Chapter 274: Volume 2 – Chapter 176: Be My Woman
"I don't like cursed swords like that!"
Gion's cheeks flushed slightly, as if Daren had just exposed her thoughts.
She lifted her chin with pride, one hand resting confidently on the golden Meito at her waist.
"My Konpira is a Great Grade sword, one of the 21 Ōwazamono!"
Daren chuckled.
"Alright, alright. I know you're impressive."
If he remembered right, that Konpira had been a birthday gift from Vice Admiral Tsuru on Gion's fifteenth birthday.
Owning a Great Grade sword at fifteen... that was like being handed the keys to a limited-edition Lamborghini at that age—one of only 21 in the world.
People like that were just built different.
What did he have when he was fifteen?
Right... probably a toilet brush for cleaning latrines.
Still, Daren had his reasons for keeping her away from Enma.
With her current strength, she wasn't nearly ready to tame a blade like that. Enma's bizarre, overbearing ability could easily drain her Haki in an instant—and if she wasn't careful, it might cost her her life.
Gion huffed, then turned her gaze to Enma, still hovering silently in front of them, curiosity gleaming in her eyes.
"How did you call it to you like that?"
Daren smiled.
"Already forgot my Devil Fruit power?"
He winked at her.
"I guess you could say I'm half a swordsman now."
"You? A swordsman?"
Gion looked at him like he'd just cracked a joke.
"Sure, you're strong—but you know nothing about swordsmanship."
Daren shrugged.
"Who says you need to know swordsmanship to use a sword?"
He stepped closer, and before she could react, slipped an arm around her waist.
"You—wait, don't tell me you're—"
Gion's eyes widened as a ridiculous thought popped into her head.
"You're gonna waste a legendary sword like—"
"Hold on tight!"
Boom!
With the pull of his magnetic field, the two of them shot into the sky atop the cursed blade, Enma.
...
One minute later, they landed in a secluded corner of an abandoned port in Marineford.
"You absolute bastard! You've got no respect for swords!"
Gion growled, watching as Daren casually dismissed Enma with a wave of his hand.
"You just don't know how much I've sacrificed to keep it fed."
Daren rolled his eyes.
Knowing there was no reasoning with him, Gion puffed her cheeks and turned away, scanning the surroundings.
The sea stretched endlessly before them, shimmering beneath the night sky.
In the distance, the glow of the observation decks and the lights from the civilian district danced across the waves.
"Why did you bring me here?"
She frowned.
"It's New Year's Eve," Daren replied with a grin. "You've gotta watch the fireworks."
"But all the fireworks are going off in the civilian district. There's nothing on this si—"
Before she could finish, a brilliant orange-red light exploded across the sky.
Bang!
Bang!
Bang!
Fireworks bloomed in the night, cascading down like fiery ribbons over the ocean, coloring the darkness with dazzling streaks of light.
"What the..."
Gion's eyes widened in disbelief.
She squinted into the night and quickly noticed the shells perched atop the rusted, abandoned cannons—one by one, they were launching into the air, then bursting in radiant explosions overhead.
Realization dawned.
She turned to look at Daren.
Tiny arcs of electricity crackled between his fingers.
The stunning fireworks lighting up the sky... he was the one detonating the shells, crafting this entire spectacle just for her.
Gion stared, dazed, then slowly turned back.
Daren was smiling at her.
And in that moment, the light in his eyes outshone the fireworks.
"Happy New Year."
Daren grinned.
"Don't blame me for wasting military supplies. This port's abandoned, and those shells were collecting dust anyway... figured I'd put them to good use."
As he spoke, soft lips suddenly pressed against his.
Hot. Intense. Unmistakably hers.
"I want you."
Gion's breathless whisper barely escaped her lips.
Daren's brain went blank in an instant.
"I-I still have to go back—"
Gion twisted his waist sharply and growled,
"Are you even a man!?"
Daren blinked.
Then gritted his teeth.
And lowered his head.
...
Explosions thundered above like roaring cannons, streaks of light scattering like shooting stars.
The sea stretched into the darkness, calm and deep, as two white fish leapt from the surface, their tails shimmering in the moonlight, disturbing the still waters in lazy ripples.
...
Who knew how long had passed.
At the edge of the abandoned port, the fireworks had faded, and the night had settled into silence, broken only by the distant rhythm of the waves.
A man and a woman sat on the shore, surrounded by a careless scatter of clothing.
Daren was bare-chested, his skin crisscrossed with brutal scars, a cigarette resting between his lips.
Gion sat beside him in silence, wrapped in an oversized cloak, her eyes gazing far into the sea.
The salty breeze stirred her hair. Her long, slender legs hung loosely, her white high-heeled sandals slipping halfway off, pink toes peeking through.
"So... what are we now?"
Her voice was quiet, calm—only a faint blush lingering on her cheeks.
Daren exhaled a slow stream of smoke.
This wasn't the time for hesitation.
He met her eyes, voice steady and sure.
"Be my woman."
He crushed the cigarette under his thumb, then gently cupped her face in his hands.
"I like you."
Gion's cheeks turned red again. Her heart pounded violently at his direct confession, but she bit her lip and asked,
"You sure?"
"I'm sure."
No pause. No doubt.
"Hmph. I've got a sharp tongue and a bad temper, you know."
She turned her face away with a snort.
Daren: ...
Yep. Women don't forget.
"To me, those are the things that make you cute."
The words came out automatically.
Gion scoffed and rolled her eyes.
"Tch. I don't believe a word out of your mouth, you bastard."
But her voice was soft now.
Daren smiled and reached for her hand.
"Let me walk you home."
Gion raised an eyebrow, eyes narrowing.
"Oh? So you can go back and snuggle up with your perfect little wife?"
"Uh..."
Daren's smile twitched.
But before he could answer, Gion lunged again.
Her toned legs clamped tightly around his waist.
Leaning over him with a predatory smirk, eyes sparkling with challenge, she whispered,
"I'm not letting you go that easily."
"Wait—!"
Panic shot across Daren's face.
...
One hour later.
Daren hobbled back to the officer housing compound, hand pressed to his aching waist.
The moment he leaned on the doorframe and pushed it open, his face froze.
Amatsuki Toki stood gracefully in front of a folding screen, a soft pink kimono with cherry blossom patterns hugging her figure.
Her gentle smile glowed like spring.
"Husband, let me take care of you."
Daren's expression stiffened.
Then, forcing a grin uglier than crying, he answered weakly,
"...Okay."