Rocks glanced up at Ares and immediately noticed the resolute expression on his face. He asked with concern, "Did you find the children who were taken?!"
"We found some of them, but we didn't find Katakuri." Ares replied, his gaze fixed firmly on Rocks.
Sensing Ares's serious stare, Rocks smiled faintly. "Is something wrong?!"
Ares almost never took the initiative to seek him out. Since he had come to him of his own accord this time, Rocks guessed that something was definitely up. He just couldn't determine what it was yet.
"CP0 wants to exchange Katakuri for a Celestial Dragon. Captain Rocks, I hope you'll agree to their terms!" Ares stared straight at Rocks without looking away.
He stated his purpose.
Thump—
Rocks's heart jolted. The smile at the corner of his mouth turned cold before vanishing altogether. He then consoled Ares earnestly, "Ares, this is a conspiracy by CP0 and the World Government. Don't believe them, no matter what."
"Katakuri is my partner. The Celestial Dragons are nothing but trash. Why can't we trade a Celestial Dragon for Katakuri?!" Ares stubbornly insisted on his opinion.
He continued, "Katakuri is also a member of my Division. I failed to protect him properly, which allowed him to be taken away. I bear responsibility for this too!"
Rocks remained calm as he said, "Ares, I know you value loyalty and friendship, but CP0 and the World Government can't be trusted. Everything they're doing is simply meant to destroy the Rocks Pirates."
"How can you guarantee that CP0 will really keep its promise and release Katakuri?!"
He grabbed Ares. "Ares, sit down first. I know you're anxious right now, but the more anxious you are, the easier it is to make a mistake. Calm down first."
Yet he couldn't move Ares's massive, mountain-like