The two of them disembarked from the Konoha Go, then took a small boat back to Germa's massive fleet. The meeting had lasted barely a dozen minutes, yet to everyone in Dressrosa waiting for the outcome, it felt like several long centuries had passed.
"There's a result! There's a result!" Those who called themselves important figures leaned over the decks of their respective ships, staring fixedly at Germa's fleet. Every movement tugged at their heartstrings.
Not long after the two rejoined the main fleet, Germa finally began to move. The vast, dark mass of ships drifted over the sea before subtly advancing a short distance toward Dressrosa.
"!!!"
Everyone was terrified out of their wits. The words "negotiations failed" instantly flashed through their minds, and their faces turned pale as despair enveloped their hearts.
Yet the man in white aboard the Konoha Go remained unmoved. Faced with Germa's provocative gesture, he stood there calmly, looking ahead without the slightest fear.
Just as the situation was on the verge of erupting, faint cannon fire suddenly rumbled across the distant sea. At first, many thought they were imagining it, their attention wholly fixed on Germa's fleet. But after a while, the booming cannon fire drew closer and closer, until someone finally realized something was wrong.
Aboard the Konoha Go, Jinbe stood beside Hiko and looked into the distance. He suddenly noticed the problem: seven or eight pirate ships were relentlessly pursuing and bombarding two battered Marine warships.
"Something's happening!" Jinbe said. "What pirates could be so bold as to attack the Marines?"
Hiko did not even glance over. He continued staring at Germa's fleet, wanting to see whether they truly had the nerve to charge toward Dressrosa. "We've been throwing our weight around for so long that all those major forces in