Chapter 81: Detached from the Team
After the war at Marineford, Issho would be chosen through the Worldwide Military Draft and rise all the way to Admiral under the codename Fujitora.
A monster.
A man of terrifying strength and unshakable character.
He believed in a gentle kind of justice. He would kneel before the people of Dressrosa and apologize for the Navy's failure. He would openly oppose Akainu without flinching. He was the sort of man whose mere existence carried weight.
The moment Tokikake called out his name, Axel turned to look as well.
What entered his eyes was a middle aged man with a calm face and a quiet bearing. He had black hair, a thick mustache shaped like the character for mountain, and tightly shut eyes. A large cross shaped scar ran across one eye and up over his forehead. He wore a purple kimono, a dark sash around his waist, and in one hand he carried a cane sword that tapped lightly against the ground as he felt his way forward.
Compared to the image Axel remembered, Issho looked younger here, though still very much a man in his prime. The scar over his eyes had long since healed, which meant he had blinded himself years ago.
That surprised Axel more than anything.
A middle aged man giving up his sight was no small matter.
And yet Issho had done it long before the future Axel knew.
Hearing Tokikake's voice, Issho smiled and slowly walked over, tapping the street with his cane as he came.
When he reached them, Tokikake asked at once, "What are you doing here?"
Issho smiled faintly.
"You know me. This is my hobby."
Tokikake immediately understood.
As Issho's friend, he knew very well that the man loved gambling. He wandered from sea to sea searching for casinos and gaming dens, as if the whole world were one great table waiting for him to sit down.
For Tokikake, however, this was perfect timing.
Issho was stronger than him. More importantly, he had an upright heart. If Axel stayed with Issho, there would be no need to worry. That meant Tokikake could go support Momousagi without hesitation.
"Issho, could you watch this kid for me for a while? I will be back soon."
He did not even wait for a proper answer. The moment the request left his mouth, Tokikake had already vanished.
Issho paused, then gave a helpless smile.
He did not refuse.
Instead, he turned his head slightly toward Axel. Though his eyes were closed, it felt as if he were looking straight at him.
The two exchanged brief introductions. Then Issho asked in an almost casual tone, "Do you know where the nearest casino is?"
Axel blinked.
For a moment, he did not know how to answer.
"I am new here too," he said honestly. "I do not know the area. But if you want to know, you can just ask someone on the street."
Issho's smile stiffened ever so slightly.
"I see."
Only then did Axel realize the problem.
This island was a lawless place. The people on these streets were not exactly kind souls, and from Issho's appearance, most of them would either ignore him or see him as easy prey. Even if he asked, few would answer honestly.
Before Axel could say anything else, the situation changed.
A group of rough looking men suddenly rushed out from the surrounding alleys and encircled the two of them. Their faces were fierce, their eyes greedy, and every one of them carried the air of someone used to living by violence.
The one in front licked his lips and grinned.
"We are pirates. Behave yourselves and maybe we will not hurt you."
They had been in the crowd earlier, hiding after the gunfire started. But now that the dangerous people were gone, they had quickly regained their courage. If they could not even deal with one child and one blind old man, then what kind of pirates were they?
One of them glanced at Issho and muttered, "Boss, that blind man is not worth much. You would have to feed him too."
The pirate captain thought about it for a moment, then nodded.
"Only tie up the brat. Blind man, get out of the way."
Issho's expression did not change.
"And if I refuse?"
The pirate captain's face darkened.
"Then do not blame us for being rude."
Just as he was about to give the order, one of his subordinates quickly leaned in and whispered something in his ear.
"Take the blind man too. What if he reports us? We do not know how he might send word. If we attract the Navy, or even Germa, we are finished."
The captain's expression changed.
That made sense.
The woman from earlier had spoken to Germa's people like an equal. She was clearly no ordinary Marine. If word got back to her, trouble would follow.
So he changed his order at once.
"Take both of them. Tie them up and bring them to the ship."
Axel could have resisted.
So could Issho.
Yet neither of them moved.
And just like that, the two of them were taken aboard a pirate ship and thrown into a room below deck.
After locking them inside, the pirates headed back above deck and started celebrating.
The captain was in a particularly good mood. He had done this kind of business before. With Axel's face and appearance, even at his age, some nobles would pay a ridiculous sum for him. If he sold the boy through the proper channels, he could easily get over a million Berries, perhaps even more.
As for the Marines from earlier coming back for revenge, he was not worried at all. Those people had already gone their separate ways. Even if they returned, how would they know who took the child?
Only Axel and Issho remained inside the cramped room.
The ship creaked softly around them. Above, faint laughter and the dull noise of drinking drifted down through the planks.
For a while, neither of them spoke.
Then Issho broke the silence.
"Are you afraid?"
Axel answered without hesitation.
"Yes."
It was the most natural answer a child could give.
Issho, however, smiled faintly.
"You are lying."
Axel clicked his tongue inwardly.
"A person's eyes and ears can deceive him, but not the feelings in his heart. There is not the slightest tension in your emotions."
That was the trouble with Observation Haki users like Issho. Reading people through sound, breath, and emotion was practically second nature to them.
Axel did not bother denying it further. Instead, he got straight to the point.
"Why did you let them capture you?"
With Issho's strength, those pirates should have been nothing. He could have crushed all of them in an instant. So why surrender?
Issho's face turned serious.
After a brief silence, he answered, "If they are pirates who kidnap children for sale, then there are likely other children on this ship. Or others who have suffered the same fate before. If I struck immediately, I might save one person and lose the rest."
Then he lowered his head slightly.
"I am sorry. My sense of justice dragged you into this."
"It is fine," Axel said. "I have a Den Den Mushi on me anyway."
He reached into his clothes.
Then his expression froze.
Nothing.
It was gone.
Somewhere in the chaos earlier, it had been taken from him.
That meant he and Tokikake and Momousagi were completely cut off.
For the first time since being brought here, Axel felt a genuine headache coming on.
He looked up at Issho.
"You have Tokikake's contact information, right?"
Issho smiled awkwardly.
"No."
.....
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