One Piece: Investing In Whitebeard At The Start.

Among the Marines, Issho's sense of justice stood apart. If compared with the previous Fleet Admiral Sengoku, there was no doubt in Issho's mind—his own principles felt purer.

Fujitora stood with the common people, the ruled majority. Even if that meant resisting the Navy or the World Government, he acted only according to what he believed was right. In truth, his sense of right rarely failed to align with true justice, though it often conflicted with the interests of those in power. Sengoku's justice, on the other hand, was not so untainted—yet as Fleet Admiral, he had burdens that left him unable to decide everything alone.

In the Navy, men like Fujitora and Admiral Z also represented the backbone of true justice. But at present, Fujitora was not yet a Marine. Soon, however, the Navy would launch a global recruitment.

The reason? Rhett Vane.

Vane's chaotic arrival had plunged the world into disorder, shattering the fragile balance that had existed. His rampage in the Holy Land of Mariejois over a month ago—alongside Kaido—made the World Government suspect he had allied himself with the Emperor of the Beasts.

With the Great Pirate Era spiraling further out of control, the World Government intended to accelerate their recruitment. In their eyes, the rise of Rhett Vane marked an era gone mad.

For a man like Fujitora, a righteous fighter with monstrous strength, a high-ranking position in the Navy was inevitable. True justice could not be enforced by the ordinary seaman—it required influence, rank, and a voice that carried weight at Marine Headquarters.

But that was a story for later.

At this moment, Fujitora's attention was locked on Vane. They were about fifteen meters apart inside a bustling restaurant. Fujitora, blind as always, faced away from him.

He had long since closed his eyes to the filth of the world, choosing instead to perceive it through his other senses—his hearing, the feeling of presence, and his keen Observation Haki.

From long ago, Fujitora had found the world unbearable. Evil had flourished, corruption spread like disease, and injustice festered everywhere. There were too many sights he no longer wished to witness.

He ate slowly, his quiet demeanor blending in among the hundred or so diners present. Many guests still eyed Vane warily, but as the minutes passed without incident, some of their fear began to fade.

Fujitora, however, remained focused on him.

He had followed Vane's trail for some time—ever since Vane first killed a Celestial Dragon. In Fujitora's memory, few dared such a thing. Some had kidnapped them before, long ago, but killing one? That was unheard of.

Yet Vane had done more than that. Within the past month, he had killed several Celestial Dragons, freed thousands of their slaves, and even aided the Revolutionary Army in taking in nearly eight thousand of them. By Fujitora's measure, most of the Holy Land's slaves were now free.

For a Yonko, such an act was unnecessary—he had no need to risk himself for them. But Vane had done it regardless.

Fujitora never judged good and evil by a man's title. Among pirates, there were adventurers who dreamed of freedom without committing atrocities, just as among the Navy there were those corrupted by power, bending knee to the Celestial Dragons while oppressing the weak below them.

He pondered again. Was Rhett Vane a villain, or something else entirely?

There was no absolute justice, no pure evil—only a shifting balance between the two.

As Fujitora sat lost in thought, Vane's gaze swept the room. He noted that most eyes were on him, but also that Fujitora's attention lingered. Blind or not, the man's awareness was unmistakable.

"Interesting," Vane thought, letting the moment pass.

Half an hour later, Vane finished his meal, paid in Berries, and stepped outside. Naturally, Fujitora followed.

Ten minutes later, at a quiet street corner, Vane stopped and turned. "Issho, why are you following me?" he asked, a faint smile curling his lips.

"So, I've been found out," the blind man replied calmly. "I suppose there's no need to hide it any longer."

"Are you truly the Pirate Emperor?" Fujitora asked.

Vane studied him. "You're not even in the Navy yet. Planning to stop me so they notice you?"

Fujitora shook his head. "No. I don't think you're a bad person… but there's much I still don't understand."

Vane's smile sharpened. "What's the point of telling a pirate he's not a bad person?"

"I want to know your opinion on the rule of the Celestial Dragons," Fujitora said.

"No opinion," Vane replied flatly—though in truth, he intended to erase their entire lineage.

"What about you?"

"They're steeped in sin," Fujitora answered without hesitation.

"And if you become a Marine, and they discover your opinion?"

"I would say it to their faces," Fujitora declared firmly.

Vane chuckled. "Then I wish you luck in becoming an Admiral. Those who change the world are always the ones with real power."

Then his expression shifted. His hands formed seals, chakra flaring violently within him, his eyes turning into the Rinnegan.

Fujitora felt the pressure instantly. The sheer force rolling off Vane was terrifying—but there was no malice in it.

"I want to test you," Vane said. "When we stand on opposite sides in the future, I want you to know my power."

"Shinra Tensei!"

The sky over Dressrosa darkened in an instant.

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