"Brother, the killing intent around you is quite intense. You must have killed a lot of people." Rayleigh walked side by side with him, smiling as he suddenly spoke.
The remark caused a brief awkward silence, but Rayleigh didn't mind. "I have indeed killed quite a few enemies."
"Then it can't be helped. Once you become enemies, it's naturally a matter of life and death," Issho said with a sigh. The cane sword in his hand was never drawn.
Rayleigh's words were straightforward. Enemies meant those he believed deserved to die, not innocent people slaughtered indiscriminately.
"Are you a Marine?" Issho's manner of questioning made Rayleigh slightly suspicious.
"The Marines? That's actually a good option. I hear Marine Headquarters has recently begun recruiting. I was planning to give it a try. But this country feels quite comfortable, so I want to stay a little longer," Issho said slowly. There was too much darkness in the world; unable to bear seeing it, he had destroyed his own eyes.
Even without sight, he still had the sword in his hand to carry out his sense of justice. Now that the World Government was recruiting openly, if he could obtain a relatively important position, perhaps he could eliminate more evil and prevent more despicable people from harming the world.
"Comfortable? How so?" Rayleigh asked in confusion.
"I heard that not long ago, most of this country's people suffered oppression and torment, like a living hell. I encountered some refugees while traveling and heard about this country, so I came to see it myself. But by the time I arrived, I learned that the previous king had been overthrown, and a young girl now held power. I didn't expect her governance to be so orderly—truly a great talent in ruling a nation…"
"So that's how it is. This place does seem more vibrant than most countries. But with your experience, haven't you seen even better nations?" Rayleigh had only just arrived in the Andia Kingdom and hadn't looked too deeply into it, merely treating this as a stroll to stretch his old bones.
Luffy should be returning to the Sabaody Archipelago soon. Rayleigh still needed to make time to train him and his companions.
They were promising seedlings.
"To be honest, I've long been accustomed to filth and corruption. This country is still in its early stages, but its laws and people-first philosophy suit my tastes quite well," Issho said quietly, a bit ashamed.
"Then it's worth seeing more of," Rayleigh replied.
"Indeed. Let's gamble first."
So the two old gamblers began playing at the casino. They didn't cheat with Observation Haki—otherwise it would have been hard to lose. They valued fairness in gambling; that was what made it fun.
Half an hour later, both had lost everything, nearly even their clothes.
"Brother, it seems neither of us has much luck today," Issho and Rayleigh said as they walked out of the casino, looking slightly dejected.
"Hahaha… can't be helped. Looks like I'll have to swim back to the Sabaody Archipelago, then come back once I earn some money," Rayleigh laughed loudly. His luck really was bad today, and there weren't even any foolish pirates to earn some pocket change from. Truly an unlucky outing.
"I don't have that option. I'm a Devil Fruit user and can't go into the sea. And I don't know where would hire a blind man. After thinking it over, it seems I can only go become a Marine," Issho joked.
"The royal palace is recruiting a chief guard. Would you be interested?" Suddenly, a gentle voice came from not far away.
A group of about twenty people appeared. At the front was the graceful and dignified Xia, followed by Alice and many guards.
"You are?" Issho was surprised that someone had responded to him.
"It's the king—His Majesty the King! Why is she here?" Pedestrians on the roadside immediately cried out in surprise. Although the king often walked among the people to observe public sentiment, seeing her in person was still unexpected.
"So this is the newly appointed king of this country? She looks as young as the rumors say," Rayleigh thought, surprised. This girl was Crocodile's collaborator—or perhaps partner?
"The king? Greetings, Your Majesty," Issho said, slightly surprised but still offering a humble greeting. He was about to perform a half-bow—not as submission, but as courtesy.
"No need to bow. In our country, people greet each other only with hand gestures," Xia said. Such gestures had become popular in the Andia Kingdom, emphasizing equality—handshakes, salutes, and the like.
"My apologies," Issho froze for a moment, then said sincerely.
"Was it you who defeated the bandits in Xishuang Town and saved our citizens?" Xia asked Issho.
"That did happen. Is that why Your Majesty has come?" Issho replied calmly. From the start, he didn't believe it was a coincidence for a nation's ruler to appear here. Judging from her words, she had come specifically for him.
If so, then this king's love for her people was likely not just a slogan, which piqued Issho's interest.
"Yes. The Andia Kingdom has only just established its new system and much remains to be done. You are powerful and possess a strong sense of justice. I hope you can lend our country a hand," Xia explained her purpose.
"My ambitions lie elsewhere. A nation's safety is important, but there are even greater wrongs and chaos in this world that need correcting. Recently, the World Government has begun recruiting, and even the position of Marine Headquarters admiral may be attainable. I intend to give it a try. I appreciate Your Majesty's kindness," Issho said after a brief silence, making his stance clear.
"No way. A blind man wants to enlist, and his goal is Marine Headquarters admiral? Has he been drinking?" a passerby blurted out subconsciously.
If not for the king's presence, he might have openly mocked him. After all, a Marine Headquarters admiral was not an ordinary officer, but the highest combat power representing the Marines' prestige.
This worldwide recruitment claimed that as long as one was strong enough, any rank was possible, and exceptional promotion was no problem.
With the world growing increasingly chaotic, Marine Headquarters had no choice but to strengthen itself. Even the usually strict promotion system had been relaxed, leaving only one hard requirement: strength.
Xia looked at the blind man before her without any doubt. Her ability sensed something very pure and bright within him.
In this regard, he was very similar to her captain—both had a clear, luminous goal.
In other words, his words were simply stating facts, not deliberate exaggeration. This man was likely very strong; otherwise, how would he dare to compete for the admiral position?
"A friend once told me that what is right has no distinction of priority or scale. Just like family and nation—which is more important is actually hard to define. But if one can't even do what's right in front of them, then they can't do more. The foundation of a nation is its people. If the people can't live well, then no matter how powerful the country appears, it's nothing but empty strength. Your ambition lies in stabilizing the world, and I shouldn't force you. But if you can do what's before you, eliminate evil here, wouldn't it be easier to do more of the same in the future?" Xia suddenly said.
Issho fell silent. Xia's words were direct and unadorned, filled only with sincerity. And she truly meant them—no one could deceive his Observation Haki.
"Your Majesty's friend is a person of great wisdom. A nation founded upon its people is something I have long pondered, only arriving at a vague answer after traveling through many lands. Now it has become clear. However, in my view, Your Majesty's country is already quite good… Whether you have one more blind man or one fewer doesn't seem to make much difference," Issho said with emotion.
"The Andia Kingdom may look wonderful now, but as I said, everything is still just beginning. What we have now could easily be nothing more than an illusion. If you find it good, why not help me and contribute your strength? If you are willing, even the position of Protector of the Nation can be freely chosen by you."
"What?! Protector of the Nation?!" Those present, even Alice, felt that Xia was making far too much of this.
Protector of the Nation—taking Wano as an example, Kaido held such a position, possessing authority no less than the king's. Of course, in most countries, a true Protector of the Nation was still subordinate to the king, but their status and power were far beyond that of nobles.
"Ah… that really won't do," Issho said, deeply surprised. The girl looked young, yet she possessed such boldness and willingness to gamble—it truly astonished him.
Rayleigh was also surprised.
But at this moment, Xia was thinking of what Rosen had once told her: if she encountered someone worth recruiting, and her Devil Fruit ability detected no malicious intent on the spot, then as long as they were talent, she should recruit them at any cost.
In this era, talent was the most precious thing. And she believed that this blind man was a rare talent.
(End of chapter)
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