Why Not Become a Marine Admiral and Make a Name for Myself!

The sun had just risen, and the weather was fine.

Conrad cut off the blood-red hair from his neck and held it flat in his hand, watching the sea breeze catch the strands and send them flying.

The ends of the hair on his scalp had already grown in dark stubble. Once it grew another two or three centimeters, he would cut off all the red hair.

The ship was heading for Twin Snake Island, where Aokiji was.

At five in the morning, a call came through the Den Den Mushi. Aokiji had actually failed to rescue them.

Conrad was quite surprised when he heard the news. He hadn't expected a small West Blue Mafia to have someone strong enough to stop Aokiji.

Woo~!

Aokiji's warship was frozen to the shore, and the sea for hundreds of meters around the entire island of Twin Snake had become an "Ice Age."

The Marines had to stop their ships far offshore and make their way in across the ice. Marado, the adjutant from the 80th Branch waiting by the shore, stood beside the warship.

When Conrad and the others arrived, Marado first saluted, then led them onward while explaining what had happened.

Ice spikes were scattered everywhere along the way, and buildings had collapsed into rubble. They had clearly witnessed a terrifying battle, caught in the wake of inhuman power.

"The bodyguard watching the casino is blind—a purple-clad blind man with a Cane Sword in his hand."

Marado's expression was grave. "The blind man just sat at the casino entrance without moving. Prince, Drake, and the squad of Marines with them all collapsed to the ground, trembling. Then the Mafia dragged them into the casino."

"Later, Vice Admiral Aokiji arrived to help and fought that blind man fiercely, but still couldn't break through into the casino."

From Marado's description, Conrad raised an eyebrow and asked, "Did he hold his sword in a reverse grip and draw it only an inch?"

Marado paused, thought back for a moment, then nodded firmly. He'd been keeping watch from a rooftop with a pair of binoculars at the time.

Conrad understood. He already knew who the man was. No wonder he could hold off Aokiji.

Judging by his appearance and the description of his powers, there was no doubt about it: he was an admiral selected through the World Military Draft during Akainu's tenure as Fleet Admiral!

Issho, a Press-Press Fruit user, code-named Fujitora.

As they talked, the Marines had already reached Twin Snake Island's grand casino, the Marlon Family's main business.

By day, it looked stately and classical. At night, with all its lights turned on, it shone with golden splendor, enough to illuminate a third of the island.

But though dawn had already broken, its signs still flashed with light, looking jarringly out of place.

More jarring still, the buildings facing the casino were sculptures of ice, while those behind it had been shattered into icy rubble.

Aokiji breathed out cold air, his feet rooted to an ice sculpture as he looked down at the square-faced, close-cropped blind man in purple standing at the casino entrance.

The blind man kept his head lowered and his body hunched, looking ill at ease. Two hideous scars slanted down from either side of his forehead, cutting across his eyes and down his cheeks.

"Please leave, sir. I've been standing guard here all night. There's no point in continuing to fight."

Aokiji fell silent. He'd expected the Mafia might be difficult to deal with, but he'd never thought there'd be an opponent he couldn't defeat.

"Return my subordinates."

"That isn't part of my duty. I'm only responsible for guarding the casino. I don't concern myself with anything else."

The blind man kept his head lowered and gripped his sword in a reverse hold. "Please discuss it with the boss."

The atmosphere was oppressive. Clearly, they'd had this same conversation many times already.

A bespectacled old man with a red rose pinned to his suit sat in a fur-covered chair behind the casino's entrance, watching Aokiji coldly. His silver hair was combed to perfection.

A group of imposing, burly Mafia members stood guard on either side of the old man, making his identity clear to everyone.

The current head of the Marlon Family—Marlon Anthony!

"Vice Admiral Aokiji, our Marlon Family has been rooted in West Blue for sixty-three years. We've always worked diligently to run our businesses, boost the economy, and pay our taxes on time."

"If you count the other four great families, it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that at least a third of the kingdoms in West Blue can pay their Heavenly Tribute thanks to the support of our businesses!"

"Surely you know what the Heavenly Tribute means. You've come to tear down our business today... did you even ask Mary Geoise?"

Aokiji didn't answer. Whether he had or not, he simply breathed out a cloud of cold air and said, "If you have a problem with me, you can report me to Marine Headquarters or go to Mary Geoise. I don't care. Right now, I'm only asking you to return my subordinates."

As he finished speaking, a clear, ringing voice picked up where he left off.

"Otherwise, not one of you will leave this island alive!"

Conrad stepped out from the crowd and aimed his gun at Anthony from a distance. "Aokiji's second Demon-Slaying Army! Salute Vice Admiral Aokiji!"

Swish!

All forty-one men snapped to attention, stepped forward, and raised their hands in salute as one.

"Vice Admiral!"

Aokiji stared, tilting his head in confusion. What had happened to this squad in the short time since he'd last seen them?

Conrad stepped forward alone, walking into the space between the blind man and Aokiji. He turned left on the spot, then saluted Aokiji.

"Reporting, Vice Admiral! I've identified this unknown blind man. He's Issho, former captain of the Azure Kingdom's royal guard, and a major war criminal from the kingdom's fall!"

"While fleeing, he couldn't resist his gambling addiction and racked up a huge gambling debt. He was forced to work as a bodyguard here to pay it off."

Aokiji hadn't even ordered an investigation, but he still gave a thoughtful "Hmm," as if he had.

Conrad pivoted on his heel, turned around, pointed at Issho, and said, "Have you no shame?"

Issho lowered his head.

Conrad went on, scolding him. "Do you know who you're working for? A murderous gang! You're helping the wicked! Have you no respect for the country you lost, or for your sense of justice?"

Issho lowered his head further and said solemnly, "In life, one thing is one thing. They are Mafia, that much is true, but I incurred the gambling debt with my own hands, so I must acknowledge it."

"Well, Issho!" In full view of everyone, Conrad strode straight toward him, entirely undaunted by his strength.

"Sir, don't come any closer, or I'll have no choice but to draw my sword." Issho's ears twitched as he listened to the approaching footsteps.

The Marines all tensed. They knew Conrad had extraordinary abilities, but anyone who could go toe-to-toe with Aokiji was beyond human.

Conrad looked deeply disappointed. "Have you started twisting the truth and confusing right and wrong? They're probably cheating you."

The blind man couldn't see the numbers. Conrad remembered how, in the manga, Issho had clearly won, but his opponent at the casino had claimed he'd lost and cheated him out of his money.

"Issho has been cheated before, more than once. But I can't tell, so it doesn't count as cheating."

Issho spoke as though to himself. "Besides, there are countless liars in this world. What difference does it make if I'm cheated one more time or one less? I'm keeping my word."

Conrad shouted angrily, "Issho! You're a man meant for great things! Why not become a Marine Admiral and make a name for yourself, instead of hiding away here as a little bodyguard? Don't you owe it to all the skill you've worked so hard to cultivate?!"

"Debt must be repaid." Issho gritted his teeth and insisted, "Please go back, sir."

Conrad was right in front of him, yet Issho still hadn't drawn his sword. His calloused hand gripped the hilt until it turned purple.

"Ridiculous. You're only fooling yourself." Conrad shook his head with a sigh. "The money you owe! The Marines will pay it for you! From now on, the Marines are your creditors!"

Issho suddenly lifted his head, revealing two narrow strips of white between his scars.

At the casino entrance, Anthony laughed and crossed his legs. "Do you know how much he owes?"

"Just say it!" Conrad impatiently replied. "I'll pay whatever it takes to buy him out!"

"Two billion Beli!" Anthony rose from his chair and pointed at Conrad's nose with his cigar.

Conrad turned and pointed at Aokiji. "The Marines have plenty of money! Vice Admiral, make the call!"

He remembered that, in the original story, the World Government had paid a huge sum to buy Issho out.

"The Marines..." Aokiji's eyelids twitched. He shook his head and said, "We don't have it... and we're not going to pay that sum."

Kujaku pressed a hand to her forehead. No wonder the kid had suddenly gotten so generous—he'd actually expected the Marines to pay.

Issho sighed. "Please go back, sir."

Anthony and the gangsters burst out laughing, mercilessly mocking him.

But with a thousand fingers pointed at him, Conrad showed no fear at all, as though he'd expected this.

His gaze shifted toward the casino, and he strode forward.

"If the Marines won't pay, then I will! From now on, I'm your creditor! Come with me—let's get to the tables!"