Chapter 207: Volume 2 – Chapter 109: An Expensive Suit

The glow of the setting sun shone over the tall figure of the Commodore, casting a long shadow across the ground.

The sea was calm, with seabirds skimming low over the waves, calling as they flew past.

Senor looked at Rogers Daren, who stood smoking in silence, smoke curling around the sharp lines of his face. After a brief pause, he suddenly asked,

"Daren-sama, if you can't be friends... then why didn't you just kill him?"

If you're not a friend, you're an enemy.

And enemies must be completely eliminated.

That was the principle Senor had learned as part of the Donquixote Family.

Daren chuckled at the question.

"Even with one arm gone, he's not someone I can kill."

Bullet's combat power was already nearing the level of a Marine Admiral.

While Daren's own physique had improved dramatically during his time in captivity—far outpacing Bullet's rate of growth—Bullet's Armament Haki was still stronger than his.

In terms of overall strength, if they fought on land, Daren doubted he'd have much of an edge.

With that thought, a flicker of emotion passed through his eyes, and he said with quiet weight,

"Besides, Senor... you know what?"

"For someone like me, sometimes enemies are more important than friends."

Senor nodded, half understanding, and asked again,

"So what do we do now?"

"That Vivre Card was destroyed in the last battle. I doubt the Marines can find us now."

Daren shrugged casually.

"No rush. They'll be tied up dealing with the aftermath for a while."

If Admiral Sengoku and the others had followed the Vivre Card to Kaidou's base, they'd be in the middle of an all-out battle by now.

And if the forces the Marines dispatched were truly as powerful as Senor described...

Daren's mouth twitched slightly.

He couldn't help but offer a silent prayer for Kaidou.

"We'll find a town to recover for now. I'm fine. You're not in critical danger, but you still need treatment."

Senor nodded in agreement.

His condition was indeed terrible. Large swaths of his skin were badly burned. If they weren't treated soon, the risk of infection and blood loss could lead to organ failure.

Queen, the All-Star known as "The Plague" from the Beasts Pirates, really was terrifying.

Compared to monsters like that, his own strength was as insignificant as an ant—easily crushed without effort.

Wait a second—

"'I'm fine'!?"

Isn't Daren-sama's condition way worse than mine!?

He was locked up and tortured for days—

Senor instinctively looked over, trying to assess Daren's injuries.

His eyes widened. His jaw dropped.

It... scabbed over...

...

One day later…

A neutral island in the New World.

A bustling trading town.

"The patient's wounds have all been treated. His condition isn't critical—just make sure he avoids water for a week and changes the dressings on time."

"Thank you, doctor."

Rogers Daren smiled as he slipped a thick wad of colorful bills into the doctor's hand.

"You really shouldn't—"

The doctor made a show of refusing, but didn't stop Daren from tucking the money into his medicine case.

After the doctor left, Daren turned to the seated Senor with a smile.

"How are you feeling?"

Senor sat bare-chested, bandages wrapped around his bloodied torso, a suit jacket draped over his shoulders.

"Much better,"

he said with a weak smile.

Daren tossed him a cigarette, lit one for himself, and grinned.

"Senor, I was serious about what I said before. Why not give it another thought?"

"With your talent and strength, staying with the Donquixote Family is a waste. Doffy may have great potential, but he's still immature. Too often, he acts on impulse."

"To be honest, you know his temperament. As his godfather, I've had my fair share of headaches."

"I need someone like you. If you agree, I can offer you power, status, wealth—even the best training resources this sea has to offer."

"If you say the word, I'll recommend you to the next Officer Training Camp at Headquarters."

"You don't need to doubt it—I have that kind of pull."

Daren looked at him intently.

Senor's calmness, decisiveness, grit, adaptability, and sheer toughness during the last operation were exactly the kind of traits he admired.

And with the unique power of the Sui Sui no Mi, properly trained, Senor could become a tremendous asset.

Most importantly—he was only sixteen.

Sixteen years old, with that kind of composure and capability.

Daren was convinced: in the original timeline, Senor had wasted far too much of his potential by sticking with the Donquixote Family.

And it all came back to that damn Doffy.

Donquixote Doflamingo… really didn't know how to nurture talent.

"Daren-sama..."

Senor gave a bitter smile.

"I won't lie—your offer is incredibly tempting."

His expression wavered, clearly conflicted. But after a moment of hesitation, he clenched his fists, his eyes regaining their usual cold firmness.

"But I'm sorry. I have to refuse."

"Oh?"

Daren raised an eyebrow but showed no anger.

"Mind telling me why?"

Senor's voice was steady.

"When I was starving to death and had nothing to my name, it was Doflamingo-sama who saved me."

A soft smile touched his lips as memories flickered in his eyes.

"I still remember that day. He gave me a suit—something I could never have afforded in my life. And then he said to me…"

"'Senor, you've got the look for a suit.' That's what he said."

He raised a hand and gently brushed the fabric of the jacket draped over his shoulders, his expression complex.

"The young master gave me food, shelter, an identity, a place in the world, and honor. He even gave me a treasure of the sea—

that rare and precious Devil Fruit."

"I have no reason to leave the Donquixote Family."

"So I'm really sorry, Daren-sama."

Daren scratched his head and let out a sigh.

"I see. Well, I won't push it."

He chuckled to himself.

"But now I think I understand how Kaidou felt when he got turned down. Rejection really sucks."

"Get some rest, Senor."

With that, Daren turned and headed for the door.

But just as he reached out to push it open, he paused, as if something crossed his mind.

He looked back, his tone light but meaningful.

"But Senor... you know what?"

"Some clothes may not be as expensive as a suit—but they carry far more meaning."

"And that kind of meaning... no luxury suit can ever compare."

…