Ezra pushed open the doors of the division. Inside, the scene was even more harrowing than outside.
Along the walls, injured soldiers sat slumped, their faces drained of energy.
"Admiral Ember?"
"Admiral Ember is here!"
"Yes, it's Admiral Ember!"
Some of the soldiers recognized Ezra and tried to stand to salute him.
Ezra waved his hand slightly. "Relax. Focus on healing. Don't move around unnecessarily."
Gradually, everyone sank back down, easing into their seats again.
"Where is the division chief?" Ezra asked a soldier.
A flicker of tears appeared in the soldier's eyes. "I'm sorry, Admiral Ember. The division chief sacrificed himself protecting us."
Ezra's brow tightened. That damned Edward Weibel.
"And who's in charge now?"
"Reporting, Admiral Ember… it's me!"
At that moment, a Navy officer limped hurriedly toward them. His right leg had been severed, blood still trickling from the wound. His face was pale and ghostly, yet his eyes burned with a furious light the fury of someone wronged by pirates.
"Admiral Ember, Sergeant Bruce of the Thirty-Sixth Division reporting!"
Ezra gave a slight nod. "Sit down and tell me what happened."
Bruce waved his hands frantically. "No need, Admiral Ember. I'm fine standing."
Ezra's brow furrowed. "Look at what's happened to you all. Sit down."
"Yes… yes, Admiral Ember."
Bruce lowered himself to the ground, finally feeling a little relief.
As for why they weren't in the office? There wasn't one left to go to.
Ezra sat cross-legged on the floor. "Tell me. What did that bastard do?"
Bruce's eyes burned with rage. He gritted his teeth. "That pirate… he had no goal. He just wanted to kill!"
Ezra paused. "Was he alone? Were there others with him?"
"There was… there was a woman. I think she was his mother. And no matter what she said, he would do it!"
Ezra nodded slightly. Edward Weibel had always obeyed his mother, Miss Bakin, without question even to the point of recklessness.
At that moment, Rossinandi approached from nearby.
"Admiral Ember, we've searched the entire town. No trace of Edward Weibel."
Ezra raised an eyebrow, unsurprised. After all, Miss Bakin was no fool.
Ezra looked at Bruce. "Do you know which direction they went?"
Bruce shook his head, then paused as if recalling something. "Oh, yes! One person definitely knows where they went."
"Who?"
"A blind man on a nearby island. But he's no ordinary blind man. His Observation Haki is strong, and he knows swordsmanship!"
Ezra's brow lifted. A blind man… with Observation Haki… and a sword.
"Could it really be… such a coincidence?" he murmured.
Bruce looked at him, puzzled. "Admiral Ember, what do you mean?"
Ezra waved his hand. "Nothing. But why are you so sure he knows?"
Bruce's eyes burned with determination. "He was close friends with our division chief. They were supposed to meet for drinks tonight, but the chief never arrived. He came looking here and happened to cross paths with that pirate!"
Ezra's brow lifted. "He came here? Where is he now?"
Bruce scratched his head. "He went to a nearby island to gather medicinal herbs for us."
Ezra felt a weight lift from his chest. Whoever this blind swordsman was, as long as he hadn't fled, there was hope.
"All right. I understand the situation. You rest and recover, Bruce."
"Admiral Ember… may I request something?"
"Speak."
Bruce's eyes blazed with killing intent. "Please… Admiral Ember… kill that pirate! I beg you! Please!"
The surrounding soldiers fell to their knees, tears and anger filling their eyes. Rossinandi clenched his fists tightly.
Ezra's face remained calm, but he nodded slightly. "Don't worry. I will not let him get away."
It had been a long time since Ezra felt such anger. The Navy was strong, but not strong enough. He needed capable people to join. He could not allow such devastation to happen again.
The soldiers relaxed, reassured by his words. Rossinandi was dispatched to the harbor. If the blind swordsman appeared, he was to bring him here. Ezra stayed behind, using his powers to heal the injured.
As night fell, bonfires were lit, their warm glow chasing away the chill. Ezra watched the soldiers sleep and sighed, stepping outside.
Just then, Rossinandi returned with someone.
"Admiral Ember, the swordsman has arrived."
Ezra's gaze fell on the figure behind Rossinandi. A tall man in a pale purple kimono, tied with a darker purple belt, holding a nodachi. Short black hair, a small beard, and closed eyes. A prominent scar marked the left side of his forehead.
The familiar attire confirmed his identity instantly.
The man spoke. "I am Issho. You must be Admiral Ember."
Ezra's lips curved into a faint smile. Indeed, it was him the future Navy Admiral, codenamed Fujitora.
"Yes, I am Ember. Thank you for taking care of the division, Mr. Issho."
Issho waved his hand politely. "You flatter me. I have only done what I could."
"Why don't we find a place to talk?" Ezra suggested.
"Right this way," Issho replied.
Together, they walked to the seaside.
"Mr. Issho, Bruce told me you know the pirate's whereabouts?"
Issho bowed slightly. "Call me Issho, if you please. You are correct. I intended to wait until they were better before personally dealing with that pirate. Now that you're here, I can act with less worry."
Ezra's lips twitched into a small smile. "I can see you have a strong sense of justice. Have you considered joining the Navy?"