Ryan watched Siegel wipe the tears from the corners of his eyes and smiled. "Get up already, my trusted right-hand man!"
As he spoke, Ryan even reached out to help him up, startling Siegel. He knew his own situation best—their relationship was nowhere near that good!
Back when they had parted ways, he had used Ryan's name to recruit subordinates. As Ryan's actions grew increasingly outrageous and shook the world, recruiting became easier and easier. Especially after Ryan became one of the Four Emperors, he no longer even needed to go out recruiting. Many people came to join voluntarily after hearing that the Black Hand Pirates were affiliated with the Blood Sword Pirates.
Then, through his own efforts, he had built up his current foundation: tens of thousands of members and quite a few powerful fighters under his command. In the New World, he could be considered a local tyrant. Black Hand Siegel's name carried considerable weight there, and the Marines had even invited him to become one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea.
Siegel had actually wanted to accept badly. It would have let him settle down peacefully. But he knew he would run into Ryan, the real owner of that name, sooner or later. Who in the world did not know that Ryan, the Bloody Swordsman, was at odds with the World Government? Attacking Mary Geoise, destroying Enies Lobby—every one of those deeds had ground the World Government's dignity into the dirt. To save his own life, Siegel had rejected the Marines' invitation.
After letting out an awkward chuckle, Siegel hurriedly got to his feet and made an inviting gesture.
"The banquet is already being prepared. Please come inside and have a seat, Lord Ryan. I'll also report on the current intelligence of the Black Hand Pirates!"