Fujitora also received the news from inside the Colosseum and learned about what had happened between the Four Emperors Vic and Blackbeard. There was nothing he could do; the area had already been surrounded by the Marines. It was impossible for everyone in the arena to have escaped; the Marines would be too useless!
Vic didn't erase those people's memories, so the Navy easily obtained Vic's intelligence. Considering Vic's relationship with Straw Hat Luffy, Fujitora immediately abandoned the Straw Hat Boy's side after sensing the powerful aura.
Fujitora didn't want to do anything to Straw Hat Boy in the first place, but now that Vic was there, he had even more of an excuse. So, before Vic could finish speaking, he summoned a meteor to make a big commotion and attract Sengoku and Tsuru to testify for him. It wasn't that he didn't want to kill Straw Hat Boy, but that he was too busy with a formidable enemy to spare!
So don't be fooled by Fujitora's blindness; he's as sharp-witted as a mirror, and he hasn't lived in vain at all.
In just a short while, the Straw Hat Pirates had boarded the ship and headed towards Zou. They had also witnessed the terrifying scene from before and guessed that it was Vic who had come here. After all, Devil Fruit abilities cannot be faked, so they were grateful and seized the opportunity to run away in a flash, while the others and the Marines were still in shock and confusion.
"This must be Fujitora, one of the new Marine Admiral. He's truly powerful. I saw you kneeling down to apologize to King Riku on behalf of the World Government. You were a real man, and I admire you greatly! If the Marines had more admirals like you, I think their situation would be very different, Mr. Sengoku! Ms. Tsuru! Don't you agree?"
Knowing that a fight wouldn't break out once their identities were revealed, Vic didn't mind chatting a bit more. After all, he was now one of the Four Emperors, and without the World Government's permission, even Fleet Admiral Akainu's orders were useless. Besides, he knew these people in front of him well; none of them would be willing to die for the World Government.
"I simply made what I believe to be the right choice, and I have a clear conscience. Your experiences, however, are truly remarkable; they could easily fill a fascinating biography!"
Fujitora wasn't completely unaware of Vic's past. Vic was quite famous now, being the youngest of the Four Emperors, and many people wanted to know about his past. It wasn't a big secret that Vic had left the Navy; he was quite famous back then. Fujitora had lived through that period, and he wasn't from a generation that the Navy couldn't influence!
Some people have summarized Vic's life experiences, though it can't be all of them. Vic's whereabouts are sometimes very secretive, which is understandable given his Logia Rumble-Rumble Fruit. However, even what we know about his experiences is already quite fascinating.
Fujitora greatly admired what Vic had done during his time in the Navy; they had long admired each other. Fujitora wanted to befriend such a person, but their current opposing positions made things awkward, and he couldn't be too enthusiastic.
Vic also greatly admires Fujitora's character and values, which is a major reason why he never considered doing anything to Fujitora. There was simply no need for it, as Fujitora might be the first Marine to take up arms against the World Government in the future. So, the two of them developed a mutual respect without knowing each other's thoughts!
"Oh my! Mr. Sengoku, what's that smell like on you? It smells wonderful! What were you eating that was delicious? Can you share it with me? I'm really hungry."
Seeing that the topic was getting serious, Aokiji, who hadn't spoken until now, patted his belly and said to Sengoku, "We're still under the watchful eyes of many civilians, so it's not good to keep talking. And since Vic is interested in Fujitora's meteorite, let's find a place where we can talk properly without anyone else around."
"Mmm! This buckwheat noodle soup is good, I'll have another bowl!"
The group found a quiet spot to eat noodles. The chef was the same one from the Sengoku period warship, now semi-retired, finding a bit of amusement for himself. He didn't even know how long he would live, so why couldn't he enjoy himself?
So he specially assigned a skilled chef to his warship. Just as Aokiji finished his fifth bowl and opened his mouth to eat, a marine naturally brought it to him. Aokiji still enjoys a high reputation in the navy.
"Laugh! I'm not joking. I really do want a meteorite from space, but not just any meteorite will do. If you don't help me, then I'll have to go myself!"
Vic held an empty bowl in his hand. He had finished the noodles and soup. The taste was just passable, at least in his opinion. But since it had been brought to him, he didn't waste it, though he didn't ask for any more.
While eating noodles, Vic chatted with Fujitora for a while, and the two became acquainted. Vic then made his request again. This matter was simple for Fujitora and not difficult for him, but it was very troublesome, as at least one spaceship needed to be built.
If Fujitora really doesn't agree, then Vic will consider going to space. However, Cast Blue Gold isn't really necessary. The Supreme Great Grade Sword can be made from other metals and won't affect Rebecca's combat power. He just wants to give it to her as a gift.
"May I ask what kind of meteorite you desire, and what it will be used for?"
He already had a good impression of Vic, and now he found that his seniors Sengoku and Tsuru also treated Vic very well. This speaks volumes. These two were high-ranking officers in the Navy. It's extremely rare for them to see the top pirates without shouting for battle and instead sit together and eat without any suspicion!
So Fujitora is still willing to help Vic, but he wants to be responsible for his actions and wants to know what Vic intends to do with the meteorite. If it's for bad purposes, then he definitely can't agree to it.
"I need a rare metal that doesn't exist on this planet, only in space, mostly in the form of meteorites. So when I saw that you can summon meteorites, I wanted to ask for your help!"
"You want to use that metal to forge the knife, right?"
"Huh? How did you know?"
Vic was somewhat surprised; he hadn't expected Fujitora to guess his purpose. Who would have connected it to sword forging?
Others might not be able to make that connection, but Fujitora, who frequently summons meteorites, certainly knows what's inside them. Add to that Vic's identity as another swordsmith, and it's not hard to guess.
The sword at Vic's waist was a genuine Famous Sword, as reported in the newspapers long ago. At that time, Vic was still a rising star in the Navy, and his identity as a swordsmith was naturally publicized. Of course, there was also an even more important reason.
"The Supreme Great Grade Sword in my hand— Gambler's Fireline —was forged from materials taken from a summoned meteorite and crafted by Master Fugetsu Kisaburo of Wano Country! Alas! Master Fugetsu Kisaburo has been gone for many years!"
"I see! I didn't know you also had a Supreme Great Grade Sword. It's a pity that there are fewer and fewer masters who can forge Supreme Great Grade Sword Supreme Great Grade Sword, and there aren't many materials left to use for forging them either. They're probably still floating in space!"
Vic was unaware that Fujitora had such a past, and even the Cane Sword in his hand was Supreme Great Grade Sword. Indeed, one cannot judge a sword by its appearance. This was something Vic didn't know before his transmigration in his previous life.
However, this makes perfect sense. A meteorite enthusiast would naturally need rare metals. As long as he could find a master swordsmith, a Supreme Great Grade Sword would be a piece of cake. His ability to experiment was too strong; meteorites in space were at his mercy.
"You want me to summon a meteorite containing special metals? That's fine. But if you want to use it to forge a sword, then I must be careful. Is it forging your own sword?"
"No! I've already forged two Supreme Great Grade Sword, they're for other people to use!"
"That won't do! I can't help anyone else except for your sword!"
Fujitora acknowledges Vic as a person, knowing that although Vic is now a pirate, his actions are more righteous than those of the Marines!
Especially after Vic took over Whitebeard's territory two years ago and became one of the Four Emperors, the lives of the common people in those territories underwent a qualitative change. That was the world he longed for!
So if Vic needed forging materials for his sword, he would summon ten or eight meteorites without hesitation. The fact that he summoned one as soon as they met was enough to show his sincerity.