Teach's gaze darkened, and he said nothing.
Kizaru's arrival had completely changed the situation. Continuing the fight would bring no benefit to the Blackbeard Pirates.
Besides, he had already realized it.
Kizaru looked lazy standing there, but his presence had locked down the entire battlefield from beginning to end.
If they continued expanding the scope of the battle, Kizaru would definitely intervene.
Shanks was the first to speak. "Where's Uta?"
Kizaru looked at him, his expression instead carrying a hint of helplessness.
"Well now, pirate sir, what's with that tone?"
"I helped protect her, didn't I? Shouldn't you be thanking me?"
As soon as those words fell, Shanks fell silent.
Because Kizaru was telling the truth.
If the Marines had not arrived in time, if Kizaru had not blocked the aftershock just now—
Uta, Gordon, the troupe, and many civilians on this island would likely have been swept into this Emperor Class battle.
He could dislike the Marines and distrust the World Government.
But the Marines under Rock were no longer the same as before.
At the very least, this time, Kizaru really had saved people.
After a moment, Shanks said quietly, "Thank you."
Kizaru smiled.
"My, my~"
"To think I'd hear Red-Hair offering thanks. How rare indeed."
Teach suddenly grinned, deliberately laughing.
"Zehahahaha..."
"Red-Hair."
"Looks like your daughter is under Marine protection now."
"How interesting~"
The air suddenly turned ice-cold.
Killing intent surfaced in Shanks's eyes once more.
Beckman's gun barrel shifted slightly as well, seeming ready to point at Teach the next instant.
Even the fat on Lucky Roux's face tightened.
Yasopp emerged from the distant shadows, his gun already silently trained on Teach.
But Shanks did not lose control.
He knew Teach was deliberately provoking him, and he knew Rock and the World Government were not the