Issho froze at Ezra's question. It caught him completely off guard.
"Admiral Ember, why would you want me to join the Navy?"
Ezra smiled. "Although this is the first time we've met, my instincts tell me you have a strong sense of justice. You care deeply for the safety of the people and cannot tolerate wrongdoing."
Issho was utterly stunned. First impression, and he already knew all that? Was this a joke?
As for joining the Navy, the thought had crossed Issho's mind, but he wasn't sure his personality fit with it. He hesitated for a moment. "Uh… Admiral Ember, please allow me some time to think about it."
Ezra didn't press the matter further. It was enough to plant the idea.
"Of course, take your time, Issho. But… if you don't mind, would you like to come with me on this mission?"
Issho blinked in surprise. Admiral Ember really didn't play by the rules.
"Uh… well, alright then. I'll leave it to you, Admiral Ember."
Ezra waved his hand. "No trouble at all. Let's go."
The two of them chatted casually for a while. Issho then tapped his head, suddenly remembering something.
"Admiral Ember, I almost forgot to tell you where the pirate is."
He pointed in a direction. "If I remember correctly, that pirate left in this direction."
Ezra raised an eyebrow and waved his hand. Rossinandi appeared at his side.
"Admiral Ember, what should I do?"
"Scout the islands in that direction. Combine it with the time Edward Weibel left, and estimate his current location."
Rossinandi nodded briskly. "Understood, Admiral Ember!"
He took off at high speed, leaving Ezra and Issho by the sea.
The night passed quickly, and the two men had grown closer. Issho's gentle and straightforward personality blended easily with Ezra's relaxed, open manner. Their friendship strengthened naturally.
"Admiral Ember, you really are an interesting person," Issho said.
Ezra laughed heartily. "Issho, you've probably charmed more than a few girls, haven't you?"
"How could that be? I'm a swordsman."
"Oh? And what does that have to do with anything?" Ezra smirked. His teasing never failed to amuse and irritate Issho.
Just then, Rossinandi came running up. "Admiral Ember, the results are in!"
"Go ahead," Ezra said.
Rossinandi spread a map on the ground and pointed to an island. "According to our calculations, that pirate is on this island."
Ezra and Issho followed his finger.
"Klaikana Island," Ezra murmured. He wasn't very familiar with this place.
Rossinandi continued, "This island once belonged to the Kingdom of Seikeal, but now it's just ruins a deserted island."
Ezra nodded slightly. Edward Weibel certainly knows how to pick a place to hide.
"Since we have the location, let's move quickly, Admiral Ember!" Issho said, eager to act.
Ezra nodded and turned to Rossinandi. "Prepare the ship. We're going to take down this pirate."
"Yes, Admiral Ember!" Rossinandi ran off excitedly toward the vessel.
Ezra stretched and looked at Issho. "Shall we go?"
"Of course, I'll follow you, Admiral Ember."
"You really are something," Ezra muttered, shaking his head. Together, they made their way to the harbor.
Even though Issho had already glimpsed the ship yesterday, seeing it again was still awe-inspiring.
"All right, enough admiration. Let's get moving."
They boarded the ship, setting course for Klaikana Island.
Meanwhile, on the island, Miss Bakin and Edward Weibel were sitting among the ruins, devouring roasted meat.
"Mom, this is so delicious!" Edward exclaimed.
Miss Bakin's face was smeared with grease. "Weibel, once we finish this, we're out of food. We only have one day here. Tomorrow, we leave."
"I know, Mom."
Little did they know, they would never leave this island alive. Ezra had ordered the ship to push its engines to full power. By that afternoon, they reached Klaikana Island.
"Admiral Ember, I've located the two pirates," Issho reported, his sharp Observation Haki confirming their positions across the island.
Ezra's instincts confirmed it two people were indeed there.
"Rossinandi, leave someone to guard the ship. Let's move," Ezra said.
"Yes, Admiral Ember."
Ezra led Issho, Rossinandi, and several Navy officers across the island. Soon, two figures came into view.
"First meeting, Edward Weibel," Ezra called.
Bakin and Weibel froze, looking up in shock.
"You… Admiral Ember! Impossible! How did you find us?" Miss Bakin screamed.
"Miss Bakin, is it really that surprising? We are the Navy," Ezra said, raising an eyebrow.
"Mom, is he strong?" Weibel asked, craning his neck.
"My dear Weibel, if you defeat him, your name will echo across the seas!" Miss Bakin said confidently.
"Then I'll defeat him for sure!" Weibel shouted, grabbing his massive sword.
Miss Bakin's gaze shifted to Ezra. "Admiral Ember, today Weibel will kill you! Kill all of you!"
Weibel charged at Ezra and his group. Ezra was ready to strike when Issho spoke.
"Admiral Ember, may I handle him?"
Ezra raised an eyebrow. "Oh? Interested in him, are you?"
Issho, leaning on his cane, walked forward. "I just want to avenge Bruce and the others."