"Hahaha, indeed!" Shanks laughed heartily before his expression turned serious. "Marco, tell me, why are you heading to Wano Country? You shouldn't have any pressing reason to go!"
"Then why are you going?" Marco retorted, raising an eyebrow.
Shanks met his gaze, serious and deliberate. "I received news that you were also going to Wano, so I decided to come and see for myself."
"I see," Marco replied, nodding. "After my decisive battle with Kaido on Nanku Island, he invited me to Wano Country. I accepted, so I'm just going to attend—without any ulterior motive."
He relaxed slightly, continuing with a small smirk. "After all, the Phoenix Pirates are stable now. I have nothing urgent to handle, so if Kaido offers a banquet, I might as well attend. I also want to see his true intentions."
Shanks chuckled, while Benn Beckman, standing quietly behind him, spoke with measured caution. "Be careful. Kaido's motives won't be simple."
Marco looked at the strategist of the Red Hair Pirates, intrigued. "Can you guess anything, Beckman?"
Benn Beckman shook his head, calm as ever. "I can make some guesses, but nothing certain. One thing is clear: whatever he's planning, it won't be good news for the Red Hair Pirates."
Shanks' tone grew firm as he addressed Marco. "That's why I'm here. To form a temporary offensive and defensive alliance with you. Kaido and Big Mom were once comrades; their old ties run deep. If there's a scheme aimed at you or us, we need to be prepared together."
"This… surely not!" Marco replied, a hint of disbelief in his voice. "Kaido may be eccentric, but he's always straightforward. I don't think he'd stoop to schemes."
"Still, caution is wise," Shanks replied. "Let's form this temporary alliance. If Kaido attacks either the Red Hair Pirates or the Phoenix Pirates, we step in for each other. Agreed?"
"Of course," Marco nodded.
Benn Beckman's analysis weighed heavily in Shanks' mind. Kaido's invitation to all Four Emperors might be a show of power, a subtle coercion, or even an attempt to forge a pirate alliance at Four Emperors scale. If it succeeded, the balance of the New World would be disrupted instantly.
Shanks had initially dismissed Kaido's banquet as trivial, but learning the Phoenix Pirates were attending changed things. Though a pirate alliance seemed unlikely, Kaido's plan could target Marco, making him a potential threat. That's why Shanks had arrived preemptively—to give Marco a warning.
If Whitebeard were alive, Shanks wouldn't need to worry; Whitebeard's personality would never allow him to ally with others. But Marco had grown from subordinate to captain, and Shanks couldn't predict how he might act.
Two days later, the Red Hair Pirates and Phoenix Pirates successfully navigated Wano Country's treacherous waterfall via its ascending passage, arriving at the borders. The Moby Dick followed a Beasts Pirates guide ship, heading toward Onigashima.
Vista gazed at Wano in the distance. Even from afar, the massive chimneys belching smoke were visible. "It's been nearly thirty years since we last came here. We even met Oden at that time. I never imagined Wano would become like this."
Izo's fists clenched tightly. His face was grim as he looked at Wano's factories. Kozuki Oden had been his lord, and his heart still burned for vengeance, though he had no power to act. Most of the Phoenix Pirates didn't even know Oden personally—they only knew he had once been Whitebeard's Second Division Commander before joining Gol D. Roger's crew.
Soon, Onigashima came into view. The Beasts Pirates' All-Stars—King the Conflagration, Queen, and Jack—had been waiting. Seeing the Red Hair Pirates and Phoenix Pirates arrive with both Captains present, even these seasoned pirates, all with bounties exceeding one billion, grew serious.
Marco scanned the All-Stars with his level detection:
King, Dragon-Dragon Fruit, Ancient Zoan, Pteranodon Form: Yonko Commander Level
Queen, Dragon-Dragon Fruit, Ancient Zoan, Brachiosaurus Form: Yonko Commander Level
Jack, Elephant-Elephant Fruit, Ancient Zoan, Mammoth Form: Weak Emperor's Second-in-Command Level
King stepped forward, his voice deep. "Red-Haired Shanks, Phoenix Marco. Kaido has been expecting you. Please, come in."
Shanks' lips curved in a grin. "So, you're King the Conflagration, second-in-command of the Beasts Pirates. I've heard of you. How about joining my crew?"
King's eyes twitched, unimpressed. "I refuse."
Marco, standing nearby, muttered jokingly, "Red Hair, are you so fond of inviting second-in-commands of Emperors crews? First me, now King."
Shanks laughed. "When you see talent, you can't help but try to poach it."
Marco rolled his eyes, slightly exasperated. Soon, the Phoenix Pirates and Red Hair Pirates followed the All-Stars into Onigashima.
On the performance floor, the Beasts Pirates had prepared everything. Kaido and Big Mom stood together, Kaido grinning widely. "worororo, Red Hair, Marco, welcome!"
"My subordinates, our guests have arrived! Let the banquet begin! Bring out the finest wine and meat!"
The room erupted in cheers. Queen jumped onto the performance stage, immediately beginning a show of singing and dancing, setting the scene for the gathering of the Four Emperors.
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