The distant light and fire, blood and tears, all vanished from sight. Uchiha Hiko's words made Kuzan see an even bloodier reality. The cruelty of that reality left him feeling almost suffocated.
Is this what the world truly looks like?
Kuzan turned to look at the young Alliance Leader. Was this how that detached-looking young man truly viewed the world in his heart?
Were all those ideals and futures he had once envisioned really meant to be built bit by bit upon countless corpses, until the entire world had been reshaped into the image he desired?
"You've disappointed me greatly." Hiko spoke calmly. "I originally thought you had come to join me because you had seen the true nature of this world. I never expected that you still harbored such childish thoughts. Step back. Think carefully about what I've said. If you come to understand it, then we will be like-minded companions. If you cannot accept it, then the Uchiha Alliance truly isn't suitable for you. Compared to the Marines, the Uchiha Alliance may be even more iron-blooded and cruel!"
Kuzan remained silent. Kyros, standing to one side, had gone pale. He had never expected even someone like Kuzan to be reprimanded by the Alliance Leader, and it seemed that one wrong word could get Kuzan expelled from the Alliance.
Kyros opened his mouth, wanting to ease the tense atmosphere.
"From now on, I will take command of the battlefield." Hiko spoke calmly, extinguishing Kyros's intention to speak. "Relay the order to all divisions. Begin disengaging from the battlefield. Form an encirclement around the perimeter. Use firepower to suppress the enemy and prevent them from breaking out."
Kyros hesitated for a moment, but immediately began relaying Hiko's orders to every unit.
Luo, Urouge, Drake, Jell's Legion, and the Buggy Pirates,