"Ichiro!"
Seeing Jian Ichiro sealed inside that rock sphere as well, Mariko's eyes reddened.
After all, she and Jian Ichiro had grown up together. How could she possibly have no feelings for him?
"They attacked first and tried to kill me. I gave them a chance too, but they refused, so I had no choice but to handle them this way.
Miss Mariko, I imagine you don't want your grandfather to keep going down this wrong path either, do you?"
Turning his head, Hawking gave Mariko a faint smile with a hint of menace. Mariko immediately recoiled two steps in fright.
"O-of course."
She knew Hawking was right. It had all started because her grandfather had repaid kindness with ingratitude and coveted Logan's regenerative abilities. He had even dragged his own granddaughter into the scheme.
Jian Ichiro had never shown Hawking and the others any mercy either. Every strike had been aimed to kill.
Though she had feelings for Jian Ichiro, what right did she have to ask Hawking and the others to show mercy and spare him and his subordinates?
Besides, Logan and Hawking's group were her saviors. Otherwise, she might already have died at the hands of her own father.
Still, seeing Hawking raise a hand and kill the entire village along with so many ninjas, then seeing him turn and smile at her while asking that question, gave her the feeling that if she dared to object, something terrible would immediately happen.
Her feelings toward Hawking had been complicated ever since she learned that he had killed her father and fiancé and blown up her home.
Yet when he had instantly rescued her just now, his confident smile and powerful presence had suddenly made her heart flutter just a little.
But now, she also feared him somewhat.