How Close the Grand Assault Was

The worse the pirates present had been beaten by Fujitora before,

the more excited they were now—

Even a monster of Fujitora's caliber wanted to become a member of the Maud Pirates.

This also meant

that choosing to follow Maud was unquestionably a decision of great weight.

As long as they could successfully join his ranks...

it meant they would leave their mark on this road called "making history."

Shock and excitement.

All kinds of surging emotions lingered in the hearts of the many pirates.

They stared fixedly at Fujitora and Aokiji, having already decided that no matter the cost, they would fight with all their might to become members of the Maud Pirates.

This was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

The conflict gradually subsided.

Not having to cross swords anymore was a good thing for both sides.

Since Maud had yet to return, Aokiji invited Fujitora to rest on the upper island first.

Fujitora was now a free man.

With nothing weighing him down, he naturally did not refuse Aokiji's suggestion and was happy to wait here for Maud's return.

Although this might send an ambiguous message to the outside world, he did not care.

"I'm a little curious. Why are there so many pirates here?"

As they headed toward the upper island, Fujitora voiced the question in his heart.

"They want to join the Maud Pirates."

Aokiji did not hide it.

This sort of thing was not a secret in the first place.

"I see..."

Fujitora muttered softly. His Observation Haki remained active, silently taking in the pirates around them who had regained consciousness as well as those still unconscious.

When a person possessed great renown, all they needed to do was raise an arm and followers would gather like clouds.

Yet the Maud Pirates did not even need to