NOVEL NEXT Chapter 315: Good People Should Have a Good Ending
"...Crocus actually became a pirate?"
Dr. Kureha blinked in surprise, clearly finding it hard to believe.
She had known Crocus for many years and remembered his nature well—he was never someone who enjoyed the chaos of the sea.
To think that a man who once preferred a quiet life would end up joining the most infamous crew on the seas, the Roger Pirates...
"But if I remember correctly, didn't you fight the Roger Pirates several times before?"
She shot Daren a strange look as the thought came to her.
Daren looked embarrassed and nodded.
He took a deep breath, as if firming up his resolve, stubbed out his cigar, and gave Dr. Kureha a deep, respectful bow.
"Thank you, Dr. Kureha. I have to go now... I understand your rules. I'll have someone deliver your fee later."
Dr. Kureha was famous not only for her skill but also for her exorbitant fees—everyone in the Drum Kingdom knew that.
"You're polite. That's good."
Dr. Kureha waved a hand casually with a faint smile.
"But there's no need for the fee. I didn't choose to treat him for money—and it definitely wasn't because you threatened to tear down my castle."
"I treated him because of him."
She pointed toward the room.
Daren's expression showed his confusion.
Dr. Kureha smiled and explained,
"About ten years ago, the Drum Kingdom was constantly raided by pirates. The local Marine base tried again and again to deal with them, but they failed every time. In the end, a powerful Marine Admiral stepped in personally and crushed the vicious pirate crew."
"This country owes him a lot."
She took a puff of her cigarette, narrowed her eyes, and smiled gently.
"'Black Arm' Zephyr really was a great Marine."
With that, she turned and walked down the corridor, waving her hand like she was shooing a fly.
"Hurry up and go, Daren. His condition can't wait."
Daren stood there in a daze, watching the Witch's unhurried figure disappear into the hallway.
After a brief pause, he bowed deeply once more.
"Thank you, Dr. Kureha."
She didn't turn around. She just waved her hand sharply.
"Promise me you won't let him die."
"He's a good Marine, and more than that, he's a good person—not like you, you damn scoundrel."
"Good people... deserve a good ending."
Yes, good people should have a good ending.
Daren pressed his lips together and slowly clenched his fists.
Then he strode back into the room.
Seeing Zephyr lying there—his body temperature back to normal, his breathing steady, his life no longer on the brink—Daren felt a moment of relief.
He pulled a military Den Den Mushi and a gold-embossed business card from his pocket.
He checked the number on the card and dialed it.
"Brr brr..."
The sound of the Den Den Mushi echoed through the quiet room.
Since the massive campaign against the Roger Pirates more than half a month ago, they had vanished completely from the seas.
Daren had no idea where they were now—or whether he could even find them—or convince Crocus to help treat Zephyr.
The path ahead was uncertain and full of obstacles.
If it were any other doctor, Daren could've used money, power, or even force to compel them.
But not Crocus.
None of those things would work on him.
Still, no matter what it took...
No matter the price...
He would save Zephyr-sensei.
The Den Den Mushi connected.
"Morgans..."
Daren didn't even wait for a proper greeting before speaking.
"The Roger Pirates have been found."
But Morgans' voice came through trembling with excitement, cutting him off mid-sentence.
"Daren, you were right... I knew it was the right call to keep tracking the Roger Pirates!"
His voice rose into an ecstatic roar.
"Big news! It's the biggest news in the world!"
"The Roger Pirates... they've actually found the legendary Final Island!"
"He made the announcement himself! And he named that mysterious island—the Grand Line's final destination... Laugh Tale!"
The moment the words dropped, Daren's pupils contracted sharply.
They really found it?
Even though he'd suspected it deep down, he was still shaken now that it was confirmed.
Roger... had truly completed his great adventure.
...
Marine Headquarters, Marineford.
Admiral's Office.
Snap, snap...
The sudden sound of something crunchy being chewed cut through the silence.
Sengoku, buried in mountains of paperwork, froze. Veins bulged on his forehead.
Snap...
"Garp, you bastard!"
He abruptly stood up and glared furiously at the dog-headed Vice Admiral lounging on the sofa, eating rice crackers.
"Can't you stop loafing in my office all day?!"
Garp rolled his eyes with a lazy shrug.
"Where else am I supposed to go?"
"I was chasing Roger in the New World, and you dragged me back!"
He popped another rice cracker into his mouth and grumbled,
"If not for that, I would've caught Roger by now..."
Sengoku's forehead throbbed harder than ever.
If you could've caught Roger, you would've done it long ago!
And now here Garp was, casually munching on his prized senbei—it was infuriating.
Ever since that shocking global broadcast days ago, the Navy had been drowning in problems.
Public skepticism was rising. Even within the Marines, doubts about their mission and the justice they stood for were spreading.
And then there was the budget crisis.
Sengoku was already on the edge.
And Garp, the eternal nuisance, was just making things worse.
"R-Report!"
A panicked shout rang out as a messenger burst into the office.
"What's got you so rattled?!"
Sengoku snapped, eyes blazing.
"What could possibly be that urgent?!"
"It's not like Rogers Daren, the world's most wanted criminal, is attacking Marineford!"
The messenger, voice shaking, replied,
"N-No sir, it's not that..."
"Then what is it?!"
Sengoku waved dismissively.
As long as it had nothing to do with that damned brat Daren, it couldn't be that bad.
"B-But Admiral Sengoku..."
The young messenger swallowed hard, sweat pouring down his face.
"It's not Vice Admiral Daren—no, I mean, not the 'world's most wanted criminal' Rogers Daren..."
"...It's the 'world's second most wanted criminal.'"
At those words, both Sengoku and Garp froze.
"Who?"
The question slipped out of both of them instinctively.
The second most wanted...? Was there even such a person?
Wait...
They both jolted upright in sudden realization, knocking over paperwork and spilling rice crackers everywhere.
Their eyes locked onto the messenger, wide and unblinking.
...
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