The moment the name Blackbeard was spoken, a sharp killing intent flashed through Ace's, Jinbe's, and Jozu's eyes.
"That Blackbeard?" Kaido stroked his chin thoughtfully. "By the way—have you still not found him?"
Marco glanced toward Jozu, who stepped forward to explain. "We received intelligence earlier that he had appeared on Shrimp Island. But by the time we arrived, he was already gone. That man knows the deployment of the Whitebeard Pirates far too well. Our judgment is that he's deliberately slipping through the gaps between the territories of the Yonko."
"Oh?" Kaido's interest was piqued. A feral grin spread across his face. "Good. That's no problem. If Blackbeard shows his face in my territory, I'll have him captured and delivered to you. I'll also mobilize the Beasts Pirates to help track him down."
Linlin burst into laughter. "Mamamamamama! If that's all, then I will lend a hand as well."
Marco didn't hesitate. "Good. As long as you help me find the Blackbeard Pirates—or capture them—I'll agree to this alliance. I want to cut off Blackbeard's head before my father's grave, to honor him and our fallen comrades."
"Worororo! Excellent. Then it's settled." Kaido was openly ecstatic. To him, Marco's condition was trivial. Once the Three Emperors Alliance was formed, their combined territories and forces would dwarf even the legendary Rocks Pirates. If he stood at the head of that alliance—along with the ancient weapon Pluton in his possession—a war on a global scale would be inevitable.
Of course, Kaido had no intention of telling Marco about Pluton just yet. That secret would remain buried until Marco truly became one of them.
Turning his gaze toward the last Emperor, Kaido's voice grew cold. "Red-Hair. What's your answer? Or do you have conditions of your own?"
Shanks listened quietly, a faint curve forming at the corner of his lips. He lifted his wine bowl, drained it in one long gulp, then set it down with a soft thud.
"I came here today for good wine," he said calmly. "I'm not interested in alliances."
With that, Shanks rose to his feet. "Thanks for the hospitality. I'll be taking my leave."
Kaido's brow furrowed deeply. "Wait."
At his words, tension snapped through the hall. The Beasts Pirates and Big Mom Pirates stiffened instantly. Their alliance was already in place, and the Whitebeard remnants were now quasi-allies. If all three forces moved together, the Red Hair Pirates wouldn't leave this place alive.
The Red Hair Pirates sensed it as well. Shanks turned back, his expression cold. "Is there something else, Kaido?"
Kaido's eyes burned as he asked, "Is this because of Oden?"
Shanks chuckled softly and shook his head. "No. Oden was my friend, but I have my own crew and my own journey. I'm simply not interested in your alliance."
He turned once more, preparing to walk away.
That was when Linlin's grin twisted into something far more dangerous. "Hey, Red Hair—are you sure you want to refuse?" she growled. "This is our chance to conquer the world in one stroke. If the Four Emperors join forces, no one alive could stand against us."
She shot Kaido a meaningful look. He understood immediately—and couldn't deny the temptation. If Red Hair wouldn't join them, perhaps it was better to erase him here and now.
Shanks felt the shift instantly. His gaze swept over Kaido, Linlin, and Marco, growing heavy with caution. If three Emperors struck at once…
Today might truly become a battlefield from which no one could retreat.
At that moment, Marco finally spoke.
"If they refuse to join, then let them go."
Kaido and Linlin both turned their eyes toward him. Marco continued calmly, "During the Marineford War, the Red Hair Pirates showed mercy to the Phoenix Pirates. We can't repay kindness with hostility. Consider it a personal favor—to me."
"Worororo… fine." Kaido didn't reject Marco's request. He knew well that Red Hair had intervened on behalf of the Whitebeard Pirates at Marineford. Turning toward Shanks, he said bluntly, "Red Hair, you're free to leave."
Shanks gave a small nod, then looked toward Marco. No words were exchanged—only a silent acknowledgment. He understood perfectly: Marco was repaying an old debt. From this moment on, with the Phoenix Pirates allied to the Beasts and Big Mom Pirates, the next time they met, they would stand as enemies.
After the Red Hair Pirates departed, Linlin clicked her tongue in mild irritation, but she didn't direct her displeasure at Marco. Within this Three Emperors Alliance, her own strength was likely the weakest. She had already heard from Kaido about Marco's Devil Fruit Awakening. The last time she had fought him for ten days and ten nights, his power hadn't yet awakened. Now… facing him again would be far more troublesome.
Just then, Who's Who stepped forward, holding several documents.
"Lord Kaido, the alliance treaty has been copied."
"Mm." Kaido nodded lightly, signaling him to proceed.
Acting as Kaido's secretary, Who's Who addressed the others respectfully. "Lord Marco, Lady Linlin—if there are no objections to the treaty, you may sign."
Marco couldn't help but feel a trace of surprise as he looked at the formal written agreement. In his experience, alliances were often sealed with words alone. Even the Straw Hat–Heart Pirate alliance had been nothing more than a verbal pact.
The contents of the treaty were familiar—nearly identical to what he had just reviewed. The only difference was the title: it had changed from a Four Emperors Alliance Treaty to the Beasts, Phoenix, Big Mom Three Emperors Alliance Treaty.
After a brief pause, Marco signed his name beneath the Phoenix Pirates' section.
Once the documents were exchanged, Kaido, Linlin, and Marco all broke into smiles. Without delay, they agreed to announce the news.
Ace, watching from the side, still felt a hint of disbelief—but excitement burned just as strongly in his chest. A Three Emperors Alliance… the sheer scale of such a force was almost unimaginable.
Before long, Kaido, Marco, and Linlin—accompanied by their core subordinates—arrived at the performance floor. Below them stood pirates from the Beasts Pirates, the Big Mom Pirates, and the Phoenix Pirates alike.
As the host, Kaido lifted his wine gourd high and grinned ferociously.
"Worororo! Today, I bring good news—to all of you, and to the entire world!"
"The Beasts, Phoenix, and Big Mom Three Emperors Alliance Treaty has been officially signed! The strongest pirate alliance in history has been born!"
"Ohhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!"
With the alliance officially established, Marco's "Choice" quest was completed.
Reward acquired: 1,000 attribute points.
His total attribute points climbed to 4,000.
Marco let out a long sigh.
"Only four thousand… still painfully far from thirty thousand."
Before he could dwell on it, the system's cold, mechanical voice rang out once more.
'New quest issued…'
A translucent panel unfolded before his eyes, lines of text slowly forming.
Quest: Overthrow the World Government, Slay the World King—Imu
Description: The World Government has ruled the seas for eight hundred years, its rot long embedded deep within its foundations. Overthrow the World Government and slay the hidden ruler of the world—Imu.
Reward: 50,000 attribute points.
Bounty Conditions:
To slay the World King, the World Government's hounds will inevitably stand in your way.
Kill an ordinary Celestial Dragon guard: +10 attribute points
Kill a CP Organization member: +200 attribute points
Kill a Celestial Dragon: +500 attribute points
Kill a Holy Knights member: +5,000 attribute points
Kill a Gorosei: +10,000 attribute points
Kill Imu: +50,000 attribute points
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