Hearing the discussion, Marco fell into thought. Big Mom, enthusiastic as ever, immediately agreed, "Mamamamamama, that's a really good idea!"
Marco raised an eyebrow, a flicker of suspicion in his gaze. "I say, have you two already discussed this before? Calling me here seems more like informing me than consulting me."
Kaido chuckled. "worororo, don't misunderstand. Linlin did mention it yesterday, but everyone was in high spirits, so I decided to bring it up at today's meeting. Don't worry—this flag will include elements from all three of our pirate crews."
Marco muttered under his breath, "A pirate flag that merges elements from three crews… it might turn out to be a monstrosity."
Kaido considered this, while Big Mom asked curiously, "Oh? Then do you have any suggestions, Marco?"
Marco hesitated. Naturally, he had no ready ideas, so he looked at Kaido. "Kaido, didn't you say before that you wanted to start a world-class war? The goal is to drag the Celestial Dragons into it."
Kaido's eyes sparkled with mischief. "If that's the case, let's keep the alliance flag simple. How about depicting our three Devil Fruits tearing apart the World Government's flag, instead of a traditional skull?"
Big Mom's eyes lit up, and she immediately agreed. "Mamamamamama, I like it! Let's have a few dozen flags made first to see how they look."
Kaido continued, "The second matter is solidifying our alliance."
Marco nodded thoughtfully. "Then we should exchange special envoys. That way, we can communicate quickly if anything arises."
Big Mom's grin widened. "Mamamamamama, that's a good start, but sending envoys alone isn't enough. We need a more stable method."
Kaido laughed. "That method, of course, is a marriage alliance."
Big Mom chuckled loudly. "Exactly! To maintain a three-way alliance, a bond by blood is the most stable. Only a marriage alliance can truly secure it."
Marco's brows furrowed tightly. "A marriage alliance?"
Listening to their banter, Marco felt cornered and scowled. "Wait a minute, have you two already discussed this without me? First the flag, now a marriage alliance? Don't tell me this is another trick!"
Big Mom laughed heartily. "Mamamama, don't misunderstand, Marco. We didn't discuss this beforehand. It's just that your Phoenix Pirates haven't dealt with alliances like this before, so it feels unusual to you."
She explained further, "Pirate alliances are usually fragile, often ending in betrayal. To make an alliance truly stable, there must be blood ties. Most of my crews are linked through marriage to the Charlotte Family, so I understand the necessity. You lack experience in this area, that's all."
Marco's brow furrowed, and his captains exchanged uncertain looks. They weren't familiar with such arrangements, but Marco decided to hear them out.
He asked cautiously, "Then tell me, what exactly does this marriage alliance involve? If it's outrageous, I won't agree."
Big Mom answered clearly, "Each crew will send two trusted subordinates to the other crews as special envoys. These envoys will enter a marriage alliance with a trusted subordinate or child from the other crew. It strengthens trust and solidifies the alliance."
Ace and the others looked confused, unfamiliar with marriage alliances, while Marco nodded slowly, starting to grasp the concept.
Kaido added, grinning, "Don't worry. We're all Four Emperors. Marriage alliances are meant to strengthen relations, not force them. Consent from both parties is required."
Marco acknowledged this silently. He knew the strength of the Phoenix Pirates could hold its own. If anyone tried to deceive him, he could withdraw and align with the Red Hair Pirates instead. Strength was the ultimate guarantee in alliances.
Satisfied, Marco asked, "Alright, then who will be part of this marriage alliance?"
Kaido's lips curled into a smile. "On my side, Yamato will serve as a special envoy to your Phoenix Pirates, and Page One of the Tobiroppo will go to the Big Mom Pirates. One is my daughter, the other a trusted subordinate."
Kaido continued, "From your side, I hope your first division commander, Sak, can join the Beasts Pirates and marry my goddaughter, Ulti, ensuring a solid bond between our crews."
[Whyyyyyyyyyyyy, wuwuwu, I low-key want a Harem for Marco]
Marco's eyes widened slightly as he looked at Ulti behind Kaido. "Goddaughter?"
Kaido chuckled warmly. "worororo, I just adopted Ulti yesterday. She was originally the daughter of a good friend, so it's proper she's now my goddaughter."
Marco frowned slightly. "Are you trying to increase Ulti's value? Still, you chose wisely, Kaido. Sak is the first division commander of the Phoenix Pirates, one of my most trusted."
Kaido grinned. "worororo, a marriage alliance must involve trusted individuals on both sides. That's the only way to reduce the risk of betrayal."
Ace, finally understanding, reacted angrily. "Ah, I get it now! You want us to exchange companions, right!"
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