Chapter 204: A Hard-Fought Battle with Fujitora!
Do him a favor? On what grounds?
The white-haired woman frowned, sizing up the handsome young man. She was about to say something, but Du Feld's large hand shot out and stopped her. She turned, stunned, to see that her boss's brow was furrowed, and a cold sweat was trickling down his temples.
"You should really pay more attention to the world outside the casino, Adele," Du Feld said, exhaling a ring of smoke, his voice low and serious. "To have such an important figure grace your humble establishment is an honor you couldn't hope for in a lifetime. Do not be disrespectful."
As one of the emperors of the underworld, he had seen it all. But the young, dark-haired man who had just appeared before him still filled him with a sense of unease. A dangerous man whose strength was on par with a Yonko, but whose personality was far more unpredictable than any of those old geezers... What was he doing here? If he wanted to make a deal... he was also an invited guest at Big Mom's Tea Party. Couldn't they have just talked then? Did he really have to come here, just a few days before?
A thousand thoughts raced through Du Feld's mind, but his face remained a mask of calm. He placed a hand on his chest and bowed slightly. "Lord Shane. I never expected to have the honor of meeting such a distinguished guest in my establishment."
When he looked up, his chubby face was beaming. "Since Mr. Issho is someone you have your eye on, then of course you should be the one to recruit him. I may have some influence in the underworld, but what is that compared to you? I would never dare to compete with you for talent."
The entire casino fell silent.
Hearing that name, all the gamblers who had been herded into the lobby looked up in disbelief at the young man on the second floor.
"Did I hear that right?! Shane?! As in, the World's Greatest Swordsman?!"
"No way... he's even younger and more handsome in person than in his photo!"
"What is someone like him doing here?!"
Hearing the whispers and seeing her boss's reverent attitude, the white-haired woman's face went pale. A wave of fear washed over her. Thank goodness the boss stopped me. If I had said something rude...
"You're too kind," Shane said with a casual wave, satisfied with Du Feld's attitude. He leaped down from the second floor, landing gracefully in the center of the casino. He walked toward Fujitora with a smile. "Mr. Issho, I've heard a great deal about you. Might I have a word in private?"
Though Fujitora couldn't see, he was fully aware of everything that had just transpired. He stood up and bowed his head. "You are too gracious, my lord. To be personally invited by someone of your stature is a great honor."
"Quickly!" Du Feld gestured to his staff. "Take our honored guests to the top floor! Prepare the most luxurious VIP suite! Bring out the finest wine and snacks!"
The white-haired woman immediately took out a Transponder Snail to make the arrangements, but Shane shook his head. "No need. This place is a den of smoke and filth. If I wasn't looking for someone, I wouldn't have bothered to set foot in here. Mr. Issho, why don't we find a quiet bar outside for a drink?"
"You're inviting me for a drink, my lord?" Fujitora's face broke into a broad smile. "That is the best news I've heard all day. Nothing could be better."
Shane nodded and, without another word, led Smoker toward the exit. The crowd of gamblers in the lobby parted like the sea, watching in awe as they left.
Fujitora picked up his staff. He was about to follow when he remembered something. He turned back to Du Feld. "Excuse me, sir, but about my winnings..."
"Of course! We'll cash you out immediately!" Du Feld said with a cheerful grin. "Nineteen wins in a row, for a total of 320 million Belly. Right, Adele?"
"Yes, it's all ready," the white-haired woman said, respectfully handing over a briefcase.
"Thank you," Fujitora said, a relieved smile on his face as he took the case. He then turned and followed Shane out.
...
Du Feld stood motionless, tapping the ash from his cigar as he watched them go, his expression quickly turning sour. What the hell? That Shane shows up out of nowhere, scares the daylights out of me, and it turns out he was really just here for that blind man? Not to talk business with me? And he didn't even say goodbye when he left. The disrespect. If it had been anyone else, he would have had his men teach them a lesson. But this was... Du Feld shivered, his gaze shifting from Shane to Fujitora's back. He still couldn't understand it. A blind swordsman... how could he possibly be a more valuable partner than him?
"Adele," he called to the white-haired woman. "Have your people check the local black market. Find out everything you can about that blind man. And be discreet. I don't want him disturbed before that man leaves the island."
"Yes, boss," she said, quietly slipping away. As she left, she glanced at Du Feld's chest. Huh, that's strange. I could have sworn the boss was wearing his usual purple flower on his lapel tonight. Where did it go?
...
The Loan Shark King wasn't the only one who was confused. So was a certain white-haired man with a slicked-back pompadour.
Outside the casino, in a deserted alleyway under a flickering streetlamp, Smoker walked behind Shane, occasionally glancing back at Fujitora, who was following at a leisurely pace, tapping his staff.
"Hey, Boss," Smoker finally whispered, leaning in close. "Is this guy really that big of a deal? Was it really worth spending the whole night on him...?"
"There's no one else around," Shane said without looking at him. "If you're so unconvinced, why don't you go test him yourself?"
Test him? Smoker's eyebrow shot up. Now that's an idea! He usually followed Shane's orders without question, but this time, he just couldn't accept it. Everyone else on the crew had sought out Shane, begging to join. He himself had spent days hiding in a ventilation shaft, nearly choking to death on kitchen fumes, just for a chance. And this blind guy? Who the hell was he to deserve such special treatment from the boss? He wouldn't stand for it!
He stopped abruptly, blocking Fujitora's path. "Excuse me," he said, holding out a cigar. "Mr. Issho, you've been sitting at the gambling table for a long time. Shouldn't you stretch your legs a bit before we have a drink?" He gestured to a nearby open space. "How about a little sparring session?" He grinned. "Don't worry, I just want to see for myself what kind of man earns Captain Shane's respect. I always go easy on people who aren't my enemies."
"Well..." Fujitora hesitated, glancing in Shane's direction. Seeing that his potential new boss wasn't going to intervene, he nodded. "Very well."
...
In the open space, the two men faced each other. Smoker took one last drag from his cigar and tossed it aside. "Mr. Issho, if you please."
As he spoke, he shot forward. He used Moonwalk to launch himself into the air, his right arm transforming into a massive, swirling cloud of smoke. He coated the giant fist in Armament Haki and brought it crashing down on Fujitora.
"White Blow: Nicotine Cannon!"
A Logia user? Fujitora thought, his expression serious. He slowly drew the blade hidden within his staff...
Ten seconds later.
In a crater in the center of the cracked pavement, Smoker was lying in a heap, his eyes rolled back, smoke rising from his body, his legs twitching.
"I told you so," Shane said, pulling the stubborn man out of the ground. "Now do you see how strong Mr. Issho is?"
"My apologies," Fujitora said, helping to steady the dazed Smoker. He had seen that his opponent was one of Shane's officers and a Logia user, so he hadn't held back. It seemed... he had overestimated him.
"Ugh... ah..." Smoker was still seeing stars. The gap in their strength was just too vast. He hadn't even seen Fujitora move. He just remembered his all-out attack being instantly dissipated by a single sword slash. The next thing he knew, he had hit an invisible wall and was being crushed into the ground by a terrifyingly powerful gravitational force. He had spent nine of the ten seconds of the "fight" just trying to get out of the hole. The actual defeat... had only taken one second.
This kind of power... was probably even greater than the First Mate, Kuina's. It was on par with the Z-hologram he fought in the Dream Weed. No wonder the boss had said this guy could have been his superior officer in the Marines. To be this strong, he had to be at least at the level of an Admiral candidate.
Shane chuckled at Smoker's dejected expression. "Alright, don't dwell on it," he said, turning to leave the alley. "Come on, the bar is just around the corner. We can talk over a drink."
Fujitora followed with his staff. Smoker stared at his back for a moment, then sighed and hurried to catch up.
"Hey, Mr. Issho!" he couldn't help but ask. "I admit it, you're strong. The boss has a good eye. But there's one thing I still don't get. How did you win nineteen times in a row back there? And you were so confident, too!"
Fujitora's lips curled into a mysterious smile. "Though my eyes cannot see the dice, I can see the ebb and flow of fate through the haze. A gambler's luck is a fickle thing. Sooner or later, it was bound to come back to me."
"Uh..." Smoker was completely lost. "Can you say that again in plain language?"
"For the past few months, I've lost ninety-nine times in a row," Fujitora said, a faint blush on his weathered cheeks. "I lost all my savings, my ship... even my loincloth and sandals. All I had left was this kimono and this sword. So, I figured, tonight, my luck had to turn around. It just wouldn't be reasonable otherwise."
Smoker: "..."
That's it?! That's where your confidence came from?!
...
In a quiet, dimly lit bar, Shane poured Fujitora a drink. "Mr. Issho, I'm sure you know why I'm here, so I'll get straight to the point. I've known of you for a long time. For a man of your strength to be wandering the seas aimlessly is a waste."
He wasn't lying. Nami was always buying newspapers, and he often read them when he was bored. He had seen several small articles about a blind swordsman who wandered from place to place, gambling, drinking, and helping people in need. Even before becoming an Admiral, he was not an unknown figure.
Fujitora lifted his glass, savoring the aroma, but didn't respond right away. "You flatter me, my lord. Please, just call me Issho," he said after a long, appreciative sip. "I am just a blind man who likes to gamble. I am not worthy of your attention."
This guy's humility is really annoying, Smoker thought, taking a drink.
"At this range, a strong presence cannot be hidden from my Observation Haki," Shane smiled, looking directly at Fujitora's closed eyes, his tone sincere. "I admire your strength, but more than that, I admire your character. I've heard that wherever you go, you solve the problems of the common people, drive away pirates, and often give away all your money to do so. That sense of justice is worthy of respect."
Fujitora looked up, surprised. "You even know of such small matters?"
"Small matters? Saving countless lives is a small matter?" Shane drained his glass and pointed to the briefcase next to Fujitora with a laugh. "Don't be so modest. For example, that's 320 million Belly right there. Come on, Issho, tell me. What are you planning to do with all that money?"
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