However, Will was completely unaware of these matters, and even if he had known, he probably wouldn't have cared much.
Seeing that the other party believed his words, he picked up his bowl, took a few more bites of noodles, and then asked curiously, "So, what's your next move?"
At those words, Issho paused briefly, then spoke in a deep, steady voice, "Before meeting you, sir, I wasn't entirely certain of my suspicions. I had planned to wait a couple more days, and if nothing happened in the kingdom, I intended to board a ship and leave this place. But now that I know the kingdom's citizens are being deceived and the king has been framed, I can no longer stand by and do nothing."
As he spoke, he turned to face Will, his tone earnest. "However, the mastermind behind it all, Crocodile, has already been dealt with by you, Mr. Will. I imagine his schemes will likely fall apart on their own as a result. So, if there's anything I can do to assist, please don't hesitate to ask."
Will's gaze flickered, but he didn't immediately give Issho any orders. After all, having defeated Crocodile, the remaining members of Baroque Works or the deceived rebels posed no real challenge to him. He could handle them anytime he wanted. There was no need to involve Issho in cleaning up the mess.
So, Will decided to shift the conversation. Suddenly, he asked, "Issho, you've traveled the seas far and wide, and you seem to pay close attention to the affairs of the Seven Warlords. Are you trying to change something?"
At this, Issho was momentarily taken aback. Then, as if something had stirred in his mind, he fell into a deep silence.
"Change…" he murmured after a pause, lifting his head slowly. His tone grew slightly more serious. "Indeed, as you suspect, sir. In the past, I witnessed many things—things so vile and filthy I wished I'd never seen them. That's why I chose to close my eyes to the world."
He paused, a faint, bitter smile crossing his face. "But that proved futile. Even as I drifted across the seas, my ears still picked up the sounds of those wretched things. They didn't vanish just because I refused to see them. They still exist in this world."
He continued, his voice tinged with resolve. "So, lately, I've been thinking I can no longer keep running away. I need to find a way to change things—to rid the world of that filth."
Will listened quietly, then picked up another bowl of soba noodles from the side and pressed further, "So, have you come up with any ideas?"
Issho pondered for a moment before answering slowly, "For now, I've only thought of one approach: to gain as much authority as possible. Only then can I influence more people and take charge of more matters."
This idea stemmed entirely from his own past experiences. He believed that to truly accomplish anything significant, one needed a position of authority to back it up.
Hearing this, Will decided to cut to the chase. "So, are you planning to join the World Government directly? Or perhaps become a Marine?"
"Well…" Issho hesitated, then said thoughtfully, "I haven't made a final decision yet. But the World Government and the Marines do hold significant authority, and I have considered joining them."
Will wasn't particularly surprised by this response. After all, in the aftermath of the Summit War, Issho had indeed joined the Marines through the World Draft and eventually rose to the rank of Admiral, wielding immense power and status.
But since fate had brought them together here, Will wasn't about to let such a talent slip away. His crew needed someone like Issho.
Without a moment's hesitation, Will spoke with genuine sincerity, "Issho, there's no future in being a Marine. Why not join my crew instead?"
"Hm?!" Issho was clearly stunned by the offer, his normally closed eyes even cracking open slightly. He hadn't expected Will to suddenly invite him to join. "You mean… become a pirate?"
"No, no, no," Will quickly waved his hands, correcting him. "What pirate? I'm just an ordinary adventurer, not some pirate. Don't get it twisted. That 'pirate' label is just something the World Government and Marines slapped on me."
Issho's expression turned thoughtful as he began to grasp Will's intent. "So, you're saying you want me to join you as an adventurer?"
"Exactly," Will nodded, his tone earnest as he pressed his case. "Think about it, Issho. You've been traveling the seas with merchant ships, so what's the difference between following them and joining me? As for becoming a Marine, you must know deep down that their authority is limited. The World Government and the Celestial Dragons are always looming above them. Sure, joining the Marines might give you some power, but it'll also shackle you with restrictions. Do you really want to end up guarding those filthy Celestial Dragons one day?"
Issho fell into deep thought, his face betraying a hint of resignation as he smiled faintly. "But, Mr. Will, if I'm to change anything, I need enough authority to do so."
"You're mistaken, Issho," Will said, shaking his head with a grin. "There's another kind of power that can help you just as much: influence."
Issho's brow furrowed slightly, and he muttered, "Influence…"
"Exactly," Will said, seizing the moment to elaborate. "Take the Pirate King, Roger, for example. He had incredible influence. With just a few words on the execution platform, he changed the lives and destinies of countless people across the world. If we can build that kind of influence, it'll help you achieve the changes you want to see."
Issho nodded slowly, understanding dawning on him. But then a new concern surfaced. "You're right, sir. With enough influence, I could indeed accomplish some of my goals. But with the influence you and I currently have, it's nowhere near enough to change anything."
Will couldn't help but chuckle at Issho's shifting perspective. With a confident grin, he declared, "You say our influence isn't enough? Isn't it simple? I'll just become the strongest in the world!"
"The strongest in the world?!" Issho's heart jolted at the bold proclamation, his shock evident as his closed eyes parted slightly once more.
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