Upon hearing Marco's words, Inuarashi and Nekomamushi both lowered their heads.
Inuarashi spoke first, his tone sincere.
"I'm sorry, Marco. What we did back then was wrong. We truly apologize."
After a brief pause, his expression became firm.
"But we have always been retainers of Lord Oden. Following him was our duty. As for why Lord Oden never returned to the Whitebeard Pirates, there were reasons behind it. He also chose not to inform Whitebeard or you about Wano because he did not want to trouble his comrades."
Marco listened quietly. Although a trace of irritation surfaced, he quickly suppressed it. There was no real reason for anger. Their loyalty to the Kozuki family had never changed.
Even if he personally disliked Momonosuke, that boy's fate ultimately depended on luck.
Marco's expression relaxed slightly, forming a faint smile.
"Forget it. That is all in the past."
He leaned back calmly before continuing.
"I have already explained why I came here. I hope the Mink Tribe will join us. The situation in the New World has changed completely."
Marco then added in a steady voice,
"I can promise this. If Momonosuke appears in the future and you still choose to follow him, you are free to leave."
Relief immediately appeared on both rulers' faces.
"Thank you," Inuarashi and Nekomamushi said almost at the same time. "From now on, please guide us, Captain Marco."
Marco had already reached his own conclusion. With the destruction of Wano Country, Momonosuke was effectively the last surviving member of the Kozuki family.
In the original course of events, Momonosuke had traveled twenty years into the future and returned to Wano. However, Wano no longer existed after the incident involving the Ancient Weapon. If the same event occurred now, the boy might simply fall into the sea upon arrival, and survival would be uncertain.
If necessary, Marco could even contact Kaido directly. Should Momonosuke ever appear, eliminating him before any reunion could easily solve future complications.
Marco quickly dismissed the thought.
He had only spent a little over half a year in this world, yet his strength had already reached an overwhelming level. Even Kaido was no longer someone he considered an equal threat.
Small matters like this were not worth dwelling on.
The only reason he reacted earlier was because of lingering dislike carried over from memories of his previous life.
Here, in the world of pirates, strength determined freedom.
Marco looked at the two Mink leaders seriously.
"Since we have reached an agreement, from today onward, you will serve as Captains of the Seventeenth and Eighteenth Divisions of the Phoenix Pirates."
He continued,
"You may select members of the Mink Tribe to join your divisions. That should not be a problem."
Nekomamushi burst into laughter.
"Of course, that works for us."
Meanwhile, in Shuigu Town.
Redfield emerged from the underground city beneath the town. Around him, the Vampires that once roamed above the settlement now lay motionless on the ground, completely drained of activity.
Redfield observed them carefully and murmured,
"Did destroying the mechanism disable them?"
He attempted to control the creatures but received no response. Whether the failure came from the destroyed system or another unknown cause no longer mattered to him.
What mattered now was the power he had obtained, the ability of the Vampire Fruit.
He intended to restore his youth and fully adapt to this newfound strength as quickly as possible.
As he walked through the quiet town, sunlight suddenly pierced through the dispersing dark clouds and illuminated the streets.
Redfield looked upward in surprise.
"The clouds are gone… and the strange formation surrounding this town has disappeared as well. Everything must have been connected to the underground mechanism."
Without lingering further, he walked toward the town's exit.
At that moment, a powerful killing intent surged from behind him.
Redfield turned instantly.
From the collapsed ruins, thick black mist began rising into the air. The darkness split apart, forming a staircase made of shadow itself. Soon, Marshall D. Teach and the members of the Blackbeard Pirates stepped out from within the darkness.
Blackbeard grinned widely.
"Zehahahahaha! Where do you think you're going, Red Count?"
Seeing him alive, Redfield showed clear disdain.
"I did not expect you to survive, brat who once sailed under Whitebeard."
Blackbeard laughed loudly, completely unfazed.
"As expected of the Red Count, a monster who stood against Whitebeard, Roger, and the Golden Lion alone."
Redfield's gaze swept across the group before stopping on Teach and Shiryu. Among them, only those two posed any real threat.
"I already spared your life once," Redfield said coldly. "Have you abandoned the gold below and come here just to die?"
Blackbeard's grin widened, revealing his missing teeth.
"The treasure is not going anywhere. But you stole my Devil Fruit. Letting you escape would be a terrible loss."
Redfield slowly drew his umbrella sword.
"So there will be no peaceful solution."
His voice turned icy.
"I originally intended to absorb the blood of a few pirates and recover my strength. Since you insist on seeking death, you will serve as a test for my new power."
Blackbeard slammed his palm onto the ground.
"Then let's begin! Black Vortex!"
Darkness spread rapidly across the ground like a living abyss.
Redfield immediately leaped onto a rooftop while his body transformed into his Human Beast Form. However, the moment sunlight touched him, a sharp burning sensation spread across his skin.
He frowned and instinctively raised his arm to block the light.
At that exact moment, Blackbeard roared again.
"Dark Water!"
A terrifying gravitational pull erupted, dragging Redfield's body violently toward the darkness created by the power of the Yami Yami no MI.