Issho held the pill in his palm, silent for a long moment.
He had blinded himself years ago, not because he could not see, but because he did not want to. The world had been filled with too much ugliness, too much filth, and he had chosen darkness over witnessing it.
Lina stepped closer and looked up at him. "Mr. Issho, what are you hesitating for?"
She was fond of him, and Issho was fond of her as well. Lina was lively, sharp-tongued, and fearless in a way that made the entire crew unconsciously protect her. She was, without question, one of the most beloved members of Ion Tempest.
Issho smiled faintly. "I have not seen anything for over ten years. I wonder if it will feel uncomfortable once my eyesight returns."
Lina tilted her head, thinking seriously. "Then just close your eyes for a while and open them again. It should be like waking up from a nap."
She genuinely believed the problem was simply getting used to light again.
"Like waking up from a nap…" Issho repeated softly.
His eyelids twitched.
He remembered Rolan's words, spoken with cold clarity, that the filth of the world would never disappear just because one chose not to see it. Closing one's eyes was nothing more than self-deception.
Issho tightened his grip around the pill.
With a long exhale, he tossed it into his mouth.
The pill dissolved instantly, turning into a warm current that flowed through his body and surged toward his eyes. A strange itch spread through his eye sockets, as if something dormant was being reconstructed from nothing.
The sensation lingered, then slowly faded.
Issho kept his eyes shut, not daring to open them.
Lina stared at him with curiosity, trying to tell whether his eyes had truly returned. Robin, Nami, Hancock, and the others watched just as intently. Even Rolan, standing at the bow of the ship, turned around to look.
"Mr. Issho," Lina said softly, "open your eyes."
Issho's eyelids trembled and slowly parted.
Light flooded in violently, forcing him to shut them again at once.
The crew burst into smiles.
The cross-shaped scar that had once marred his forehead was gone, completely erased. More importantly, beneath his eyelids, his irises were clearly visible.
After a short while, Issho opened his eyes again.
This time, the light was no longer blinding. Shapes became clear, colors separated, and faces formed. Beautiful women, familiar companions, and a young man standing calmly at the front of the ship.
Combined with his Observation Haki, the auras he had sensed for years finally matched the people before him.
"Well?" Lina waved her hand in front of his face. "Can you see?"
Issho laughed. "Yes, Miss Lina. I can see."
The deck filled with quiet joy.
Rolan exhaled slowly. "Congratulations. You can finally see this world clearly."
Issho bowed deeply. "Captain Rolan, thank you. You are the one who allowed me to see this world again."
Rolan stepped forward and lifted him with one hand, his expression unchanged. "That was your decision. And don't bother with formalities."
Robin smiled faintly. "You should know by now, Mr. Issho. He dislikes that kind of thing."
Issho nodded in understanding.
Rolan returned to the bow of the ship.
Issho turned his gaze outward, watching the sea merge seamlessly with the sky. He felt an unfamiliar sense of peace.
He finally understood what Rolan meant. The world could not be changed by looking away. If its filth was to be erased, it had to be cut out at the root.
He glanced at the man standing at the bow, dressed casually in a T-shirt, shorts, and flip-flops, posture relaxed and expression indifferent.
That man was the sharpest mind Issho had ever encountered, the one who had reignited his hope for this world.
Just then, Rolan's brows furrowed slightly.
"Attention," he said calmly. "There's a ship ahead."
The atmosphere changed instantly.
Law gripped Kikoku tightly. "Enemy, Captain?"
"Yes," Rolan replied without hesitation. "Most likely."
Hancock moved to his side. "Are they targeting us deliberately?"
Issho's Observation Haki spread outward. "This is an ambush. Their strength is considerable."
"There are many of them," Rolan added, eyes narrowed, "and five are exceptionally strong."
Hancock's expression hardened. If Rolan called them strong, that meant monsters.
"Can you tell who they are?" she asked.
Rolan focused. "Two auras are unmistakable. Kaido and Big Mom. The other three are not weaker than Admirals."
The deck fell silent.
"What?!" Lina blurted out. "They still dare to come after us?"
She clearly remembered Kaido and Big Mom being driven back from Ion Tempest's territory before. The difference now was the additional three monsters and a large number of subordinates.
And there were only seven of them on this ship.
Nami landed beside Rolan in her cloud form. "Any idea who the others are?"
"Not yet," Rolan said. "Either hidden forces, or the World Government."
Robin frowned. "You think they're from the World Government?"
"Possibly."
Rolan's expression darkened. Kaido and Big Mom felt stronger than before, far stronger. Whether it was some enhancement or desperation, he did not know.
"Rolan," Robin said quietly, "we can take to the air."
He shook his head. "The sky is sealed. There's an invisible net covering at least fifty kilometers."
Everyone froze.
Nami slowly put away her Den Den Mushi. She had already tried to contact their territory, but there was no signal. Even her Vivre Card was completely unresponsive.
A heavy silence settled over the deck.
Clap.
Rolan brought his hands together once, crisp and decisive. "Alright. When enemies come, we fight."
He began issuing orders without hesitation.
"Kaido and Big Mom are mine. Nami, Lina, Hancock, you handle the other three. Law and Robin deal with the remaining commanders. Vivi stays with Mr. Issho."
His gaze flicked toward Issho. "If there are hidden enemies, I'll rely on you."
Issho smiled calmly. "Leave it to me."
Hancock frowned. "You're taking on two Emperors alone? No. I'll handle one of them with you."
Rolan smirked faintly. "Relax. I sent them packing last time too."
Law's grip tightened around Kikoku. With Doflamingo gone and Corazon avenged, the weight on his heart had vanished. He was eager to see how far his strength had grown.
"They're here," someone said.
===
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