"The patient's vital signs are rapidly declining!"
"Damn it, is the bleeding still not under control!?"
"What's going on? Wasn't his condition stable just a moment ago?"
"Did something trigger him earlier?"
"…"
In the high-priority ward of the military hospital, more than a dozen top-tier medical personnel scrambled around Vice Admiral Daren's bedside. He lay there on the brink of death, barely clinging to life.
Beads of cold sweat formed on their foreheads as they stared at the erratic, unreadable data flashing across the monitors.
This was Vice Admiral Daren—currently the most powerful and influential figure in the Marines. If anything were to happen to him, they, the medical team, would be held responsible in the worst possible way.
Bang!
The door to the ward was suddenly flung open.
The attending physician, frustrated and anxious, turned with a scowl and snapped without even looking.
"Damn it! Can't you see we're in the middle of an emergency? Get the hell—wait, Admiral Sengoku?!"
His voice cracked mid-sentence as a bead of sweat slid down his forehead. His face flushed with embarrassment.
Sengoku strode in urgently, waving a hand.
"What's Daren's condition?"
His eyes locked on the bedridden Vice Admiral, who continued to cough up blood. Daren's face had gone so pale and lifeless, he looked like a corpse.
The other Marine officers poured in behind him, tension filling the room.
Seeing the sheer number of high-ranking brass present, the attending physician felt a mountain of pressure crashing down on him. Swallowing hard, he replied nervously,
"Vice Admiral Daren's condition had stabilized earlier, but just a few minutes ago his vitals took a sudden turn for the worse. It's become extremely critical… We're doing everything we can."
A heavy shadow passed over Sengoku's eyes. He clenched his jaw and growled,
"Whatever it takes, Daren must not die!"
He paused, then turned to the crowd peeking in from the doorway.
"All of you—out. Give the doctors some space. It's too crowded in here."
"Yes, Admiral Sengoku!"
The group of Marine officers flinched, then quickly filed out of the room.
Sengoku glanced at Borsalino, who stood leaned against the wall with his hands in his pockets. He hesitated but didn't say anything to make him leave.
Then, without a word, Sengoku sat on the sofa in the room, arms folded, face grim.
The doctors were sweating even more under his intense presence and unconsciously sped up their movements.
...
Moments later—
Beep, beep, beep!
The chaotic, erratic beeping from the monitors suddenly leveled out into a steady rhythm.
The ECG line gradually smoothed into a consistent wave pattern.
"It's working!"
"Thank goodness! The bleeding's finally stopping!"
"Looks like the oral medication is kicking in!"
Cries of relief burst from the medical team. The tension in the air eased slightly as they saw Daren's face slowly regaining color, his breathing and heartbeat evening out.
"Vice Admiral Daren is stabilizing..."
"His vitals are improving…"
"This is a miracle…"
Still leaning against the wall, Borsalino watched the scene unfold, a faint, knowing smile tugging at his lips.
Sengoku stood up from the sofa and walked briskly over.
"Let me take a look."
As if responding to Sengoku's voice, Daren slowly opened his eyes.
"…Sengoku... Admiral?"
Seeing him awake, Sengoku finally exhaled in relief. He chuckled and said,
"You little brat... you almost gave me a heart attack."
...
Outside the hospital room.
"So, what's Daren's current condition?"
Sengoku fixed a stern gaze on the group of doctors before him, his tone cold.
"He was in a coma, but his injuries had stabilized. How did things suddenly deteriorate like this?"
Under Sengoku's imposing presence and scrutinizing eyes, the doctors barely dared to breathe. They exchanged nervous glances until the attending physician finally spoke up.
"Reporting to Admiral Sengoku, Vice Admiral Daren's situation is unprecedented. For an ordinary person, survival with such severe injuries would be impossible."
"It's only because of Vice Admiral Daren's exceptional physique that the injuries were suppressed."
"Based on our assessment, this sudden crisis was likely due to the previously suppressed injuries erupting all at once, leading to the critical condition."
"However, after the recent treatment, we believe Vice Admiral Daren is now out of danger."
Sengoku exhaled slowly.
"That's good."
"He's awake now. May I go in to see him?"
The doctors exchanged wry smiles.
Who would dare say no?
They all nodded.
"Of course, just keep the visit brief so as not to disturb Vice Admiral Daren's rest."
Sengoku nodded and pushed open the door to the ward. But the scene that greeted him made him momentarily dizzy, nearly knocking the wind out of him.
Daren was already sitting up with the help of a nurse, a cigar clenched between his teeth. That rascal Tokikake sat beside him, grinning as he lit the cigar.
Sengoku: ...
He scolded.
"You little brat, are you trying to get yourself killed?"
Daren chuckled nonchalantly.
"Just felt my heart racing a bit. Thought a cigar might help me calm down."
As he spoke, twin streams of smoke curled from his nostrils like dragons.
Sengoku's mouth twitched.
But since the doctors had confirmed Daren was out of danger, he didn't intervene.
Behind Sengoku, Momonga and several other headquarters officers entered the room.
"Vice Admiral Daren!"
They greeted him with smiles.
Daren returned the smile and gestured toward the pile of gifts beside the sofa.
"Thank you all for coming to visit. You're too kind."
"There's fruit, cigars, and wine over there. Help yourselves. I can't exactly play host right now."
He winked playfully.
The officers burst into hearty laughter at Daren's humor.
They didn't stand on ceremony, each grabbing a cigar and lighting up right there in the hospital room.
As they chatted, Daren casually exchanged a glance with Momonga.
The latter gave a subtle nod.
With every Marine puffing away, the room quickly filled with thick smoke, so dense it was hard to see a hand in front of one's face. To an outsider, it might have looked like the place was on fire.
Outside the door, the doctors and nurses stood frozen, their expressions stiff.
"Daren, I've heard about your battle with Shiki from Captain Momonga, but there's still one thing I want to ask you."
Sengoku accepted the hot tea Tokikake handed him, took a sip, and spoke in a deep voice.
"Please, Admiral Sengoku."
Daren nodded, his expression sincere.
Sengoku's eyes suddenly sharpened, locking onto Daren.
"Given Shiki's personality, if he sensed his life was in danger, he would have fled without hesitation."
"How did you manage to trap him?"
At these words, Daren's expression remained unchanged, but Momonga, standing behind Sengoku, narrowed his eyes slightly.
So, it was noticed after all...
Momonga clenched his fists.
The room fell into a tense silence, the kind where a pin drop would be deafening.
Daren pondered for a moment before speaking.
"Admiral Sengoku, regarding this matter, I'd like to report to you privately."
He glanced at the other Marine officers present.
Sengoku frowned, displeased.
"Everyone here is a core Marine officer. There's nothing to hide!"
Hearing this, the officers puffed out their chests proudly, eyes gleaming.
"Very well."
Daren shrugged.
"Actually, besides Captain Momonga, there were others who assisted."
Others got involved?
Sengoku raised an eyebrow, a smug smile playing on his lips.
Just as I thought!
His speculation was spot on!
The other officers perked up, curiosity written all over their faces.
In that battle, aside from Momonga, others had intervened?
Who could it be?
There were only so many powerful figures in these seas, and those capable of intervening in a clash between Daren and Shiki were few and far between.
Moreover, this likely touched on Vice Admiral Daren's personal connections, making them all the more intrigued.
Daren continued.
"Admiral Sengoku, you've probably seen this person in the Edd War Sea. It was..."
"Wait!"
Sengoku seemed to realize something. His expression shifted slightly as he raised a hand to interrupt, then turned to the officers.
"Since Vice Admiral Daren wishes to report this matter privately, I must respect his request. Please step outside for now."
The officers: ???
What happened to being core officers?
Didn't you just say there was nothing to hide?
...
(40 Chapters Ahead)
p@treon com / PinkSnake