The person who arrived was tall and powerfully built, wearing a purple kimono, and leaning on an ordinary-looking cane on what seemed like a very ordinary afternoon.
His steps were unhurried, and he walked all the way to the heavily guarded gates of the NEO Marines.
Although the current headquarters of the NEO Marines could not yet compare to the grandiosity of Marineford, it was already quite substantial.
After a number of hawkish Marines and free individuals who resonated with Sakazuki's ideals joined, the NEO Marines became increasingly formalized.
The area around the base was bustling with patrolling soldiers, and the sounds of new recruits training could be heard from the drill ground.
The newcomer's steps were steady, his eyes were closed, and he wore a gentle smile as he slightly bowed to the guarding soldiers:
"Excuse me, is Fleet Admiral Sakazuki inside? I wish to speak with him."
He seemed to exude a reassuring aura, which caused the initially wary soldiers to relax.
The soldier was somewhat troubled; letting him through directly or announcing him was certainly not an option. They couldn't just announce anyone who wanted to see the NEO Marine Fleet Admiral, could they?
Then Sakazuki would have no time for anything else all day.
However, the newcomer's demeanor made it impossible for him to forcefully turn him away.
"I apologize for my presumption."
The newcomer seemed to understand the soldier's difficulty and did not press the matter.
The next moment, a low shout rang out—
He drew his sword-cane, but the tip was not pointed at anyone or anything; instead, it was steadily aimed at the sky.
Instantly, the sky seemed to collapse.
Under the soldiers' horrified gazes, the clouds in roughly half of the sky above them were crushed into fragments by an invisible, immense force, forming a giant, swirling vortex.
Everyone within several hundred meters felt their bodies lighten, and the ground beneath their feet seemed to be losing its gravity; loose stones and debris slowly floated upwards against all reason.
The guard's pupils suddenly constricted; he now realized that this amiable swordsman was a far stronger individual than he had imagined.
"Please, wait here!"
It must be said that all gatekeepers seem to possess Otsutsuki potential.
Even when facing such a powerful individual, the guard continued to fulfill his duty.
Although his voice trembled from the depths of his heart, his movements showed no hesitation. He bowed slightly to the newcomer and turned, rushing towards the communication room at his fastest speed:
"Quickly inform the Fleet Admiral! An incredible individual has arrived at the main gate!"
The man in the purple robe smiled faintly, and the sense of weightlessness that had enveloped the entire area instantly vanished, with the floating debris clattering back to the ground.
When Sakazuki's imposing, tall figure appeared, the blind samurai, who had remained still, seemed to see him, accurately looking in his direction.
"My name is Issho." (Can we please not get bogged down with the Issho/Isshou debate)
He calmly bowed, introducing himself first:
"My earlier actions were somewhat presumptuous, but it was out of necessity. I hope you will forgive me."
"NEO Marine Fleet Admiral, Sakazuki."
Sakazuki's voice was as steady as a rock, and every crease in his crimson suit exuded the solemnity unique to a military man.
He scrutinized the man before him, who called himself "Issho"; the man's serene demeanor contrasted strangely with the astonishing power he had just displayed.
"I have long heard of Fleet Admiral Sakazuki's reputation."
Issho bowed slightly, his tone calm and respectful:
"Your remarkable feat of leaving the Marine and establishing your own banner, and the independent autonomy free from the World Government's control that you advocate, I deeply agree with and aspire to."
He looked at Sakazuki, and though his eyes were closed, he seemed to perceive everything:
"I wonder if I might be so fortunate as to have a deeper discussion with you?"
Sakazuki raised an eyebrow.
What he advocated was not just the Marine being free from the World Government's control, but also the indiscriminate elimination of all pirates.
The person before him only mentioned the former but not the latter, which was quite interesting.
However, with the NEO Marines newly established, any powerful fighting force was an asset to be courted. Sakazuki only hesitated briefly before responding decisively:
"Very well, follow me!"
"Thank you!"
Sakazuki turned and strode forward, the hem of his crimson suit cutting a sharp line.
Issho, with a gentle smile, leaned on his sword-cane and followed with steady steps.
The two walked through the interior of the base, finally stopping before a simple conference room.
Sakazuki pushed open the door and gestured to the side:
"Please enter."
The conference room door gently closed behind them.
Sakazuki took a seat first, his gaze like two tangible flames falling upon Issho:
"Tell me, why have you come to see me?"
"To uphold the righteousness within my heart."
Issho's answer was clear and calm.
"Righteousness?"
Sakazuki was taken aback; he himself didn't think he possessed such a thing. Why would someone come to him looking for righteousness?
Issho nodded:
"Indeed, righteousness!"
"I have also heard about Fleet Admiral Sakazuki's experiences; the harm caused by the Celestial Dragons to this world is evident."
"The Marine should be the absolute force upholding justice, yet it has been ridden over by the World Government and politics, becoming a tool for them to maintain their rule!"
"The absurd system of the Shichibukai is clear proof!"
"The independent autonomy you speak of is to break free from these shackles, isn't it?"
"Only by being unconstrained can true justice be implemented."
Sakazuki began to understand the other's philosophy, but still decided to test him slightly.
He didn't want a top-tier fighting force he had painstakingly recruited to end up in ideological conflict, like him and Kuzan once were, constantly clashing. So he spoke up:
"But true justice requires an equal iron fist."
Sakazuki's tone was unequivocal:
"No matter if they call themselves adventurers or dreamers, all pirates must be completely annihilated!"
He looked at Issho, who remained still:
"Do you agree with this philosophy?"
"I naturally agree that the Marine should be independent, and I also agree that pirates are evil."
Issho nodded slightly, but his tone subtly shifted:
"However, all beings suffer."
"On that vast sea, perhaps there are also those who are forced by circumstances and are not masters of their own destiny."
Sakazuki immediately interrupted:
"No excuse can justify plunder and slaughter!"
"The slightest tolerance for evil is cruelty to the innocent."
"Perhaps..."
Issho sighed softly, not continuing the argument, and instead said:
"Under this system distorted by the World Government, even the most basic 'good and evil receiving their just deserts' is difficult to achieve."
He looked in Sakazuki's direction.
"In comparison, your philosophy and courage are the closest to the answer in my heart that I have seen on this vast sea."
"If the Fleet Admiral does not mind..."
Issho clasped his hands, placing them solemnly on his sword-cane, and bowed slightly:
"I am willing, with this passable strength of mine, to stay and fight alongside you... alongside the NEO Marines."
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