After Kyros finished reporting the results of his investigation to Yoriichi Tsugikuni, Issho fell completely silent. His usually shut eyes now strained to open, revealing the whites within.

Clearly, Issho hadn't expected the Marine investigation to yield such a result.

When he'd clashed with that noble, there had absolutely been many eyewitnesses. With his Observation Haki, it was impossible for him to have misread the situation.

Yet now, Kyros was reporting that every witness had given consistent testimony, accusing him of murder. This was something Issho simply could not accept.

At first, he even suspected foul play from the Marines themselves. After all, having roamed the world for so many years, he'd encountered his fair share of corrupt Marines.

However, the moment Yoriichi spoke up, Issho quickly calmed down again. He closed his eyes once more, fell silent, and waited for the Marines' decision.

Tap, tap. Yoriichi drummed his left fingers lightly against the tabletop. While he had his own suspicions, he still couldn't rely solely on personal trust to determine the truth of an incident.

More often than not, acting on pure trust alone was no way to achieve justice.

Only by following just means could one hope to ensure a just outcome.

"Kyros, what do you think of this matter? During your investigation, did anything unusual happen?"

Yoriichi gestured toward a seat beside the table, indicating Kyros should sit.

However, Kyros glanced at Issho, then chose not to sit. Instead, he stood straight and saluted formally before reporting:

"Sir!"

"I believe there's something suspicious going on here!"

"During my investigation, I questioned many people. Although they all claimed he suddenly attacked and killed Viscount Wenblai and his subordinates, there was one detail that stood out."

"That is, the way they spoke was all nearly identical."

"Under normal circumstances, I'd expect average civilians to either clam up or speak incoherently after witnessing something so terrifying. But here, every single person calmly recited the exact same story. That seems highly suspicious to me!"

"Furthermore, while I was investigating, the Principality of Verdant Crest had already dispatched its own agents to look into the matter."

"I arrived after they did."

Kyros reported calmly, describing everything he believed was suspicious. He didn't exaggerate, nor did he blindly trust the citizens' testimony. He also refrained from directing blame at Issho, even though he'd been injured during the earlier battle.

"I see..."

"One must admit, the Principality of Verdant Crest is quite efficient."

"Accomplishing all that in such a short time, their administrative speed is impressive."

Kyros could hear the sarcasm in Yoriichi's tone. Since the Principality was a member nation of the World Government, such comments might raise eyebrows if overheard—especially with Issho, a civilian, present. So Kyros added a follow-up to soften it:

"Well, that's only to be expected. Most member nations of the World Government possess a certain level of capability."

"For a country like that, high administrative efficiency is quite reasonable."

"Also, the man who died—Viscount Wenblai—was nobility. From what I've learned, he was the younger brother of the Duchess."

Kyros had indeed uncovered a lot in this short time, especially when it came to mapping out Wenblai's social connections.

Once he finished his report, he asked:

"Rear Admiral Tsugikuni, what should we do now?"

"If we're to act based on eyewitness accounts, then the suspect is quite clear. Typically, it would be our duty as Marines to assist member nations in apprehending criminals—especially when the suspect is currently aboard our ship."

At this point, Kyros was out of ideas.

He was certain something fishy was going on, but if all the eyewitnesses gave consistent statements, then Issho really was being framed as the murderer.

Yes, the One Piece world was a world of "superpowers," and it was difficult for any law to restrain someone as strong as Issho.

But wasn't that precisely why the Marines existed? To uphold justice and prevent these powerful individuals from abusing their strength?

And Kyros firmly believed that if it came down to it, the Marines—especially with Yoriichi—would not necessarily lose to Issho.

"Well, that does put us in a tricky spot."

"Mr. Issho, what's your opinion?"

"Faced with this situation, what do you plan to do?"

Yoriichi stopped tapping on the table. He already had a decision in mind, but he still turned to Issho and asked with a smile.

"Heh heh heh..."

"I may not be a big shot, but I've never told a lie."

"I don't know why those people would lie, but if that's what they said, then let's pretend they're right."

"However... Marines."

"I'm not going to let myself be taken in without a fight, because I truly haven't lied."

As he spoke, Issho slowly stood up, clearly intending to leave. But Kyros stepped forward, blocking his path. He had no intention of letting the man go.

Seeing Kyros' stubborn stance ready to ignite another clash, Yoriichi gestured casually and said, "Let him go. It's fine."

"But Mr. Issho, are you really planning to leave with the label of 'murderer' hanging over your head?"

"Even if you were framed, does it not matter?"

When Issho reached the door, Yoriichi suddenly called out and asked.

"As you said yourself, the people of Verdant Crest must be living difficult lives."

"Even if I was framed, I don't want to add to their burden."

"I think I can roughly understand how they're thinking now."

"If bearing the title of murderer will ease their pain, then so be it."

Saying that, Issho turned to leave.

But just then, Yoriichi stood up and smiled as he praised him:

"Mr. Issho, you truly are a gentle man."

"But if this world forces gentle people to suffer even more, then isn't it this world that's twisted?"

"As Marines, if we see that this world is twisted and don't try to change it, wouldn't that make us just as twisted?"

"Mr. Issho, I'm a Marine, and I've never shied away from telling people that I stand on the side of justice."

"Some might say a Marine like me is hypocritical, but this is what I've chosen to do."

"At the very least, I want gentle people to be treated gently by the world."

Saying this, Yoriichi turned to Kyros and continued:

"Kyros, you said the eyewitness accounts were all the same, right?"

"In that case, investigate the people the Principality sent to look into the case. And while you're at it, dig into the background of this Viscount Wenblai."

"I believe in Mr. Issho. I suspect that a man who'd kill just because someone stood in his way must have a history."

"You don't have to stick to questioning average citizens. There's an underworld in every place. Those people are better informed—and braver about what they say."

"Killing someone evil can still be an act of goodness, don't you think?"

With that, Yoriichi gave Issho a faint smile.

Kyros nodded slightly. He glanced at Issho, then stepped past him and left the cabin to begin his investigation.

Once Kyros had departed, Issho slowly turned back around. The bitterness on his face had faded, replaced by a faint smile.

"Rear Admiral Yoriichi Tsugikuni."

"I truly want to see for myself what kind of man you really are."

Hearing this, Yoriichi slowly sat back down and replied,

"Mr. Issho, I don't think you're in a hurry. Why not stay a bit longer?"

"Let's keep talking."

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100 P.S = 1 Extra Chapter

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