"Sorry, but no matter how great your potential may be, we still cannot wholeheartedly accept your current situation," Reiju said. "We abandoned the Four Emperors and forged ties with the Celestial Dragons in order to gain greater power. That is something Dressrosa cannot offer us at present."
Hikaru understood what Reiju meant.
On the surface, Dressrosa truly could not display any particularly impressive strength. And overwhelming strength had always been the surest way to conquer others. What Reiju wanted were immediate, tangible benefits, and Dressrosa's current state could not satisfy the Vinsmoke Family.
But was that really all the strength Hikaru had?
The power to destroy a nation alone, Fish-Man Island's ability to command the undersea world, Caesar's ability to manufacture Devil Fruits—just revealing those three cards would be enough to shake the entire world.
However, Hikaru would not casually let others know about those powers. It did not matter much if Caesar's Devil Fruit manufacturing ability could no longer be concealed, but Princess Shirahoshi's identity as the Sea Emperor of Fish-Man Island absolutely could not be revealed unless it was absolutely necessary. Otherwise, the power Hikaru currently possessed was not yet enough to ensure Fish-Man Island would not suffer constant harassment from those coveting the Sea Emperor's power.
So Hikaru understood Reiju's misunderstanding, but there was no good way to explain it.
"If that is the case, then when the Vinsmoke Family remembers rejecting me today in the future, do not regret it." Hikaru's expression remained calm. Since neither side could reach an agreement, there was no need to continue talking!
Reiju's heart inexplicably skipped a beat. She had approached Uchiha Hikaru cautiously, hoping to gather more reliable information before deciding the future direction of the Germa Army. Yet she had merely revealed the slightest hint of rejecting Uchiha