At this moment, Big Mom was completely stunned.
Learning that both Kaido and Marco were stronger than her was already difficult for her to accept. However, she had always believed that with her one hundred thousand Homies, the overall strength of the Big Mom Pirates surpassed that of the Beasts Pirates and Marco's forces. Even if she could not defeat either of them in a one on one fight, she was confident that her crew's combined power was not inferior to theirs.
In her mind, she was the strongest among the Three Emperors.
Yet reality proved otherwise.
Both Kaido and Marco possessed trump cards far beyond her expectations. Kaido controlled Pluton, and Marco held Poseidon. In comparison, the Big Mom Pirates relied on their hundred thousand Homies as their greatest advantage. But during the battle on Whole Cake Island, those Homies had been almost entirely expended. With that loss, Big Mom found herself in the weakest position among the three.
For the first time, she even began to worry that the Big Mom Pirates might one day be swallowed by the other two.
Kaido took a swig of sake and asked, "What about Uranus?"
Marco did not conceal anything. "It should be in the hands of the World Government. That is only my speculation. I cannot confirm whether it is truly under their control."
"So it is possible that the World Government possesses Uranus, one of the three Ancient Weapons." Kaido's expression turned serious. He had once believed that with Pluton, he would inevitably conquer the world. But if the World Government truly held Uranus, then the situation was far more complicated.
As Kaido drank and pondered, Marco's lips curved into a faint smile.
"Kaido," he said calmly, "since we are all gathered here today, we should decide the direction of this alliance. If we act separately, the Marines and the World Government could defeat us one by one."
Kaido's eyes brightened. He let out his signature laugh. "Worororo, that makes sense, Marco. Do you have a suggestion?"
Marco met his gaze steadily. "After I lost to you last time, I could not rest easy. I kept thinking about that fight. So I want to challenge you again."
Kaido's brows furrowed slightly. He already knew that Marco's Phoenix flames had changed from blue to black, and that his strength had grown since their previous battle. "Oh? Are you confident you can defeat me now?"
Marco's smile deepened. "And the Three Emperors Alliance needs a leader. Someone to give unified commands."
Hearing this, Kaido's mood lifted instantly. These were words he had long wanted to hear. He had always intended to lead the alliance, simply waiting for the right moment to bring it up. Even if Marco had remained silent, he would have raised the issue himself soon enough.
"Worororo, it seems you have grown much stronger, Marco," Kaido said with satisfaction. "Fine. You choose the time and place."
Kaido was supremely confident in his own strength. Since awakening his Devil Fruit, his speed and overall power had increased dramatically. Even if Marco's black flames enhanced him further, Kaido felt no fear.
In truth, he even hoped Marco would push him to his limits again, just as before. Only on the brink of defeat could he test whether he might break through to an even higher level.
After speaking, Kaido glanced at Big Mom. "Linlin, you have no objections, right?"
Big Mom's face darkened. The two of them were discussing the future of the alliance as if she were not even present. Rage surged within her.
"No objections?" she roared. "How could this old lady have no objections!"
Marco remained composed. "You are welcome to participate. If you can defeat me, I will not object to you becoming the leader."
Kaido nodded. "The same goes for me. If you can defeat either of us, you can take command."
Big Mom's fury intensified. She understood her own strength well enough. She knew she could not defeat either of them in her current state.
"What kind of joke is this?" she shouted. "When we formed this alliance, we agreed we were equals. Kaido, do not forget that you still owe this old lady a favor. I am not dead yet, and you already want to stand above me?"
She then turned her glare toward Marco.
"And you, Marco. Do not forget that you married my daughter. Even if it was a political marriage, I am still your mother in law. You refuse to call me Mama, and you will not even show basic respect. Now you want to stand above this old lady as well? What kind of son in law behaves like this?"
At the mention of the debt he owed her, Kaido fell silent. Marco also found himself without an immediate response.
Seeing both men quiet, Big Mom's anger finally eased slightly.
However, she was not foolish. On this sea, strength determined everything. The Big Mom Pirates had to restore their power as quickly as possible. Otherwise, her position within the Three Emperors Alliance would continue to decline.
While the three Emperors were locked in discussion on Whole Cake Island, an enormous magic circle suddenly appeared in the sky above Wano Country.
From within the glowing circle, a massive circular spacecraft slowly descended. Its shape resembled a gigantic straw hat, and its size was overwhelming. Gradually, the vessel emerged fully from the circle and hovered high above Wano.
The people of Wano looked up in unison. They had never seen anything like it.
Among the Beasts Pirates, surprise quickly turned into vigilance and unease.
One minute later, the spacecraft had completely exited the magic circle. Its diameter stretched seven thousand meters. It blotted out the sky, casting a vast shadow over the entirety of Wano Country.
The citizens stared upward in confusion. This object appeared even larger than Kaido himself.
All Star Queen, who had remained in Wano to guard it, narrowed his eyes as he observed the colossal ship above.
An ominous premonition crept into his heart.
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Powerstones?? (´ε｀ )
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Patreon = _Zeph