Resolve.
Maybe that's the key to the sudden surge in his Conqueror's Haki.
Shiki's last words, spoken with laughter before his death, had exploded in Daren's mind like a bolt of lightning across a dry plain.
"The lion's final song must not go unheard."
On the surface, it sounded like one of those grand declarations people make before others just to show off—but it wasn't empty, baseless boasting.
Because Daren had actually lived up to that promise.
Faced with the strongest blow from Shiki—the world's greatest dual swordsman—and the awe-inspiring swan song of the flying lion, Daren didn't choose to dodge or retreat, even though he had the chance.
Instead, knowing full well the risk of death, he stood his ground, determined to witness the brilliance of that overwhelming strike.
That, in itself, was a true display of will and spirit.
The strength of Conqueror's Haki is directly tied to the strength of one's resolve.
But resolve isn't just about talking big, making bold claims, or throwing around empty bravado. That kind of superficial bluster does nothing to strengthen one's Conqueror's Haki.
To truly grow stronger, your resolve and your actions must be completely aligned.
Take a simple example.
Straw Hat Luffy has dreamed of becoming the Pirate King. From the moment he first set sail, he's shouted day in and day out,
"I'm going to become the Pirate King!"
But in the beginning, that dream was just an empty slogan. To others, it sounded like childish nonsense—nothing more than bravado.
Because without the actions to back it up, without the resolve to match, such slogans are meaningless when it comes to awakening or strengthening Conqueror's Haki.
At that point, he still didn't fully understand the weight of that goal.
But as Luffy continued his journey, clashing with powerful enemies, surviving life-and-death situations, and growing stronger, he gradually came to grasp the true cost and danger behind the words,
"I will become the Pirate King."
And even then, he stayed true to that dream, never wavering.
That is what it means to have complete unity between resolve and action.
When your life hangs by a thread, when death looms, when you're staring down overwhelming foes—and still, you remain steadfast...
That's what leads to the growth of Conqueror's Haki.
In other words, talking big isn't enough. You need the actions to match—and the strength to carry them through.
Maybe... that's the real path to strengthening Conqueror's Haki.
With that thought, clarity struck Daren like a breath of fresh air.
Still, even understanding the principle, putting it into practice was another story entirely.
He'd need to give it more thought.
"Hey, hey, hey... What's going through that head of yours? I only took a few supplies and a couple of cigars—no need to go mute over it. Or did your injuries scramble your brain?"
It was only then that Daren noticed Tokikake waving his hand in front of his face, looking confused.
Snapping back to reality, Daren gave a slight shake of his head.
"How long was I out?"
He looked around the room. Judging by the signs of use and the pile of gifts stacked on the sofa, it was clear he'd been here for quite a while...
Tokikake scratched his head and said,
"Counting today, you've been unconscious for more than five days."
He started counting on his fingers.
"Fleet Admiral Kong came twice, Admiral Sengoku came four times, that gloomy guy Sakazuki came five times, Kuzan came six times—making a whole scene every time—Borsalino came three times, and... hmm... the others from the officer training camp dropped by once or twice each."
"Oh, and Toki-san from your family has been coming twice a day."
When he said that, Tokikake's tone was noticeably tinged with jealousy.
Daren was momentarily stunned, then a faint smile appeared on his face.
"Everyone's been so thoughtful."
A warm feeling welled up inside him, softening the look in his eyes.
Tokikake, seeing the smug look on Daren's face, couldn't help muttering,
"Bunch of bastards. When I was injured and in the hospital, they sure didn't come running like this."
"Even Gion has been coming to see you every single day. Damn it!!"
He suddenly clenched his fists, cursing through gritted teeth.
"No, wait, Gion must've come to see me. After all, I'm here every day. Yeah, that's gotta be it!"
Daren watched Tokikake crouched there, his expression shifting as he mumbled to himself, clearly caught up in some internal drama. Shaking his head helplessly, Daren sighed.
"It seems that you are recovering well, Vice Admiral Daren..."
A slow, annoyingly familiar voice echoed through the room just as countless photons gathered in the air, forming a tall human figure.
It was a man in his thirties, though he looked more like a sleazy middle-aged guy, dressed in a white suit with a yellow-and-white hat perched on his head.
Borsalino rubbed his chin stubble with one hand, eyeing Daren sitting on the hospital bed with a look of amusement and mockery.
"You really live up to your reputation as a 'monster.' With such severe injuries, you woke up this quickly. Are you sure you don't want to let me study your body, Daren?"
Seeing Borsalino's face—like he'd just found an interesting new toy—Daren broke into a cold sweat.
"I'm not interested in being a guinea pig, Borsalino."
Sure, those times he'd been experimented on had given him noticeable power boosts—especially that hellish experience under Queen—but who knew what Borsalino had in mind?
"That's too bad. Dr. Vegapunk got quite interested in you after seeing your file…"
Watching Daren's clear resistance, Borsalino raised both hands in a helpless surrender gesture.
Vegapunk?
Daren's eyes narrowed.
Vegapunk—the scientist said to be five hundred years ahead of his time—was paying attention to him now?
On second thought, that made perfect sense.
From what Daren knew, Kaidou had been captured by the World Government in his youth, giving Vegapunk the opportunity to conduct a range of experiments on him.
And now, Daren had achieved something similar to Kaidou's "Indestructible Body." It was only natural Vegapunk would be intrigued.
Wait… there was still that faulty artificial "Uo Uo no Mi, Model: Seiryu" sitting in Punk Hazard, wasn't there?
Not that Daren had any real interest in it. A knock-off was still a knock-off. Its power and potential were leagues below Kaidou's original.
Still, if it were for training future subordinates, it might be worth the trip to go and retrieve it.
"But seeing you awake, I'm sure Admiral Sengoku will be very pleased…"
Borsalino added casually,
"He's been checking in on your condition a lot lately. He's been eager to get the details of your final battle with Shiki in the North Blue directly from you."
"But since you've been in a coma, Admiral Sengoku and Fleet Admiral Kong couldn't wait any longer. They already summoned Captain Momonga to report back to headquarters…"
Before he could finish, Daren's expression had already begun to shift.
...
(40 Chapters Ahead)
p@treon com / PinkSnake