It was at that moment that the blind Issho spoke up.
"It is useless… you are no match for this old man."
Though his eyes could not see, Issho's perception of the world around him seemed all the clearer—his Observation Haki had reached a profound level of refinement.
By now, he had a firm grasp of Doflamingo's true strength, and he knew for certain: this man was indeed no rival for him.
"I suggest you heed my initial proposal. Why not shut this auction house down while you still can?"
Issho did not seem driven by a desire to kill; he merely wanted to "persuade" Doflamingo to disband the criminal organization operating openly under the guise of an auction house.
"Nonsense…" Though beaten, Doflamingo still refused to back down verbally.
"You think I would make such a decision just because of a few words from you?!"
"Very well."
Before Doflamingo's defiant words had even finished echoing, another voice rang out from behind him—one that completely contradicted everything he had just said.
"Lord El…"
Doflamingo's heart tightened sharply. For a moment, he had completely forgotten the whole purpose of being sent here to fight in the first place.
That was right… Lord El had wanted to recruit this blind swordsman… but here he was, having lost so utterly…
The battle had grown so fierce and intense that Doflamingo had lost himself in the heat of combat, forgetting his orders entirely.
To be fair, it was hardly his fault. When two true masters clashed, few could spare a thought for holding back or following some prearranged plan.
For warriors of such caliber, even a momentary lapse in focus could spell the end of their lives.
Only now, hearing El's voice, did Doflamingo remember his true mission.
"Lord El… I…"
He struggled to push himself up, ready to offer an explanation, but El simply waved a hand lightly.
Doflamingo's half-opened mouth snapped shut immediately. The message was clear: remain silent. Any explanations could wait until this matter was settled.
"I said… very well."
El took two steps forward until he stood beside Doflamingo. He turned his gaze toward Issho, this powerful warrior who had lost his sight.
"You have done your research before coming here, I assume…" El said, pointing down at Doflamingo.
"This man has long since severed all ties with this auction house. In truth, this establishment only ever borrowed the name and reputation of Doflamingo and the Donquixote Family to operate."
"Sir… what exactly did you just say?"
Issho had instantly noticed the sudden arrival of this "stranger" on the battlefield.
Not once had he sensed the man's presence—not during the entire fight with Doflamingo, nor even after Doflamingo had fallen and lay unable to rise.
Throughout the whole encounter, Issho's Observation Haki had blanketed the entire area, analyzing every detail in his mind.
Yet he had been completely unaware of where this newcomer had come from.
El's appearance immediately put Issho on high alert. Every muscle in his body tensed, and his hands tightened their grip on the sword-cane at his waist, ready to draw it at a moment's notice.
El raised his hands gently to show he meant no harm, and spoke in an easy tone.
"I have a fair idea of what you are trying to achieve…"
He glanced back at the massive building behind him. Once upon a time, this auction house had brought great wealth to the Donquixote Family—but now, its time of profit had come to an end.
"It is just an auction house, after all. I am willing to take your advice and have it shut down." El spread his hands casually.
"In fact, I can also tell you in full detail about every vile deed this pirate beneath my feet has committed—things you may not even know of yet."
Without the slightest hesitation, El was ready to throw his subordinate under the bus.
All of Doflamingo's secrets had already been laid bare long before, ever since he joined the El Pirates. Many of the most damning details Doflamingo had even confessed himself.
El's words made Issho frown. "What game are you playing? Do you intend to use this old man as your blade to settle your own scores?"
Issho could feel immediately that El was no ordinary opponent. He also sensed the vast power and influence behind him.
A man who possessed both such strength and such standing—who could he possibly be?
"Ha ha ha!" El burst into laughter. "I never expected a warrior of your caliber to be so cautious!"
He shook his head and spoke more softly. "I have great respect for your sense of justice and your conscience. And as I said—Doflamingo and the Donquixote Family no longer have anything to do with this place. Even though my own El Pirates hold authority over the Donquixote Pirates, we have absolutely no interest in this auction house."
El spoke with such righteous confidence, yet Issho was not so easily convinced.
"This old man blinded his own eyes," Issho said suddenly. "I did it so that I would no longer have to look upon all the suffering and injustice in this world."
He raised a hand and pointed toward the building. "But as long as I still have strength… I will continue to stand against such evils wherever I find them."
El clapped his hands a few times in appreciation. "Well spoken indeed. But tell me—do you think there might be room for us to work together?"
Issho paused, taken aback. "If I am not mistaken, you too are a pirate. And one of the forces I have sworn to bring down is none other than pirates themselves. How could we possibly cooperate?"
El smiled. "That is simple. Even though I am a pirate, it does not mean I cannot turn against other pirates, does it?"
"May I ask… who are you?"
Issho could not see El's face, but through his Observation Haki, he could feel clearly that this man standing before him was far more than ordinary.
He could even sense a threat so overwhelming it was almost beyond comprehension.
For someone with Issho's precision and mastery of Haki to feel such danger—there could not be more than a handful of people in the entire world capable of that.
Just who was this man?
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