Watching Zoro and Nami disappear into the crowd just like that, Law and Baby5 found it incredibly strange. They had never expected Hikaru, who had always shown pirates no mercy, to let the two of them go.
Capturing those two would have drawn in the rest of the Straw Hats. Their crew's combined bounty was nearly a billion Berries—a considerable sum.
"What did you see in them?" Standing beside Hikaru, Law asked, "There's no way you'd let such a huge bounty slip through your fingers so easily, is there?"
Hikaru said calmly, "We've already established our foundation. From now on, many of our strategies will change, and we need to make adjustments regarding pirates as well. But that isn't why I let them go."
Law wore an expression that demanded the truth, while Baby5 stared ruefully at her own weapons. She believed Hikaru had been conquered by the other side's powerful weapons; otherwise, there was no way he would have let them go.
Unable to endure Law's stare any longer, Hikaru simply told him, "Straw Hat Luffy's father is with the Revolutionary Army. I can't guarantee whether the Revolutionary Army would turn against us if we captured him, but his grandfather is a Marine. On top of that, his identity is sensitive. If we capture him ourselves, it'll inevitably stir up every major force. We already have a set plan, so there's no need to invite unnecessary trouble. Our power hasn't reached the point where we can ignore the state of the world, so let them off for now."
Law nodded thoughtfully.
In truth, Hikaru had already planned to abandon the practice of capturing pirates for bounties. Especially after Dressrosa had opened up profitable avenues, and the establishment of the Uchiha Alliance had ensured that funds and supplies would no