Su Xiao looked at the Duke ahead. Although he had clashed with the Duke before, this was their first time meeting face-to-face.
There were simply too many elite pirates under the Duke—nearly two thousand. If this was the Duke's true strength, he would never have been able to stand as an equal among the other three great pirates.
Based on that, the Duke must have borrowed outside strength. Most likely, he had allied himself with either the Two Towers Empress or Black Witch Sa. Black Witch Sa had barely participated in the struggle for the Sea King's Horn, so that left only the Two Towers Empress.
If that was the case, everything made sense. The Duke had not come here for a decisive battle, but for negotiations. Bringing so many people was meant to seize the initiative. Otherwise, while Su Xiao's cursed people fought the remnants of the West Sea King, the Duke would have led his men into the fray.
The atmosphere was nearly frozen. Even the elite pirates behind the Duke could not help feeling nervous in a scene of this magnitude.
Su Xiao looked toward Commodore Murray on his right. Several hundred meters away, Commodore Murray stepped forward.
"Commodore!"
Commodore Murray's adjutant was filled with anxiety. Approaching the two sides facing off was an extremely dangerous thing to do.
Commodore Murray ignored his adjutant. He advanced at an unhurried pace and finally stopped a dozen meters from Su Xiao. "Byakuya, I have something to attend to. I'll be leaving first."
"Mm."
Su Xiao was very satisfied with Commodore Murray's decision. Commodore Murray was an excellent collaborator who had not been blinded by the benefits before him.
Before the battle, Su Xiao and Commodore Murray had already reached an agreement. Commodore Murray would guard against any third-party forces