Hina's tone was full of mockery. Especially when she mentioned Uchiha Hiko, the contempt in her voice nearly made Baby5 hurl a plate at her.
Hiko frowned slightly. "Blackbeard? That man's patience and cunning are among the very best of the Pirates. Why would he suddenly disregard the Marines' reputation and come make trouble in Dressrosa?"
Although Hiko had captured key Blackbeard officers, including Burgess and Shiryu, based on what he knew of Blackbeard, he should have been the type to endure even a blood feud and wait for Kaido and Charlotte Linlin to make the first move. Only once the situation had nearly run its course would Teach emerge to reap the benefits. So why had Blackbeard become the first of the Four Emperors to strike?
"Those lawless scoundrels wouldn't put the Marines in their eyes." Hina smiled sarcastically. "You captured his right-hand men. Now Blackbeard has come for you in a fit of rage. Doesn't that seem perfectly reasonable?"
Fujitora and the others fell silent.
When news arrived that Blackbeard was mobilizing on a massive scale, Marine Headquarters had already issued them orders: preserve their strength while effectively containing Blackbeard. Marine Headquarters would send reinforcements.
But if Marine Headquarters deployed too much of its strength, it might attract attacks from some audacious Pirates—one of the Four Emperors, Kaido, for instance, loved doing such crazy, mindless things.
Thus, Dressrosa's situation was delicate. Knowing that the army of a Four Emperor was bearing down on them, the powerful Marines might indeed choose harassing containment tactics rather than drive Blackbeard back in a frontal battle. For Dressrosa, that was probably not good news.
Hiko lightly rotated the cup on the table. Seeing that gesture, everyone immediately understood that he, too, was troubled.
"Will the Marines act?" After a long silence, Hiko