Uchiha Hikaru was somewhat surprised by the lineup the Marines had sent this time. After all, with the strength of the escort force before him, they had a real chance if they wanted to go to war with one of the Four Emperors' crews.
What surprised Hikaru even more was that, on their way here, the Marines had encountered a revenge fleet from the Big Mom Pirates. After a brutal naval battle, they had forced the Big Mom Pirates' fleet to retreat.
To guard against revenge from the Four Emperors, Hikaru had long since arranged a series of defensive measures. Dressrosa itself was firmly defended, while word had been spread for the Jer... Legion to move out in all directions and pretend they were no longer within Dressrosa's borders. Jinbe's underwater forces were also kept ready at all times.
With all three forces in position, the moment a Four Emperors' fleet arrived, the Jer... Legion would immediately return and join the Dressrosa army and Jinbe's underwater forces in a three-pronged assault on the Four Emperors' fleet, determined to teach them an unforgettable lesson.
Yet the earth-shaking trap Hikaru had laid out had gone to waste. By sheer coincidence, the Marines had helped him avert a battle.
Still, Hikaru did not feel particularly grateful toward the Marines. His relationship with them was merely one of mutual benefit. Their superior, the World Government, was still secretly undermining him, so he would never let down his guard around the Marines.
"Dressrosa has stabilized considerably now. Given enough time, its rise will definitely not be empty talk!" Hikaru said thoughtfully. "But the Four Emperors have suffered losses at my hands time and again. They'll definitely come to reclaim their honor. What does the Marine side think about this?"
Sengoku burst into laughter. "The Marines