"Hmph... he got lucky this time. Since a Marine Admiral has made it so clear that he intends to protect a pirate who once committed a massacre in Rommel, a mere Shichibukai like me can only back down."
His earlier sneak attack had failed, and now Aokiji had made his stance clear. Xie Wen could only abandon his plan to kill Cavendish for the time being.
He couldn't possibly fight Aokiji just over Cavendish, after all. Besides...
"But you'd better keep him with you at all times. He won't be so lucky next time."
Xie Wen didn't believe Aokiji could spend all his time watching over Cavendish and protecting him without doing anything else.
Of course, it would be even better if he actually brought Cavendish into the Marines. Once "Rommel's Kamaitachi" appeared, he'd have a headache on his hands.
Aokiji frowned, evidently having thought of that too, but his brow soon smoothed out again.
"You don't need to worry about that. I'll handle it."
Although he didn't understand why Xie Wen had delivered such a long, sarcastic speech, the habitually lazy Aokiji was naturally happy to resolve things peacefully. He had no intention of talking back. He picked up Cavendish, who was shivering all over from the cold with his nose running, and prepared to turn and leave.
He had originally wanted to chat with Nico Robin a little longer and sound out Xie Wen's attitude while he was at it, but the situation was no longer suitable...
"Tsk!"
At that thought, Aokiji looked at Cavendish with even greater distaste.
"Wait!"
Aokiji had only taken a few steps when Xie Wen called him back.
"Leave that guy's sword behind. If you hadn't interfered, it would've been my spoils already."
Failing to kill Cavendish was a minor matter, but he