"What are you trying to do?" King Riku watched Kuzan stride away after speaking and hurried after him. "What are you doing?"
"I'll go hold Blackbeard back first. Gather the troops and await my orders!" Kuzan's tone remained calm and cold, but King Riku could clearly sense the intense emotion mixed within it.
"You're going to your death!" King Riku said anxiously. "Blackbeard has powerful fighters everywhere under his command, and his Pirates number in the tens of thousands. Going there alone is no different from throwing your life away!"
Kuzan slowed his steps and, rarely, revealed a smile. Turning to King Riku, he said, "Don't worry. I joined Uchiha Hiko because I wanted to see how he would give the world a brand-new future. Before I see the outcome I want to see, I won't be willing to die just like that."
King Riku said worriedly, "But attacking Blackbeard so rashly is far too reckless. If anything happens to you, how am I supposed to explain it to the Alliance Leader? You are now a senior official in the Alliance military personally appointed by the Alliance Leader. You mustn't act recklessly."
"I know what I'm doing!" Kuzan still did not heed King Riku's words. He turned to look into the distance, and a chill spread from his body. King Riku felt an icy coldness all around him as Kuzan's tall figure shot up from the ground, then swiftly soared into the sky and departed openly.
"Quick!" King Riku began to panic. "Notify the Alliance Leader at once!"
Ever since Dressrosa had been saved by Uchiha Hiko, King Riku had regained the throne of the kingdom. He had also been fortunate enough to earn Hiko's appreciation and oversee Alliance affairs, so he had become even more diligent in his work.