Roger realized that Hiko Seijuro was a staunch pessimist.
He had a strong tendency to avoid the world, which might stem from his excessively powerful strength. Because whatever he did would have a significant impact, he chose to do nothing at all.
Hiko must have gone through something in the past to develop such a pessimistic and reclusive personality.
Unlike Kenshin, he was still very young and couldn't possibly understand Hiko's thoughts.
Moreover, he had gained such immense power at a young age. Naturally, he was unwilling to be ordinary. However, under Hiko Seijuro's suppression, he couldn't make a name for himself. So, over time, he became oppressed, which led to his hostility.
That hostility made him strike hard. Kougetsu Mitsuda was almost killed by him, and this time, he killed dozens of people again.
This killing was actually his way of releasing stress.
However, Roger could see that Kenshin himself was unwilling to spend his entire life on this cloud.
During the banquet, while others ate and drank, Roger and Hiko Seijuro walked around the cloud casually after having their fill of food and wine.
Roger had never encountered someone as strong as Hiko Seijuro before, and in his opinion, Hiko was probably similar to him. After all, reaching their level was incredibly difficult.
He himself had forcibly broken through with the Shikon Jewel fragments, the Quirk Cells, and the Devil Fruit, not to mention the brief experience of the Devil Lord's realm with the green pyramid. Various factors had led to his current strength.
As for Hiko Seijuro, he was either exceptionally talented or had experienced some major event in his life. This wasn't Roger boasting; their current strength was indeed remarkable.
Because of their strength, they were already close to the level of Devil Lords.
Devil Lords, such powerful beings, numbered only eight in the entire demon world.
Even among humans, there were only eight, but scattered across such a vast world, it wouldn't be easy for them to encounter each other, right?
Moreover, it was highly probable that there weren't as many Devil Lords in the current era.
So, after this encounter, Roger decided to stay on this Sky Island for so long.
However...
Now it was time to leave.
He hadn't forgotten his original purpose in coming to Wano, which was to prevent the arrival of Devil Lords.
Initially, he thought Hiko Seijuro would be a huge help, but now he didn't think so.
Because Hiko Seijuro would never take action. Even if he had immense power, it was useless if he didn't use it.
"Do you intend to let Kenshin stay here for the rest of his life?" Roger looked at the distant world and said softly.
"And if I do?" Hiko Seijuro still held the wine gourd in his hand, turning it around. "He's too naive, he doesn't understand the corrupt nature needed in the human world."
"People have walked step by step to where they are now." Roger sighed. "Just like you, you weren't here from the beginning, were you? Kenshin, with his strength at such a young age, if you keep suppressing him, it might backfire."
"Maybe, I don't know how many more years I can suppress him." Hiko took a sip of wine. "Anyway, stay a few more days. You can tell him about the outside world, so he has some experience."
"Haha, then you might as well let me take him out to sea!" Roger couldn't help but laugh. "With Kenshin's strength, he'll surely become an outstanding pirate on the high seas!"
Hiko shook his head without saying much.
"In that case, I'll stay a few more days. But I respect Kenshin's own will."
After a while, the banquet ended.
Roger approached Kenshin and told him what he had discussed with Hiko earlier.
Finally, he said, "Kenshin, what do you think?"
Roger said seriously, "If you want to leave, then I will convince your master."
There were two houses on this cloud, originally belonging to Hiko Seijuro and Kenshin. But after Roger and the others arrived, one of the houses was vacated for them.
Although many people simply slept outside, they didn't mind.
Tonight, Roger and Kenshin sat on the edge of the cloud.
Kenshin hesitated and said, "I... I'm worried about my master."
"You don't need to worry about him!" Roger said directly. "You just need to tell me your own thoughts."
"..." Kenshin was silent for a moment, then nodded. "I indeed don't understand my master's teachings. I want to see this world with my own eyes."
"That's good." Roger patted his shoulder. "Tomorrow I will go find Hiko."
"But..." Kenshin hesitated again. "I want to travel this country alone."
Roger was surprised for a moment, then said, "Okay, I respect your decision."
Roger didn't mean to make Kenshin his crewmate; he simply didn't want Kenshin to suppress his own nature in such a world, which would be too cruel for a child.
Roger himself was an advocate of freedom, and he could also perceive some of Kenshin's inner thoughts.
Actually, there was another reason: with the Devils descending now, if one's inner self was suppressed for too long, they might be manipulated by the Devils, or they might take advantage of the vulnerability.
Someone like Kenshin turning to the dark side would be terrifying.
So the next day, he found Hiko Seijuro again.
"You probably... heard my conversation with Kenshin yesterday, didn't you?" Roger said to Hiko.
"And what if I don't allow it?" Hiko's reply conveyed his answer.
And Roger responded directly.
He grinned, drew his sword from his waist, and used the Combination Fruit to integrate the hilt into his palm.
"Then let's go."
Roger said, "Let's decide our answer to each other with our swords!"
Hiko Seijuro looked at Roger, a hint of helplessness in his eyes, but soon that helplessness turned into a powerful momentum.
In the blink of an eye, it seemed like there was an explosion between the two of them, and the entire cloud shook violently.
As the others on the cloud noticed this vibration, they all looked at Roger and Hiko Seijuro. As time passed, the vibration became more and more intense!
They were even about to be shaken off!
And in that instant, all that momentum suddenly dissipated.
"If we fight here, my home will be gone." Hiko retracted his power and said slowly.
"And besides, I have no intention of fighting you. If Kenshin truly wants to leave, then let him go see the world."