Haggling with the Celestials, or cracking a joke?
Hayato had little interest in either.
The Celestials appeared willing to communicate as equals, but who knew? Even the matter composing their bodies remained unknown, let alone their temperaments.
So it was better to state his request directly.
As for what request to make, Hayato gave it some thought and quickly reached a decision.
Hayato said, "Since you're taking Ego away, I'd like to make a request in exchange. Is that acceptable?"
Explorer said, "Please, go ahead."
He did not ask whether the request was reasonable.
Nor did he say whether they could fulfill it.
Those two short words meant: ask for anything.
But Hayato knew that unreasonable demands were simply senseless troublemaking, and going back on one's word was nothing but nonsense.
True powerhouses had no need for deception and schemes.
Either negotiate,
or fight!
Hayato said, "Let me take another swing at you."
Mm—so he really had been bothered by how easily they had blocked his consecutive attacks earlier.
If someone told you, "Let me slash you once," you would probably retaliate with a slash of your own and strike first out of courtesy. Which was why you were not a big shot. The Celestial big shots simply replied without hesitation, "You may."
There was even appreciation in Explorer's tone.
Explorer appreciated a style of action driven by the spirit of exploration. In his eyes, Hayato was merely dispelling his doubts and exploring the unknown.
Whether that was really the case...
Going by Hayato's nature, it was and it was not.
He was not petty, but he was by no means pure-hearted either.
As a human, Hayato still retained both the strengths of carbon-based lifeforms and their common psychological weaknesses. In Ego's words, that weakness was human nature.
"Deal."
After