One Piece: One Punch Man

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Byakuya knew that this matter would eventually come to light, so he decided it was better to admit to part of the truth while concealing the most critical details. 

Claiming he had singlehandedly driven off Kaido would only invite unnecessary trouble and suspicion.

"Yes, that incident did happen," Byakuya explained. 

"But it was purely because Zephyr had come to visit me at the base. Once Kaido realized he couldn't target me, he retreated."

Sengoku listened carefully, showing no signs of doubt. Given the combined strength of Byakuya and Zephyr, repelling Kaido wasn't impossible. 

Sengoku also recalled that Zephyr had recently taken leave to visit the New World, so the timing matched up perfectly.

"As long as you're safe, that's all that matters. But aside from checking on you, I have another mission for you." 

Sengoku's tone turned serious. "Reliable intel indicates that the Donquixote Family in Dressrosa has been attacked by a mysterious group called Night." 

"Communication with them has been completely cut off." 

"Since you're stationed close to Dressrosa, I need you to investigate the situation and, most importantly, confirm Doflamingo's status—whether he's alive or dead."

Sengoku paused before continuing with a grave tone. "Byakuya, I know about the animosity between you and Doflamingo." 

"If he's been killed by Night, then that's the best-case scenario." 

"But if he's still alive, I don't want to hear any reports of you taking matters into your own hands. His unique position makes him untouchable for now." 

"Killing him would bring you nothing but trouble and could ruin your bright future. Don't throw that away over Doflamingo."

Byakuya considered Sengoku's words carefully. 

The timing of the Beasts Pirates' ambush on him and the Night group's attack on the Donquixote Family seemed like an uncanny coincidence. 

Yet Sengoku hadn't linked the two incidents, and for good reason. 

The only way they could be connected was if Byakuya controlled both the Beasts Pirates and Night, which was an absurd notion.

This conclusion reassured Sengoku, dispelling any lingering suspicions about Byakuya's involvement with Night. Sengoku was pleased. 

Clearing Byakuya's name meant he could focus on nurturing him as a future leader. 

The current Admirals—Akainu, too extreme; Kizaru, too lazy; and Aokiji, too compassionate—were ill-suited for the role of Fleet Admiral. 

Byakuya, on the other hand, was young, powerful, responsible, and unrelenting toward pirates. Sengoku saw in him the ideal successor.

Unbeknownst to Sengoku, Byakuya had already anticipated this mission and was prepared to head to Dressrosa. 

What caught him off guard was the unusually personal tone Sengoku used, as though he was grooming him to be the next Fleet Admiral. 

For once, Byakuya chose not to argue and readily accepted the mission.

After hanging up, Sengoku couldn't help but feel proud. 

"Byakuya's maturing," he thought to himself, unaware that Byakuya's quick agreement was simply because it aligned with his plans.

Byakuya turned to Issho with a sly grin. "You heard everything, didn't you?"

Issho nodded. "I didn't expect you to hold such a special place in Fleet Admiral Sengoku's heart."

Feigning modesty, Byakuya replied, "Well, I am his nephew. It's only natural he takes care of me."

Issho chuckled. "If it were just about family ties, Sengoku wouldn't have become Fleet Admiral in the first place."

Changing the subject, Byakuya suggested, "Since you overheard the call, why don't you join me on my trip to Dressrosa?" 

"Let's take a closer look at this kingdom governed by the Warlord we both oppose."

Issho raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Oh? I've heard Dressrosa is known as the 'Kingdom of Love, Passion, and Toys' under Doflamingo's rule." 

"It's quite famous in the New World, and its citizens are said to adore him."

This reputation wasn't entirely baseless. 

Following the Alabasta incident, the World Government had heavily promoted Dressrosa as a model example of how Warlords could coexist with affiliated nations and improve their prosperity, hoping to quell fears among other member nations.

Byakuya had nearly laughed himself to tears when he first heard this. Of all the examples, they chose Doflamingo and Dressrosa. 

If the truth about their so-called model kingdom ever came to light, the World Government's credibility would be utterly destroyed.

With a knowing smile, Byakuya asked, "Issho, do you truly believe Dressrosa is as perfect as the World Government claims?"

Issho paused, his face showing genuine surprise. "It's been presented as a model example. Why would it not be true?"

Issho underestimated the World Government's shamelessness. Sensing an opportunity, Byakuya leaned closer. 

"If that's the case, how about we place a little wager?"

"A wager?" Issho's interest was piqued. Being a gambling man, the idea immediately appealed to him. 

He found himself growing even fonder of Byakuya. This young man not only shares my ideals but even knows how to appeal to my hobbies. 

Truly a rare gem on the seas. 

Amused by the thought, Issho briefly considered introducing one of his distant nieces to Byakuya, thinking, Perhaps I should play matchmaker and bring these two together. 

Who knows? We might just end up as in-laws. At this point, Issho decided to dismiss the thought from his mind. "What's the wager?"

Byakuya smiled. "We'll head to Dressrosa together. If the kingdom truly matches the World Government's claims, then I lose. If it doesn't, then you lose."

Issho raised an eyebrow. "And the stakes?"

"If I lose, I'll agree to do anything you ask, so long as it's within my ability. But if you lose, you must join the Marines and work with me to abolish the Warlord system."

Such high stakes! Yet Issho wasn't displeased. 

His entire reason for seeking out Byakuya was to ally with someone who shared his goal of dismantling the Warlord system. 

Whether they wagered or not, the outcome would align with his original intent.

However, as a lifelong gambler, Issho felt a tinge of reluctance at entering a wager with no meaningful stakes for himself. 

A true gamble was about the thrill of risk, after all. Then, he recalled the earlier conversation between Sengoku and Byakuya. 

If he lost this bet, he would become Byakuya's subordinate and work to abolish the Warlord system alongside him. 

Should Byakuya eventually rise to the position of Fleet Admiral, Issho would likely secure the rank of Marine Admiral—a role he found neither demeaning nor undesirable.

And truthfully, Issho wasn't concerned with rank or status. What mattered most was fairness and justice. 

Convinced, Issho smiled and agreed, "Very well. I accept your wager. Let us head to Dressrosa together."

Seeing Issho agree, Byakuya's eyes sparkled with satisfaction. This was the first step in his plan to draw Issho to his side. 

Exploiting Issho's love of gambling, he'd successfully lured him in. Once they arrived in Dressrosa, Byakuya had a second act planned.

His goal was to expose Doflamingo's heinous crimes and then unleash an Oscar-worthy performance to sway Issho completely. 

By playing the part of a passionate advocate for justice, Byakuya intended to win Issho's admiration and loyalty, ensuring that he would willingly follow him.

Meanwhile, Morgans, who had received intel from Night, was already in Dressrosa, eagerly preparing to cover the unfolding drama. 

With Byakuya's compelling performance and the media's amplification, it would be nearly impossible for him not to become a sensation across the seas.

This plan promised a double victory: gaining Issho's Admiral-level combat strength and elevating Byakuya's reputation to new heights. 

Both objectives were achieved in one stroke—how perfect!

However, if Byakuya were to discover that Issho, thinking the wager was unfair, had secretly added stakes of his own, Byakuya might laugh himself silly.

Fairness? I don't even need to set foot in Dressrosa to know exactly what's going on there. 

After all, I'm the one who sent Night to stage the chaos, and they're waiting for me to arrive. 

This is a guaranteed win for me. Fairness? You've got the wrong guy.

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