The Greatest Disgrace in Marine History-Chapter 184 - 86: He Must Be Undergoing Cruel Torture

"Is there really no other way, Sengoku?"

Gazing out over the vast, boundless ocean before him, Zephyr's eyes shimmered with a trace of deep concern. His expression was grave as he said:

"You're the Resourceful General, aren't you? There must be something we can do."

With no leads whatsoever, trying to find a single person in this vast, unending sea of the New World—where the climate shifted wildly and unpredictably—was even harder than reaching the heavens.

That was precisely why so many pirate crews risked total annihilation just to coat their ships and dive ten thousand meters into the deep sea, passing beneath the Red Line to enter the New World.

The routes were uncharted, and countless islands had yet to be fully explored. Without a fixed territory, even the World Government and Marine Headquarters—with all their vast intelligence networks—would find it nearly impossible to track someone in this chaotic region.

"Oh? I thought I was a simpleton now?" Sengoku squinted, lips curling with disdain.

Zephyr's mouth twitched; his smile froze awkwardly.

Tch, how petty.

Sengoku shook his head.

"Honestly, this search shouldn't have been so difficult."

"Under normal circumstances, all cadets in the Elite Officer Training Camp are treated as high-priority assets by the Marines. To ensure their safe development, every student is supposed to register with Headquarters and leave behind a Vivre Card."

"If we had his Vivre Card, even in the New World, we could've located Darren with relative ease."

"But leaving behind a Vivre Card isn't mandatory. And... tell me, how many of your students do you think would've actually left one at HQ?"

By the time he said this last sentence, Sengoku's voice was heavy with helplessness. He cast a sidelong glance at Borsalino.

The latter, looking utterly absent-minded, didn't seem to notice Sengoku's look at all.

Zephyr, hearing this, also let out a long sigh, massaging his temples in frustration.

The other cadets were manageable. Most officers still abided by military discipline and followed regulations faithfully.

But could anyone seriously expect the likes of Sakazuki, Borsalino, or Dragon—these rebellious types—to willingly leave behind something that exposed their whereabouts?

Monstrous talents like them naturally held "privileges" others didn't possess.

As long as it wasn't something that caused severe consequences or threatened their loyalty to the Marines, Marine Headquarters usually turned a blind eye to such things.

"So we really have no choice but to search island by island? How long will that take?"

Zephyr clenched his teeth, fists tightening. novelbuddy.cσ๓

Sengoku's brow furrowed deeply. Hands clasped behind his back, he began pacing the deck.

Even he couldn't come up with a good plan in the face of such a dilemma.

"...Perhaps, we could try using the Underworld's channels?"

Just then, Borsalino—still looking half-lost in thought—spoke slowly and lazily.

Both Sengoku and Zephyr were startled. Their eyes simultaneously shifted to him.

"Borsalino, what do you mean?"

Borsalino smiled.

"It's just a hunch... But if the Beast Pirates' main force is holed up in Kaido's base, then with such massive numbers, there's no way they can rely entirely on self-sustenance for supplies."

"Besides, Kaido has been waging wars across the New World these past years. Many of the weapons used in those wars were smuggled out by him. Which means—he must have dealings with certain black-market trafficking forces."

"If we can trace that connection... maybe we'll find something useful."

At that, Sengoku and Zephyr's eyes widened in unison.

"This..."

"Borsalino..."

Suddenly, Zephyr clapped a hand heavily on Borsalino's shoulder, speaking with excitement:

"You really are a genius!!"

Turning his head, he gave Sengoku a mocking look.

"Sengoku, look at him! You're always complaining about Borsalino—yet you couldn't come up with something half as decent!"

Sengoku's lips twitched.

Tactics on the battlefield, war strategy, commanding troops in real combat... those were the strengths that earned him the title of "Resourceful General."

This wasn't the time to bicker with that bastard Zephyr.

Now that they had a lead, Sengoku swiftly pulled out a nautical chart. Behind his black-rimmed glasses, his eyes gleamed with light as he scanned it rapidly.

Soon, he locked onto an island on the map.

"This place... it's the nearest transit island along our current route. A place like that has to be crawling with underground criminal enterprises."

Sengoku's voice was low and firm.

"Then what are we waiting for? Let's go—now!" Zephyr said impatiently.

Just thinking of how Darren might right now be enduring unspeakable torment at the hands of the Beast Pirates made his heart clench.

Every hour they delayed was another hour of agony, another step closer to death for Darren!

—

Physique +0.06

Physique +0.05

Physique +0.04

Physique +0.03...

In the dark prison, while enduring the torment of the Mummy Virus, Darren's bloodshot eyes clearly perceived how his physical stats were rapidly climbing.

His entire body trembled as he let out a hoarse, guttural roar. His flushed skin bulged with veins, crawling like centipedes beneath the surface.

He bit back laughter, forcing himself not to give in.

Not far away, Bullet was also enveloped in white steam, his body radiating heat as if he were on fire.

"Muhahaha... feel that? This is the 70% dosage of the Mummy Virus! The pain you're experiencing now is twice as bad as it was seven days ago!"

Wearing suspenders and a vile grin, the fat man Queen looked down at the two figures lying on the floor like dead dogs. He puffed out his belly in pride and even began dancing gleefully.

After these past days of experimentation, he had gathered the perfect data.

Queen was absolutely convinced that with these results, he could further refine the viruses he'd developed—enhancing their toxicity and infectiousness—turning them into even more devastating weapons against the human body!

As for these two...

Hmph. Judging by their lifeless expressions and the fragile, weakened aura around them, they probably wouldn't last much longer, would they?

"You two better give it some real thought..."

Queen arrogantly lit a cigar and took a long, satisfied drag.

"If you agree to join the Beast Pirates, you won't have to suffer like this anymore."

Darren, panting heavily, let out a twisted grin.

"Is that so? To me, this so-called punishment just feels like a tickle."

Bullet added, unyielding:

"Let us out—if you dare."

Queen shrugged, scoffing.

"Tch. Still mouthing off, huh?"

Tok, tok, tok...

Just then, the iron door of the prison was knocked.

A horn-helmeted head poked through.

"Boss Queen, the transport ship's back. It brought a bunch of the lab equipment you needed."

---

To be continued...