"Werther, my friend, keep this up and this whole area will sink into the sea. Think of the civilians on the Island."
Werther considered it. He didn't care much for Rayleigh's warning about the area sinking, but if they kept fighting, his clash with Kizaru would become a fight to the death.
The Summit War was about to begin. Stopping an Admiral was one thing; fighting one to the death was another.
Annoyed as he was, Werther slid Intent Blood back into the sheath at his waist.
"Tch. You're an old man in retirement. Don't play the righteous hero. The Marines might come after you one of these days."
Rayleigh laughed at Werther's words. Whatever his reason, Werther had done him a favor today. That was already a good outcome.
"Bartholomew Kuma, we can't just let you off for saving the Straw Hat Pirates. How do you plan to explain yourself? This is a serious matter."
Kizaru straightened his torn clothes and fixed Kuma with a piercing stare.
"Unless it's something the government ordered me to do, I have no obligation to cooperate with the Marines."
With that, Kuma turned and left, giving Werther a nod on his way out.
Werther nodded back. Kuma was a man worthy of respect, willing to give up his life for his ideals.
Losing his sense of self was as good as dying.
Kizaru watched Kuma go without a word. Kuma did have that right, though the price was his own body.
"Then what about you two, Thunder Swordsman Werther and Pluton Rayleigh? How do you intend to explain yourselves?"
Rayleigh ignored Kizaru and vanished. He had come to stop Werther and help him calm down.
Now that he had done so, it was best to leave quickly. Their era had passed.
"Come on,