was no need for pretenses between them now. He spoke to Daren as freely as he pleased.
"Daren, you young ones still haven't truly witnessed Roger's power."
Redfield shook his head, tilted it back slightly, and let out a low, mirthless laugh.
"In a real fight, Roger's Kamusari could shatter this old man in an instant."
…Wait, how could he say something so spineless in such a proud tone?
Daren's mouth twitched uncontrollably.
The other prisoners, who had been watching eagerly, looked just as dumbfounded. None of them had expected the usually cold, terrifyingly strong "Red the Aloof" to speak with such reverence toward his so-called rival.
"That's impossible. Your strength can't be that far apart… let alone that he could one-shot you."
Daren frowned, clearly skeptical.
From his own experience, while Redfield was indeed weaker than Roger, the gap shouldn't have been that enormous.
After all, this was the same pirate who had fought Fleet Admiral Kong for days without rest, nearly defeating him in the end.
And like Roger, Redfield was a master swordsman—it was hard to imagine him being completely overwhelmed in swordsmanship alone.
Wait—
A realization flashed across Daren's mind, his eyes narrowing sharply.
"Don't tell me… he could counter your ability?"
Redfield nodded, a faint, cold smirk tugging at his lips.
"Exactly."
"I told you before—when Haki is refined to its absolute peak, it can overcome any ability. That even includes the 'Future Sight' granted by advanced Observation Haki."
"When Conqueror's Haki reaches the summit, and one learns to wield it with true mastery, it can do more than just coat one's attacks—it can conceal one's very presence. It makes a person impossible to sense, impossible to track."
"This kind of invisibility isn't the same as the raw speed your awakened Devil Fruit grants you. It's a power born purely of will and spirit. In a sense, Roger's aura—his soul, his very willpower—was so overwhelming that it crushed mine completely."
"With his Haki, he erased every future I could see."
"In other words…"
Redfield's gaze settled deeply on Daren, his tone low and meaningful.
"He killed my Observation Haki."
A collective hiss filled the air as every prisoner drew in a sharp breath.
They all knew firsthand how terrifying and unfathomable "Red the Aloof"'s Observation Haki was.
But none of them—none—had ever imagined that Roger could utterly suppress a power like that.