Kuzan's few words instantly twisted Samuel's face.
But Samuel merely forced out a cold snort, pointedly refusing to look at Kuzan again as he turned and strode off.
He charged toward the heart of Blackbeard and Luffy's fierce battle.
Since his "colleague" Kuzan was unreliable, and might even have ulterior motives, he had to get to Blackbeard immediately!
Yet he had barely taken two steps when a lazy voice with an unmistakable drawl rang out from the corner ahead.
"Ohhh~ Who would have thought this poor old man, dragged out of his warm hospital bed and forced onto a mission, would run into some familiar faces here!"
Samuel stopped dead, his pupils contracting!
A tall, lean figure appeared, wearing a Marine Admiral's Justice Cloak, a yellow Striped Suit, and tinted Sunglasses.
With an utterly carefree air, he ambled out from behind the rubble on his long legs.
"Marine Admiral Kizaru?!"
"The Marines have landed on the island?!"
The instant Samuel saw Kizaru, his heart nearly skipped a beat!
Without the slightest hesitation, he darted backward almost on instinct. A few quick movements brought him back near Kuzan.
"Kuzan, colleagues only argue because they truly care about each other, right?" Samuel smiled amiably.
Kuzan: "..."
Kizaru stopped a short distance from Samuel and Kuzan, both hands in his pockets, his head tilted slightly.
The eyes behind his sunglasses first swept over Samuel, who looked ready to face a formidable enemy.
Then his gaze settled on Kuzan, who had just turned to look his way.
"Long time no see, Kuzan~" Kizaru-Borsalino-sounded quite familiar with him, even a little teasing.
"That look of yours... tsk, tsk. Very homeless!
"After leaving the Marines, you couldn't even find some decent clothes?
"That's why people need a job. Look at you, paying into all those insurance