Issho wondered, if the contents of the recording shell were true, was Kaido really governing Wano well? Was he actually building homes for the people, distributing them for free, giving them jobs to ensure they had enough to eat and wear?
Issho felt as if his worldview was collapsing. It took him a while before he asked, "What you're saying... is it true?"
"I can't be the one to say," Gusion replied. "Only after you see it for yourself, Mr. Issho, will it be real for you."
Issho nodded, "But why are you so good to the people? Is there some evil purpose behind this?"
He was blunt because, in his heart, he really thought pirates had no reason to act this way.
"Evil purpose?" Gusion laughed. "To the World Government, yes, perhaps this is evil."
Issho's expression darkened. "I knew it—you pirates never have good intentions."
"Mr. Issho, you misunderstand," Gusion said. "Do you really believe the world ruled by the Celestial Dragons is just? So many countries pay the Heavenly Tribute, and countless people starve because of it. Do you think this is justice?"
Issho was stunned. He was 42 years old, and since going to sea, he'd seen only the evil of pirates, but he never thought the Marines were true justice either.
As a wanderer, he'd seen many countries ruined by the huge burden of the Heavenly Tribute, some even forced to wage war just to pay it. To him, that was never justice.
Yet, with the World Government's rule so entrenched, he never really thought about the root cause of the world's suffering.
Hearing it from Gusion now, he suddenly realized the rot ran deep. He'd even considered joining the Marines to realize his sense of justice, but now, he doubted whether helping the World Government was any better than aiding evil.
All at once, he felt a deeper conflict within himself, greater than any doubts about Gusion's words. He didn't know how to realize his sense of justice anymore. Roaming the seas and helping the weak—how many could he save? Joining the World Government would be aiding evil. What should he do?
"It seems you already have the answer in your heart, Mr. Issho. Yes, the reason we're governing Wano well is to oppose the World Government and overthrow the Celestial Dragons' rule."
Gusion continued, "When Kaido was young, his country betrayed him and handed him over to the World Government. He had no choice but to become a notorious pirate. But even after gaining his own territory, he never forgot his original dream."
Curious, Issho asked, "What is Kaido's dream?"
He was always polite, and Gusion was as well, so he used honorifics.
"Kaido wants to overthrow the Celestial Dragons and create a fair world where status is based on individual ability, not on paying the Heavenly Tribute. Maybe it's a simple, even crude, ideal, and perfect fairness is impossible. But I still want to help him achieve this. At the very least, we want to abolish the Heavenly Tribute and end the Celestial Dragons' rule."
Gusion's words were like nails in Issho's heart, shaking him deeply.
Yes, this was what he truly wanted!
If the Celestial Dragons were overthrown and a healthier world order established, life would certainly improve for the people.
Looking at Kaido now, Issho saw him in a new light. He never imagined that an Emperor like Kaido could harbor such grand ambitions.
When it came to dreams, Issho believed Gusion and Kaido wouldn't lie to him. Everyone in the New World knew Kaido's reputation: brutal, yes, but never a liar or a cheat—especially not about dreams.
If what Gusion said was true, it made perfect sense: govern Wano well, make the people prosperous, spread that example across the New World, gather strength, and ultimately challenge the World Government.
Even if Kaido didn't truly care about the people, he couldn't oppose them if he wanted to realize his dream. Actions mattered more than intentions.
Issho suddenly realized that he and Kaido actually shared the same goal: to change this damned world and overthrow the Celestial Dragons!
His life's purpose now seemed clear, though he didn't yet put down his sword. He wondered whether Kaido's method or the Revolutionary Army's path would be more effective in toppling the Celestial Dragons.
"Mr. Issho, I've heard many stories about you during my travels," Gusion said, "and I believe you are a hero who cares for the people. So when Mr. King told me you were here, I didn't think about defeating you, but about inviting you to join us."
Gusion finally revealed his invitation.
"The Revolutionary Army is doing the same thing as you," Issho replied. "And I can't be certain everything you say is true."
Gusion smiled. "The Revolutionary Army only emerged in recent years. Do they have our military strength? A whole country to support them? I respect their ideals, and in some sense, we're allies, but right now, they're far behind us."
He leaned in, sincere. "Mr. Issho, we are closer to the goal."
Issho thought it over and saw the logic. If Gusion's claims about Wano were true, the Beasts Pirates would have a massive logistical advantage—joining them made more sense if he wanted to realize his ideals.
"I'll go with you," Issho said. "If Wano is as you say, then I'll join the Beasts Pirates."
He was calm, not blindly loyal—if he found Wano disappointing, he'd consider joining the Revolutionary Army instead.
"Then let me welcome you in advance, Mr. Issho," Gusion grinned. "And to be honest, we're not really a pirate crew anymore. We only educate newcomers to the New World. We don't plunder other countries."
He wasn't lying. Since settling in Wano, the Beasts Pirates had stopped raiding other nations. Kaido was busy enough managing Wano, and his fame brought many big merchants to him; weapons trade alone made him rich. With Gusion as strategist, the crew was transforming—no longer infamous for plundering, they were becoming more like the Revolutionary Army.
With time, people would remember Kaido as an Emperor and as Wano's wise king.
"You're very sincere," Issho said politely, then approached Kaido and the others, who were watching the scene unfold.
Kaido was beaming. The pirates and explorers were all shocked: in just a few minutes, a former enemy had become their new ally.
The crew's respect for Strategist Gusion grew, while the explorers felt a bit envious.
"Welcome!" Kaido didn't hide his delight. After all, Issho was even stronger than King and shared his ideals. As Gusion had said, he was the best kind of partner—strong and trustworthy.
"I, Issho, thank you, Kaido, for not rejecting me. I am willing to follow you in your great cause." Issho was polite and formal, which Kaido didn't mind—he was just happy Issho would follow him.
Of course, half his words were just for show. Only after seeing the beauty of Wano would Issho truly follow Kaido with all his heart.
After greeting Kaido, Issho turned to King. "Mr. King, sorry for offending you earlier."
King just nodded coldly. "Next time we spar, I won't lose."
"Hahaha! With a new comrade, let's have a banquet!" Kaido laughed, completely forgetting about looking for the Poneglyph on Sky Island.
Now, the Poneglyph was important, but not as much as building strength for the coming war against the Celestial Dragons.
So, instead of setting off, they held a banquet right there. Issho even hunted a Sea King for everyone to eat.
At the banquet, everyone mingled. Issho, seeing the crew gambling with dice, couldn't resist joining in.
After a few drinks, Kaido slapped his thigh. "Almost forgot—Issho, from now on, you're our fifth Calamity. As for your title..."
He thought for a while but couldn't come up with a good name.
Issho spoke up. "I don't like being called a Calamity. Since we're the Beasts Pirates, if I must have a title, let it be 'Fujitora'—the Wisteria Tiger."
Gusion almost choked on his drink hearing this.
Was this fate, or did Issho just love the name and use it everywhere?
"Fujitora, huh? Sounds great!" Kaido laughed, not bothered that his Calamity lineup was being broken. After all, "tiger" fit the Beast Pirates' theme.
Kaido drank, then looked at Gusion. "By the way, where did you get that recording shell? King wasn't back yet on housing distribution day."
Issho was also interested—he knew Kaido wouldn't act for show, which made Gusion's words even more credible.
But after the banquet, Issho felt he could trust Kaido and just wanted to see Wano with his own eyes.
"Oh, I thought it was a meaningful moment, so I asked around for a video shell, but could only find a recording one," Gusion explained. "I wanted to record Kaido's speech for Yamato, but it ended up as proof for Mr. Issho."
He wasn't a prophet—he had no idea he'd need to convince Issho later; the recording shell just happened to come in handy.
Kaido perked up. "So what did Yamato say after hearing it?"
"She said your speech was really stiff..." Gusion relayed Yamato's critique.