Chapter 151: Issho Joins the Crew, Justice Above the Stars!
Grand Line, somewhere at an altitude of 10,000 meters.
Blue life essence sprinkled continuously from the giant tree at the center of the island.
Beneath the giant tree, outside a lush green greenhouse.
"Thank you for intercepting those warships for me, Mr. Issho."
Hitsujii sat on the vibrant lawn, casually handing a stalk of green grass to the Grass Fairy beside him.
Receiving the reward from the 'Island Spirit', the fairy was thrilled and hopped away happily.
Seeing this, Issho grinned.
"No need for thanks."
He waved his hand. "This old man was merely repaying the kindness for the survivors of Plague Island."
As he spoke, he looked up at the giant tree above. "This tree... is Mr. Aramaki?"
With his sharp senses, he naturally detected the aura emanating from the tree.
"Looks like he's a bit dead?"
"Not dead, but not alive either."
Hitsujii nodded with a smile. "From now on, it will be called the 'Dream Tree'."
He looked at the falling blue life essence. "The creatures on this island rely on him for sustenance now."
"I see."
Hearing this, Issho didn't find it cruel.
He wasn't a pedantic person.
Even with just a glimpse and a few words, he roughly understood Aramaki's character.
Viewing beautiful women as non-human resources, believing everything in the world should sustain Celestial Dragons and member nations while trampling non-member commoners.
Such a person now serving as a 'resource' for this Neverland, sustaining the 'weak creatures' he once despised.
"Sounds like a fitting end for him."
Issho said softly.
"Indeed."
Hitsujii nodded, then asked, "So, Mr. Issho—what are your plans next?"
"Ah, about that..."
Issho grinned. "This old man returned mainly to ensure Lord Hitsujii's safety. Now that it's confirmed, this old man must..."
He rubbed his hands solemnly. "Find a place to gamble!"
Hitsujii: "..."
Right, almost forgot—this guy was great in every way, except for his gambling addiction.
"Speaking of which, the money this old man earned serving in the Addi Kingdom was mostly spent on supplies for the Plague Island people. I'm a bit tight on cash... I wonder if Lord Hitsujii..."
"No!"
"Ah? Please show mer..."
"No means no—Mr. Issho, you should visit those places less often too."
Hitsujii waved his hand impatiently—didn't everyone know The Zodiac had an irreconcilable feud with gambling and drugs?
After a while, a dejected Issho stood up.
Clearly, he understood Hitsujii's real question earlier.
So he said deeply, "As for the future, this old man isn't sure."
He was indeed a bit lost.
Since joining the Addi Kingdom out of gratitude years ago, he hadn't found what he truly wanted to do.
But one thing was certain.
"This old man wants to travel across the sea."
Saying so, he planted his cane sword on the ground.
"This old man knows the cruelty and darkness of this sea—but I must see it with my own regained sight."
"And measure it with this cane."
How many people were starving and trapped? How many were bullied?
How many islands like Plague Island existed?
These were things he couldn't ignore, nor sit idly by.
"And after seeing?"
Hitsujii asked softly.
"Years ago, this old man thought about joining the Marines if given the chance."
Issho didn't hide it.
He knew the source of the world's current state.
As he said in the original story—World Government, do you think it's truly God?
The World Government wasn't God.
On the contrary, they were the rotting roots of the world.
But even Issho had to admit the Government's power—it was the 'World', an order impossible to challenge alone.
To help others, the only way seemed to be relying on this rotting tree and doing what he could.
"This old man doesn't believe in the 'Justice' promoted by the Marines and Government, but at least within the Marines, helping victims would be more convenient."
"Besides, this old man met many Marines who followed their own justice, untainted by darkness."
That was his previous best choice.
But now, his thoughts changed.
After witnessing the recovery and joy of Plague Island survivors.
After seeing Hitsujii order Yazi to tear apart the Addi warships mercilessly.
After seeing victims return home, weeping with joy.
"This old man could have endured the darkness."
If he hadn't seen the light.
"This old man could have compromised within the Marines."
If he hadn't seen the torch of resistance.
So...
"Lord Hitsujii, I won't ask for gambling funds anymore. I'll solve it myself."
"But there is something else this old man truly wishes to obtain."
Issho bowed slightly, performing a solemn salute.
"The mask on your head... is this old man qualified to wear it?"
The meaning was clear.
Issho still didn't know or be sure what kind of organization The Zodiac was—or rather, the whole sea didn't know who they were or how they appeared.
But that didn't matter.
What mattered was, Issho could tell from Hitsujii's actions—The Zodiac was different.
Different from the Four Emperors, different from the Marines, even different from the Revolutionary Army.
They didn't fear the Government's power, didn't retreat from the sea's darkness, didn't compromise for the so-called 'Big Picture'.
Instead, they acted recklessly, walking their own path.
That was the 'Chivalry' Issho pursued.
Hearing Issho's request, Hitsujii was stunned.
Then...
"If this is Mr. Issho's wish..."
Of course he didn't mind.
The Zodiac was essentially a shell organization; he was eager for Issho to join, making it more 'substantial'.
So, he nodded decisively.
But then, he added, "However, the appointment of Top Executives is decided by the Leader personally. I..."
With Issho's strength, getting a Top Executive title anywhere was easy.
But before he finished, Issho said, "This old man dare not ask for a Top Executive seat—my character isn't suited for hiding secrets."
Issho smiled. "However, I heard Top Executives like you have subordinates... This old man thinks that position is suitable."
Hitsujii understood immediately.
Issho didn't intend for the organization to do anything for him, nor did he care about power.
He just wanted an 'Identity' and 'Codename' to act recklessly.
In that case, a Top Executive position wasn't suitable.
So...
"Alright—if it's a 'Star Spirit', I have the authority to appoint directly."
Hitsujii nodded, then tossed a Sea Beast Mask to Issho.
Issho looked down and saw a small tiger head and burning flames on the mask.
"Mr. Issho, from now on, you are 'Biki' (Tail-Fire Tiger), a Star Spirit under the Sheep Division."
While the Sheep Division's strength surged.
On the sea.
A massive storm began to brew.
The source was an unprecedented 'Super Long Extra Edition' of the World Economic News Paper.
And the three headlines appearing almost simultaneously.
[Neverland Soars and Vanishes? King's Immortality becomes a Dream?]
['The Zodiac' Latest Bounties Released, Worst Criminal Organization in History?]
[Legend Falls? 'Golden Lion' Shiki Slain by 'Black Judge' Roy]
This time, Big News Morgans didn't drag things out, presenting the news concisely.
Not surprising—when news was explosive enough, flowery language was unnecessary.
Undoubtedly.
These three news were explosive beyond precedent.
First, Neverland—the island that appeared suddenly and impacted the Grand Line significantly, transformed into a legendary beast and soared away before the alliance fleet.
The impact was immense.
It was said the old King of Taya Kingdom collapsed on the spot upon hearing the result, and preparations for the next King's coronation were underway.
Other kingdoms were shaken too.
Especially rumors claiming—the beast transformed from Neverland wore a massive Sea Beast Mask.
This directly linked Neverland to the second news.
Yes—'The Zodiac's' bounties, decided personally by the World Government, were officially released.
Only five members, yet nearing 20 billion Berries in total bounty. The news about 'Star Lord' spread like wildfire.
As Marine officers feared.
The exaggerated bounties, especially Star Lord's surpassing Roger's by nearly double, caused instinctive panic among citizens and rulers worldwide.
Following this, news of the Government sending 'Special Envoys' to inspect member nations fueled unstable public opinion further.
Most people didn't know what this meant.
But everyone sensed instinctively—an era-changing shift was happening, independent of anyone's will.
In this situation.
The third news became very subtle.
Truth be told.
'Golden Lion' Shiki was a legendary pirate who vied for supremacy with Roger and Whitebeard.
He was indeed a top powerhouse, achieved feats like invading Marineford alone and escaping Impel Down.
But—he had been missing for nearly twenty years.
Although famous among Marines and pirates.
Few among the kingdoms and commoners remembered him.
Normally, Roy defeating Shiki would bring fame for a while at most.
But now, the situation was subtle.
With Neverland gone and kingdoms in turmoil.
With The Zodiac's bounties released and the title of 'Worst Criminal Organization' causing global panic.
News of Roy defeating Golden Lion became an 'Anchor' stabilizing the hearts of people on the ship called the World.
"Yeah, pirates or criminal groups... there were so many in history—weren't they all defeated by Marine heroes eventually?"
"Even Pirate King Roger was executed in Loguetown, right?"
"Those terrifying Zodiac members will be the same!"
"I heard 'Black Judge' Roy is a young powerhouse, a legend of the new generation... maybe he was born to capture 'The Zodiac'!"
Even without intentional propaganda.
For most uneducated commoners, such thoughts arose naturally.
In times of instability, people instinctively seek 'Idols'.
And Roy happened to play this role.
So Roy's fame, like the subtle situation on the sea, began to swell rapidly.
This led directly to...
Half a month later.
"...What? What do you mean gifts from my fans?"
Just returned to Headquarters and settled the wounded, ready to enjoy his happy 'Cola Time', Roy heard this news.
"Vice Admiral Roy, it's your fans—gifts from fan clubs in 41 kingdoms collectively."
"They heard our Marine rules and prepared them spontaneously, even hired famous craftsmen from the four seas to carve it personally."
Motara, the liaison officer who stayed behind, said excitedly while moving things out of a huge box.
"41 kingdoms? Fan... Fan Clubs?"
Roy, whose main body stayed on the ship and clones rarely went out recently, was confused.
When did I debut? Why didn't I know?
But immediately after, he saw the item Motara took out.
It was a massive plaque—gilded all over, radiating high spirits and nobility.
As mentioned before.
There was a theory on the sea now.
People believed every era had terrifying pirates, and every era had Marine heroes to counter them.
Like 'Pirate King' Roger and 'Marine Hero' Garp.
In the eyes of Roy's supporters, the mysterious organization 'The Zodiac' and the recently famous 'Black Judge' had a similar relationship.
So on the plaque, it was written clearly:
[Justice Above the Stars]
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