"Give some face?"
"Why should I?"
The silver-haired beauty frowned, sizing up the handsome youth before her.
Just as she was about to speak, Du Feld's large hand abruptly stopped her.
Turning in surprise, she noticed her boss's furrowed brows and the cold sweat beading at his temples.
"You should pay attention to the world beyond this casino, Adele."
Du Feld exhaled a smoke ring, narrowing his eyes as he spoke gravely:
"For a figure of such stature to grace your humble establishment is an honor you might never experience again in your lifetime. Don't be discourteous."
As one of the underground world's emperors, he'd weathered countless storms throughout his life.
Yet this black-haired youth who'd suddenly appeared before them still made him inexplicably tense.
A man whose strength rivaled the Four Emperors, yet whose temperament was far more unpredictable than those old monsters...
What could have brought him here?
If it was business he wished to discuss...
Couldn't it wait until the Tea Party on Whole Cake Island, where they'd both be guests of BIGMOM?
Was even these few days too long to wait?
Countless conjectures flashed through Du Feld's mind, though his expression remained impassive as he quickly composed himself. Placing his right hand over his chest, he gave a slight bow:
"Lord Xiano, what an unexpected honor to encounter someone of your standing in this place."
When he straightened up, his plump face blossomed into a radiant smile:
"Since this Mr. Issho has caught your eye, naturally he should be yours to recruit. Though I, Du Feld, may have some small influence in the underworld, what could that possibly mean before someone like you? I wouldn't dare compete for his allegiance."
The entire casino fell silent instantly.
At that name, all the gamblers herded into the lobby instinctively looked up toward the youthful figure on the second floor.
"Did I hear right? Xiano?! The World's Greatest Swordsman?"
"Who else could it be? Hiss... He looks even younger and more handsome than in the photos!"
"What's someone of that stature doing here?"
Hearing the hushed whispers around them and seeing her boss's deferential manner, the silver-haired beauty paled, a wave of belated fear washing over her.
Thank goodness her boss had stopped her in time before she could say anything disrespectful, otherwise...
"No need for formalities."
Xiano waved dismissively, somewhat satisfied with Du Feld's attitude.
Then he leaped down from the second floor, landing lightly at the casino's center before walking steadily toward Fujitora with a smile:
"Mr. Issho, I've long admired your reputation. Might we speak privately?"
Though blind, Fujitora had perfectly grasped everything happening around him. He rose promptly and nodded:
"You honor me, my lord. For someone of your standing to extend such an invitation is my privilege."
Seeing this, Du Feld immediately signaled his subordinates:
"Quickly! Escort these two gentlemen to the penthouse! Prepare our most luxurious VIP suite! Bring out the finest wine and delicacies!"
The silver-haired beauty hastily pulled out a Den Den Mushi to make arrangements.
But Xiano shook his head:
"No need. This place is filled with smoke and filth. If it weren't for finding someone, I wouldn't bother coming here. Issho, how about we go outside and find a random tavern for a drink instead?"
"You're inviting me for a drink?"
Fujitora laughed heartily, "That might be the best news I've heard all day. Wonderful, absolutely wonderful."
Xiano nodded and immediately turned to leave with Smoker toward the exit.
The gamblers gathered in the lobby quickly parted like a tide, watching Xiano depart with reverence.
Fujitora picked up his wooden cane and was about to follow when he suddenly remembered something. He turned hesitantly toward Du Feld:
"Sir, may I ask about the chips I won earlier..."
"We'll exchange them for you right away!"
Du Feld replied with a smile. "Nineteen consecutive wins, totaling 320 million Berry. Right, Adele?"
"Yes, it's already prepared."
The white-haired beauty respectfully handed over a briefcase.
"Thank you both."
Fujitora took the case, his expression relaxing into a relieved smile before turning to leave.
...
Du Feld remained rooted in place.
He flicked the ash from his cigar, watching the departing figures with a rapidly darkening expression.
What the hell?
That Xiano suddenly showing up had given him a real scare, only for him to actually be here for that blind man?
Not to discuss business with him?
Moreover, the guy didn't even bother saying goodbye when he left. That was downright disrespectful.
If it were anyone else, given his usual temper, he'd have already ordered his men to teach them a lesson.
But this one...
Du Feld shuddered inexplicably, instinctively shifting his gaze from Xiano to Fujitora's retreating figure, narrowing his eyes.
Even now, he still couldn't understand—why?
How could a blind Swordsman possibly hold more value as a partner than him?
"Hey, Adele."
He called over the white-haired woman and ordered, "Have your people check the local black market for information. Find out what this blind man's deal is. Remember, keep it low-key. Don't disturb that man before he leaves the island."
"Yes, Boss."
The white-haired woman understood implicitly and quietly departed.
Before leaving, she gave Du Feld's chest a puzzled glance.
Huh? Was her memory playing tricks on her?
She could've sworn her boss had a purple flower pinned to his suit jacket earlier, just like always. So why was it suddenly gone?
...
The Loan Shark King wasn't the only one left confused.
The same went for a certain slicked-back white-haired man.
Outside the casino, the night had deepened.
Under the dim streetlamp of a secluded alley, Xiano walked ahead, with Smoker following close behind, cigar in mouth, occasionally stealing glances at Fujitora.
Fujitora, seemingly unaware, followed at a steady pace with his cane.
"Hey, Boss," Smoker finally couldn't hold back, whispering into Xiano's ear, "Is this guy really that strong? Worth you spending the whole night personally—"
"No one's around here." Xiano didn't even look at him. "If you're not convinced, you can go spar with him."
Spar?
Smoker's eyebrow twitched.
Well now, that suited him just fine!
Normally, he'd carry out Xiano's orders without question, but this time—he just couldn't swallow it.
You see.
Apart from Nojiko and Nami, almost everyone on the ship had joined voluntarily out of admiration for Xiano's reputation.
As for himself, he had endured days of hiding in the ventilation ducts, nearly suffocating from kitchen fumes.
And this blind guy?
Who was he? What gave him the right to receive such high regard and courtesy from Boss Xiano?
He couldn't stand it!
Snap.
Smoker abruptly halted his steps, stopping in front of Fujitora, who also paused and tilted his head slightly in surprise, "looking down" at the man who stood nearly sixty or seventy centimeters shorter than him.
"Is something the matter?"
"Nothing much, but Issho, sir, after sitting at the gambling table for so long, don't you think it's best to stretch a bit before drinking?"
Smoker believed in courtesy before force. He handed Fujitora a cigar and gestured toward an open space nearby.
"How about the two of us spar a little here?"
He grinned candidly.
"Don't worry. I just want to see for myself what kind of skills you have to earn Boss Xiano's respect. I always hold back against non-enemies."
"Well…"
Fujitora hesitated, glancing at Xiano first. Seeing no intervention from him, he finally nodded.
"Very well."
...
In the open space.
The two stood facing each other. Smoker took one last deep drag from his cigar, flicked it aside, exhaled a long plume of smoke, and ignited with fighting spirit.
"Mr. Issho, I'd appreciate your guidance."
The moment he finished speaking, Smoker lunged forward explosively!
Using Moon Walk, he leapt into the air, his right arm instantly undergoing Elemental Transformation into billowing smoke. Compressed into a massive fist and coated in Armament Haki, it came crashing down toward Fujitora!
"White Fist: Extra-Concentrated Nicotine Heavy Cannon!"
A Logia-type ability user?
Fujitora "looked up" at the scene, his expression solemn as he slowly drew the blade hidden within his wooden cane…
Ten seconds later.
In the center of the cracked ground, Smoker lay sprawled in a Yamcha-like pose, eyes rolled back, smoke rising from his body, his curled right leg still twitching sporadically.
"I told you, but you wouldn't listen."
Xiano extended a hand to help pull the stubborn radish out of the ground, remarking leisurely, "Now you understand just how formidable Issho is, don't you?"
"My apologies."
Fujitora helped steady Smoker with a look of regret.
Since Smoker was a subordinate Xiano kept close, and his Logia ability was intimidating, Fujitora hadn't dared to hold back too much. The result, however…
Seemed like he might have overestimated his opponent.
"Ugh… ah…"
Smoker swayed dizzily, barely managing to stand after several moments, clearly still reeling from the shock of the battle.
The gap was too vast!
He hadn't even seen Fujitora's attack clearly. All he remembered was his full-powered White Fist being instantly shattered by a single slash of Sword Aura.
Then, it was as if he had crashed into an invisible wall—an overwhelming force of gravity crushed him into the ground, rendering him completely immobile despite his struggles.
In truth, nine of those ten seconds had been spent writhing in a pit.
The actual moment of defeat…
Had lasted barely a second.
This level of strength… was likely even above Vice-Captain Kuina's and on par with Teacher Zephyr himself, whom he often sparred with in his illusions!
No wonder Boss Xiano said before going to the casino that if this blind man joined the Marines, he could become his direct superior...
With strength like this, he'd at least be a candidate for Admiral!
Xiano couldn't help but chuckle when he saw Smoker's utterly depressed and life-questioning expression.
"Alright, stop overthinking it."
He turned and walked toward the alley exit. "Let's go. The tavern is just around this corner. We can talk over drinks."
Fujitora followed with his wooden cane.
Smoker remained standing for a few seconds, staring at Fujitora's retreating figure before finally sighing in resignation and quickly catching up.
"Hey, Mr. Issho!"
"Hmm?"
After hesitating, Smoker couldn't resist asking:
"I'll admit defeat regarding strength—you're incredibly powerful. The boss's judgment is as sharp as ever. But there's one thing I still don't understand... how did you manage to win nineteen consecutive rounds at the casino earlier? And with such confidence, like victory was guaranteed?"
Hearing this, Fujitora's lips curled into a meaningful smile.
"Though these eyes cannot see the dice, through the veil of mist, I can perceive the echoes of fate's flow. As a gambler, luck ebbs and flows—it was bound to return to my hands eventually."
"Uh..."
Smoker looked utterly confused. "Could you... explain that more clearly?"
"Over these past few months, I've lost ninety-nine times in a row."
Fujitora scratched his head, his aged face flushing slightly:
"Lost all my savings, my ship... even my loincloth and shoes. All that remains is this yukata and my sword. So I figured tonight had to be my turn for luck—anything else would defy reason."
Smoker: "..."
Wait, that's it?
So that's where your confidence came from?!
...
Inside the tavern.
The dim yellow light illuminated the wooden bar counter where only a few bottles of aged rum stood. The remote location meant business was clearly slow, but the quiet atmosphere had its charm.
Xiano poured Fujitora a full glass and cut straight to the point:
"Mr. Issho, you must already know why I'm here. Let's skip the formalities—I've heard of your reputation long ago. With your strength, drifting across these seas seems like such a waste."
This wasn't empty flattery.
Nami loved buying newspapers, and he'd often browse them during idle moments.
He'd indeed seen several obscure articles about a blind swordsman wandering the world—gambling, drinking, and incidentally performing acts of chivalry.
Before joining the World Military Draft and becoming a Marine Admiral, this man was hardly unknown to those paying attention.
Fujitora lifted his glass, savoring the aroma but didn't immediately respond.
"You flatter me. Just 'Issho' is fine."
After taking a sip and relishing the taste with closed eyes, he finally spoke, "I'm merely a blind man who enjoys gambling—hardly worthy of such regard."
Smoker curled his lip—excessively humble people were truly annoying.
"At this distance, a strong presence can't hide from my Observation Haki."
Xiano smiled, looking directly at Fujitora's closed eyes with sincerity:
"I admire your strength, but more than that, I admire the kind of person you are."
"I heard you wander from place to place, solving troubles for the locals wherever you go—driving away Pirates and often spending all your wealth until you're left penniless. Such chivalry is truly admirable."
Fujitora looked up in surprise. "You even know about such trivial matters?"
"Trivial? Saving countless lives counts as trivial?"
Xiano downed his drink in one gulp, then pointed at the suitcase Fujitora had placed beside him and burst into laughter:
"Don't make it sound so simple! Take this for example—a full 320 million Berry! Come on, Issho, tell me, what do you plan to do with all this money you've earned?!"
(End of chapter)