Marco felt a bit speechless as he watched Ace struggle to form a response. Why, just like Luffy, did Ace always seem a beat slower than everyone else when it came to matters of the heart?
Kaido did not deny it. He nodded and explained, "That's right, after all, it's a marriage alliance. Yamato will serve as the Beasts Pirates' special envoy, and your Sak will serve as the Phoenix Pirates' special envoy. This is meant to stabilize the alliance and prevent betrayal."
Ace immediately flared up. "If you don't trust us at all," he retorted angrily, "then what is the point of this alliance?"
Kaido's voice was cold as he replied, "Hmph, trust goes both ways. A marriage alliance makes our three‑party alliance stronger. Trust can't just be spoken, it needs real, tangible bonds. A marriage creates that kind of binding interest."
Big Mom grinned broadly. She chimed in, "That's right, that's how it works. As pirates you should know, to earn someone's trust you must show sincerity. A marriage alliance is one of the most straightforward ways to do that."
Ace fell silent for a moment, brimming with frustration. But just as he was about to speak again, Yamato suddenly shouted, "I do not agree! I do not want to get married!"
Kaido looked at her with a cold calmness. "Stop being willful, Yamato. I have already chosen your husband, and it is Fire Fist Ace."
This revelation stunned Ace. He blurted out, "Wait, wait, I don't agree to that either! Yamato and I are friends, how can I marry her?"
Kaido turned to him with a smile that was almost like that of a proud father. "Worororo, couples often begin as friends, and you and Yamato have known each other for some time. Besides, Yamato likes you very much."
Hearing Kaido's words, Ace looked at Yamato in disbelief. They had always been close as friends. When had she ever given any sign of anything more?
Yamato herself looked flustered and confused. When Ace turned his gaze toward her, she felt her cheeks burn. Normally she would not have reacted this way, but the sudden mention of marriage unsettled her. She shook her head and said, "No, I only consider Ace a friend. Kaido, don't say such things."
But Kaido looked at her earnestly. "Yesterday I asked your opinion, and you told me you liked Fire Fist Ace. I did not force the answer."
At that remark, Yamato remembered. Kaido had indeed asked her whether she liked Marco more or Ace more, and she had impulsively chosen Ace.
Suddenly she felt tricked, and she roared, "I meant a friendly liking, not a romantic one!"
Kaido remained unfazed. "It doesn't matter feelings can grow. And haven't you always wanted to go to sea? Don't say I didn't give you a chance. If you agree to marry Fire Fist Ace and go to the Phoenix Pirates as the Beasts Pirates' special envoy, you can remain with the Phoenix Pirates forever and I will never bother you again."
Kaido merely wanted to marry Yamato off quickly and bring in Sak, the Phoenix Pirates' first division commander.
In Kaido's mind, Yamato was more of a burden than a benefit. Although strong, she constantly clamored about being like Kozuki Oden and offered little help to him. It was better to secure a powerful asset through a marriage alliance and rid himself of a liability.
Yamato fell silent again, feelings of frustration mixing with confusion.
Ace, too, was conflicted. Being suddenly confronted with the idea of marriage left him at a loss. He had always seen Yamato as a close friend, and now being asked to become her husband made him uneasy. "I have no interest in the Beasts Pirates or their affairs," he said, his tone softer now. "People are not objects to be exchanged."
Kaido nodded patiently. "I said it is not an exchange, it is a marriage alliance. Sak will remain the Phoenix Pirates' first division commander in name. He will come to serve as special envoy with the Beasts Pirates for the stability and longevity of our alliance."
Marco hesitated for a moment before asking, "Then I have one more question. If Roux goes to the Beasts Pirates as special envoy, will you prevent him from returning to the Phoenix Pirates in the future?"
Kaido laughed loudly. "Worororo, do not worry. If he truly wishes to return to the Phoenix Pirates, I will not stop him. But then your Phoenix Pirates will need to send another envoy."
Kaido clearly did not doubt that Sak would miss the Phoenix Pirates after arriving with the Beasts Pirates. But he also knew that once Sak and Ulti had children, returning to his original crew would be far more complicated.
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