"What?! You mean the Pirate King? You!?"
Marco stared at Shanks in disbelief, as if such ambition did not suit him at all.
Perhaps it was because Shanks had always kept a low profile compared to the other Four Emperors.
Shanks laughed lightly.
"Marco, if you came to join me, you are welcome. If it is anything else, go back the way you came. Otherwise..."
A crimson glint flashed in his eyes. The dragon-shaped Haoshoku Haki surged around him once more, pulsing with oppressive force.
Marco's expression changed instantly. Gritting his teeth, he transformed fully into his phoenix form, lifting his unconscious crewmates onto his back before taking off without hesitation.
After returning to his ship, Marco shouted urgently,
"Move, now!"
The crew reacted immediately, steering the ship away at full speed.
At the bow of the Red Force, Shanks watched them retreat, his voice low.
"He noticed..."
Benn Beckman stepped up behind him.
"Were you planning to keep him?"
Shanks smiled faintly.
"That Devil Fruit is quite valuable. I thought Bro might like it."
Beckman narrowed his eyes.
"That would break the rules."
Shanks shrugged.
"That is why I let him go. He should be grateful Bro was not here."
Beckman exhaled a stream of smoke.
"You should speak less about your Brother. After all, Yasopp's son died at his hands."
Shanks sighed, a rare hint of irritation surfacing. Yasopp was still recovering in the cabin, yet even in that state, he constantly spoke of killing Lloyd. Each time, the crew fell silent, pretending not to hear, while Shanks ignored it entirely.
In his view, Yasopp had no chance against Lloyd. Letting him vent was the only practical option.
...
By the time Marco returned to the territory of the Whitebeard Pirates, the tension in his body finally eased.
He was certain that if he had stayed even a moment longer, Shanks would have forced him to remain.
Now, he only wanted to report everything to Whitebeard.
However, when the Moby Dick came into view, Marco froze.
A strange ship was anchored beside it.
Who would dare approach the Moby Dick so boldly?
Before his ship even docked, Marco transformed into a phoenix and flew ahead.
Landing on deck, he noticed unfamiliar figures standing among the crew. They wore worn cloaks, their presence quiet but tense.
At the center, a man with long, unkempt black hair sat across from Whitebeard.
As Marco approached, Whitebeard glanced at him.
"Marco, you are back."
Marco nodded and stepped closer, finally seeing the man's face clearly.
His eyes widened.
"Monkey D. Dragon?!"
Dragon gave a slight nod.
"First Division Commander Marco, a pleasure."
Before Marco could respond, Whitebeard spoke.
"What is the result? What is Red Hair's stance?"
Marco hesitated, glancing at Dragon. Whitebeard waved his hand dismissively.
"It does not matter. His purpose here is the same as yours. Speak."
A flicker of surprise crossed Dragon's face. He had not been informed beforehand.
Marco took a breath, his expression grim.
Whitebeard frowned.
"What is it? Did he refuse?"
Marco nodded slowly.
Whitebeard's face darkened instantly, veins rising along his forehead.
For him to personally seek an alliance with a junior like Shanks was already a concession. To be rejected so bluntly, especially in front of outsiders, was a direct insult.
He laughed, but there was no humor in it.
"Gurarararara... Good. Very good. That brat from Roger's ship has grown bold. Does he think he can challenge the Navy alone, or does he simply look down on me?"
Fearing escalation, Marco quickly added,
"Old Man, Red Hair has eaten a Devil Fruit."
"What?"
The statement immediately drew Whitebeard's attention. Even Dragon showed clear surprise.
"Shanks chose to become a Devil Fruit user? Do you know which one?"
Marco inhaled deeply.
"The Blue Dragon Fruit. The color is different, but I am certain. It is Kaido's Devil Fruit."
Shock spread across the deck.
Marshall D. Teach stepped forward abruptly.
"Marco, are you sure?!"
"I saw it myself."
Dragon fell into thought.
"The Blue Dragon Fruit... incredible. Kaido has not been dead long, yet Shanks already possesses it. For someone like him, this is a massive increase in power."
Whitebeard had calmed slightly. He let out a cold snort.
"So that is why he refused. But does he think a single Devil Fruit is enough to deal with the Celestial Dragons?"
Marco remained silent about Shanks's ambition to become Pirate King. Saying that now would only worsen things.
Even though the alliance with the Red Hair Pirates had failed, there was still another possibility.
The Revolutionary Army.
Marco had not expected them to appear on their own. This force, which usually operated from the shadows, had come directly to them.
Led by Dragon, their strength rivaled that of any Emperor's crew, perhaps even surpassing them in influence.
If they could form an alliance, it would be a major advantage.
The atmosphere on the ship earlier had been calm, suggesting that Whitebeard was open to the idea.
However, Dragon spoke again, shifting the direction entirely.
"Even so, Red Hair remains a force we cannot ignore. We should still try to win him over."
Whitebeard's eyes widened slightly.
Dragon continued calmly,
"There is no need for anger, Newgate. There is still room for negotiation. For an alliance of this scale, the leaders themselves should meet. Yet you only sent Marco. From their perspective, that can be seen as disrespect."
Marco froze.
Thinking back, Shanks had said almost the exact same thing.
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