What the woman didn't expect was that her arrogant and domineering attitude didn't anger Darius at all. Instead, after a brief pause, he chuckled softly.
Without offering any explanation, Darius gently pulled the reins in his hand, guiding the majestic rooster beneath him to step aside. He looked at the woman with a playful expression, as if waiting for something interesting to unfold.
The woman, still brimming with indignation, was just about to unleash a torrent of scolding when the rooster beside her suddenly raised its head and crowed loudly. The next moment, it buried its head under its belly and began trembling uncontrollably.
Before the woman could make sense of the strange behavior, a thunderous crack echoed through the air. From the clear sky above, a bolt of lightning as thick as a barrel struck the ground barely ten meters away from her.
The impact was deafening. The ground fractured instantly, sending dirt, rocks, and debris flying in all directions. Sand and gravel pelted the woman, coating her in a fine layer of dust.
The sudden and violent change in her surroundings stunned her into silence. Her breath caught in her throat as she stared at the scorched earth, trying to comprehend what had just happened. Her mind raced with a single horrifying thought—what if the lightning had struck just a little closer? What if it had landed on her?
Her legs gave out beneath her, and she nearly collapsed on the spot.
"What... What is this?!" she stammered, her voice trembling. "Why did lightning strike out of nowhere? Is it because of this country's bizarre weather?!"
Darius, who had casually moved out of the danger zone, clicked his tongue in mock regret. With a tone of false sympathy, he urged the rooster beneath him to trot forward.
"Better move quickly," he said, glancing back at the pale-faced woman. "Vice Admiral Luffy's patience is wearing thin. If you're too slow, I can't guarantee that the next strike won't land directly on you."
Without waiting for a response, Darius pulled the reins and galloped off, the vibrant plumage of the rooster glinting in the sunlight.
The woman, still paralyzed by fear, watched Darius's retreating figure with wide, dilated eyes. Gradually, her scattered thoughts began to coalesce.
"Vice Admiral Luffy…" she murmured, her voice tinged with dread. "The Lightning Lord…"
Her gaze drifted upward to the ominous clouds swirling in the sky. The whispered rumors about Luffy's terrifying powers resurfaced in her mind. A shiver ran down her spine as she swallowed hard, her fear evident.
Another bolt of lightning split the sky, accompanied by a deafening roar. The sheer force of it jolted the woman into action. She clambered onto her rooster, gripping the reins tightly, and frantically urged the bird to catch up to Darius.
"Wait! Marine! Don't leave me behind!" she yelled desperately.
Inside the Intelligence Department office, situated in the grand castle of the Flower Capital, a different scene was unfolding.
Violet sat astride Luffy's lap, her body leaning comfortably against his broad chest. Her arms encircled his neck, and a sly smile danced on her lips.
Through the open window, she observed the panicked CP woman trailing behind Darius, her earlier arrogance replaced by abject terror. Violet burst into laughter, the melodic sound filling the room.
"Hahaha! Oh, Luffy, that was priceless!" she exclaimed, shaking with mirth. "That woman was almost scared to death! You're so mean."
Luffy's lips curved into a faint smile. His arms, wrapped possessively around Violet, tightened slightly. He ran a hand along her back in slow, deliberate motions as he replied, "She had it coming. I'm not known for my endless patience, you know."
Violet's cheeks flushed at the sensation of his hand roaming over her body. She playfully swatted his chest, though her voice carried more amusement than admonishment.
"You're incorrigible," she said, her tone half-scolding, half-affectionate. "But don't take your bad temper out on me. There are people just outside the office. If they hear us, I'll never be able to face anyone again as!"
Despite her words, Violet couldn't hide her smile. Her eyes flicked toward the closed door, her observation haki allowing her to perceive a group of female marine eavesdropping just outside.
"Get lost, all of you!" Violet suddenly shouted, her voice sharp and commanding. "If you're so idle, should I call Chief Instructor Yamato to train you?!"
The samurai outside froze in terror. The mere mention of Yamato's name and her dreaded mace sent them scattering like leaves in a storm. Within seconds, the hallway was empty.
Satisfied, Violet turned back to Luffy, who was watching her with an amused expression.
"You're quite something," he teased, leaning closer to whisper in her ear. "It seems you're more interested in clearing space for us than stopping me."
Violet rolled her eyes but couldn't suppress a chuckle. "You're impossible," she said softly, brushing her long hair over her shoulder. The movement revealed the faint blush coloring her cheeks.
Meanwhile, Darius and the CP woman finally reached the bustling streets of the Flower Capital.
Per Luffy's established rules, riding mounts within the city limits was strictly prohibited unless under emergency circumstances. Reluctantly, Darius dismounted and handed the reins of his rooster to the guards stationed at the city gates.
The CP woman, though visibly annoyed at having to leave her mount behind, swallowed her protests. Luffy's earlier display of power lingered fresh in her mind, making her think twice about voicing her dissatisfaction.
As they entered the city on foot, the vibrant life of the Flower Capital unfolded around them. The streets were alive with the chatter of merchants, the laughter of children, and the clinking of goods being exchanged.
The woman's sharp eyes took in the sights with a mix of curiosity and disbelief. She knew the Marines had only recently taken over Wano Country, yet the locals seemed… content. Everywhere she looked, residents greeted Darius with warm smiles or polite bows, gestures he returned with equal sincerity.
This stark contrast to her expectations made her pause. Narrowing her almond-shaped eyes, she studied Darius more closely. The genuine respect the people showed toward this Marine officer planted a seed of doubt in her mind.
Perhaps Vice Admiral Luffy wasn't the tyrant the rumors had painted him to be.
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