What level of lethality did Nao's grin possess?
It was a smile that could truly charm both men and women, regardless of their allegiance. It was the kind that could even cause an enemy pirate captain to lead his crew to defect.
And at this moment, even though he wore sunglasses that covered most of his face…
The entire noodle shop, every nearby table of diners, all froze in place under the glow of that smile. They stared blankly at his side profile, dazed, unable to recover their senses. Some even let their noodles slip from their chopsticks onto the table without noticing.
But for a blind man who couldn't see a thing, obviously, it had no effect at all.
"The Marines…"
Fujitora almost didn't need to think. He immediately declined:
"My apologies. Although I respect Vice Admiral Nao's strength and character deeply, I will not consider this proposal."
"Why not?"
Bellemere couldn't help but ask:
"Mr. Issho, you are strong and have great ideals. Wouldn't serving in the Marine, where you could fully realize your ambitions, be far better than being a mere wandering swordsman? That way, you could save far more people. And besides…"
"And besides," Gion added with a smile, finishing the thought,
"once your rank rose, you wouldn't have to endure situations like today—being disrespected by clowns like that and forced to tolerate it."
"I've long grown used to being on my own, drifting like a wandering cloud, free to roam where I please."
Fujitora shook his head slightly.
"To me, the restrictions that come with joining the Marine would be unbearable. And more importantly, I cannot agree with some of the decisions the Marine has made in recent years…"
"You mean the Shichibukai system, don't you, Brother Issho?"
Nao's eyes flickered as he spoke suddenly.
"There are other issues as well."
Fujitora paused, surprised that Nao had hit the mark so directly. Still, he nodded and admitted openly:
"But yes, what disgusts me most is indeed the Shichibukai system."
"In order to strengthen their influence and preserve this so-called 'balance of power' on the Grand Line, they recruit outlaws, granting pirates the right to plunder legally. Countless civilians have had their families destroyed by these Shichibukai, while the World Government and Marine ignore their cries for help as though they didn't exist…"
"How is that any different from being pirates themselves?!"
Fujitora sighed and then looked up at Nao, saying with emotion:
"Two years ago, when you clashed with the Shichibukai William, I happened to be traveling through a small city near the Alabasta Kingdom."
"Perhaps you don't know… After you killed William on the spot, that very night, countless civilians in that city wept with joy. During the bonfire festival, they cried and sang around the flames, celebrating until dawn…"
Not everyone had the courage to defy orders and strike against a Shichibukai—
Let alone one who was a descendant of the Celestial Dragons, bearing the noble bloodlines of two royal families.
Gion and the others looked at Nao, their eyes filled with a sense of pride.
"Vice Admiral Nao, your presence in the Marine is a blessing to the people, and to the Marine itself. But one Natsuya Nao alone is far from enough…"
Nao was silent for a moment. He suddenly looked up and said seriously:
"The Shichibukai system will end in my hands. The order of this world—the justice of the Marine—has no need for a group of pirates to maintain it."
His words were firm. Fujitora was stunned. Before he could recover, he saw Nao suddenly smile:
"Brother Issho, how about we make a bet and an agreement?"
"Oh?"
Fujitora raised an eyebrow, his interest piqued. "I'd like to hear the details."
"Within ten years!"
Nao raised a finger.
"Right now, as a Vice Admiral, there are many things I cannot yet decide. But within ten years, I bet I will become an Admiral, holding true power. Step by step, I will root out the Marine's corruption—and the very first step will be abolishing the Shichibukai system!"
"If, ten years from now, I fail to achieve these things, then I'll consider myself the loser of this bet."
"But if, within ten years, Brother Issho, you happen to see in the newspaper headlines that the bounties of seven pirates have been reissued—then it means the opposite, that I have won this bet."
Nao smiled faintly.
"And by then, I hope I won't have to invite you, and that you, Brother Issho, will have already boarded the ship to Marineford yourself."
…It seemed to be a bet with no punishment, no matter who won or lost.
The others next to them looked thoughtful. No wonder Nao said it was actually an agreement made in the form of a bet…
Ten years, huh?
Fujitora quietly looked at Nao with his pupil-less white eyes. After a long silence, he touched his cane sword and smiled. "Of course. That's not a problem."
"When the time comes, Vice Admiral Nao, just don't despise me if I've already grown old and useless."
Old and useless?
Nao couldn't help but laugh out loud. By then, Fujitora would only be a little under fifty, still in his prime. How could he be considered old?
At Headquarters, there were still several old men with white hair who were energetic, had a great appetite, and whose burps could shake all of Marineford!
...
At the Port.
The white-haired old man carried the money box onto the ship. With deep gratitude, he waved farewell to Fujitora and to Nao and the others who had come to see him off.
The village urgently needed this life-saving money of more than 80 million Berries. But letting the old blind man send it back alone would naturally cause some concern. So at this moment, the escort and guide on the ship was...
That's right, it was Luo.
With flying speed comparable to a fighter jet, it could reach the destination by dawn and be back to the Spring Queen's City in just an hour or two.
As for Sadaharu…
The big white dog was lying at the bow, tail wagging happily as it gnawed on the meaty bone Nao had brought back for it—a reward for a day of guarding the ship all by itself.
Smiling and waving, they watched the blind man and the pigeon disappear into the distance. Then, leaving Sadaharu behind to continue his watch over the ship, Nao and the rest returned to the city.
By then it was already deep into the night, with the bright moon hanging high overhead.
But the real life of the Spring Queen's City, a city that never slept, had just begun.
Fireworks blossomed in the night sky, brilliant and dazzling. The streets of the city were filled with passionate music and dance performances, and the crowds were so dense that they were several times more bustling than during the day.
"How beautiful."
The women stopped in their tracks, gazing at the fireworks in admiration. Gion glanced at Fujitora, who stood quietly facing the sky, and couldn't help but feel a trace of pity.
Nao's gaze, on the other hand, was on a street corner. He looked at the words on the street sign and his expression became a little strange.
If he remembered correctly, seventeen years later, the CP9 group of Kalifa and Blueno would be right next to this street sign, performing to make a living and raise money for Rob Lucci's medical expenses...
And just then.
A trembling voice suddenly came from the side.
"Please… have mercy, sirs. I… I haven't eaten in two days…"
Everyone turned their heads and saw a little boy who looked to be about ten years old at the street corner. He was holding a broken bowl and looking at them pitifully.
He was in rags, and his body was emaciated. He looked so pitiful that it made people feel sorry for him.