"Guest, please do not cause trouble here."
As he walked slowly toward the Cifer, he sensed a dazzling energy body there, as bright as the sun.
The sheer terror of it made him unsure whether he could even contend with it.
"It's an older man! We're saved!"
The dealers and henchmen present were extremely excited, for the newcomer was their casino's protector!
During his lifetime, no matter how many troublemakers came or how strong they were, they could only obediently submit to his rule.
The casino owner, however, felt increasingly uneasy when he saw the slight upturn of Cifer's lips; he even began to suspect something.
As expected.
"The main character has arrived! We've come to find you."
Cifer spoke calmly, his tone carrying a hint of appreciation. Although he had guessed, the fact that it was indeed this guy was a pleasant surprise.
"Is that so? But I don't remember ever knowing such a powerful person as you, brother."
Throughout his life, he recalled that the person in front of him felt unfamiliar with his presence and had no recollection of his voice; he should not have known him.
"But I recognize you, former Qing Kingdom Security Officer!"
Just as Nolan was about to speak, Cifer blocked his mouth with his hand and spoke first, seemingly intending to provoke him.
"Security Officer? That's a title I miss!"
Yisheng's steps stopped in front of Cifer, and the words the other said caught him off guard and made him pause for a moment.
"You destroyed the Qing Kingdom, and I'm here to take your life on behalf of the Qing Kingdom's inhabitants!"
Cifer raised the Banlong in his hand and swung it towards a lifetime.
"I see. I do feel very guilty about what happened in the Qing Kingdom, but please forgive me for not wanting to leave this world for the time being."
The object that resembled a cane was actually a sword sheath. He swiftly drew the Supreme Grade Sword Gambler's Fireline from within to block the attack.
The clash between the two Supreme Grade Sword seemed to trigger a roar like a tiger and a cry like a dragon.
Throughout his life, he neither affirmed nor explicitly denied Cifer's words. The events in the Qing Kingdom were not his own wish, but the demise of the Qing Kingdom was indeed inextricably linked to him.
"Mr. Ulquiorra! Please stop right now, or the two of you will destroy the entire casino!"
The dealers and thugs were hiding to the side, waiting for the show to begin, while the manager, seeing that the two seemed to be locked in a stalemate, quickly ran out.
He knew his strength; whenever they got into a fight, the casino would always be in trouble, with pieces missing Ikkaku.
The other one was even more terrifying; the newspapers said he fought with the Admiral and destroyed half of the Sabaody Archipelago.
The person in charge of that area had heard of it; it was made up of dozens of interconnected islands, the very gateway to the navy!
"Consider the destruction of this half of the casino as the consequence of your daring to cheat me."
Cifer exerted his power, forcing the stalemate-bound Yisheng back a few steps, and then sheathed the Banlong.
Sensing Cifer's actions, the latter slowly pulled the Gambler's Fireline into his cane.
The dealer who had been cheating was now slumped on the ground, trembling all over.
"You, a former Security Officer of the Qing Kingdom, couldn't possibly have abandoned your people just to become a bodyguard at such a low-class casino, could you?"
Ignoring the embarrassed expression on the face of the casino manager next to him, Cifer asked directly.
"No comment!"
Being wary of him throughout one's life doesn't mean one will answer every question he asks, especially when it comes to the destruction of the Qing Kingdom.
"Then let me ask you, why is he here?"
"Also, I don't like hearing lies."
Cifer's gaze shifted to the trembling person in charge beside him. The latter had been somewhat hesitant, but after Cifer's second question, he had no choice but to answer truthfully.
More than six months ago, one night, Yisheng, blindfolded, came to this small island and to this casino.
At first, he was just like Cifer, invincible. Unfortunately, he got carried away and lost everything, accumulating a lot of debt.
The casino owner originally thought he was useless, being a blind old man, and wanted to get rid of him, but then he happened to run into some trouble.
In a few swift moves, he dealt with all the troublemakers, intending to use this as compensation for his financial losses.
Seeing this, the boss decided to let Yisheng join the casino as a bodyguard to pay off his debts, and would give him money to gamble a few times every week.
From then on, he joined the casino and became their protector. Anyone who caused trouble would be driven away by him.
Over time, he became the casino's trademark, and the casino, because of the security he provided, became the largest casino on the island.
"I see."
This is almost identical to Cifer's guess.
He already possessed exceptional Observation Haki, and after going blind, his hearing became even more acute, allowing him to dominate the casino.
But he's an honest man; even if he hears the correct answer, he'll accept it if everyone else says it's wrong.
Because we can't see it.
"I told you that the casino owners colluded to rig the game, and that you actually won every single time you gambled. Do you believe me?"
Cifer looked at Yisheng with great interest, wanting to know what the other person would say.
The casino manager was already drenched in sweat. He wanted to stand up and refute, but when he saw Cifer's emotionless eyes, he couldn't open his mouth.
"Whether I believe it or not is irrelevant. The outcome of a game that has already been played will not be changed by a single sentence now."
Does he believe in life? He does.
Rather, he already knew at the time, but no one stood up to tell him that the casino was cheating him.
How can he expose their scam?
He was blind; could he really say that what he heard wasn't true? Without any reason, he couldn't easily take action.
There's nothing wrong with staying in this casino. I like gambling anyway. Besides, what else can a sinner like me do?
How much money does he still owe you?
"Uh... quite a lot, because his bodyguards here don't remember some of the accounts very clearly..."
The words the person in charge feared most still came to pass. He had been wondering if the other party was after a lifetime of love, and now it seemed that was indeed the case.
He stammered and tried to find an excuse to brush it off.
"Simple! Bring your dealer up here. I want to keep gambling. I'll win back whatever amount he owes you, until you settle the score."
"By the way, my eyes aren't blind!"
Cifer pointed to his eyes, revealing a mocking smile. Nolan, standing beside him, remained silent throughout, only watching Yisheng with a furrowed brow.
"Brother, why should I help you pay off my debts? I don't recall ever saying I needed your help."
He slowly opened his mouth. He had heard a little about the other party's identity: Ulquiorra Cifer, who seemed to be a world-famous Great Pirate.
Although he felt lost about his life, he had no intention of owing a pirate a favor.
Back when he was still in the Qing Kingdom, he hated the pirates who frequently raided the coastal areas.
"I never said I would help you pay off your debt, did I? Casinos shouldn't refuse customers' requests to gamble!"