Tap, tap-tap...
The sound of the blind cane hitting the stone floor was crisp, especially in the quiet conference building of Marine Headquarters.
A blind, burly man wearing a Justice Cloak over a purple kimono was walking steadily, albeit slowly, towards a specific direction.
"Ah, it's Commodore Issho!"
"Good day, Commodore!"
Two passing Marine Captains recognized Issho by his distinctive appearance… this super expert recently recruited through the [World Military Draft] from some remote corner.
"Good day to you both-"
Issho stopped and turned his head slightly, greeting the two Captains with a smile.
The two Captains looked very respectful. Upon hearing Issho's response, their faces showed a flicker of excitement, seeming quite impressed by this blind man who had joined the Marines not long ago yet already held a higher rank than them.
This wasn't strange, really. Issho was humble but not weak-willed, firm in conviction yet also kind. Such a personality wasn't easy to dislike anywhere.
More importantly, this blind burly man's strength was visibly formidable.
Perhaps saying he had the ability to replace a future Admiral was still uncertain, as he hadn't fought the three Admirals… but ordinary Vice Admirals? Even four or five together might not be enough for him.
They remembered clearly…
Not long after Issho joined the Marines, a not-so-small 'spar' had broken out on the Marine training grounds.
It was Vice Admiral Onigumo from Akainu's faction. This hawkish Vice Admiral, who inherited Akainu's radical style, was not only ruthless and cruel towards pirates but also showed little mercy towards his fellow Marines.
During combat, he always prioritized killing the enemy, even if his attacks endangered his own subordinates.
It was precisely because of their completely different personalities that conflict seemed inevitable.
Those two Marine Captains had been witnesses.
They remembered the fight lasted only a few seconds from start to finish.
Issho merely drew his blade halfway, and Onigumo was pinned in place by intangible gravity, unable to move.
His proud swordsmanship, using Life Return to manipulate his hair, was useless against this technique.
Other hawkish Vice Admirals arrived later.
Perhaps because their faction's leader, Admiral Akainu, was recuperating during this period, they had become even more united than before.
Otherwise, their influence would weaken further.
No one knew exactly what was said between the two sides, but eventually, several other Vice Admirals also moved against Issho.
-Of course, the official statement was 'sparring'.
It was this battle that made Issho truly famous within the Marines, etching his figure into the minds of many Headquarters' officers.
Not only did he possess the gravity-controlling Devil Fruit's Ability, but Issho also had extremely high-level swordsmanship and masterful Observation Haki.
In the later stages of the fight, he even stopped using his Devil Fruit's Ability. Relying solely on the cane-sword hidden within his blind man's stick, he rendered several Vice Admirals incapable of fighting back.
Their every move was precisely captured by this blind Commodore.
In the end, they had to concede defeat wholeheartedly.
From the result, this was probably why Sengoku didn't intervene to stop it.
After all, in his mind, this specially recruited Issho was fully qualified to be a candidate for Admiral... or even an Admiral himself.
Unlike the two long-time Admiral candidates, Tokikake and Gion, Issho's strength was undeniable.
And the most basic requirement for an Admiral was strength.
Now, the only thing needed was a test of conviction.
-Namely, the upcoming war that was bound to erupt.
If Issho could demonstrate the attitude and conviction befitting a Marine during Ace's execution, then his 'title conferment' wouldn't be far off.
As everyone knew, every Admiral or Admiral candidate received a codename that replaced their real name.
This codename often became more widely known than their actual name.
Sengoku had even secretly thought of one for Issho.
'Seeing how much he liked purple, how about [Purple Tiger]... no, [Purple Tiger] doesn't sound good. [Fujitora] then.' (T/N: Fujitora means Wisteria Tiger
After greeting the two Captains, Issho continued towards Sengoku's office. But before long, his steps halted again.
"Aramaki, waiting for me here... is there something you need?"
Even though he couldn't see, the presence of a well-intentioned figure hiding conspicuously around the corner ahead was clear in Issho's perception, as if trying to surprise him.
"Ah… Issho, my friend, still can't get past your Observation Haki, huh."
Hearing his name being called, Aramaki emerged from the corner.
Unlike Issho, this green-haired, sunglasses-wearing guy wore his Justice Cloak directly over his bare upper body.
The Kanji for 'Shikawa Shinju' were tattooed from his chest to abdomen, hinting that this fellow, who became a Commodore alongside Issho, might not have such a peaceful personality. (T/N: Shikawa Shinju means double suicide at death river.)
And that was indeed the case.
This powerhouse, formerly a police officer from the South Blue's Taya Kingdom, was imprisoned by his own country precisely because he sought to carry out his [Determined Justice].
If not for Sengoku learning of Aramaki's deeds through other channels during this World Military Draft, he might still be languishing in a cell.
"Let's go. We're both attending the meeting called by Fleet Admiral Sengoku."
Issho nodded at Aramaki, then walked side-by-side with him.
"Issho, my friend, what do you think the Fleet Admiral wants to discuss? Could it be about promoting you to Admiral?"
"Please don't jest. I have only recently joined the Marines and have not achieved any merits. How could I be promoted?"
Faced with Aramaki's teasing, Issho's attitude remained somewhat serious.
"Moreover, Admiral Akainu is merely recuperating. The three Admiral positions are not vacant, so there is no place for me to fill."
"If anything, you, Aramaki, would be more suitable to become an Admiral."
Hearing this, a self-satisfied smile immediately appeared on Aramaki's face, though his words were modest.
"Nowhere near, nowhere near. You're much stronger than me, Issho."
"Hehe..."
"Why aren't you refuting that now, hey!"
It seemed the two Commodores had hit it off immediately. Despite knowing each other for only a short time, they were already like brothers who could banter freely.
"Joking aside, Issho, regarding the upcoming execution of Fire Fist Ace, and the reason for this special World Military Draft... I've heard a rumor..."
Just before reaching the Fleet Admiral's office, Aramaki suddenly spoke seriously to Issho.
"Oh?"
"Issho, have you heard of the [Great Criminal] Uzumaki Naruto? The one who caused a big stir on Sabaody Archipelago a while back."
Upon hearing 'Uzumaki Naruto' from Aramaki's mouth, Issho's fingers gripping the cane bent slightly, but his expression didn't change at all.
"Uzumaki Naruto... is it? I've heard he is a very powerful individual."
"Right, that Uzumaki Naruto. I heard Admiral Akainu's injuries were also inflicted by him."
"I'm only telling you this, don't tell anyone I said it."
Aramaki leaned in closer, speaking in a whisper.
"This execution of Fire Fist Ace... on the surface, it seems to demoralize the pirates, or use him as bait to lure out the Whitebeard Pirates he belongs to."
"But actually, I've heard our real target is that Great Criminal himself. It seems it's not just the Marines, even the World Government is making moves."
"Oh? There's such a thing..."
Issho nodded, looking like he was listening to gossip, though his brows furrowed slightly before relaxing again.