Kuzan had suddenly come over and said he wanted to join his ranks. Even Uchiha Hiko, who had seen his share of storms, could not help but be greatly shocked by this unexpected development.
What kind of joke was this? He had not just unleashed some overwhelming kingly aura, and he had yet to find anyone with Conqueror's Haki to study and copy their Haki from. Kuzan could not possibly have been drawn in by his personal charm, nor could he possibly be lucky enough to have a powerhouse like Kuzan voluntarily come to him.
"What did you just say?" Hiko steadied himself and slowly said, "The wind's a little strong. I didn't hear you clearly."
"?" Kuzan and Baby5 instinctively turned to look around. Where was there any wind?
"I have nowhere left to go, and the Four Emperor Blackbeard is hunting me down. So I want to join you and seek your protection!" Kuzan still wore that lazy expression, so much so that even Baby5 felt the urge to punch him.
Hiko looked at Kuzan, but he did not believe his nonsense.
A Marine Admiral of Kuzan's strength would be welcomed by any force. Even if Kuzan did not want to join anyone, the Blackbeard Pirates would never dare provoke him lightly. Dealing with a powerhouse like Kuzan came at a terrible cost.
So Hiko did not believe Kuzan's claim that he was at the end of his rope. Kuzan's arrival had to be driven by some other reason or purpose.
Wait...
A flash of insight suddenly struck Hiko's mind, and he pieced together several scattered details: he had captured Blackbeard's subordinate, Kuzan had changed the course of history and chosen to join him instead, and Blackbeard had come attacking without regard for the cost...
*Damn it, so