NOVEL NEXT Chapter 344: Dragon’s Call for Help
"The Roger Pirates disbanded?"
"You serious!?"
"It's true! Supposedly, no one knows where any of the crew went!"
"Could the Marines have caught them?"
"No way! If the Marines had that kind of power, Roger would've never become Pirate King!"
...
In less than two days, the shocking news had spread across the seas like wildfire: the world's most powerful pirate crew had disbanded. It hit like a bombshell, leaving people everywhere stunned and full of questions.
To the world, the Roger Pirates had just accomplished the impossible—circumnavigating the entire globe. They were at their peak, riding a wave of fame and power. Everyone expected them to capitalize on that momentum: recruiting new members, seizing territories, waging war across the New World, and rising as its uncontested rulers.
That was what people imagined the Pirate King would do—dominate with ambition and dominance.
But to everyone's disbelief, Roger had disbanded his crew at the height of their glory and vanished without a trace.
The seas, which had been thrown into chaos by the emergence of the Pirate King, suddenly went eerily quiet...
...
New World.
Dressrosa.
The tropical island was brimming with the fragrance of blooming flowers.
A lively shopping street buzzed with color and life.
The streets were spotless, fountains flowed gently, ornate streetlamps lined the walkways, and people bustled about in a constant stream.
Shops on both sides displayed an endless array of goods. Amatsuki Toki, dressed in a long, flowing gown, wandered along the street, her face glowing with delight. Her eyes sparkled as she took in everything around her, completely enchanted.
Spanish-style architecture, the vibrant local customs, and even girls in western-style dresses performing fiery, sensual dances right in the streets—it was a world completely unlike Wano, and every bit of it filled Toki with curiosity.
"Do I look pretty?"
Toki pinned a little sunflower in her green hair, beaming as she winked at Daren.
"Milady, in my eyes, you're the most beautiful woman in the world."
Daren tipped his black top hat, twirled an exaggerated handlebar mustache, and smiled with mock sophistication.
They were both lightly disguised today.
Toki had curled her pale green hair into loose waves to match Dressrosa's flamboyant charm. Her kimono was replaced with a polka-dotted flamenco dress, and she wore a soft brown linen sunhat.
She looked every bit the carefree tourist—relaxed, lively, and charmingly out of place.
Daren, meanwhile, had gone full dandy. A flamboyant black tailcoat, a gentleman's top hat, a silver-handled cane, and a gleaming pocket watch at his hip—he looked like some over-the-top aristocrat on vacation.
His manners were elegant, gentlemanly even—nothing like the world-class criminal he was.
There was no particular reason for this trip to Dressrosa.
He needed rest and recovery, yes—but more than that, he wanted to spend time with Toki.
"Pfft!"
Seeing the ridiculous mustache and the way he played up his act, Toki burst out laughing.
"That look doesn't suit you at all."
Daren clutched his chest as if wounded.
"You wound me, Lady Toki."
Toki rolled her eyes but, after a moment, decided to play along. She cleared her throat and said primly,
"My apologies, Mr. Rogers. I misspoke."
"But a busy man like you—what brings you out shopping with me today?"
She gave him a sly look, pretending to pout.
"I had no choice... You're almost impossible to get a date with, Toki-san."
Daren sighed dramatically, then leaned in and added with a wink,
"By the way, does your husband know you're out on a date with me today?"
"Hsss!!"
The pedestrians nearby gasped in unison, eyes wide as they stared at the two of them like spectators at a scandal.
Daren and Toki were already an eye-catching pair—stunning even by Dressrosa standards—and their presence had been drawing looks all day.
But no one expected their story to take such a spicy twist!
They were all thinking the same thing: "These young people really go all out."
Toki's face turned bright red. Seeing the playful gleam in Daren's eyes, she clenched her fists.
This scoundrel!
She was fuming, teeth grinding in frustration, but quickly shifted to a sweet smile.
"So, what about you, Daren-san? Doesn't your wife mind?"
Daren: "…"
He instantly felt the weight of curious, gossipy stares from all around.
"Ahem. My wife is a beautiful, elegant, gentle, considerate, and generous woman. She'll understand."
With a light cough and not a hint of embarrassment, Daren stepped forward and took Toki's hand, drawing approving nods and thumbs-ups from many of the surrounding men.
Toki rolled her eyes at him but didn't shake his hand off.
They continued walking.
"But, husband, are you sure going out like this… won't cause any trouble?"
After a few steps, Toki couldn't help but ask, "Won't it interfere with your work?"
Daren gave her a tender look and shook his head.
"Don't worry, it won't."
"You can't stay holed up in the room every day—it's not good for your health. I know these past days have been tough on you."
As he looked at the gentle, caring Toki standing before him, a pang of guilt crept into Daren's heart.
Ever since he'd "whisked her away," she had been staying at Marine Headquarters. He had promised to take her back to Wano, but between Kaidou's grip on the country and a lack of opportunity, he hadn't found the right time.
Even after she got pregnant with his child, he barely had any time to truly be there for her—constantly off on missions or busy confronting the World Government. She had even faced threats to her life because of it.
Thinking of how much she had quietly endured all this time, Daren felt deeply remorseful.
"Let's not think about anything else today. Let's just enjoy ourselves."
He gently tucked her hair behind her ear and smiled.
Toki blinked in surprise, then nodded hard.
"Alright!"
That day...
They strolled hand in hand down Lovers' Avenue, sat shoulder to shoulder in the opera house enjoying the performances, played in fragrant flower fields, and cheered on fearless gladiators at the fish-fighting arena...
Time slipped by. Before long, dusk arrived.
The sunset bathed the world in a warm glow, stretching their shadows far across the ground.
"I really had fun today."
Toki clung to Daren's arm, gazing fondly at his profile.
"I'm sorry it took me so long to give you a date that's at least halfway decent," Daren said softly.
"It's not too late…"
Toki shook her head, her eyes already half closed.
Daren crouched down, bent over, and carried her on his back, step by step heading into the distance.
At some point, the gentle rhythm of her breathing told him she had fallen asleep.
"Thank you, husband…"
A satisfied smile spread across her face as she murmured dreamily.
Daren chuckled and shook his head.
When he got her back to the hotel, the Den Den Mushi in his arms suddenly rang.
He glanced at the signal and froze for a moment before striding out onto the balcony and picking up.
"Dragon-san?"
A low, urgent voice came through the Den Den Mushi.
"Daren, I need your help!"
There was no time for pleasantries—Dragon went straight to the point.
"One of my comrades is in trouble. She's the commander of the eastern division of the Freedom Fighters… We lost contact with her a day ago. Based on the latest intel, she's likely been captured by the World Government!"
He paused, then added,
"Her name is Ginny. She's Kuma's fiancée… Please, I'm begging you!"