Uchiha Hiko was somewhat surprised by the lineup the Marines had sent this time. After all, with the strength of the escort force before him, they had a decent chance if they were to go to war with a Four Emperors crew.
What surprised Hiko even more was that the Marines had encountered the BIGMOM Pirates' revenge fleet on their way here. After a brutal naval battle, they had forced the BIGMOM Pirates' fleet to retreat.
To guard against the Four Emperors' retaliation, Hiko had long since deployed a series of defensive measures. Not only had Dressrosa itself been fortified, but he had also spread word that the Germa Army had fanned out in all directions, pretending to be outside Dressrosa. Jinbe's undersea forces had also been kept on standby.
With all three forces in place, the moment a Four Emperors fleet arrived, the Germa Army would immediately return and join the Dressrosa Army and Jinbe's undersea forces in a three-pronged assault on the Four Emperors' fleet, giving them a lesson they would never forget.
Yet the massive trap Hiko had set up had gone to waste. By sheer coincidence, the Marines had helped him avert a battle.
Still, Hiko did not feel particularly grateful toward the Marines. Their relationship was merely one of mutual benefit. The Marines' superiors in the World Government were still secretly undermining him, so Hiko would never let down his guard around the Marines.
"Dressrosa has become much more stable now. Given enough time, its rise will be more than empty words!" Hiko said thoughtfully. "But the Four Emperors have suffered losses at my hands repeatedly. They'll definitely come looking to regain their honor. How do you Marines see this?"
Sengoku burst out laughing. "The Marines are managed by Sakazuki now. This old man is