Threat Era?

That sounds strangely familiar.

Hearing Fleet Admiral Kong's words, Daren paused for a moment, a strange expression crossing his face.

But after thinking it through, the description actually seemed quite fitting.

He had, indeed, used a tactic somewhat similar to "mutually assured destruction" to intimidate the World Government, forcing both sides to maintain a delicate balance.

"That actually sounds kinda cool, doesn't it, Fleet Admiral Kong?" Daren's lips curled into a slight smile as he spoke.

"This is no joke, Daren."

Seeing the playful grin on Daren's face, Fleet Admiral Kong's expression hardened immediately. His teeth ground together as he spoke through clenched jaws:

"The entire world is falling apart because of your recklessness. The political structure the World Government has maintained for 800 years is on the brink of collapse. The peace that these seas once held... has been replaced by the terror and panic of war."

He clenched his fists, the veins in his muscular arms clearly standing out.

"Do you realize that your impulsive actions have nullified all the Marines' years of effort toward justice and world peace?"

Kong's voice carried an unmistakable fury.

"Do you understand..."

"—So you're saying I should've just stood by and watched while the Celestial Dragons slaughtered every civilian under my command?" Daren suddenly interrupted with a cold laugh.

"Or perhaps, you, the esteemed and dutiful Fleet Admiral, truly believe that those tens of thousands of innocent civilians on Philseque Island deserved to be killed?"

Kong's expression faltered.

The scorn in Daren's smile grew more evident.

"Under the judgment of justice, they deserved to die?"

"Or do you think the racial extermination contests the Celestial Dragons hold... are inherently justified?"

Kong fell silent.

He opened his mouth as if to respond, but no words came out.

At that moment, the sound of distant applause drifted in from outside the window.

The voice of Saint Saturn, one of the Five Elders, could be faintly heard in the wind, seemingly signaling the arrival of Figarland Saint Garling, the commander of the God's Knights.

"Did you hear that, Fleet Admiral Kong?"

"The power and position above all else—Saint Figarland Garling is about to reach the peak."

Daren pointed towards the distant plaza outside the window, sneering coldly.

"That so-called 'King of God Valley'? He's nothing but a monster who massacred weak civilians and slaves at will. Yet this murderer has gained all the honors and power."

"Enough!"

Suddenly, Kong clenched his fist tightly, grinding his teeth, and shot forward from his position.

Boom!

Fists collided, elbows locked, sending shockwaves rippling through the air.

Kong stared at the young man before him, the one he had once placed so much hope in, his voice rasping as he spoke:

"Sometimes, for the greater good of justice and peace, certain sacrifices are necessary, Daren."

"Politics, war, and the world order—it's nothing like you imagine!"

"Do you realize what kind of catastrophic war this world would be thrown into if you were to single-handedly overturn the political system the World Government has built?"

Daren's muscles bulged beneath his suit, the black fabric straining as his hands locked with Kong's in a fierce struggle. He sneered:

"Is that so? Well, I look forward to it."

Kong's tiger-like eyes blazed with crimson fury.

"You bastard, Daren!"

"So the hard-won peace of this world is nothing but a joke to you?"

"I thought you were different from Garp and Zephyr—that you could understand justice from a higher perspective... But in the end, you're just like those two fools, acting on personal whims and beliefs!"

As Kong finished speaking, he lunged forward in a sudden movement. The moment his foot lifted, his immense physical strength tore through the air. A knee strike, carrying the roar of wind and thunder, slammed toward Daren's ribs with devastating force.

"Where is this peace? I've never seen it!"

Daren laughed, blocking the strike with his own knee.

"Besides, Fleet Admiral Kong, isn't it admirable for a man to stick to his convictions, even to the very end?"

With a dull thud, their knees collided mid-air.

A visible white shockwave spread outward like a hurricane, scattering countless documents across the Hall of Power.

In an instant, the sky was filled with white papers fluttering down like snow.

Both men growled in unison, then, like tigers, they lunged forward, launching into a flurry of attacks.

For reasons unknown, or perhaps due to some unspoken understanding, their strikes were restrained, neither unleashing their full Haki.

Instead, they compressed their powerful Haki into their fists. There were no exaggerated displays, but each strike carried enough force to make even the mightiest of warriors on the seas take notice.

Boom!

Their fists collided in mid-air, black and crimson lightning crackling between them.

"So you still insist on going your own way? This is not a place for you to act on a whim!"

Kong clenched his teeth, but inside, his mind was in turmoil.

From that brief exchange, he had clearly felt the strength that Daren had unleashed—strength that was utterly beyond imagination.

In terms of physical strength and explosive power, it was on par with his own, forged through years of brutal training!

Just how far had this kid's body been honed?

Kong felt like he was fighting the strongest creature alive!

Beyond that, through his observation Haki, he could sense a terrifying aura radiating from deep within Daren—a presence so fearsome it made his own heart race.

Kong believed that if this power were fully unleashed, it would be enough to obliterate the sacred land of Mary Geoise!

So... the intelligence reports were correct!

Daren truly wielded some terrifying, unknown power!

"Then try to stop me."

Daren grinned savagely, a flicker of madness flashing in his eyes.

"Fleet Admiral Kong, aren't you curious... what lies hidden at the end of that passage? Or rather, what secret is buried there?"

Kong's pupils contracted sharply, his momentum shifting into a violent surge.

"That doesn't matter!"

"Daren, you've truly disappointed me!"

"The world's justice will be safeguarded by me!"

He roared, his uniform ripping apart beneath the strain of his swelling muscles.

Black-red lightning crackled around him, rising like ink. His Armament Haki, as polished as gleaming armor, enveloped his body.

The surface of his skin took on a "metallic" appearance, resembling an exoskeleton, radiating a cold, steel-like hardness.

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