A dozen straw men burst out of his body. Seeing the glittering golden Laser on Kizaru's index finger, Hawkins remained calm on the surface, but inwardly he was extremely tense.
Kizaru did not rush to attack. Instead, he asked a question. "Young man, could you tell me which direction the Straw Hat Pirates are in?"
Hawkins fell silent for a moment, then shook his head. "I don't know."
"Is that so? What a shame." Kizaru pursed his lips, his tone regretful.
Whoosh!
The Laser shot toward Hawkins's head.
Watching the incoming beam, Hawkins glanced at the Tarot Cards in his hand again. "Still no sign of death. Where exactly is the problem?"
Just before it struck, a fellow with a green mohawk jumped out and stood in front of him. "Defensive Barrier!"
A transparent blue barrier enclosed the two of them. Bartolomeo turned to Hawkins. "Brother Liu Qing wants you to join the Delivery Company he founded. What's your answer?"
Just after Bartolomeo asked that question, the Tarot Cards in Hawkins's hand changed.
Hawkins looked at the changed Tarot Cards in his hand. The Death Tarot Card represented endings, new life, and transformation-the endings, relinquishment, and rebirth in life. He murmured to himself, "The Death Tarot Card... This choice decides whether I live or die."
"How scary... Are you trying to save this pirate, young man?" Kizaru asked in a mocking tone.
Bartolomeo answered indifferently, "Not sure yet. Brother Liu Qing said to protect him if he agrees to join us. If he refuses, do whatever you like."
Hawkins's face darkened. Does this count as giving me a choice? If I don't fucking want to die, joining is my only option!
He immediately stopped hesitating. "I agree!"
After hearing that Liu Qing wanted the man, Kizaru gave up on attacking.