Darren stared at Tokikake with a strange expression—something caught between pity and disbelief.
Tokikake, frozen mid-stride, hadn't expected to see Darren here of all places. His face stiffened as panic overtook his swagger. "Y-you… I-I…"
Under Darren's dry, amused gaze, Tokikake's cheeks flushed red as he snapped, "What's with that look? I'm conducting reconnaissance!"
"Public service, got it? I'm here for the people! Don't you understand duty when you see it?!"
Public service? For the people? Darren mused. I'm the one who taught you how to use those lines in the first place.
Setting down his Den Den Mushi, Darren pointed with mock curiosity toward the gilded façade of the bathhouse behind Tokikake. "Oh? Is that where intelligence work happens now?"
Tokikake's expression darkened. He stepped forward, stiffening his spine like a man trying to salvage his last shred of dignity. "Exactly! This is an undercover operation."
His voice brimmed with theatrical righteousness as he declared, "My deep-cover investigation has yielded critical intel about pirate activity. It will prove indispensable to Marine efforts to rid the seas of evil!"
"Mr. Gill! Mr. Gill!"
A bubbly voice called out from behind, and a young woman in a bunny-girl outfit bounced toward them, smiling brightly.
"Here's your VIP card, sir," she said sweetly, bowing with both hands as she presented the glossy card. "It entitles you to a 20% discount on all our premium services."
Darren: ...
Tokikake: ...
"The card comes preloaded, right?" Darren asked, smiling as he leaned lazily against a nearby post. "I'm curious to see how you explain this part of the operation."
Tokikake cleared his throat and forced a laugh, scratching the back of his head. "W-well, it's a 20% discount... only fair for a returning client, you know?"
The bunny girl turned to Darren, her eyes lighting up as she slid her arm around his. Her exaggerated politeness nearly swallowed him whole. "Is this gentleman a friend of Mr. Gill's? Care to join us, sir? We have all kinds of entertainment..."
Darren gently disentangled himself. "Thanks, but I'm not interested in paying for entertainment."
She gave him a once-over, then beamed. "For a guest like you, sir... we'd be happy to make an exception."
Tokikake: ???
Later, in a quiet corner of a nearby tavern, Darren accepted a glass of whiskey from the bartender, took a slow sip, and turned to face Tokikake, who was still scowling at him over his drink.
"What are you having? It's on me."
Tokikake huffed, then pointed at the priciest bottle on the shelf. "Fine, but first—what the hell are you doing here?"
Darren lifted his shirt just enough to reveal the bandages wrapped tightly around his torso, faint blood seeping through the cloth. "Ran into Kaido in Wano. Took a hit. Picked this island at random to rest... turns out it's the Pleasure District. Total coincidence."
Tokikake's jaw dropped. "Kaido?! You fought him one-on-one?!"
He shot to his feet, disbelief written across his face. "And you're alive?!"
Darren calmly lit a cigar, the smoke curling around him like a second skin. "Get used to it. Things like that'll be happening a lot more."
One encounter with Kaido wasn't nearly enough. There was still more to learn—he hadn't even fully mastered Advanced Armament or Conqueror's Haki infusion. Until then, the old dragon still had plenty to teach.
Tokikake clutched his hair in frustration. "Damn it... you've already gotten this strong?"
Darren smirked. "Maybe if you spent less time here, you could be too."
Tokikake slammed his fist on the table. "Absolutely not! You think I'm wasting time? There are too many suffering women out there! And I—Tokikake, genius of Headquarters—will heal them with the warmth of my love!"
His eyes shone with holy fervor, his acne-scarred face practically glowing with purpose. He clenched both fists, filled with the passion of a man who had found his calling.
"This... this is my justice!"
Darren: ...
"You do realize they make more than you do, right?"
Tokikake blinked. "How's that even possible?!"
"This is the Pleasure District," Darren said flatly. "Not a charity ward. You're standing in the most luxurious red-light district in the world. Their earnings would make your salary look like pocket change."
Tokikake froze. His face twitched... then he hardened his jaw. "Doesn't matter! I'm spreading the great love of Justice!"
Then, with a self-satisfied chuckle, he straightened his collar and added, "You wouldn't understand. I'm top-tier combat power."
He puffed out his chest and flashed Darren a lecherous, knowing grin.
Darren took a sip of wine and deadpanned, "Five minutes."
Tokikake stiffened, the color draining from his face. "How did you—?!"
"I saw you. You walked in, pants still on, and came stumbling out before my Den Den Mushi call even connected."
Tokikake turned a shade of purple and sank lower in his chair.
Darren patted him on the shoulder. "Don't worry. Efficiency counts for something."
He paused, then added with mock sincerity, "If it's that bad, I heard Yamakaji's got a few... remedies that might help."
Tokikake slumped in defeat. "Already tried them," he muttered.
Darren: …
Incredible. A true natural. Astonishing talent, really.
He opened his mouth to say something—but thought better of it.
"Oh, right—Darren," Tokikake said suddenly, perking up. "You won't tell Gion I was here, will you?"
Darren raised an eyebrow, eyeing him sideways.
Still trying to weasel out of it? Persistent little bastard.
Tokikake put on his most earnest expression. "I only came here to connect with the people. All my relationships with the girls here are strictly professional. Purely financial. No emotion involved!"
Darren: ...
Before he could respond, Tokikake had already drifted off into fantasy, a dreamy grin spreading across his face.
"Hehehe... I've heard Stussy, the Queen of the Pleasure District, is a peerless beauty... Wonder what she tastes like... hehehe..."
I know.
The taste of a vampire… It's smooth. Cold. Moist.
To be continued...