"Yes, Lord Kaido." Who's Who quickly ran over, carrying three documents.
Kaido gestured, and Who's Who immediately placed them on the tables before Marco, Shanks, and Big Mom. "This is the alliance treaty I drafted. Take a look. If anything is unclear or needs revision, we can discuss it directly."
Marco's eyes scanned the document. Bold characters at the top read: Four Emperors Alliance Treaty.
The treaty itself was concise, consisting of six articles:
1. Each party would respect the territories of the others and refrain from invasion or occupation.
2. The four parties would establish and maintain economic exchange.
3. If any party were attacked by the Marines or other pirates, the others would provide full assistance.
4. The parties would not interfere in each other's pirate crews.
5. Any betrayal after the treaty would be met with collective action from the other three parties.
6. During the alliance, any party dissatisfied could withdraw freely, without restriction.
Shanks observed quietly, his expression solemn, yet he continued sipping his sake. He worried about disrupting the delicate balance among the Four Emperors. He had already placed great hope in Luffy, but a sudden shift in the power structure could jeopardize everything.
Jozu, Ace, and Jinbe looked toward Marco. They would respect any decision he made.
Marco turned to Kaido. "An alliance is possible, but I have a condition before agreeing."
Kaido's eyes lit up. Marco had not refused outright. As long as he joined, Kaido would have the strength of three allied Emperors on his side—None in the New World could oppose them.
Shanks' expression darkened slightly, but he could not intervene.
Yamato, anxious, exclaimed, "Marco, are you seriously going to ally with the Beasts Pirates?! This man killed Lord Oden! Wasn't Oden your companion in the Whitebeard Pirates?"
"Yamato, silence!" Kaido roared, his anger flaring. If Yamato disrupted the alliance now, he would not forgive her, even as his daughter.
Marco, calm and composed, addressed her. "Although Oden was once the Second Division Commander of the Whitebeard Pirates, he joined the Roger Pirates over twenty years ago. That would have been one thing, but he betrayed us."
" Betrayal?" Yamato's eyes widened. She had read Oden's diary but had never known this.
Marco continued steadily. "About twenty-four or twenty-five years ago, we encountered the Roger Pirates on a small island. For three days and nights, Whitebeard's crew fought alongside Roger's."
"After the battle, Roger invited Oden to join him. He valued Oden's ability to read ancient texts—the last key to becoming Pirate King."
Kaido's eyes widened slightly. "Oden could read ancient texts?"
Marco nodded. "Yes. Pops did not approve initially, as Oden was second-in-command of the Whitebeard Pirates. Losing him would have been a major blow. But Oden insisted, promising to return after one year. Pops eventually agreed."
Marco's gaze shifted to Yamato. "Do you know what happened next? After sailing with Roger, Oden returned directly to Wano Country. He did not return to Whitebeard's crew. Later, we learned Wano was in turmoil, but at the time, Oden broke his promise, leaving us waiting for decades. It was… a betrayal."
Yamato's expression softened, mixed with disappointment. Even Oden's glorious image in her heart was slightly tarnished, though she still insisted, "Lord Oden must have had special reasons."
Marco nodded earnestly. "We understood his difficulties and never blamed him. But the disrespect remained. He joined our crew, yet left midway, without trust or transparency. If he had confided in us, the Whitebeard Pirates would never have stood idly by."
Ace, listening closely, murmured in surprise, "So that's why Oden left…"
Kozuki Hiyori, positioned quietly behind Kaido, absorbed the account in silence, a mixture of emotions stirring within her.
Kaido, leaning back, grinned darkly. "Worororo… indeed! If that foolish prince had sought Whitebeard's help back then, I would never have taken Wano. That monstrous old man, Whitebeard, was unmatched."
Yamato bristled at Kaido insulting her idol but remained silent. Kaido leaned forward, eyes gleaming. "But those are old stories. Marco, what was your condition?"
Marco's eyes flashed with controlled killing intent. "Blackbeard. If I am to join this Four Emperors alliance, you will use your intelligence network to help me locate Blackbeard. Once I know his whereabouts, I will agree to form a pirate alliance with you."
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