Tesoro spoke calmly but firmly, "So, I want to join Peach Garden."
Rolan tilted his head slightly, his expression indifferent as he looked at the man before him. Tesoro's eyes burned with a dangerous intensity, almost feral.
"Are you certain?" Rolan said flatly. "Once you step into Peach Garden, your Golden City in the New World will likely never receive recognition from the World Government again."
Tesoro shook his head without hesitation. "As long as I can avenge Stella, even if it costs me Gran Tesoro or my life, I won't regret it."
Rolan clicked his tongue quietly. This man really had nerve.
"You still need to think carefully," Rolan said, his tone cold and steady. "Once you cross this line, there's no turning back."
He wasn't refusing Tesoro outright. From what Rolan remembered, Tesoro had always been twisted by obsession and hatred. It was difficult to judge just how deep his resentment toward the World Government truly ran. Rolan didn't believe Tesoro would join Peach Garden simply because he had once dared to attack a Celestial Dragon.
For eight hundred years, countless pirates had resisted the World Government, and none had succeeded.
And truthfully, the strength Rolan had revealed so far was not enough to openly declare war on the entire World Government. A single wrong decision could drag someone into irreversible ruin.
Tesoro let out a humorless laugh. "Do you really think I've lived comfortably all these years, even while controlling nearly twenty percent of the world's circulating berries?"
Rolan didn't answer.
In the world's eyes, Tesoro was a man who delighted in watching people kneel for money, treating it as entertainment. But that image was only the surface.
Tesoro continued, "On one hand, I've been strengthening myself. On the other, I've been searching for partners. Everything I've done was preparation." His eyes sharpened. "The ultimate goal has always been to fight the World Government."
Rolan spoke bluntly, "You think the World Government is unfathomable. So do I. I don't even have full confidence myself."
Tesoro shook his head. "No. I'm certain that if there is anyone in this world who can overthrow the World Government, it's you, Rolan."
He paused briefly before adding, "Not even the Revolutionary Army compares."
That made Rolan frown slightly. Tesoro's confidence in him was excessive, even more than Rolan had in himself.
Tesoro continued, "In just half a day, Kuro showed me Peach Garden. I only saw a small part, but that was enough." His voice carried conviction. "This is what the world should look like. That's why joining Peach Garden is the most correct decision I can make."
Rolan fell silent.
Originally, Gran Tesoro had already been within his scope of influence. Challenging the World Government was never purely about strength alone. Strength accounted for perhaps half of it. The other half was economic power.
And in the New World, Gran Tesoro was unmatched in that regard.
"Fine," Rolan finally said. "Then let's sit down and discuss the details."
New World
Across Totto Land and Wano Country, massive screens suddenly lit up.
Two figures appeared simultaneously.
BIG MOM.
Kaido.
BIG MOM's booming voice echoed first. "The BIG MOM Pirates and the Beasts Pirates have decided…"
Then, together, Kaido and BIG MOM declared, "To form an alliance!"
"Nani?!"
Shock rippled through both crews.
No one had ever imagined that these two monstrous pirate forces would form an alliance, especially at this moment.
In Cake City, Katakuri stared at BIG MOM in disbelief. "Mama… are you serious?"
On the other side, Queen looked equally stunned. "Is this a joke?"
In Queen's view, BIG MOM had already been defeated by Rolan and stripped of her status as one of the Four Emperors. Joining forces was one thing, but an equal alliance? She no longer seemed qualified.
BIG MOM and Kaido ignored their subordinates and exchanged glances.
BIG MOM raised her massive wine bowl. Kaido lifted his gourd. The two clinked them together.
"Then let's conquer this world together first," they said in unison.
They drank deeply.
At that moment, both pirate crews understood that the alliance was already set in stone.
Cups were raised everywhere.
These two crews had once been bitter enemies, clashing constantly and killing without restraint. Now, they sat together as if at a grand banquet.
It perfectly illustrated the truth of the world of One Piece.
There were no eternal enemies.
No eternal allies.
Only eternal interests.
BIG MOM and Kaido both understood this well. Neither valued sentiment. Their alliance existed solely because they now shared a common enemy.
If they truly conquered the world, they would turn on each other without hesitation.
BIG MOM waved her hand. "Mama! Bring out all the cakes! Today marks the rebirth of Cake City and the anniversary of our alliance!"
Even as she spoke, cream smeared her mouth, making her look nothing like a fearsome pirate. More like a grotesque child weighing tens of tons.
Kaido, completely drunk, laughed loudly, clearly enjoying himself.
At the same time, a small gray boat silently approached Totto Land.
Three figures stood aboard. Two men and one woman, all dressed in white, wearing white masks, their cloaks snapping violently in the sea wind.
"Wein, how much longer until we reach Cake Island?" the man at the bow asked.
"Kudins, use your eyes," another man snapped from the deck. "I'm not a navigator."
Kudins turned sharply, his voice rising. "Watch your tone. I'm the captain of this operation."
Wein sneered. "Captain? Just because you sent your wife to curry favor…"
The two had never gotten along. The Gorosei assigning them together, and naming Kudins as captain, only made things worse.
Wein believed he was stronger. Smarter. More qualified.
Kudins extended his hands, blood-red fur rapidly spreading over them. "If you're dissatisfied, I'll beat submission into you."
Wein transformed instantly into a massive rhinoceros. "Then let's see whether your Ancient Ape is stronger, or my Ancient Rhino."
The woman sitting quietly finally spoke. "Enough. Settle your grievances after the mission."
Kudins snorted and reverted to human form. "For Qimo Ji's sake, I'll let it go."
Wein followed suit.
As the gray boat drew closer to Cake Island, members of the BIG MOM Pirates gathered along the shore.
"Who are you?"
"You're not from the BIG MOM Pirates!"
"Leave Totto Land at once!"
Wein's patience snapped.
"Soru."
He vanished.
In moments, he reappeared on the boat. Behind him, screams rang out as blood pooled along the shore.
Qimo Ji and Kudins watched silently.
The lives of others meant nothing to them.
Only the mission mattered.
___
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