Unexpected!

Blackbeard's sudden attack caught everyone present somewhat off guard.

They had considered before that Blackbeard would probably resort to unscrupulous means.

After all, if they continued following the rules in this situation, they were basically finished.

But what they had not expected was that Blackbeard's despicableness far exceeded their imagination.

Looking toward Ace, Jozu cried out in alarm. His diamondized right arm plunged into the deck as he tried to rescue him, only for Shiryu's blade to strike it in a shower of dazzling sparks.

"Can't let you interfere with their fight!" Shiryu of the Rain clenched a cigar between his teeth, blood dripping from his blade onto the facets of Jozu's diamond arm.

At this moment, Shiryu still felt that something was not quite right.

What Blackbeard had shown so far seemed, to Shiryu, to carry a certain element of gambling.

For a moment earlier, Shiryu had even considered simply running away.

Why!?

Because anyone who was not an idiot could see it, right?!

Blackbeard's so-called plan could not even be called a plan at all.

From the very beginning, this guy had been gambling.

He was betting that he could resolve this situation, not that he truly had great odds.

But if he went along with that kind of thinking.

Wouldn't he be gambling his life alongside Blackbeard?!

So Shiryu's thoughts at the time had been simple: he might as well just leave.

Though he would not achieve his goal.

As far as he was concerned, once he got out, whatever happened afterward would have nothing to do with him.

As long as he left, then whatever came next was just that.

But just as Shiryu had been preparing to leave, he suddenly felt a little unwilling.

If he really left just like that, then what had he