That made everyone wonder—could the Pirate King truly be that powerful?
Could a man like him, even as one of the Great Pirates, really cut down "Red the Aloof" Redfield in a single stroke?
If anyone else had said such a thing, they'd have dismissed it outright. But this time, the man himself was standing right in front of them.
While the others were still reeling in disbelief, Daren caught onto something deeper in Redfield's words.
"He killed your Observation Haki…"
His brows furrowed as he sank into thought.
Conqueror's Haki… could it really be used that way?
Wrapping Conqueror's Haki around one's weapon or attacks greatly enhanced their destructive force. It also allowed the user to strike from a distance, dealing real damage without physical contact—creating the famed "strike across the mountain" effect.
In fact, ever since Daren had mastered his "Indestructible Body," his physique had become as hard as diamond. Most attacks—even those infused with Armament Haki—could no longer harm him.
Only those rare masters capable of utilizing Armament Haki's internal destruction could truly threaten him.
But wrapping Conqueror's Haki around an attack was on an entirely different level—its penetrating force was far beyond that of internal destruction. Only a handful of top-tier fighters across the seas had ever achieved it.
As far as Daren knew, the ones who had mastered that level of power were Roger, Whitebeard, Kaidou, Big Mom, and Shiki.
As for Garp, Sengoku, and Kong, their capabilities in this area remained uncertain.
Still, Daren suspected that both Garp and Kong had likely mastered it. One was a hero of the Marines who had fought alongside Roger to crush Rocks, and the other had ruled the Navy for decades as Fleet Admiral—neither would have held their positions without such strength.
Beyond them, Zephyr-sensei, who awakened Conqueror's Haki and now leads the Neo Marines, as well as Dragon—the founder of the Freedom Fighters, who would one day form the Revolutionary Army—were both likely candidates as well.
Even so, those capable of mastering such control over Conqueror's Haki could still be counted on two hands.
In the New World, those said to possess the "qualities of a king" and awaken Conqueror's Haki were, according to Chinjao, "as common as fish crossing the river."
And yet, few—very few—ever reached the level of mastery known as Haki infusion.
That alone spoke volumes about how impossibly difficult it was to achieve.
But now, Redfield was claiming there was an even deeper, more mysterious level of Haki mastery—one that surpassed the known limits of Conqueror's Haki.
And Roger had supposedly used that very technique to unleash Kamusari and fell Redfield, a man of equal standing, with a single strike?
Faced with such a statement, Daren couldn't help but hesitate.
Sure, there might be a hint of modesty—or even mutual flattery—in Redfield's account, but still, it sounded almost too outrageous.
"Are you sure… he really took you down in one hit?" Daren asked skeptically.
Redfield shook his head slowly.
"Don't underestimate Roger. You have no idea how terrifying that man becomes when he decides to fight seriously."
"Of course, part of it was a matter of ability. My swordsmanship was inferior to his, and my once-unbeatable Observation Haki was completely useless before his overwhelming Conqueror's Haki."
"If it had been anyone else on this sea, I wouldn't have been pushed to such a helpless state."
Daren thought for a moment, then gave Redfield a sidelong look, his tone half-curious, half-teasing.
"Or maybe… you're just too fragile?"
"—Cough! Cough! Cough!"
Redfield, who had been sipping his red wine with practiced elegance, suddenly choked, nearly spraying it across the floor.
A thick vein bulged on his forehead as the corner of his mouth twitched violently.
"You think everyone's built like you, you damn freak, with that 'Indestructible Body' of yours?!"
He wiped his mouth with a handkerchief, glaring in irritation.
This brat really was infuriating.
Exactly like that kid Borsalino from back in the day…
Was this some sort of Marine tradition?
Did Zephyr teach all his students to be this damn aggravating?
Daren shrugged with a small grin.
"Just kidding."
Redfield let out a weary sigh and shook his head.
"Roger's ability is called 'Observation Haki Killer'... He's the only one on these seas who has ever mastered it—at least, as far as this old man knows."
"If you truly wish to challenge the Five Elders, no matter what sort of powers they wield, as long as you possess Roger's ability, nothing will stand in your way."
"Now you understand why I told you the one you should've sought out wasn't me—but Roger himself."
"I just never thought… you'd fail to get him to teach you."
Daren fell silent for a moment before saying quietly,
"Roger is dying."
Redfield froze.
"What did you just say?"
He stared at Daren in disbelief. Seeing no hint of jest in the young man's eyes, his voice rose with shock.
"That's impossible!"
Daren reached into his pocket and slowly drew out a cigar. Just as he was about to light it, a nearby prisoner hurriedly stepped forward with a grin, flicking open a lighter to offer him a flame.
After taking a slow drag, Daren exhaled a thin stream of smoke and spoke evenly.
"That man's been suffering from an incurable illness for a long time. That's why he decided to set sail again—to journey around the world and find the 'Final Island.'"
"After reaching the end of the Grand Line, Laugh Tale, and being recognized by the world as the 'Pirate King,' he disbanded his crew. He was the first to leave the ship."
"I went to see him after that."
"That man's aura…"
Daren paused, frowning slightly.
"It felt… dimmer. As if his edge had dulled."
Redfield fell silent for a long while after hearing that.
"To think… the great Gol D. Roger, brought low by an incurable disease."
His unfocused gaze slowly steadied again as he came back to himself. He sighed and shook his head before lifting his glass.
He downed the red wine in one long swallow.
"Have you rested enough?"
As the alcohol slid down his throat, a glint of crimson light flickered in Redfield's eyes. He looked at Daren intently.
Daren smiled, rising to his feet. His eyes burned with fighting spirit as he locked his gaze on the "Red the Aloof."
"Of course."
The Seastone shackles on his wrists clinked sharply as he moved.
"No," Redfield said suddenly, a faint smile curving his lips. "Your opponent isn't me."
Daren blinked, momentarily stunned.
Before he could respond, a deep, rumbling boom echoed from the direction of the massive gate.
"What the—"
Magellan, standing guard nearby, narrowed his eyes. He was about to rush forward to stop the heavy doors from opening when the silhouette that emerged from behind them made him freeze in place.
And then, Daren heard a familiar, unhurried voice.
"Well now… this place certainly seems lively."