West Blue, Amazon Lily.
Casino.
Issho stood inside the casino like a guardian deity, Gambler's fireline in hand; beside him, Mihawk's face was unreadable.
"Mr. Mihawk, may I ask—what sort of man is your Captain?"
Issho was genuinely curious: who could win the allegiance of the proud and aloof Mihawk? He knew he himself never could.
Mihawk's respect for him was purely swordsmanship; Issho might be a comrade, but never a Captain.
Mihawk pondered for a few breaths.
"Barzeb… hard to judge."
"Two years ago, Barzeb and I met at Twin Capes and sailed to Loguetown to see off his Captain, Pirate King Roger."
"He's ruthless to enemies, yet never targets civilians. In his words: the strong draw their blades against the strong; only the weak prey on the weak."
"Those pirates who target civilians are nothing but low-grade trash."
"Low-grade trash?" Issho's eyes widened.
"First time I've heard that. Your Captain's quite the character. Did he ever say why he returned to sea after reaching Final Island?"
Mihawk said flatly, "For freedom."
"freedom?" Issho fell silent.
What is freedom?
On this ocean, freedom is living unshackled by anything, following your own will.
Never bowing to power, never bound by rules, never compromising your heart; always choosing your path, protecting those you wish to protect, until you reach your own horizon.
The sea's essence is the unknown; freedom is daring to sail into that unknown, to chase your dreams.
Whether hunting the great treasure, uncovering the Void Century, or achieving small personal goals, it's refusing to be trapped by the present, forever yearning for farther shores.
In short, freedom is living exactly as you wish, in your own way.
So simple it's extreme,
yet so hard to achieve.
Because on freedom's road you stumble over setbacks, lose yourself to temptation, hesitate under duty, and are caged by power—
but that is the sea's true face!
Real freedom is gripping your heart and setting sail even after seeing every shackle.
Even if towering waves await, as long as comrades stand beside you, you charge toward your desire without ever looking back!
"Hah…"
Recalling how he'd drowned himself in gambling on Amazon Lily after his homeland fell, Issho gave a bitter smile.
"Understanding the truth doesn't mean you can live it."
Rumble—rumble—
Thunder tore the night, drowning the casino's clamor.
Mihawk gazed at the churning clouds outside.
"He's here."
Before the words faded, a gale burst the heavy doors open.
In the flicker of lightning, a tall figure crackling with stray arcs of electricity—Barzeb Seven, racing from Jaya Island waters.
"Long time no see, Mihawk."
"Long time no see."
Gamblers inside gasped, eyes sparkling.
"A billion-Berry bounty pirate!"
"Barzeb Seven, Pirate King Roger's crew!"
Seven raised an eyebrow: a billion?
No wonder these West Blue Gamblers recognized him; the Marines must have issued new wanted posters across the seas.
Which meant he was now a bona-fide famous pirate.
"Mihawk, what do you need a billion Berries for?"
Seven asked, already knowing.
Mihawk stepped aside. "This is Great Swordsman Mr. Issho; he owes the casino a billion."
Seven nodded to the stunned dealer. "Fetch your boss."
The dealer stammered, "Y-yes, sir!"
A billion-Berry pirate was calamity-tier in the Blues; even the nearest Marine base couldn't help.
Better to obey.
Moments later a bearded middle-aged man ran over clutching a den den mushi.
"Sir, our boss wishes to speak."
Before Seven could reply, the snail's arrogant expression told him exactly who backed the casino.
"Oh—brat of the Donquixote family."
"Fufufufu."
The snail laughed loudly. "Barzeb, Roger's crewman, you truly know the Celestial Dragons' secret."
Seven lost interest. "I've got nothing to say to a kid."
Being called a kid by a seventeen-year-old made Doflamingo flush.
The snail narrowed its eyes. "The Shipping King says you're collecting Devil Fruits; luckily, I've got some nice stock."
Seven beamed.
"Brother Doffy, I'll be visiting North Blue soon—shall we talk then?"
The snail grinned. "I'll be waiting. Consider the billion debt forgiven…"
Seven cut in quickly. "I don't like owing money, especially to a brother."
A billion Berries for a future Admiral? A bargain—don't screw up my plans.
Hanging up, Seven flicked a billion in cash toward the manager.
"Bring the IOU."
The man smiled awkwardly. "Mr. Issho never signed one; we trusted his word. Now we're square."
Seven turned to Mihawk and Issho. "Mihawk, Mr. Issho, let's go."
Note: Fujitora is Issho's Admiral codename; Issho is the older reading.
Issho bowed in thanks.
"Thank you, Mr. Seven."
Seven waved it off. "We're family."
The three left the casino for Amazon Lily's harbor.
Mihawk gazed at the nearly empty port—same as when they arrived—and twitched: three men… in a coffin boat?
Ever since Seven arrived, Mihawk kept staring; he couldn't grasp how the guy had grown so tall in just two years.
Two years ago he'd been shorter.
Thirty-two-year-old Issho stood 2.7 m, fully grown—only wider from here.
Seventeen-year-old Seven was 2.6 m and still had plenty of growth; topping three meters was inevitable.
Nineteen-year-old Mihawk at 1.98 m might squeeze out a few more centimeters.
Seven caught Mihawk before he could leap into the coffin boat and pointed to the open sea.
"We're taking my crew's big ship."
"Big ship?" Mihawk frowned.
"Watch closely, Mihawk." Seven drew musou isshin. "You'll never forget this day."
He slashed a Flying Slash that parted the sea like a curtain; when the water fell—
a massive pirate ship dominated Mihawk's sight: crimson hull, black-gold dragon prow, scarlet sails.
Seven nudged him, bursting to share: "So, cool or what?"
Mihawk's lips curved. "Cool."
"My beloved crew!" Seven swept his arm. "Board ship—the east blue emperor casts off!"
east blue emperor