"Your eyes look like they were injured by a blade."
There are rumors that Fujitora once witnessed too much of the suffering in this world. Unable to bear it any longer, he cut his own eyes blind.
In the end, it was a loss and a gain—he lost his sight, yet obtained incredibly powerful Observation Haki. While others treat Observation Haki training as something that requires deliberate effort, for Fujitora, Observation Haki is something he's using every single moment.
"I cut them myself."
Such a terrifying act of self-mutilation—gouging out his own eyes—came from Fujitora's mouth as casually as if he were talking about drinking water.
"Impressive. I admit I couldn't do that."
"Everyone has things they are good at and things they are not, along with their own principles and convictions… Young man, you've accomplished things others could not. What I wonder is—before you charged toward Mary Geoise, the countries you passed through… were they truly as the World Government's news reports claimed?"
Regarding Vane's experiences along the way, the World Government's reports were naturally all negative. Otherwise, how would the title "Nation-Slayer" have come about?
"Oh, those countries? I should really tell you about them properly. The first country I arrived at in the West Blue—you wouldn't believe how insane they were in their desperation to join the World Government. They collaborated with pirates to sell off their own citizens… and in the end, they even tried to pin it all on me. That country's princess is currently serving as the ship's doctor on my vessel."
"And the second one…"
Vane recounted the situations of every country he had encountered along the way—those who sold their citizens for profit, those who invaded neighboring nations while begging him not to interfere, the vile prince of Drum, the bloody policies of the Twin Kingdoms, the tragedies born from the ignorance of the Holy Church Nation.
After all, firsthand testimony from the person involved is far more trustworthy—richer in detail and far clearer.
"The will of a king has far too much influence over the operation of a kingdom. Ten generations of accumulation can be ruined by a single tyrant… The survival of the citizens depends far too heavily on the king's will."
"There are so many pirates at sea. Not all of them are driven by ambition. A considerable number set sail simply because they had no other choice. If the kingdoms of this world could properly govern themselves, at least thirty percent fewer pirates would appear on the seas."
Those who are born wanting to become pirates are a minority. Hot-blooded fools like Luffy are an even rarer minority among minorities.
"I've talked a bit too much. Before we knew it, we've already arrived."
Vane stopped walking. Fujitora's staff, which had been tapping against the ground continuously, also came to a halt.
This was a remote corner of Octagon Island, far from the bustling districts—practically desolate.
The warehouse appeared to have been carved directly out of the mountain rock. There was only a single large gate serving as the entrance and exit; the rest were natural stone walls.
"Fujitora-san, do you sense anything?"
In terms of Observation Haki, Fujitora was unquestionably stronger than him. What he could perceive far surpassed Vane's own senses.
"Do I sense anything… Fear and malice. Almost entirely malice. Even most of the fear emanates from those filled with malicious intent. It seems there aren't many people imprisoned inside."
According to some of the thugs at the casino, this transit warehouse was holding at least several hundred captives—recently gathered in urgency by the Slave King. The casino was merely one of their supply sources.
"They must have transferred them in a hurry. After hearing we were coming, they probably moved a large number away. They likely feared the upcoming fight would damage what they consider their property."
Fujitora nodded. "I think that's highly likely as well… However, they didn't manage to move everyone. When we engage shortly, please be mindful."
"No problem. I'll do my best to take care of them. After all, many of them will be boarding my ship."
Shhk—
Both men drew their swords simultaneously.
One was a Cursed Sword that devours the blood of its wielder.
The other was one of the world's twelve Supreme Grade blades.
Fujitora moved first. Clang! Clang! Clang!
Three swift slashes in succession. No visible sword aura could be seen, yet the sealed gate exploded apart instantly!
Boom! Crash!
"Ah!"
"The gate's blown open!"
A squad lying in ambush by the entrance, muskets aimed forward, was immediately blasted away by the violent shockwave.
"Charge! Let him witness the grandeur of us Underworld Kings!"
At that moment, Vane's Observation Haki swept across the area. Unless one possessed a special ability, a sweep of Observation Haki often revealed who among the crowd posed real threats.
There were three powerful presences inside.
The first wore a white robe and a red mask on his face, the mask styled with a hint of Native American flavor… A World Government CP0 agent?
The second had headwear resembling a clown's, a bulbous nose, and a flushed, drunken face, carrying an enormous sake gourd.
Vasco Shot? Later rescued from Impel Down by Blackbeard, he seized the powers of the Glug-Glug Fruit—though his performance afterward had been rather underwhelming.
Even if his later feats were disappointing, he was still a powerful pirate who survived Impel Down. His strength was certainly not insignificant.
The third person Vane did not recognize. Likely someone who never appeared in the anime or manga. He had long dreadlocks, a lean frame, and wielded a metal staff as his weapon.
Aside from them, there were more than two hundred other fighters combined. Clearly handpicked—no obvious fodder among them.
"Let's see if even half of them can stay standing."
As the group inside, led by the three powerhouses, rushed forward, Vane unleashed his Conqueror's Haki.
Bzzzz!!
Conqueror's Haki without Armament coating is often called a fodder detector. Those unable to remain standing before it have no qualification to participate in battle.
Evidently, among the two hundred-plus men, half were unable to stand under the pressure of Conqueror's Haki—most of them being gunmen.
In an instant, over a hundred men rolled their eyes back and collapsed to the ground. The blow to morale was devastating.
"How could this be…"
"I feel completely drained… I almost fell over."
"So this is the terror of a pirate worth 1.1 billion…"
In another dimly lit room, two Underworld Kings were observing the situation through a surveillance Den Den Mushi. People like them would never personally show up on site—they preferred to hide safely behind the scenes and control everything from the shadows.
Seeing half their men collapse at once—fortunately, the Den Den Mushi was installed deep enough inside to remain outside the range of Conqueror's Haki. Otherwise, they wouldn't even be able to watch.
"It doesn't matter. We never expected this bunch to accomplish much anyway…"
The Slave King could only console himself like that. The three leaders were his true pillars of support.
The CP0 agent charged at the very front.
"Nation-Slayer Vane! Come with me to Enies Lobby and face the World Government's judgment!"