Shanks's Meeting (2)

The same went for him.

Red-Haired Shanks was also a straightforward and bold man.

Since Roya had asked so directly, Red-Haired Shanks saw no need to hide anything.

"Indeed!"

"Before coming here, I really had intended to discuss an alliance with you."

"But after thinking it over, it didn't seem quite appropriate. After all, we're pirates, no matter how you put it."

"So, even if we can't form an alliance, I don't think we need to become enemies. That's why I came to befriend you."

Red-Haired Shanks explained himself with great courtesy.

It seemed that...

Red-Haired Shanks had not come to that conclusion during his journey here.

He had only realized it after seeing the heavily wounded King and the Big Mom Pirates' underlings fleeing in panic.

"That's not quite how it works!"

"I believe you know this. When I founded the Justice League at Marineford, I said it clearly, and you were there."

"I don't care whether you are pirates, because there are bad pirates and good pirates alike."

"However..."

"Whether we can become friends depends on you."

"If you pirates deliberately commit evil deeds, then the Justice League will carry out justice without hesitation."

"We treat even our own people that way, much less others!"

Roya's answer was quite interesting. How should one put it? He neither rejected the goodwill nor truly accepted it.

Honestly...

Such an answer might not have been the most tactful, but it was hardly tactless either. It also suited Roya's personality better.

That was simply how he was. He said what he meant; there was no need to beat around the bush over such matters.

"Hahahahaha!"

"Mr. Roya truly is straightforward. I like that!"

"These things depend on the person, don't they? No one can guarantee anything."

"Perhaps we really can become friends,