The seats were arranged in a semicircle, with the family's core members scattered before the platform.
Five people stood opposite them: three representatives elected by the islanders and two sea captains who had pledged allegiance.
The smell of dust and rust hung in the air, and weeds poking through the gaps in the stands trembled in the breeze.
"Next, the family will be leaving this island for a while."
Rossi's voice was quiet, yet it brought everyone's small movements to a halt.
Doffy, beside him, said nothing, merely tapping his knee with his fingertips.
What they meant by "leaving"
was that a few of them would go-Doffy, Rossi, Trebol, Diamante, Vergo, Pica, Jora, Pica, and the siblings Gladius and Bainessarna.
A year was enough to change a great deal.
Thick calluses covered the siblings' knuckles, and the initial awkwardness had faded from their eyes.
Although they had yet to touch that higher level of power, out at sea, the figures on their bounty posters would be no less than fifty million Beli.
The arena's yellow sand had swallowed far too much sweat. Every moment of falling and getting back up had left a mark of growth.
"So,"
Rossi paused, his gaze sweeping over the five faces with their differing expressions. "We're leaving the island's defense to you."
One sea captain's Adam's apple bobbed as he shuffled half a step forward. "Sir... for this operation, could you let us..."
He drew a breath, trying to steady his voice. "We'd like to do our part for the family, too."
Those words were seventy percent sincere.
He had weighed his own strength-perhaps he was no match for most of those on the platform, but he was still stronger than a certain young man who relied on connections.
If he could participate in this