Chapter 190: Heaven's Will
Hearing this, even if Old K was a fool, he knew that Fujitora was willing to help him rescue his companions.
Although he didn't know how strong Fujitora was, since Fujitora had never shown his strength from start to finish, Old K was still hearing for the first time that someone was willing to help him. So he couldn't help but say excitedly to Ian: "Lord Ian, please rest assured. As long as you can rescue my companions, you can take all the money in the casino!"
Originally, Old K also had a ship that he could give to Fujitora, but the problem was that Fujitora was blind. Old K didn't know if anything would happen if he went out to sea alone, and Old K himself couldn't leave this island because not only were G5's people monitoring him on the island, but he also couldn't be sure if Fujitora could actually succeed. If Fujitora failed, he would be dragged into it too.
So he could only find someone to send Fujitora off.
Ian gave him a sidelong glance. This guy probably thought he was a real pirate and was trying to move him with money, but the problem was that Ian's mind wasn't on the money right now!
He pretended to think for a while, stroking his chin, and then spoke: "How about this, Uncle Issho? Since you have the resolve to become a pirate, why not join my pirate crew? My crew has been lacking a first mate for a long time!"
Ian originally thought that this would be a natural progression, but to his surprise, Fujitora shook his head and said: "Thank you for your kindness, young master Ian. Although I don't mind becoming a pirate, that doesn't mean I don't mind becoming a pirate on another pirate crew!"
The meaning was clear: becoming a pirate alone was a decision of his own free will, but boarding someone else's ship and joining their crew was a different matter for Fujitora.
Ian naturally understood the implication. Fujitora was uneasy. He didn't yet know the nature of the Dragon Hunter Pirates and was afraid of accidentally joining a pirate crew steeped in evil.
Thinking this, Ian smiled. It didn't matter. Wasn't it just a lack of understanding? That was easy to solve.
As long as he knew that Fujitora didn't mind becoming a pirate, that was enough.
So, he turned his gaze to the dice cup that had fallen on the floor, bent down to pick it up, and said: "Uncle Issho, don't rush to refuse. How about this? Let's decide in a different way!"
"A different way?" Fujitora was slightly puzzled.
"Yeah, this way is called Heaven's Will!" Ian threw the dice one by one into the cup, producing a series of sounds that made Fujitora's heart itch, and said: "Let's make a bet. If you win, then I'll send you to the G5 branch, and my crew and I will help you rescue the people, without asking for a single Berry as fare!"
"And if I lose?" Fujitora asked with interest.
"If you lose, we'll still help you rescue the people, but afterward, you'll stay on my ship for one month!" Ian smiled. "First, there's something I want your help with. Second, I really do want you to be my first mate. During this month, you can observe my crew carefully. If the time is up and you still don't want to join, then I won't force you to stay and will send you off!"
It had to be said that Ian's words scratched Fujitora's itch.
He was addicted to gambling. When it came to real gambling, he never used his abilities to cheat. He liked to call gambling Heaven's Will.
And Ian, coincidentally, also said the words "Heaven's Will," which immediately piqued Fujitora's interest.
More importantly, Ian also made it clear that even if he lost, he would only stay on the ship for a month. For Fujitora, that wasn't a big loss.
"In that case, I'll take this bet!" Fujitora said with a chuckle.
"Straightforward!" Ian gave him a thumbs up, then turned to look at Old K and said: "You'll be the witness, but it's best if you don't use your ability to interfere, or I'll cut you down directly!"
Old K quickly covered his mouth with his hand and shook his head repeatedly, indicating that he wouldn't interfere.
So, Ian picked up the dice cup and began to shake it. He was an amateur, so his shaking had no technique. Both Old K and Fujitora couldn't help but find it amusing.
Ian shook for a long time. As he shook, he also thought about whether he should cheat in this bet.
After all, being able to lure Fujitora onto the ship would be a huge help to him.
But after thinking it over, Ian realized he didn't have any good cheating methods. Fujitora's Observation Haki was too strong; every move Ian made was within his perception.
And among his card abilities, there didn't seem to be any cards suited for this situation. The only one Ian could think of was probably Twisted Fate from League of Legends. His passive skill, Loaded Dice, might help, but the problem was that this series of cards was all four-star level, and Ian hadn't drawn any yet.
Even if he tried to draw now, there probably wasn't enough time. Ian thought it over and decided to give up on the idea of cheating.
If I get it, it's my luck; if I lose it, it's my fate. I'll just leave it all to Heaven's Will and have a fair bet with Fujitora.
Suddenly stopping his shaking arm, Ian slammed the dice cup onto the ground!
"Uncle Issho, place your bet!" Ian said with a smile. "This time, I'm the banker. You bet on odd or even!"
Fujitora, slightly excited, rubbed his hands, thought for a moment, and said: "I'll bet on odd!"
"Alright, bets placed, hands off!" Ian shouted like a casino dealer, then lifted the dice cup in one go.
Not only Ian, but even Old K couldn't help but lean in to see the numbers on the dice.
As soon as he saw the numbers displayed on the three dice, Ian was stunned.
"What's the result?" Fujitora asked somewhat eagerly.
Ian didn't answer him immediately. Instead, he said: "Uncle Issho, if I said I didn't roll an even number, would you believe me?"
"If you didn't roll an even number, then I win. Of course, I'd believe that!" Fujitora said.
"But what if I said I also didn't roll an odd number? Would you believe that too?" Ian asked again.
Fujitora was taken aback, but then he realized: "Did you roll a triple?"
Yes, Ian had indeed rolled a triple this time. Three red ones were clearly displayed at the bottom of the dice cup. That was why Ian had been stunned earlier. Today in the casino, he had bet on triples so many times, and they were all the result of Fujitora cheating. So when he saw the triple, Ian thought he was seeing things.
He even thought that Fujitora, out of habit, had tampered with the dice again.
Fujitora turned his head toward where Old K was. Old K covered his mouth and didn't dare to speak, but he nodded repeatedly, indicating that the dice indeed showed that, and he hadn't used any illusion ability to interfere.
Since it had been agreed that Ian was the banker, rolling a triple when Fujitora hadn't bet on it meant the banker took all, and Ian won.
"Heaven's Will!" Fujitora sighed, but then he laughed and said: "Young master Ian, it seems I really will have to stay on your ship for a while."
Fujitora accepted the result willingly, which made Ian breathe a sigh of relief. A person with strength should be respected. Ian had been worried that Fujitora might not accept the result and cause conflict, but seeing his expression now, Ian felt much more at ease.
"Uncle Issho, I'll keep my word!" Ian said. "After a month, you're free to stay or leave."
Keeping him for a month was not only a chance for Fujitora to observe his crew but also an opportunity for Ian to observe Fujitora. Luring Fujitora to be the first mate was Ian's idea, but whether Fujitora was suitable for his crew was something Ian would have to see for himself.
The reason he said this was that Ian wasn't confident he could beat Fujitora now. His strength still had room to grow, but it needed time, while Fujitora was at his peak. This would create a situation where the leader was weaker than the subordinate, which was a major taboo in a pirate crew.
Since the result was out and Fujitora had no objections, Ian should fulfill his promise and send Fujitora to the G5 branch base.
After Fujitora asked Old K about the names and descriptions of his companions, the two of them left the VIP room together. Ian found Zeke and the others and told them to gather the casino staff, ready to set out.
Zeke and the others had had a lot of fun and were a bit reluctant to leave, but when Ian said to them, "Don't worry, we might come back later!" they became even happier.