Uchiha Hikaru stood with his hands behind his back, his white robe bearing the Uchiha clan crest fluttering in the wind. A confident curve lifted at the corner of his lips. "I think I told you before, didn't I? I'm going to build an ultra-luxurious team!"
Law froze. Hikaru had indeed said something like that, but what did an impressive lineup have to do with Urouge?
"!!" A thought flashed through Law's mind, and he suddenly realized it. Two years ago, he and Urouge had both been Supernovas, pirates later collectively known as the Worst Generation. Could Hikaru be planning to bring every Supernova from two years ago under his command?
"Stay here and wait for me. I'll be back soon." Hikaru gave Law an instruction, then glanced at the group of pirates clinging to driftwood in the sea and glaring resentfully at the merchant ship. He added, "If they try anything against the merchant ship, kill them!"
Those words were like a bolt from the blue exploding beside the pirates' ears. Their fury-filled gazes immediately became remarkably gentle.
Hikaru's gaze shifted to Jinbe. Nothing could be read from his face, but Jinbe's thoughts had to be terribly conflicted right now.
"Think it over carefully while I'm gone. Choosing sides can often determine whether your future becomes heaven or hell," Hikaru said. "But I won't give you much time, because I'll be back very soon."
Was Jinbe afraid of Uchiha Hikaru? Of course not. But he feared that Fish-Man Island's future would head into an unknown, dark abyss. And the confidence Uchiha Hikaru displayed, as though everything were already under control, planted a deep doubt within Jinbe. Uchiha Hikaru had not demonstrated any overwhelming strength, yet the charisma surrounding him somehow made Jinbe want to believe that he could do