"Give me some face?"
"Why?"
The white-haired beauty frowned, sizing up the handsome young man before her. She was about to speak when Du Feld's large hand abruptly stopped her.
She turned in surprise, only to find her boss furrowing his brow, sweat dripping from his temples.
"At least pay attention to the world outside the casino, Adele," Du Feld said, narrowing his eyes. "Having such a prominent figure visit your little shop is a once-in-a-lifetime honor. Please don't be impolite."
As one of the emperors of the underworld, Du Feld had weathered countless storms.
Yet the sudden appearance of this dark-haired young man filled him with a strange sense of unease.
A dangerous man whose power neared that of the Four Emperors, but whose personality was far more unpredictable...
What was he doing here?
If it was for a deal, couldn't it wait until the tea party on Cake Island?
Why now?
His mind raced, thoughts flashing rapidly. But his expression remained calm. He placed a hand on his chest and bowed slightly.
"Mr. Shano, I never expected to meet such a distinguished guest here."
When he looked up again, a bright smile was plastered across his face.
"Since Mr. Issho is someone you've chosen, it's naturally your responsibility to recruit him. I, Du Feld, may have some connections in the underworld, but that's nothing compared to you. How could I dare compete with you for him?"
The entire casino fell silent.
At the mention of that name, all the gamblers herded outside instinctively raised their heads, gazing in disbelief at the young figure on the second floor.
"Did I hear correctly? Shano?! Are you talking about the world's number one swordsman?"
"Who else but him..."
Then Shano jumped down from the second floor and landed lightly in the center of the casino. He walked slowly toward Fujitora and smiled:
"Mr. Issho, I've long heard of your name. May I have a word with you?"
Though Fujitora could not see, he was fully aware of the situation around him. He stood up quickly and nodded.
"Your Excellency is too polite. It is my honor to be invited personally by someone like you."
Seeing this, Du Feld immediately signaled to his men.
"Quick! Bring the two guests to the top floor. Prepare the most luxurious VIP box! Bring out the best wine and snacks!"
The white-haired beauty promptly took out a Den Den Mushi and began making arrangements.
But Shano shook his head.
"No need. This place is smoky and filthy. I wouldn't bother coming in here if I weren't looking for someone. Mr. Issho, how about we find a tavern outside and have a drink?"
"Your Excellency would buy me a drink?"
Fujitora smiled warmly. "That's the best news I've heard all day. Couldn't ask for more."
Shano nodded, turned, and walked out the door with Smoker.
The gamblers in the hallway parted like a tide, watching in awe as they left.
Fujitora picked up his staff and was about to follow, when he suddenly paused and turned to Du Feld.
"Sir, about the chips I won earlier…"
"I'll exchange them right away!" Du Feld said with a smile. "Nineteen rounds in a row, totaling 320 million berries. Adele, isn't that right?"
"Yes, it's ready," the white-haired beauty replied respectfully, handing over a suitcase.
"Thank you," Fujitora said, smiling with relief, then turned and followed.
…
Du Feld remained motionless.
He flicked away the ash from his cigarette and watched the three figures disappear. His face darkened.
What's going on?
Shano suddenly appeared and scared the hell out of him—but he came just to see this blind man?
Not to talk business?
And he didn't even say goodbye when he left. Wasn't that a little too dismissive?
If it were anyone else, based on his usual temper, he'd already have his men teach them a lesson.
But with this guy...
Du Feld shuddered, eyes narrowing as he watched Fujitora's retreating figure.
Even now, he still couldn't understand.
How could a blind swordsman be more valuable than himself?
"Adele," he called to the white-haired beauty, "Send someone to the local black market. Find out everything about that blind man's background. Be discreet—don't alert him before he leaves the island."
"Yes, boss," Adele replied, then left quietly.
As she went, she glanced back at Du Feld's chest in confusion.
Hmm? Was I seeing things?
Wasn't the boss wearing a purple flower just a moment ago? How did it vanish?
…
The loan shark king wasn't the only one confused.
Outside the casino, under the night sky, a certain white-haired man was equally puzzled.
Under the streetlights of a quiet alley, Shano walked in front, with Smoker trailing close behind, cigar in hand. He occasionally glanced back at Fujitora.
Fujitora, seemingly unfazed, followed at a relaxed pace with his staff.
"Hey, Boss," Smoker finally said, lowering his voice and leaning in. "Is this guy really that strong? Worth your whole evening? Personally..."
"There's no one nearby," Shano cut him off, not even turning his head. "If you're not convinced, try sparring with him."
A sparring match?
Smoker's eyebrows rose. Just what he wanted!
Most people on the ship had joined because of Shano's reputation—himself included, even after spending days hiding in the ventilation ducts, choking on kitchen fumes.
But this blind man?
Who was he to act so important? Why was Shano treating him with such respect?
Smoker was the first who couldn't stand it!
Snap.
Smoker stopped abruptly and stepped toward Fujitora.
Fujitora also stopped, tilting his head slightly as if sensing something.
"Is something wrong?" he asked.
"Nothing," Smoker said. "But Mr. Issho, you've been sitting at the gambling table so long—before we drink, how about stretching your legs?"
Smoker, ever the gentleman before a fight, handed him a cigar, then gestured to a nearby open space.
"Let's have a little match."
He grinned.
"Don't worry, I just want to see what kind of strength earned the boss's respect. I know how to pull my punches against those who aren't enemies."
"…This…"
Fujitora looked a bit troubled. He turned toward Shano, who made no move to stop them.
So Fujitora nodded.
"Very well."
…
In the open space, the two men faced each other.
Smoker took a final drag from his cigar and tossed it aside. Smoke rose from his eyes—his fighting spirit ignited.
"Mr. Issho, I ask for your guidance."
As soon as he finished, Smoker launched into the air using Moonwalk.
His right arm turned to smoke, then condensed into a massive fist. Haki-coated and dense, it slammed down toward Fujitora!
"White Fist: Extra-Strong Nicotine Heavy Cannon!"
A Logia user?
Fujitora looked up, face solemn. He slowly unsheathed the blade hidden in his staff.
Ten seconds later.
In the cracked ground, Smoker lay flat in Yamcha's infamous crater pose, eyes rolled back, smoke rising from his body. His right leg twitched.
"You wouldn't have believed me if I told you," Shano said, reaching out to help him. "Now you understand how strong Master Issho really is, right?"
"Apologies," Fujitora said, helping to lift Smoker.
Because Smoker was Shano's crewmate—and quite strong—Fujitora hadn't dared to be careless. But it turned out he'd still gone too far.
"Hrrgh… ugh…"
Smoker swayed, clearly dazed.
The difference in strength was overwhelming!
He hadn't even seen Fujitora's attack. His full-power punch had been dispersed by sword energy in an instant.
Then a crushing gravity pinned him into the earth. No matter how hard he struggled, he couldn't move.
Out of the ten seconds, nine were spent writhing in a pit.
True defeat... happened in just one.
This kind of power… was probably even greater than Kuina, the vice-captain—and close to their teacher Zephyr.
No wonder Shano said, before they even entered the casino, that if this blind man joined the navy, he could directly become Shano's superior…
He was that strong. A natural substitute for an admiral!
Shano saw the stunned, defeated look on Smoker's face and chuckled.
"Alright, don't dwell on it."
He turned out of the alley. "Let's go. There's a tavern just around the corner. We'll drink and talk."
Fujitora followed behind with his staff.
Smoker stood still, looking at Fujitora's back, then sighed and hurried to catch up.
"Hey, Mr. Issho!"
"Hm?"
Smoker hesitated, but finally asked:
"About your strength, I admit defeat. You're really strong—our boss has good judgment. But there's one thing I still don't get: how did you win nineteen games in a row in the casino earlier? And you were so confident, like you knew you'd win?"
Fujitora smiled mysteriously.
"Though I cannot see the dice, I can hear the echoes of fate flowing in the mist. As a gambler, my luck rises and falls, but one day, it always returns to me."
"Uh…"
Smoker blinked. "Sir, could you explain that more clearly?"
"I lost ninety-nine times in a row over the past few months," Fujitora said, scratching his head, a bit embarrassed. "All my savings, my ship… even my loincloth and shoes. Only this yukata and this sword remain. So I figured, tonight, my luck had to change. Otherwise, it'd be unreasonable."
Smoker: "…"
That's it? That's where your confidence came from!?
…
Inside the tavern.
The lighting was dim. A few bottles of aged rum sat behind the wooden bar. It was a quiet, remote place—perfect for privacy.
Shano filled Fujitora's glass and got to the point.
"Mr. Issho, I'm sure you know why I'm here. I won't waste your time with pleasantries. I've heard of you for a long time. With your strength, it would be a shame to wander the seas aimlessly."
He wasn't lying.
Nami often bought newspapers, and when bored, he'd skim them.
He'd seen small articles about a blind swordsman wandering the world—gambling, drinking, and helping people wherever he went.
Before joining the navy through World Conscription and becoming an admiral, Fujitora had already made a quiet name for himself. Those paying attention would know.
Fujitora raised his glass and sniffed the wine's aroma, not answering immediately.
"Your Excellency, you flatter me. I can only smile at your words."
He took a sip, savoring it, then slowly said:
"I'm just a blind gambler. How could I be worthy of such praise?"
Smoker rolled his eyes. Overly modest people were exhausting.
"At this distance, a strong person's aura can't be hidden from me."
Shano smiled and looked straight at Fujitora's closed eyes, speaking sincerely:
"I admire your strength. But more than that, I admire your character."
"I've heard how you wander, helping civilians, driving off pirates. You even give away your entire fortune and end up penniless for it. That chivalrous heart is worth respecting."
Fujitora looked up, surprised.
"Your Excellency knows such trivial matters?"
"Trivial?" Shano laughed and raised his glass. "Saving lives is trivial?"
He pointed to the suitcase Fujitora had set aside.
"Come on, Issho. Tell me—what do you plan to do with that 320 million berries you just won?"
(End of Chapter 205)
Let me know if you'd like the next chapter cleaned up too.