Both parties ended the call.
Lancelot had Violet track Vergo's whereabouts—he was an indispensable figure in the upcoming battle.
Not just because of his strength.
But also because Lancelot intended for him to shine brightly in this war. Only then would the Marine Headquarters hold him in higher regard.
After all, Yamato, Sasaki, Ulti, Page One, Denjiro, Kikunojo, Ashura Doji, Kawamatsu, and Gin… Were all latecomers, and some were even former pirates.
Thus, it was impossible for the Marines to fully trust them.
Vice Admiral was already their ceiling.
But Vergo was different—he had the strength, the seniority, the reputation, and the battle achievements.
Having served in the Marines for decades, he had been "diligent and conscientious."
He could be considered a true Marine.
Once his combat prowess rose, the Marine Headquarters would have no choice but to prioritize him. Even if he couldn't become a full Admiral, with Lancelot's support…
He could at least secure an Admiral candidate position.
So, he was absolutely not someone to miss.
Thanks to Doflamingo's former underground intelligence network, Vergo's location was quickly pinpointed again.
....
Three days later.
On a small island.
Lancelot, Yamato, Sasaki, Ulti, Page One, Denjiro, Kikunojo, Ashura Doji, and Kawamatsu disembarked together.
Lancelot pushed off with his legs, soaring into the sky using Moon Walk, and monitored the island's movements from above.
His Observation Haki was also pushed to its limits… He could instantly detect even the slightest significant disturbance.
After swiftly scanning the entire island with Observation Haki, he surprisingly discovered several individuals with extremely powerful auras.
"How interesting…" Lancelot showed a puzzled expression.
For the moment, he couldn't determine which one was Vergo, so he turned to the group and said.
"Split up and search. We must find him within half a day."
At the same time, he pointed out directions for everyone.
Yamato, Sasaki, Ulti, Page One: "Yes!"
Denjiro, Kikunojo, Ashura Doji, Kawamatsu: "No problem."
The group quickly dispersed.
Lancelot headed toward the strongest aura and soon arrived at the island's only town.
As he descended from the sky, he landed on one of the town's streets.
Staring at the street, Lancelot paused briefly before falling silent. The street was unusually bustling, filled with people coming and going.
There were shops of all kinds, but the most numerous were gambling houses. Or rather, all those various establishments existed to serve these casinos.
'So, was this a street for gamblers? Since few who come here refrain from gambling—merchants, pirates, bounty hunters, mercenaries, nobles... long-armed tribes, long-legged tribes, fish-men... people of all kinds... they're all here.'
"How interesting..." Lancelot couldn't help but smile, muttering under his breath, "It seems this person is quite the gambler."
Using his Observation Haki, Lancelot locked onto a casino—that powerful aura was right there.
He instinctively began walking toward it...
"Huh?"
But before he had taken more than a few steps, several gusts of wind suddenly swept through, followed by a figure landing right in front of that very casino.
This person was completely shrouded in a cloak. They wore a hat on their head and a silver mask covering their face.
Nothing could be seen except for a pair of eyes.
At first glance, this was clearly someone who didn't want to be recognized.
However, this dramatic entrance reminded Lancelot of one person.
Dragon!
Monkey D. Dragon, the revolutionary, known as the "World's Worst Criminal," the Rebel Dragon.
Because Dragon's goal is to overthrow the World Government, eliminate the noble class, and establish a harmonious, free, equal, and dream-filled New World, he has been labeled the "World's Worst Criminal" by the World Government.
Hailing from the Goa Kingdom in the East Blue, he grew powerful by upholding ideals of freedom, having already toppled the tyrannical regimes of dozens of kingdoms and liberated numerous countries.
He has become the World Government's most wanted criminal, regarded as the only revolutionary leader capable of directly overthrowing their rule.
Dragon's father is the Hero Monkey D. Garp, while he himself is the World Government's greatest enemy and the commander-in-chief of the Revolutionary Army.
His son is Luffy, the future Pirate King.
He also has a disciple: Sabo.
Undoubtedly a legendary figure in the world of one piece, but why would this guy appear here?
This left Lancelot utterly baffled.
Moreover, was his presence here just a coincidence?
Lancelot couldn't help but connect it to that powerful aura inside the casino.
Could Dragon be here for that person too?
"Not good!" Lancelot's expression changed abruptly.
In an instant, he flashed aside and hid in a corner.
Just then, Dragon happened to turn and glance in his direction.
At that moment, a flicker of confusion passed through Dragon's eyes.
He murmured to himself, "Strange, I could have sworn someone was there."
He quickly scanned the surroundings but found nothing unusual. Only then did he relax. Beneath the mask, the corners of his mouth curled slightly upward, and he stepped into the casino.
Once inside, he swiftly scanned the room, his gaze soon settling on one person.
This man had short black hair and a beard around his mouth.
His eyes were closed, and when he occasionally opened them, only the whites were visible.
On the left side of his forehead was an "X"-shaped scar that extended down to both eyes. He had a tall, imposing stature.
Dressed in a light purple kimono tied with a black-purple obi, he wore a purple scarf around his neck, white arm guards on his hands, bandages on his arms, and wooden clogs on his feet.
In his hand, he held a shikomizue (cane sword).
This was the person he had come to find.
"It's him!"
Lancelot had entered the casino through another door.
While Dragon was searching, he had been following Dragon's gaze, keeping it locked.
The moment he saw this man, he immediately confirmed that Dragon had come specifically for him.
He was Issho.
Originally an unknown master from the common folk, Issho was a blind man who loved gambling.
In the two years following the Summit War in the original story, former Marine Admiral Akainu was promoted to Fleet Admiral, while former Marine Admiral Aokiji left the Marines.
With two of the three Admiral positions vacant, the Marines initiated a "World Military Draft."
Issho participated in the World Military Draft and was exceptionally promoted to Admiral within two years, receiving the codename "Fujitora."
Alongside Ryokugyu and Kizaru, they became known as the new three Admirals.
Hailing from the Grand Line, he possesses a gentle and straightforward personality, with an extremely strong sense of justice.
He highly values the safety of civilians and detests unjust actions. Issho was an amiable man; even toward his enemies, he still used honorifics.
When carrying out his duties, Fujitora often followed his own principles.
Rather than pursuing and arresting pirates, he cared more about the safety of innocent civilians, while still adhering to naval regulations.
"Not seeing is also a blessing, for the world is filled with too many filthy, despicable people that one cannot bear to witness." Fujitora had chosen to close his own eyes because he did not want to see the world's evils.
In the original story, he was incompatible with the Marine and the World Government.
Because his conduct was more akin to that of the Revolutionary Army.
Now it seemed... perhaps he was another Revolutionary Army spy planted within the Marines, like Kuma.