Watching the middle-aged man grip his katana like a cane, the man wearing a Sheep-Headed Mask chuckled and shrugged.
"Ah, how unfortunate. I was just asking for directions. There's no need to be so tense."
There was a subtle undertone to his words, and the glint in his eyes beneath the mask revealed his recognition.
It was clear that he knew exactly who the man was.
That distinctive appearance, that unmistakable ability... And now, the voice of the Devil Fruit Encyclopedia echoed in his mind:
['Devil Fruit user "Issho" detected.']
[Devil Fruit confirmed as 'Paramecia-type: Gravity-Gravity Fruit'. Analysing and storing to the Devil Fruit Encyclopedia.']
[Devil Fruit ability: Gravity Manipulation]
[Tiered effects:
[LV3: Gain full Devil Fruit effects. You can control the strength and direction of gravity in your vicinity, causing objects to either accelerate downward or float weightlessly. The amount of energy used varies depending on the scale of the manipulation. Unlocking this tier requires 1.9 billion Beli.]
[LV4: Achieve a high level of Devil Fruit mastery. Infuse gravity into weapons or objects to enhance their offensive capabilities. You can also control gravity to generate attraction and repulsion, countering various attacks and adapting to diverse situations. Unlocking this level requires 3.8 billion Beli.]
[LV5: Devil Fruit Awakening: Gravity Domain. Significantly amplifies environmental manipulation. You can swap gravity within a designated area, drawing down Aerolites from the sky or creating bottomless chasms. Unlocking this ability requires 12.7 billion Beli Eternal.]
[Analysis progress: 0%]
The opponent had consumed one of the Paramecia Fruits with arguably the highest theoretical potential of all the Devil Fruits: the Gravity-Gravity Fruit.
Moreover, the blade he wielded was one of the twelve strongest swords in the land, a Saijō Ō Wazamono: Yakuza Kasen (Raging Tiger).
He was the future Marine Admiral, 'Fujitora' Issho.
"This won't do," Issho said in a firm voice.
But at that moment, the future Marine Admiral clearly didn't trust him. "This old man doesn't treat guests rudely, and I don't usually meddle in others' affairs. But..."
His voice sharpened. "That mask on your head has been causing quite a stir across the sea lately."
As he spoke, his grip on the sword tightened visibly.
"You're a member of 'The Twelve Zodiac,' aren't you?"
"Ah, yes, that's right." The Sheep-Headed Mask didn't deny it.
He simply brushed the dust off his white robe. "The Leader values me, so I reluctantly serve as one of the highest officers of the Twelve Zodiacs."
Even through his mask, his voice remained gentle.
"I am the one with the code name "Hitsuji"."
"Then I was right." Issho's voice grew more solemn. "Recently, you caused quite a stir at the Sabaody Archipelago by kidnapping a World Noble and breaching the Red Line, all as part of a powerful criminal organization. I cannot simply ignore the presence of someone like you on this island."
'Well, that's hardly surprising.'
Although the Twelve Zodiacs weren't pirates, the World Government and the World Economy Newspaper naturally portrayed them in a negative light. at the very least, they can't escape being labeled as a 'criminal organization.'
"I swore to protect the people of this island until my last breath," The old man declared.
As he spoke, he suddenly swung his sword at the young woman beside him.
In the next instant, a repelling force suddenly hurled her a distance away with enough restraint to ensure a safe, injury-free landing.
At the same time, the bag that Issho had slung over his left shoulder flew into her hands, spilling its contents... food, water, and medicine... onto the ground.
His intention was clear: if battle were to erupt, he wanted the young woman far from the conflict.
"This is rather puzzling," Hitsuji murmured, shaking his head as he observed the scene.
"If my information is correct and my eyes aren't deceiving me, your current position seems rather peculiar, sir."
As he spoke, Hitsuji gestured towards the Adi Kingdom guard army uniform and emblem worn by Issho.
"The emblem you're wearing isn't from the Adi Kingdom Guard army, is it?" He spoke softly, his meaning clear.
The Adi Kingdom was the source of this island's tragedy and an accomplice to the Celestial Dragons. Wearing the Adi Kingdom guard army uniform, Issho's identity was self-evident, but his current stance was undeniably strange.
Naturally, although he posed the question, Hitsuji already had some suspicions.
'…'
After hearing Hitsuji's pointed remark, Issho remained silent for a moment before replying, "This uniform isn't my choice. I took this position only out of gratitude. Once I've repaid my debt and have no further obligations, I'll tear it off. But protecting the people of this island remains my sincere desire."
As he spoke, his Haki surged around him.
"Therefore, I must ask you to leave."
But at that very moment...
"Wait, Uncle Issho!"
The young woman in the distance finally spoke.
Hitsuji, standing beside her, looked visibly surprised. Not only was she physically disabled, but her voice was also extremely hoarse, as if her vocal cords had been torn. Even speaking seemed to require tremendous effort.
Yet now, she struggled to her feet, leaning heavily on her wooden cane. "Did you say he kidnapped a Celestial Dragon?" She asked, anticipation evident in her voice.
Without waiting for Issho to reply, she turned to Hitsuji. "You mentioned earlier that you were looking for someone named Cori?"
"That's right." Hitsuji nodded. "In fact, the incident my colleague caused is directly related to Miss Cori. The Celestial Dragon he took, 'Saint Ambokam', was a key witness."
At this point, he raised a hand and waved it dismissively. "By the way," he continued, "Calling it 'kidnapping' isn't exactly accurate. We just wanted to get some information out of him. We didn't ask for any ransom or anything like that."
Upon hearing the name Saint Ambokam, the young woman's expression turned frantic instantly. Her entire body trembled involuntarily, and her face, even her single eye, flushed crimson. "Saint Ambokam," she hissed through gritted teeth. "What happened to him?"
"He's dead... or rather, he's 'scattered to the winds,' to be precise."
Seeing her reaction, Hitsuji immediately realized the truth. "Looks like my luck isn't bad after all. You must be Miss Cori, right?"
Hearing this, Issho, who had been preparing to fight, stopped moving, especially after hearing the Celestial Dragon's name and news of his death. The future Marine Admiral's expression grew solemn, a strange mix of satisfaction and respect flickering across his face.
"...I... I am," Cori stammered, stunned by Hitsuji's question.
She nodded slightly.
For the first time since arriving on Plague Island, the tension and anticipation were almost uncontrollable, betraying her usually stoic and unwavering face.
Yes.
Although she was isolated on Plague Island with virtually no access to outside information, Uncle Issho brought them weekly supplies, but naturally, newspapers or the like were never included... she had never even heard of 'The Twelve Zodiac.'
But she wasn't foolish. She understood one thing at least: this organisation must be unimaginably powerful.
For such an organization to go to the lengths of having her kill a Celestial Dragon and reportedly breach the Red Line for her sake, there must be a reason.
Cori barely dared to imagine what that reason might be, a possibility so wonderful and dreamlike that it seemed too good to be true.
Yet she couldn't stop herself from thinking about it.
A person who has been trapped in darkness for too long will cling desperately to even the faintest glimmer of light. Even if the light concealed scorching flames, they would chase after it heedlessly, regardless of the risk of burns.
Fortunately, the man before them, Hitsuji, did not bring burning fire but true light.
"Miss Cori," He said, his voice softening.
He reached into his coat and produced an object: a doll.
The doll was far from refined, bordering on shabby. One could barely discern that it depicted a pair of siblings, a boy and a girl, one taller than the other.
'..."
Upon seeing it, Cori felt her breath catch in her throat.
She would never forget it; it was a gift that her older brother had given her a long time ago.
"I made this myself, Cori."
In their small fishing village, Alan, a young boy, couldn't afford to give his younger sister a fancy doll.
"Wherever you go, it will stay by your side and protect you for me!"
"Really, Alan? If I get kidnapped by bad guys, will you come and save me too?"
"Of course! You're my little sister!"
"But what if the bad guys are really scary?"
"Then I'll become scary too. Even if I have to die a hundred times, I'll find you again."
All he could offer were promises and love. It was these promises and love that had enabled the girl named Cori to endure until this day. She couldn't take her doll with her, but she trusted her older brother completely.
And now, reality had proven that her faith was justified.
"Your older brother Alan asked me to bring you home."
As Hitsuji spoke, the girl before him burst into tears.
Amidst her sobs...
Click.
The blade in Issho's hand slowly slid back into its sheath.
He raised his head to gaze at the sky. Though he was blind, he knew that the sky above Plague Island was always bleak and gloomy.
But why did it feel so warm on his eyes today?
"What a beautiful day," He murmured.
(End Of This Chapter)
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