The alarm spread across the 'Moby Dick', causing every commander aboard to turn toward the source.
Whitebeard's eyes narrowed as he looked into the distance. "That brat got here fast."
He recalled the brief conversation they'd had during their last meeting and the verbal agreement they'd reached.
His gaze swept past the fleet of ships flying the Whitebeard Pirates' crescent-mustache flag, and soon he spotted it: a massive crimson ship with a dragon figurehead.
"It's Red Hair!"
"Red-Haired Shanks!"
"Why is he here again?"
"It hasn't been that long since he last met with the old man."
The Whitebeard Pirates murmured in surprise as the 'Red Force' slowly approached, coming to a steady stop within fifty or sixty meters of the fleet.
Standing at the bow, the one-armed Shanks looked across the sea of ships until his eyes met the towering figure on the deck of the 'Moby Dick'.
"Relax, everyone. This time... I've come in peace." The seriousness on Shanks' face faded into a smile.
"In peace?"
The Whitebeard Pirates exchanged puzzled glances before turning toward the 'Moby Dick'. Only the old man could decide whether Red Hair would be allowed aboard.
"Let him through," Whitebeard's voice echoed across the sea. "I'd like to hear what he has to say this time."
Shanks smiled as the tightly packed fleet slowly parted, opening a passage down the middle. The 'Red Force' sailed through, finally stopping beside the 'Moby Dick'.
A boarding bridge was quickly lowered between the two ships, and Shanks stepped across. Just like last time, he was carrying a large barrel of sake.
"I brought some good liquor from my hometown."
Whitebeard raised an eyebrow and laughed. "Then I'd better give it a proper taste."
Shanks smiled, sat down cross-legged, and relaxed completely, without the slightest hint of hostility about him.
Whitebeard narrowed his eyes before sitting down as well.
Marco and the others exchanged glances, and someone stepped forward with bowls to pour sake for both of them.
"Go on," Whitebeard said with a faint smile. "What brings you back this time?"
At those words, the smile disappeared from Shanks' face, replaced by a serious expression. "It's the same matter as before. I assume you've already read the latest newspaper."
Whitebeard's pupils contracted slightly as he stared at him. "So what?"
"The Whitebeard Pirates' Second Division Commander has been captured by the Marines," Shanks said in a deep voice. "I don't think your crew can simply ignore news of that magnitude."
Whitebeard picked up his bowl of sake. "And?"
Shanks looked him straight in the eye. "The Marines' intentions couldn't be more obvious. They'll use Ace as bait to force you to come personally... and use that opportunity to start a war that will shake the entire world."
"Even if that's true..." Whitebeard replied calmly, "...what does it have to do with you, Red-Haired Shanks?"
"If this were only a conflict between the Marines and the Whitebeard Pirates, it wouldn't concern me," Shanks nodded. "Even if the outcome reshaped the world... even if it plunged the New World into chaos... I still wouldn't interfere."
Then his eyes sharpened. "But... this war will definitely involve 'that man'. And because of that... I can't pretend I don't see it."
Whitebeard fell silent. He drained his bowl of sake in one gulp before chuckling. "That man? You're talking about Kojin, aren't you? You seem to hold quite a grudge against him. You've come to see me time and time again... and in the end, it's always because of him."
Despite Whitebeard's amused tone, Shanks' expression remained heavy. He waited until Whitebeard finished speaking before slowly nodding. "That's right. I'm here because of him."
Whitebeard raised an eyebrow with interest. "Why?"
Shanks lowered his voice. "That man... took away the friend I treasured more than anyone else."
His face darkened. Back in Loguetown, he and Buggy had been forced apart. From that moment onward, his best friend had become Kojin's prisoner.
"Oh?" Whitebeard laughed. "Now that you mention it... I do remember. When you sailed with Roger, there was a red-nosed kid who was always with you."
"That's right," Shanks nodded.
"So..." Whitebeard asked directly, "you're here for the same reason as last time? You want to join forces with me against the Marines?"
Shanks immediately corrected him. "Against Kojin."
Whitebeard narrowed his eyes and fell into thought. Shanks didn't rush him, waiting patiently.
Around them, Marco, Vista, Jozu, and the other commanders stood in tense silence, not daring to interrupt. Everyone aboard understood that what the old man decided next could very well shape the future of the entire world.
After a long silence, Whitebeard finally spoke. "Joining forces with a brat like you... does make me lose a bit of face." His deep voice carried a hint of mixed emotion. Then, he smiled. "But... I'll treat it as doing you a favor."
He looked directly at Shanks. "I'll join hands with you... to deal with Kojin." He chuckled. "Thinking about it... that brat should feel honored."
Silence filled the 'Moby Dick', with only Whitebeard's words lingering in the air.
Several moments later, a smile finally appeared on Shanks' face.
Marco and the others hadn't even realized they'd broken into a cold sweat, drops sliding down their foreheads and splashing onto the deck. Even after Whitebeard finished speaking, they remained frozen in place, too stunned to react.
Time seemed to stop. No one said a word.
Then Shanks quietly broke the silence. "He really should. With the combined strength of two Emperors, there isn't a single enemy in this world who could withstand it."
His words shattered the stillness, and Marco and the others finally snapped back to reality. A world-shaking event had just been decided.
The Whitebeard Pirates and the Red Hair Pirates had formed an alliance.
It was almost unimaginable. With Whitebeard's pride and the overwhelming strength of his crew, there had never been any need to ally with anyone. And yet, it had happened, which could only mean one thing.
'Kojin...' Marco's pupils trembled. '...has become so powerful that even Red Hair and the old man see him as a threat.'
His heartbeat quickened. 'Has that man really become this strong...?'
Nearby, Jozu, Vista, and the other commanders looked equally shocked and excited.
"We've actually formed an alliance?!"
"With the Red Hair Pirates?!"
"This is unbelievable!"
"This is going to shake the entire world!"
"If we're rescuing Ace with both Emperor crews, even the Marines will have to think twice!"
"This is the first alliance of its kind!"
Excited voices echoed throughout the 'Moby Dick' as the entire crew was swept up in anticipation.
Shanks picked up the sake barrel and refilled both bowls, his expression remaining grave. "I've never been able to underestimate that man. Not twenty years ago, and not today. So... we have to be extremely careful. He's not an opponent we can afford to take lightly."
Whitebeard narrowed his eyes. "I've never underestimated him," he spoke slowly. "Compared to Roger... he's no weaker."
After a brief pause, he added with a sigh, "That brat possesses... the greatest power in this world."
Shanks fell silent, the darkness in his eyes deepening. For a man as proud as Whitebeard to willingly form an alliance, it was obvious just how wary he truly was of Kojin. Before coming here, Shanks hadn't been confident Whitebeard would even consider the proposal. After all, no one understood Whitebeard's pride better than he did.
"Hey, kid," Whitebeard suddenly laughed. "You've never actually fought him yourself, have you?"
Shanks paused before nodding. "No."
Whitebeard smiled faintly. "When you finally cross blades with him... you'll understand. Just what kind of monster... that brat really is."
Shanks' eyes narrowed. He hadn't expected those words to come from Whitebeard. For the World's Strongest Man to describe someone as a 'monster'... just how powerful had Kojin become?
---
### Marine Headquarters, Marineford
One imposing warship after another slowly sailed into the inner bay, sending ripples across the water.
The Marines standing guard at the harbor stared with mouths hanging open as an enormous fleet entered Marineford. Rows of warships advanced in perfect formation, every Marine aboard standing as straight as a spear and radiating a razor-sharp aura.
Even more astonishing were the countless airships flying overhead. Their propellers spun at high speed while arcs of electricity danced across their hulls. There were so many that the end of the formation couldn't even be seen as they continued entering through the Gates of Justice one after another.
"Where did this elite force come from?!"
"There are officers everywhere you look!"
"Almost everyone on those ships is at least field-grade rank!"
"Look! The man standing on the flagship!"
"...Don't tell me that's..."
"That's right! While Admiral Kojin was away all these years, he was the one commanding all Marine forces in West Blue!"
"He's ruthless. Cold-blooded. His methods are notoriously merciless."
"His reputation spread all the way from West Blue to Headquarters. They call him the Devil of the Marines. They say a single glare from him is enough to make new recruits faint from fear!"
"The current commander of the West Blue Marines... Vice Admiral... Douglas Bullet!"
(End of Chapter)
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