Boom—
A terrifying explosion instantly swept across the area, the powerful shockwave causing the already shattered ground to fracture further. Countless trees were snapped in half by the impact!
"Protective Barrier!"
Barto flashed in front of the group, a transparent green barrier materializing before them. The devastating shockwave that had obliterated everything in its path couldn't even make the barrier tremble.
Ace stared at the barrier in amazement. "Whoa! That's incredible! You can block something this powerful?"
"Hehaha, forget shockwaves—even that meteor earlier wouldn't have scratched my barrier!" Barto boasted proudly. "After all, I'm Caesar-sama's sturdiest shield!"
Rumble…
The aftershocks of the explosion spread, filling the battlefield with thick dust.
After a long while, as the dust settled, everyone finally got a clear view of the two figures at the center.
Issho now stood with tattered clothes, leaning on his sword as he knelt on one knee, though no visible injuries could be seen on him.
Caesar, on the other hand, appeared completely unharmed. With his energy absorption and elemental intangibility, impact-based attacks posed no threat to him.
"My apologies…" Caesar said regretfully. "I didn't expect this move to explode."
This technique was inspired by Planetary Devastation from the neighboring village—a miniature black hole with immense gravitational pull.
Of course, like himself, it wasn't a true black hole, merely a technique that mimicked its properties. The visual effect was similar to Planetary Devastation.
But because it adhered more closely to the principles of a black hole, any matter drawn into its force field would be crushed and compressed. Upon disruption, it would trigger a massive explosion. The destructive power was considerable—after this blast, the entire coastline had been reduced to a barren wasteland.
"No matter…" Issho exhaled deeply, slowly rising to his feet and sheathing his sword. "With such power, it's no wonder you harbor the ambition and courage to unify the seas."
"But such a grand undertaking cannot be achieved alone."
Caesar spoke solemnly. "I don't consider myself a villain, but I'm certainly no saint either. To be frank, more than your strength, I value your compassion and patience toward the weak—qualities I lack."
"Compassion? Patience?" Issho chuckled. "Hard to imagine such words coming from an ambitious man like you."
"Conquest requires violence, but governance demands benevolence. If strength alone were the deciding factor, my father-in-law is Kaidou. No one on these seas could withstand the combined might of the two of us."
Caesar shook his head slightly. "But what I seek is the unification of the four seas and lasting peace—not unchecked power and brutality."
"That's… an unexpected perspective." Issho was taken aback, not anticipating such words from Caesar.
He had assumed the man was only interested in his strength. As for justice and righteousness—what ambitious schemer would care about such things?
Yet through Observation Haki, he sensed no deceit or tension in Caesar. The man's words were entirely sincere.
"It's not just perspective—it's the inevitable evolution of political structures throughout history." Caesar said earnestly. "So… what do you think?"
"And if I refuse?" Issho asked curiously.
"You won't." Caesar shook his head.
"Oh?" Issho was puzzled. "Why do you say that?"
"The sea is vast and embraces all rivers, yet no single person can achieve grand ideals alone."
Caesar puffed out his chest and patted it proudly. "And I happen to be an outstanding leader and partner—exemplary in character and scholarship, righteous in values, wise and mighty, virtuous and talented!"
Issho fell silent.
After a long pause, a soft "pfft" escaped him.
His mouth twisted into a wry grin as he chuckled.
"To say such words without the slightest fluctuation in your emotions... remarkable."
"Of course! I truly believe it!"
"Hmph... hahaha!"
Issho's lips split into a wide grin, the man in his forties or fifties laughing like a child.
It took him a while to regain his composure. His sightless eyes cracked open slightly, their pale, lifeless gaze fixed in Caesar's direction.
"Since you've said as much, I'll accompany you on this journey. But let me be clear—if the day comes when you betray your own principles or act against my sense of justice, I will leave without hesitation."
"Deal!"
Caesar laughed heartily, waving his hand as a rolling Blood Mist enveloped Issho.
"What is this...?"
Noticing his Observation Haki failing, Issho's expression shifted.
"Please don't resist."
As Caesar spoke, the Blood Mist seeped into Issho through his nose and mouth. A surge of vigorous life force coursed through him, making Issho frown slightly.
He could feel it—along with the metallic tang flooding his body, an unavoidable fervent admiration for Caesar arose within him. Though it didn't sway his judgment, such a method of control struck him as deeply dangerous.
Yet as the mist poured in, a sliver of light suddenly pierced the void before his eyes. Then, amidst a searing pain, his ghastly pale irises gradually gained a hint of color.
His crimson eyes, stung by the sunlight, welled with tears—only to heal rapidly under the torrent of vitality. By the time they fully adjusted to the light, the scarlet hue in his pupils faded, replaced by a deep black.
"Truly... unbelievable!"
As the will-influencing force dissipated within him, Issho's eyes widened in astonishment.
"I heard you closed these eyes yourself, unwilling to witness the world's evils?"
The young man before him smiled brightly, twirling his blade in a graceful arc before smoothly sheathing it.
"If you don't want to see evil, then eradicate it all. Why blind yourself? Even the Buddha has wrathful guardians. How can you sweep away the vermin lurking in the shadows if you don't sharpen your sight?"
"...A fair point."
A glimmer flashed in Issho's gaze. After a brief silence, he nodded firmly.
"Since you've restored my sight, I'll use these eyes to help you purge the world of sin and filth!"
"Hah! Then it's settled!" Caesar roared with laughter.
With Issho on board, their crew was complete!
Caesar was certain—no Emperor's crew could rival their top-tier combat power now.
In another year or two, once Ace and the other core members grew stronger, he'd dare to challenge even Navy Headquarters. Winning might be a stretch, but escaping unscathed? No problem at all.
Back on the ship as they set sail, the crew studied their new member with curiosity.
By the crew's average age, Issho was noticeably older—even compared to Kuma, he had nearly a decade on him.
Caesar placed one hand on his hip and gestured toward Issho with the other, introducing him to the crew: "Let me introduce our new crewmate! Mr. Issho!"
"Just call me Issho, Captain."
Issho chuckled warmly, his face kind: "I am Issho. It's a pleasure to meet you all. I look forward to working with you."
"Oh~ So it's an old man! I thought Caesar would bring back another pretty sister."
Bonney studied Issho curiously: "That meteor earlier—was that you, mister?"
"Indeed. One was thrown by me, and the other by our captain."
Issho's tone remained gentle. He hadn't expected such a young child on board, though it wasn't particularly unusual. Many ships, including pirate crews, often trained their own apprentices—even organizations like the Navy and Revolutionary Army did the same.
"Issho is a Press-Press Fruit user, capable of manipulating gravity intensity and direction within a certain area," Caesar explained. "As for me, I relied on the Dark-Dark Fruit's immense gravitational pull to drag the meteor down."
"That's insane."
Kuma looked genuinely surprised. "Has your Observation Haki improved again? You can sense meteors in space now?"
"My Observation Haki is active most of the time, so of course it progresses quickly," Caesar replied. "Besides, if you focus your Observation Haki in a specific direction, you can drastically extend its range. I got the idea from Flowing Sakura—if Armament Haki can flow, why not Observation Haki?"
"..."
Kuma fell silent.
The logic made sense.
But unlike Armament Haki, which could be physically manifested, Observation Haki was more of an instinct. How could you make that flow?
Kuma felt like Caesar's talent was downright unfair.
"Guess I should train seriously for a while," Kuma mused. He knew his own potential wasn't lacking—he had always been aware of that. Since childhood, he'd never trained properly. Whether it was Devil Fruit mastery or both types of Haki, he'd grasped them effortlessly through sheer talent, never bothering to fully unlock his physical potential.
Now, with Issho joining, the ship's high-tier combatants were increasing. Kuma couldn't afford to fall behind.
Sensing Kuma's thoughts through Observation Haki, Caesar smirked. He was glad his crewmate had come to this realization. With Kuma's Buccaneer Tribe physique, if he fully tapped into his potential, even without Conqueror's Haki, he could hold his own against top-tier fighters like Admirals and Emperors—maybe even a four-to-six split in their favor.
Add the Paw-Paw Fruit's abilities to that...
A tank with the mobility of an assassin!
"One more thing," Caesar continued. "Issho is the second Great Swordsman on this ship after me. His cane sword, Extreme Blaze, is one of the Supreme Grade Swords—12 Craftsmen, just like my Phantom. Both were forged by Wano Country's master smiths."
"That must be worth a fortune, right?"
Nami's eyes sparkled as she stared at Issho's cane sword.
"This blade was a gift from a dear friend. To me, it is priceless."
Noticing Nami's gaze, Issho tightened his grip on the sword.
"Hahaha, just asking..."
Embarrassed by his thief-proof glare, Nami forced a laugh.
Casually, Caesar tossed out a bundle of bamboo swords. "From now on, Kuma and Issho will oversee the crew's training together—Kuma for physical combat, Issho for swordsmanship."
"Huh? Do we have to practice swordsmanship too?" Nami asked in surprise.
"Of course. You don't need to master it, but you should at least learn the basics," Caesar nodded.
"Do I have to learn too?"
Bonney looked at Caesar pitifully: "I'm a Devil Fruit user! My abilities require both hands!"
"That's exactly why you should learn."
Caesar said ominously: "If you don't study swordsmanship properly, what will you do if you encounter a powerful swordsman who cuts off your hands someday?"
"Eek—"
The little girl shuddered and hid in Kuma's arms.
Next, everyone took turns introducing themselves. After hearing everyone's introductions, Issho looked at Caesar in disbelief.
"Except for Miss Nami, our entire crew consists of Devil Fruit users?"
"That's correct. Nami will get a suitable ability later too."
Caesar nodded: "As for shipwrecks and such, we don't need to worry in the short term. There's nothing in the first half of the Grand Line that can sink our ship. Even if we do sink, I have solutions. After we reach Fish-Man Island, I plan to recruit some mermaids to join us."
"Seriously?!"
Barto, Ace, and Deuce all turned to look at Caesar with excitement in their eyes.
Nami eyed Caesar suspiciously: "I think what you really want is a mermaid girlfriend, don't you?"
"And what if I do?"
Caesar spread his hands innocently, then turned to Yamato, Baby 5, and Robin: "Would you girls like to have a mermaid sister?"
Yamato raised her hand cheerfully: "Yes—I've never seen a mermaid before!"
"As long as my dear wants it~"
Baby 5 said with a smile: "I'd even drag a demon into your bed if you asked!"
"They're already in bed."
Robin pondered calmly: "Though... I am quite curious about mermaid reproductive methods too."
Caesar looked at Nami triumphantly: "Hear that?"
Nami: "..."
Watching the three women's reactions, Issho fell silent. He'd noticed during the introductions—this young captain actually had three girlfriends!
While he'd met playboys before, this was the first time he'd seen someone like Caesar who could maintain such harmonious relationships...
Is this guy really serious about overthrowing the Celestial Dragons?
"Alright, to welcome Issho aboard, let's throw a party!"
"YEAH!!!"
Amid the cheers, a crimson curtain flashed, and plates of delicious food appeared before everyone.
"Is there any particular food you like, Issho?" Caesar asked.
Issho nodded gently: "I'm rather fond of soba noodles..."
"We've got that!"
Caesar snapped his fingers, and a serving of soba noodles with dipping sauce materialized before Issho.
"Oh—"
Issho stared at the noodles in surprise. Even with his Observation Haki, he couldn't perceive how they'd appeared.
He looked at Caesar curiously: "If I may ask, what is your ability, Captain? Would you mind sharing?"
"Not at all. Due to special circumstances, I can consume more than one Devil Fruit. I'm a dual-Fruit user with both the Vampire Fruit and Dark-Dark Fruit abilities," Caesar said cheerfully.
"Incredible... I've never heard of anyone eating two Fruits before."
Issho's expression showed genuine astonishment. Dual Devil Fruits were unheard of.
One Mythical Zoan, one Logia Type—this combination was absolutely top-tier!
While the outcome of battles between top-tier fighters largely depends on the strength of their Haki, two Devil Fruits can significantly compensate for any gap in Haki.
Moreover, judging from their recent clash, Caesar's Haki and swordsmanship were already among the finest in these seas!
No wonder he was confident enough to challenge the rule of the Celestial Dragons...
"Are we heading to the New World next?"
"Not yet. We're still missing one final crew member, who's also in the North Sea."
"Who might this formidable fighter be?"
"A pirate... Trafalgar Law!"
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