"Brother..."
Shanks stared into Lloyd's golden eyes, his lips trembling slightly.
Lloyd gave a faint smile and spoke in a calm, indifferent tone, "Go and do what you want. Remember, you are a member of the Figarland Family. You have the freedom to choose your own path. As for that failure, Joy Boy can go to hell."
Shanks nodded quietly. Lloyd raised his hand and placed it on Shanks' shoulder. In the next moment, his figure twisted and collapsed into a dark vortex, vanishing from sight.
After Lloyd left, the commotion outside gradually faded. Beckman and the others cautiously stepped out of the cabin. When he saw Shanks standing motionless on the deck, Beckman let out a small sigh of relief.
Before he could speak, Shanks suddenly turned toward him.
"Beckman, it's time we get serious."
...
Aboard the Moby Dick,
Whitebeard sat on a massive chair, his body covered in medical tubes and needles. IV drips surrounded him, yet despite his condition, he still held a large sake barrel in one hand, occasionally taking heavy swigs.
The nurses nearby complained repeatedly, but their words only made him laugh louder. Instead of stopping, he drank even more.
In front of him, the deck was filled with laughter and noise. His sons drank, joked, and celebrated as usual. This carefree atmosphere was the daily life of the Whitebeard Pirates.
As one of the established Yonko crews, very few pirate crews dared to provoke them. With no real threats, they spent their days guarding their vast territory and enjoying themselves.
Their way of sustaining this lifestyle was simple. They collected protection fees. Merchant ships passing through their waters, as well as the islands under their protection, regularly paid tribute in Berries or supplies.
While everyone else was immersed in the celebration, Marco stood by the railing alone, his expression filled with concern as he looked toward Whitebeard.
At that moment, Marshall D. Teach approached him, holding a cherry pie in one hand and a sake barrel in the other.
"Hey, Marco," Teach said casually. "You've looked troubled these past few days. What's on your mind?"
Marco glanced at him and replied, "Teach, I don't know how long this kind of life can continue. And the old man... his health keeps getting worse. He has no restraint at all. Sigh..."
He let out a heavy sigh.
A sharp glint flashed briefly in Teach's eyes. Then he opened his mouth wide and swallowed the entire cherry pie in one bite, despite it being larger than his face.
Marco showed no reaction. He had long grown used to Teach's strange habits.
"Marco," Teach said in a lower voice, "I've been thinking about this too."
Marco raised an eyebrow, clearly surprised. Teach never seemed like the type to worry about such matters.
Teach laughed loudly. "Zehahahaha! Surprised? There's no need to be. I'm not the only one thinking about it. Thatch feels the same way."
Since Portgas D. Ace had not joined, Teach currently held the position of Second Division commander, while Thatch remained the Fourth Division commander.
Marco said nothing, watching Teach closely.
Teach continued, his tone growing more serious, "I know what you're worried about. That Black Dragon... no, he should be called a Celestial Dragon now. Ever since he returned, the Navy has completely changed."
He took a sip from his sake barrel before going on.
"Even without him, Marineford now has six Admirals. Add Sengoku and the others, and their power is overwhelming. We have to face reality. The Navy now has the strength to end the era of the Four Emperors. The destruction of the Beasts Pirates proves it."
Marco's expression darkened as he nodded. These were the same concerns weighing on his mind.
"Marco, I have a bad feeling," Teach said. "If we don't act to protect ourselves, the Celestial Dragon will target us next. If he attacks us the same way he wiped out the Beasts Pirates, bringing six Admirals at once, even the old man in his prime wouldn't stand a chance. And now..."
He did not finish the sentence, but the meaning was clear.
"As the ship's doctor, you understand his condition better than anyone."
Marco frowned slightly. "So what do you suggest?"
Teach's voice dropped as he answered, "We form an alliance."
Marco's eyes shifted. He had already considered the same idea.
"You mean an alliance with the Big Mom Pirates and the Red Hair Pirates?"
"Exactly," Teach replied immediately. "But we should approach Red Hair Shanks first. He was once part of the Roger Pirates, and our relationship with them was good in the past. Compared to Charlotte Linlin, Shanks is far easier to reason with."
Marco nodded slowly. The logic was sound.
After a moment, he asked, "Then why tell me instead of the old man?"
Teach's grin widened, stretching in a way that felt unsettling.
"Marco, everyone knows you're the old man's favorite son. You also understand his temperament. If I brought this up, he'd get angry and reject it outright. Once he refuses something, it's nearly impossible to change his mind. But if you say it, he might listen."
Marco narrowed his eyes slightly and gave a faint, knowing smile.
"Teach, you're more cunning than you look."
"Zehahahaha! I'm just thinking about what's best for the old man and our crew," Teach replied, his expression turning sincere. "This ship is our home."
Marco seemed moved. He raised his hand and gave Teach a firm pat on the shoulder.
"You're right. We have to protect this family, the Whitebeard Pirates."
He paused briefly before continuing, "I'll speak to the old man. But knowing him, even if he agrees, he won't personally go to Shanks. In his eyes, Shanks is still a junior. He'll send someone else instead."
Marco looked directly at Teach.
"You've thought this through carefully. When the time comes, I'll recommend you."
To his surprise, Teach immediately waved his hand in refusal.
"No, absolutely not."
Marco froze. "Why?"
Teach scratched his head and gave an awkward smile.
"I have a bit of a history with Red Hair Shanks. Back when the Roger Pirates visited us... things didn't go well between us. It's better if I don't go."