The scene that just unfolded sent a chill through many of the Marine recruits watching from the other side of the screen.
"…!!"
"Damn… what kind of brutal ability is that?!"
"Holy… Junior got torn apart!"
"Hey, can you shut up?!"
With one particularly loud recruit narrating every detail, the crowd grew increasingly unsettled. Even Kuzan frowned slightly. The method was simply too ruthless.
Xu, on the other hand, wore a faint smile. He liked abilities like this.
"Mm. Not bad at all."
Everyone else silently stared at him, their thoughts perfectly aligned. Is he a demon?
Of course, no one dared say it out loud.
Back on the screen, Qizhi had already turned and left. He had no intention of waiting any longer. If no opponent came to him, he would hunt them down himself.
Elsewhere on the island, another man shared the same thought. Issho.
As if guided by silent understanding, the two never crossed paths while eliminating the others. One started from the eastern side of the island, the other from the west.
With Chris Kira already eliminated and Junior dead, six participants remained. Three on each side.
None of them, however, displayed anything particularly remarkable. Nothing like Kira's earlier brilliance.
"I surrender!"
"I'm out!"
Voices of defeat echoed almost simultaneously from both sides of the island.
And just like that, only two remained.
Qizhi.
Issho.
Qizhi rolled his wrist casually. Using the power of the Tree-Tree Fruit, he quickly pinpointed Issho's location and began walking toward him.
Issho exhaled slowly. His Observation Haki spread outward, catching Qizhi's approach.
"Oh? So… you've found me."
Leaning lightly on his cane, Issho began walking forward as well.
In front of the screen, Xu and the others leaned in slightly, anticipation flickering in their eyes.
"It's finally happening. The strongest two out of ten."
"Who's going to win?"
"This is going to be interesting."
Xu turned slightly toward Tina.
"Go retrieve the defeated participants while we still can. Things might get… intense soon."
Tina paused, then nodded.
"Yes, Fleet Admiral Xu."
She quickly gave the order to bring all eliminated participants out of the island.
Xu's gaze swept across their faces. Most looked dejected.
All except one.
Chris Kira.
Kira stood there, eyes locked onto Xu. Though he still looked a bit simple-minded, the fire in his gaze hadn't faded.
Xu pointed at him.
"Tina, keep him. Send the others back."
"Yes, sir."
The rest were escorted back to the warship for treatment, while Kira scratched his head awkwardly.
Xu smiled faintly.
"Chris Kira, tell me. Why did you join the Marines?"
Kira straightened, answering earnestly.
"Fleet Admiral Xu, I want to achieve the justice in my heart!"
Xu raised a brow.
"Oh? And what does that justice look like?"
Kira scratched his head, slightly embarrassed.
"Heh… to protect the girl I like."
He froze.
"No, wait, that's not it! I mean… to protect my village!"
Xu's lips twitched. So the first answer was the honest one.
Where did he even learn that kind of excuse?
Xu studied him for a moment, then nodded inwardly. Yeah… definitely Garp's influence.
"But… I failed," Kira said, his expression dimming. "That means I can't join the Marines anymore."
Xu tilted his head slightly.
"And why would failing mean that?"
Kira blinked.
"Isn't it in the rules? Only the strongest gets in."
Xu chuckled softly.
"Kira, remember this. The world runs on strength. Rules are made by the strong. Do you understand?"
Kira thought for a moment.
"…No."
Xu nearly choked.
Beside him, Tina and Kuzan almost burst out laughing.
Xu rubbed his temple.
"Simply put, you're in. You can join the Marines."
"Really?!"
"Yes. But for now, you'll stay by my side. You won't be assigned elsewhere."
Kira didn't fully understand, but that didn't matter. He only heard what he cared about.
He nodded eagerly.
"Yes! I'll do anything you ask, Fleet Admiral Xu!"
Xu waved him off.
"That's enough. Go wait. You'll return to headquarters with me later."
"Yes, sir!"
After Kira left, Kuzan finally spoke.
"Fleet Admiral Xu… he's strong, sure. But is it really necessary to keep him under your direct command?"
Xu glanced at him, catching the hint of expectation in his eyes.
Ah. So that's what this is about.
"Kuzan… if you want him, just say so. No need to beat around the bush."
Kuzan's eyes lit up.
"Then… could you transfer him to me?"
"No."
Kuzan froze.
…Was he being baited?
Looking at Kuzan's defeated expression, Xu felt an inexplicable sense of satisfaction.
Then Tina suddenly spoke.
"Fleet Admiral Xu, they're about to meet."
Xu and Kuzan both turned back to the screen.
On it, the two figures had finally entered the same visual range.
Qizhi and Issho had come face to face.
Issho's steps slowed. His Observation Haki picked up the presence instantly. Though there was no clear hostility, the aura before him carried undeniable danger.
He stopped.
Across from him, Qizhi studied him calmly.
He didn't underestimate Issho just because he was blind. Anyone who made it this far could not be ordinary.
Issho spoke first.
"You must be the last participant."
Qizhi smiled and nodded.
"That's right. Name's Qizhi. Nice to meet you."
Issho inclined his head slightly.
"I am Issho. A swordsman."
His hand moved to the hilt of his blade, preparing to draw.
"I assume you have no interest in wasting time either?"
Qizhi's smile widened.
"Couldn't agree more."