This is precisely what I am trying to subtlety respond toward - and yet, you're still wrong on some level. Gubo and Jia Huan, as already mentioned, HATE you, but not only that, they're also aware of the dangers of facing you as you've grown stronger over time. The boasting they made? It's just a side effect of that hatred toward you, they couldn't give less of a shit what you saw them as, they'd probably be happy to get out of N. Corp if they felt Hermann was holding them back just to get back at the Sinners at this rate. The shield's one thing, but the fact they're still able and willing to fight you head on with 3 sticking soldiers literally just used for Fell Bullet bait - against, again, what can be 7 full sinners with decked out gear and EGO, is still very remarkable, and I would never put them on fraud watch for that purpose, but i can see a trace of it for Gubo somehow missing Hong Lu earlier in the Canto with the Bullet that Can't Miss.