Uchiha Hiko paid no heed to the immense pressure Akainu exuded. Though the atmosphere had everyone around them on high alert, a faint smile remained on Hiko's face.
"I think you've misunderstood." Hiko spoke calmly, reaching out to close the box containing the Devil Fruit. A trace of reluctance clearly flashed through Hina's eyes, while Momousagi and Akainu remained utterly unmoved. Hiko could not help praising their composure inwardly.
Hiko continued, "I'm not asking to hire the Marines. I merely want the Marines to establish a temporary outpost near Dressrosa. My auction is a legitimate business, open only to respectable public figures among the world's upper class. The Marines' presence would, first, deter petty criminals, and second, serve as indirect protection for those upper-class figures. If any Pirates really come to cause trouble, there'll be no need for the Marines to act. I'll capture them myself and collect the bounty."
In just a few words, Hiko made the matter clear. The Marines would not be there to guard his venue, but merely to deter troublemakers during Dressrosa's current vulnerable period. At the same time, it would make Pirates with ill intentions take a detour rather than come cause trouble. If there were truly Pirates foolish enough to come and deliver money to his doorstep, Hiko could only reluctantly capture them.
Akainu fixed Hiko with a cold, gloomy stare. "Is what you said true?"
"Of course it's true!" Hiko nodded. "Truer than real gold!"
Akainu nodded. "Given Dressrosa's situation, holding an auction for valuable items could indeed easily attract the covetous eyes of Pirates and provoke unrest. But from another perspective, your desire to help Dressrosa speed up its recovery is a good approach. The Marines' duty is to protect the people, and what you're doing gives us sufficient reason to