Can't Afford to Play?

The casino's interior was even more luxurious than it appeared from the outside.

Smoking cigars and holding beautiful women seemed to be a common habit among most gamblers. The hall was loud, crowded, and thick with smoke.

Noah and the others all frowned slightly, then quickly made their way through.

After scanning the room, they soon spotted the two blind men who had entered earlier in a corner to the east.

"Over nine again? My apologies, but it seems I have won again."

The blind man in purple robes sat sideways to them, smiling gently. Around him stood a ring of gamblers with wide eyes, staring fixedly at the table with disbelief written all over their faces.

Paired with that rather endearing smile, an ordinary person would probably have taken him for nothing more than a pitiful middle-aged blind man who had unfortunately lost his sight.

But Noah had recognized his true identity the moment he saw him outside.

This man was none other than Issho, the Fujitora of the original timeline, who would become one of the Navy's three Admirals through the World Military Draft within two years after the Paramount War!

Of course.

The title Fujitora was much like Kizaru or Aokiji—a special codename he would only receive after becoming an Admiral.

For now, this blind swordsman only had one name: Issho.

Fujitora was a year older than Akainu and seven years older than Aokiji. This was seventeen years before the Paramount War...

Just how strong was this blind swordsman now?

Was there a chance Noah could bring him into the Navy's ranks ahead of time?

Noah crossed his legs and sat in an empty chair nearby, his eyes flickering as he quietly watched the slightly plump figure's back.

"We only came in a few minutes later, right?"