Chapter 131: Bad Luck

"Do you mean to bet with an old man like me?"

It was evening, inside the exclusive lounge for Admiral candidates. Shiro had come for a visit and offered a wager.

Shiro smiled in a peculiar way, asking his question. Although betting was a hobby of his, he and Fujitora weren't exactly familiar with each other. In fact, they were competitors, so Fujitora found the situation rather odd.

"I've heard that Mr. Fujitora is highly skilled. As it happens, I consider myself fairly talented as well, so I'd like to test my skills against yours," Shiro said with calm confidence.

He wasn't too eager, so as not to raise Fujitora's guard. With powerhouses like him, one had to be careful. The Voice of God technique had limited effectiveness on someone of Fujitora's caliber. Therefore, Shiro knew better than to rush in recklessly. If Fujitora became suspicious, things would become troublesome and ruin the fun of what was to come.

Approaching Fujitora through his gambling hobby seemed like the smart choice. And now was the perfect time to use the talents recently granted to Shiro by the system.

"Hahaha, in that case, how about we play a few games?" Fujitora laughed heartily, his initial wariness replaced by kindness.

He found it easier to let his guard down, seeing that he and Shiro shared a common interest. After all, Fujitora was the senior and felt confident in his skills and luck. This was his chance to temper Shiro's momentum before tomorrow's potential match-up.

"I accept your challenge, Fujitora!" Shiro responded, a subtle smile playing on his lips.

He could already sense what Fujitora was thinking. Soon, though, Fujitora would come to realize what real despair felt like.

The games began.

As one round passed, then two, three, and eventually many more, the look on Fujitora's face shifted. His initial confidence and good-natured interest turned to furrowed brows and frustration.

Game after game, Fujitora lost. After thirteen straight losses, his record stood at a crushing 0-13. In all his years, Fujitora had never faced such bad luck. He even began to suspect that Shiro was cheating. But no matter how closely he observed, he couldn't find any evidence of foul play.

Only two possibilities remained: either Shiro was vastly more skilled than him, or Fujitora's luck had truly deserted him.

With each game, Fujitora came agonizingly close to victory, only to lose at the last moment. Eventually, he resigned himself to the belief that his luck was simply terrible.

Could the God of Gamblers be trying to tell me something? Have I made a wrong decision recently? Fujitora wondered.

In recent weeks, his focus had been on participating in the World Military Draft and becoming an Admiral. He believed in the righteousness of the Navy and was determined to bring justice to the seas.

As Fujitora's losses piled up, his cheerful demeanor began to fade. Even a man as composed as he couldn't help but feel the sting of repeated failure.

Shiro, sensing the time was right, paused the game.

"Mr. Fujitora, it seems your luck hasn't been good lately. I'm surprised myself that I've managed to win so consistently," Shiro remarked, pretending to be puzzled.

He actually admired Fujitora. Despite losing repeatedly, Fujitora never attempted to cheat, even though his Devil Fruit powers would have made it easy for him to do so.

"Ah, yes. Perhaps today just isn't my day," Fujitora sighed, his earlier confidence completely drained.

"Mr. Fujitora, have you encountered any difficulties lately? Losing more than ten games in a row could be a sign from the gods," Shiro suggested.

"Other than joining the World Military Draft, there's nothing much. But I wonder, do gods really exist in a world where so many civilians suffer at sea?" Fujitora mused, his voice filled with sympathy for the people he wished to protect.

It was this deep compassion that had driven Fujitora to join the Navy. He hoped that, as an Admiral, he could bring real change to the world.

"Oh? I don't know if gods exist, but Mr. Fujitora, do you truly believe that the Navy, bound by the rules of the World Government, can help you achieve your goals?"

"Even if you become an Admiral, or even the Fleet Admiral, will the Celestial Dragons—who rule this world—stop enslaving civilians because of what you think? Will they change the system of oppression simply because you hold a position of power?" Shiro pressed.

"The Navy has always been a tool of the World Government, Mr. Fujitora. No matter how noble your intentions, the Celestial Dragons will never allow you to alter the status quo," Shiro continued, using the Voice of God skill to nudge Fujitora into deeper thought.

Fujitora did not immediately respond. Instead, he sat in contemplative silence. This was a good sign—it meant Shiro's words had struck a chord.

After a long pause, Fujitora finally spoke.

"Who are you really? Isn't your goal to become an Admiral?" Fujitora asked, his eyes locking onto Shiro.

"Becoming an Admiral is not my goal," Shiro said calmly. "Our true aim is to overthrow the World Government and create a new order."

Fujitora's eyes widened in shock.

"You're a member of Shiro's group, aren't you?" Fujitora exclaimed.

The surprise in his voice was palpable.

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The fanfic is finished on p@treon/tambeerg