"Of course it’s because the people are here."
Everyone was slightly stunned by Issho’s straightforward answer. Tesoro, once a Celestial Dragon slave, had never known protection, and after gaining power, became a villain. While Rhodes and his companions weren’t evil, they weren’t paragons of justice. Individuals like Issho were infrequent, even within the Navy.
"What about you guys? Why did you become pirates?" Issho asked, his sightless eyes somehow seeing more clearly than anyone else. He sensed the underlying kindness in the three young pirates before him.
"Of course it’s because there are too few navy officers who can do what you do!" Rhodes’s response silenced Issho for a moment. He, who had blinded himself to escape the corruption of the World Government and the Navy, was struck by how even someone so young had recognized this systemic filth.
"It’s time for this world to change," Issho whispered after a moment of silence.
"Uncle!" Rhodes started, then swallowed the words he was about to say. While he admired Issho’s "righteousness," their paths diverged.
"What’s wrong, Brother Rhodes?"
"Nothing," Rhodes replied, then smirked. "I just hope you can stick to your conscience."
"I was encouraged by my juniors," Issho chuckled, a determined look on his face. "My persistence will not be easily shaken!" If the Navy and World Government were filled with people like him, perhaps Rhodes would have chosen a different life.
"That..." Issho’s face lit up with expectation as he turned towards Tesoro. "There are other casinos on this island. I heard about the reputation of this place and came here specially." He rubbed his hands, looking like an excited gambler. His favorite casino had been destroyed.
"This is the entertainment capital, and there are many casinos on the island," Tesoro said, pointing towards where Penguin and the others had gone. "Just walk in this direction and you’ll find it soon. - This is for you!" Tesoro tossed Issho a pure gold card.
"This is a gold card that is only given to the highest-end customers," Tesoro explained. "As long as you hold this gold card, you can enjoy the highest level of treatment in my place. Although the grand casino here has been destroyed, my Grand Tesoro will be officially unveiled soon. You can come and experience it then. It will definitely satisfy you!" Having committed to Rhodes, Tesoro was already acting as an ally, recognizing Rhodes’s respect for Issho and Issho’s formidable strength. Making friends with him seemed like a good strategic move.
"Then I will be disrespectful to refuse." Issho eagerly took the gold card, tucking it away, then bid farewell to Rhodes and the others, walking off with his staff-sword.
Neru’s Resolve and CP9’s Mission
"How is your injury?" Rhodes asked Neru after Issho left.
"It should be OK after a few days of rest." Neru’s leg, though treated by Law, still pained him. He’d become too reliant on gun combat, neglecting his physical skills. Despite knowing the Six Powers, it wasn’t enough. If Rhodes hadn’t defeated Tesoro first, catching Dice off guard, the outcome of his fight would have been dire.He couldn’t be a burden to Rhodes. He had to become stronger, faster! Neru’s expression remained stoic, but he secretly resolved to accelerate his growth.
Southeast of Lavis Island, a more secluded area is known for high-end hotels. At the Lavis Hotel, the most exclusive on the island, a man with short purple hair looked out a window at the distant, now calm, northwest.
"The battle is over." Turning from the window, the purple-haired man fixed his gaze on those before him. "It’s so noisy and annoying!"
"So, do you understand the task I just told you about?" he continued. "I suspect that the blueprint of the ancient weapon Pluto is in the hands of Tom’s apprentice, Iceberg."
"What you have to do is to lurk beside him and find the blueprint!" He looked at the leader of the group, a stern-faced man in a black suit. "You’ll get the job done, Rob Lucci!"
"After all, you are the strongest person in CP9 in the past 800 years!"
"All we have to do is find the blueprints, right?" Rob Lucci’s white dove, Hattori, spoke from his shoulder. "Can we just arrest him and torture him to find out the whereabouts of the blueprint? Spandam."
"Can’t!" Spandam immediately cut off Rob Lucci’s suggestion. "Also, call me sir!"
"Iceberg has integrated the shipyards of Water 7. Now, Galley-La Company is the shipbuilding company of the World Government. Moreover, he has been nominated as the next mayor of Water 7. You cannot torture him easily." Spandam added, "Besides, although I hate him, he is not the kind of person who can be brought to submission by torture."
|=====|
Issho (Fujitora) explains his unwavering dedication to protecting civilians simply because "the people are here," a stark contrast to the corrupt World Government and Navy that even Rhodes acknowledges. After a brief philosophical exchange, Issho, a passionate gambler, accepts a VIP gold card from Tesoro for his future grand casino, revealing Tesoro’s immediate actions as a newfound ally. Meanwhile, Neru reflects on his recent battle, realizing his over-reliance on his weapon and resolving to intensify his physical training to keep pace with Rhodes’s rapid growth.
Concurrently, a new plot unfolds on Lavis Island: Spandam, a World Government agent, dispatches Rob Lucci and the elite CP9 to Water 7. Their mission: covertly locate the blueprints for the ancient weapon Pluto, believed to be in the possession of Iceberg, a prominent shipwright and future mayor. Spandam warns against direct confrontation due to Iceberg’s connections to the World Government and his resilient nature.