Capacity!
Could that be the key? The reason behind the sudden, overwhelming surge in his Conqueror's Haki?
Golden Lion's final words thundered through Darren's mind like lightning splitting a stormy sky.
"The last roar of a proud lion should not end in vain."
At first, it had sounded like mere bluster—dying words from a pirate too proud to bow his head. But Darren understood now: there had been no arrogance in that vow. It had been the pure, unshakable declaration of a man whose will refused to yield, even in death.
And Darren had answered that will in kind.
When faced with Golden Lion's final strike—his grandest technique, the "Proud Lion"—Darren could have evaded, could have lived. But instead, he had stood his ground, defying instinct and logic alike, to meet that dying blaze head-on. To witness that lion's last roar without flinching.
That act had been more than courage. It had been will made flesh.
Because the strength of Conqueror's Haki isn't measured in muscle or technique—it is the embodiment of spirit itself.
Yet that spirit cannot be born from empty pride or hollow words. True will is not forged in boasting, but in action.
To strengthen Conqueror's Haki, one must align will, spirit, and deed—three elements that cannot contradict one another.
Take that Straw Hat brat, Luffy, for example.
From the first day he set sail, he'd shouted it to the world: "I'm gonna be the Pirate King!"
At first, it was nothing more than childish bravado—a dream too large for the boy who spoke it. His words carried no weight, because his will and strength had yet to match his ambition.
But as his journey continued—through battle, loss, and unrelenting hardship—his words began to change. He began to understand the burden behind that declaration, the sacrifices it demanded. And even then, even when the world mocked or threatened to break him, he refused to yield.
That was the unity of will and action.
That was Conqueror's spirit.
To truly advance in Conqueror's Haki, one must stand unshaken when death looms near—when everything inside screams to run, and yet the soul stays firm. Empty words mean nothing. Only action made in defiance of despair gives birth to that power.
Perhaps that's it, Darren thought. That's how a king's will grows.
A deep clarity settled over him. But even as understanding dawned, he knew how difficult it would be to put into practice. Knowing the truth and living it were two very different things.
"Hey, hey, hey!"
Tokikake's voice snapped him back to the present. The man was waving a hand in front of his face, a cigar hanging from the corner of his mouth. "What's with that blank stare? I only took a few cigars and some snacks—you don't have to glare like that! Or did your head injury fry your brain?"
Darren blinked, rubbing his temple. "How long was I out?"
He looked around. The room was cluttered with gifts, the air faintly perfumed with flowers and fruit. It was clear he'd been lying here far longer than he'd thought.
Tokikake frowned thoughtfully, counting on his fingers. "Let's see… today makes five days. Fleet Admiral Kong came twice, Admiral Sengoku four times, Sakazuki five, Kuzan six—noisy as ever—and Borsalino three. Even those brats from the training camp came once or twice."
He hesitated, then added bitterly, "Oh, and that Miss Toki from your family's been showing up twice a day."
Darren smiled faintly, warmth flickering in his eyes. "Everyone's been more considerate than I deserve."
Tokikake watched that satisfied little smirk forming on his face and bristled. "Tch. Nobody ever visited me this much when I was laid up."
"And Gion—she's been coming every damn day! Unbelievable!" He clenched his fists, muttering through his teeth, "No, wait... she must be coming to see me, right? Since I'm here all the time... yeah, that's gotta be it."
Darren glanced at him, speechless, as Tokikake crouched down, muttering to himself like a jealous schoolboy.
Then—
"Looks like you're recovering nicely, Vice Admiral Darren…"
The lazy, drawling voice slithered through the air.
Light particles shimmered into existence, gathering and reforming until a tall, lanky man in a spotless white suit stood by the bedside. His yellow-tinted glasses gleamed; the corners of his mouth curved in a smug, unreadable smile.
Borsalino.
The man's very presence seemed to slow the air.
"Truly lives up to the name 'Monster,'" he said in a singsong tone, stroking his chin. "To wake up from such a wound so soon... extraordinary. How about letting me study that body of yours, Darren?"
A chill prickled down Darren's spine as Borsalino's gaze swept over him—curious, clinical, almost childlike in its fascination.
"I'm not interested in becoming your test subject," Darren said curtly.
He had learned the hard way what "research" meant when people like Queen or Vegapunk were involved. His strength might have grown from those experiments, but the memory still sent a flicker of nausea through him.
Borsalino chuckled, raising his hands in mock surrender. "Such a shame. Dr. Vegapunk was very intrigued when he reviewed your data…"
Darren's eyes narrowed. Vegapunk?
The name carried weight. The genius said to be five hundred years ahead of his time—the scientist who'd once studied Kaido himself after the Beast had been captured in his youth.
It made sense. Darren, too, had forged a body approaching Kaido's—an Indestructible Body. It was only natural that Vegapunk would take an interest.
And if the artificial "Fish-Fish Fruit, Model: Azure Dragon" was still at Punk Hazard... perhaps that, too, could be of use someday. Not for himself, but for the subordinates he would one day raise.
Borsalino's voice broke his thoughts. "Well, I'm sure Sengoku will be delighted to hear you're awake. He's been quite eager to discuss your final battle with Golden Lion."
"But since you've been unconscious for so long…"—Borsalino gave a languid shrug—"Fleet Admiral Kong and Sengoku couldn't wait any longer. They summoned Captain Momonga to Headquarters to deliver the full report in your place."
At those words, Darren's expression darkened—his calm, steady gaze hardening like tempered steel.
To be continued...