The Future Marine Admiral

Under Ain's lead.

Lin Yan arrived at a guest room.

The room had been arranged as temporary lodging for the blind man.

The moment he stepped inside.

Lin Yan saw a somewhat burly man seated before him. He was dressed like a wandering swordsman, his eyes closed, a cane resting beside him, and two scars running straight across his eyes!

If it had only been a suspicion before.

Then now.

That suspicion had been confirmed.

Lin Yan's heart skipped a beat.

The blind man before him.

Wasn't he the future Marine admiral...

Fujitora Issho!!!!!

During the two years after the Marineford War.

Akainu and Aokiji had fought a fierce battle on Punk Hazard for the position of admiral.

In the end.

Akainu ascended to the position of Fleet Admiral.

Unwilling to serve beneath Akainu, Aokiji regretfully left Marine Headquarters as well.

From then on.

Two Marine admiral positions had been left vacant.

And to make up for the losses from the Marineford War.

The Marines launched the World Military Draft.

Issho and Green Bull.

Had both been discovered by chance during the Marines' World Military Draft.

They were exceptionally promoted as Marine admirals.

Thanks to being called "monsters of overwhelming strength"!

Issho.

A Gravity Fruit user with a gentle personality and terrifying strength.

His swordsmanship had been honed to perfection.

More than hunting pirates, he cared about civilian safety. He hated injustice and was one of the few people who opposed the Seven Warlords of the Sea system.

During the Doflamingo Arc, when he saw Dressrosa trapped in dire straits.

Issho had even disregarded his status as a Marine admiral.

And publicly apologized to Dressrosa's king, asking only that they forgive the Marines and regain faith in the Marines who had failed to protect them.

It could be said.

He was an admiral with righteousness in his heart.

In terms of fame.

He ranked among the very best of the admirals.

However.

The current Issho.

Did not yet have the title "Fujitora."

The Marines had yet to begin the World Military Draft.

He was not a Marine soldier.

But simply a wandering ronin on the Grand Line.

"Are you Issho? I've heard so much about you!"

Lin Yan extended his hand and spoke with great enthusiasm.

Inside the room.

Issho visibly paused.

When he heard his name.

Spoken by Lin Yan.

He could not help asking in confusion, "You... how do you know my name?"

Beside them.

Ain was stunned for quite a while too.

Could it be...

That the captain knew this blind man?

After all.

Even her teacher Zephyr did not know where this blind man had come from!

"No, no, I only recently heard that there was a wandering ronin traveling the seas. I never expected to run into you here. What a pleasure!"

Lin Yan continued with a beaming smile.

"This..."

Facing Lin Yan's enthusiasm, Issho grew somewhat hesitant.

He had the feeling that the other man was setting a trap for him.

He had only begun wandering the seas a couple of days ago.

Where had Lin Yan heard of him?

Of course.

Lin Yan himself did not believe that nonsense about having long admired him.

Much less anyone else.

Out of basic courtesy, Lin Yan said directly, "Allow me to introduce myself. Lin Yan, commander of the Whitebeard Pirates' Seventeenth Division!"

"So you are the Seventeenth Division commander who became famous across the seas some time ago!"

Issho had already learned this from the others when he boarded the ship.

"I wouldn't dare call myself famous across the seas. There are still many powerful people in this world who have yet to be discovered! They may not be as well-known as I am, but they may not be weaker than me!"

Lin Yan shook his head.

"You truly are an interesting person, young friend!"

"What did you come to see me for?"

Issho asked.

Hearing that.

Lin Yan fell silent.

Actually.

Lin Yan's goal was simple.

He wanted to invite Issho aboard.

What a joke.

This was a future Marine admiral.

Most importantly.

He was still a free agent.

It would have been one thing if Lin Yan had not encountered him.

But now that he had.

How could Lin Yan possibly let him slip away?

If he allowed Issho to join the Marines and become his enemy in the future, wouldn't that be shooting himself in the foot?

Good things.

Could not be allowed to fall into outsiders' hands!

Besides, within the Seventeenth Division.

The only ones who seemed truly capable of fighting were Zephyr and himself.

Though the others were not weak, they were ultimately still a tier below the very strongest.

If he could successfully invite Issho to join.

Then their Seventeenth Division.

Would have two admiral-level figures besides Lin Yan!

How could Lin Yan not be excited?

However.

The invitation itself was not the problem.

The problem was.

He had only just met Issho.

If he immediately opened his mouth and invited the man to join his pirate crew.

There was no need to think about it.

Issho would definitely refuse him!

This matter.

Needed to be considered over the long term.

Fortunately, Lin Yan and the others would need some time to return to the Whitebeard Pirates.

He could take advantage of that opportunity.

To properly get closer to Issho!

A smile.

Gradually appeared on Lin Yan's face.

"It's nothing. I just came to check on you. Respecting the elderly and caring for the young, you know!"

"Get some good rest!"

With that.

Lin Yan left with Ain.

He had only invited Zephyr aboard the day before.

And today, he had run into Issho.

He thought of a famous scene, where someone raised one fist in one hand: I want them all!

Yes.

Former admiral Zephyr, future admiral Issho.

He wanted them all!

"Captain, do you know that man?"

As they walked away, Ain asked like a curious child.

"No."

How could Lin Yan possibly know Issho?

"Then why did you have such a..."

Ain hesitated before saying, "Sinister smile just now?"

After taking only a few steps.

Lin Yan stopped.

"A sinister smile? Was my smile really that obvious?"

Lin Yan stroked his chin.

"Mm... wasn't it?"

Ain tilted her head.

Lin Yan sighed.

Running into a future Marine admiral so suddenly.

Had made him fail to control his expression.

How embarrassing.

Over the next few days.

Lin Yan enthusiastically hosted Issho!

He showed concern for him.

And treated him to fine wine and delicious food.

At the same time.

Lin Yan noticed that Issho had a particular fondness for ramen.

So.

Lin Yan brought out all the wine and ramen and placed them before Issho!

"Seeing" this scene.

Even Issho was slightly moved.

He had merely hitched a ride.

Yet Lin Yan had treated him with such enthusiasm.

Having wandered for many years.

He had never been treated like this before.

He was immensely grateful to Lin Yan!