Issho did not bring many warships with him this time.
There were fewer than ten vessels in total.
One reason was mobility.
The other was because—
no matter how many warships the Marines dispatched, it would be impossible to completely wipe out the Beasts Pirates' forces in the North Blue.
After all—
the Beasts Pirates possessed the miraculous Door-Door technology invented by Luo Xing, allowing them to reinforce their troops anytime and anywhere.
Unless the Marines deployed their entire force—
sending additional fleets would be meaningless.
And the purpose of Fujitora's mission to the North Blue—
was not truly to launch a full-scale extermination campaign.
Rather—
it was to demonstrate the determination of the new Marine Headquarters under Sakazuki.
North Blue was on the verge of being fully conquered by Germa 66.
The Marines had to show a response.
If they did nothing at all—
the humiliation would be unbearable.
Standing upon the deck of the warship—
Fujitora already understood that this battle was not meant to become a desperate fight.
It was more of a probe.
A statement of intent.
But Fujitora himself also had his own goal.
He wanted to know—
whether the civilians living under the Beasts Pirates still suffered in misery…
or whether their lives had actually improved.
Every Marine Admiral possessed their own form of justice.
Akainu believed in Absolute Justice.
Borsalino followed Unclear Justice.
Kuzan upheld Lazy Justice.
And Fujitora—
represented justice from the perspective of ordinary civilians.
Although Fujitora had blinded himself—
the range of what he could perceive far surpassed normal people.
Because his Observation Haki ranked among the greatest in the world in both scope and breadth.
Even while still hundreds of meters away from shore—
his Haki instantly enveloped the entire island.
"So many fierce auras…"
"Like wild beasts…"
Fujitora first sensed the armies led by the Vinsmoke family and King.
The Germa clone army.
The Gifters army.
Then—
two particular presences stood out among them.
"One of them…"
"poses immense danger even to me."
"And the other…"
"I cannot even discern the depth of it."
Fujitora's expression gradually became solemn.
The first terrifying aura—
naturally belonged to King, whose power had surged after drinking the Super Divine Water.
The second—
the unfathomable one—
was, of course, Luo Xing.
"Just a single island…"
"already possesses two top-tier monsters."
"The Beasts Pirates truly are terrifying."
"No wonder they destroyed Impel Down…"
"occupied Sabaody…"
"and conquered the North Blue."
The Beasts Pirates' influence had already become increasingly overwhelming.
Even before joining the Marines—
Fujitora had heard many rumors about them.
As for Luo Xing—
the man whose fame now surpassed even the Four Emperors—
Fujitora had naturally heard plenty.
"If these eyes of mine were not blind…"
"I truly would like to see what kind of man…"
"could bring such enormous change to the world."
Fujitora silently muttered to himself.
Then—
his Observation Haki spread further.
Toward the civilians living behind the Beasts Pirates' forces.
Although Fujitora could not physically see—
he could sense their emotions.
Their sweat.
Their labor.
Their joy.
"Hm?"
A trace of surprise appeared on Fujitora's face.
The civilians…
were farming?
This…
A war was about to begin.
Yet the civilians were not afraid at all?
Fujitora was genuinely shocked.
He turned toward a Marine lookout and ordered:
"Observe the civilians carefully."
"Tell me what they are doing."
"Yes, sir!"
The Marine raised his telescope and stared toward the island.
A moment later—
his eyes widened dramatically.
His face filled with disbelief.
Fujitora sensed the emotional fluctuation instantly.
Which only confirmed his own suspicions.
The Marine swallowed nervously before speaking:
"The civilians…"
"They're farming…"
"They're planting crops…"
"The seeds they're using are completely different from normal seeds…"
"And beside them…"
"There are strange robots helping them cultivate the fields…"
Fujitora fell silent.
After a long while—
he sighed deeply.
"I heard…"
"that the royal family of this country used to be exceptionally cruel."
"And that the civilians suffered terribly."
One of the Vice Admirals nearby hesitated before replying:
"I… I believe that's true…"
"What do you mean 'believe'?!" Fujitora suddenly roared.
He slammed his cane heavily against the deck.
"The truth is exactly that!"
"In order to strengthen military power and pay Heavenly Tribute to the Celestial Dragons…"
"the royal family exploited the people to a degree even more savage than pirates!"
"But what were the Marines and the World Government doing?!"
"Because this kingdom was a government-affiliated nation…"
"we were forced to protect such rulers!"
Fujitora's sudden outburst startled the Vice Admiral badly.
Cold sweat dripped down his face.
He did not dare respond.
Fujitora slowly calmed himself and spoke again:
"In protecting the civilians of this nation…"
"our Marines were inferior even to the pirates of the Beasts Pirates."
The moment those words fell—
every Marine aboard the fleet changed expression.
The Vice Admiral hurriedly said:
"Admiral Fujitora!"
"We are Marines!"
"How can we acknowledge pirates?!"
"That… that's unacceptable!"
"How is it unacceptable?"
Fujitora replied coldly.
"The truth stands right before our eyes."
"The smiles on those civilians' faces…"
"are the best answer."
"Do you expect me to lie instead?"
The Vice Admiral instantly fell silent.
He could not refute those words.
After a long pause—
he cautiously asked:
"But…"
"Fleet Admiral Sakazuki sent us here to fight the Beasts Pirates."
"You're not saying…"
"that we won't fight anymore… right?"
Fujitora remained silent for several seconds.
Then he answered calmly:
"Since I accepted the position of Admiral…"
"I will naturally fulfill my responsibility."
"I will not retreat from this battle."
The Vice Admiral secretly sighed in relief.
What he feared most—
was Fujitora refusing to fight simply because the Beasts Pirates had improved civilian lives.
If that happened—
Fleet Admiral Sakazuki would erupt in fury.
Fujitora said nothing further.
When the fleet reached within one or two hundred meters of shore—
he finally issued another command.
"All of you remain aboard the ships."
"I alone will go ashore."
"What?!"
The surrounding Marines panicked.
"Admiral!"
"That's far too dangerous!"
Fujitora replied calmly:
"You can all see the enemy's numbers."
"If you land as well…"
"you will only face greater danger."
"Remain aboard the ships and provide artillery support."
The Marines had not dispatched many troops this time.
Compared to the Beasts Pirates—
their overall military strength was clearly inferior.
Even ordinary soldiers could see that fact.
Fujitora was a man who viewed justice from the perspective of common people.
He wanted to protect civilians.
But he also did not wish for the Marines under his command to die needlessly.
Thus—
he intended to test the strength of the Beasts Pirates personally.
Moreover—
his powers functioned far better without allies nearby.
Whoosh!
Fujitora leapt from the warship.
He landed upon the island alone.
Facing tens of thousands of enemy troops by himself.
Yet his expression remained perfectly calm.
Then—
holding his cane-sword—
the blind Admiral slowly introduced himself:
"Old man Fujitora…"
"also known as Issho…"
"is but a newly recruited Marine soldier."
"I have long heard…"
"that your Beasts Pirates are called the strongest Emperor crew."
"And now…"
"you even intend to challenge the World Government for supremacy over the seas."
"Since I have accepted the rank of Admiral…"
"today…"
"this old man shall shamelessly come and experience your strength firsthand."
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