"That's… the Whitebeard Pirates' flag?!"
A startled cry exploded from the crowd at the port.
Everyone whose attention had been fixed on the Beasts Pirates' ship immediately turned their heads upon hearing the name Whitebeard.
In their line of sight, a massive ship proudly flying the Whitebeard Pirates' jolly roger was slowly approaching the port.
"You've gotta be kidding me—what is going on today?!"
"Why are both the Beasts Pirates and the Whitebeard Pirates showing up in Dressrosa?"
"Quick, look and see who it is from the Whitebeard Pirates!"
"If it's someone weak, they might not make it out alive with King around…"
Someone with a telescope quickly lifted it, aiming toward the approaching ship.
Moments later, a bead of cold sweat formed on their forehead.
"N-no way…"
"Who is it? Spit it out already!" someone urged impatiently.
"It's… it's Marco the Phoenix, First Division Commander of the Whitebeard Pirates!"
"And I think I saw Diamond Jozu too!"
"WHAT?!!"
Gasps erupted throughout the crowd, every face filled with astonishment.
"Marco?!"
"The Whitebeard Pirates' number two? What's a pirate of his level doing here—and at the same time as King from the Beasts Pirates?!"
"Damn it… What the hell is happening here? Two of the Sea Emperors sending their second-in-commands to the same island—could Thunder God Sanders be scheming something big?"
"Maybe they're planning to join forces to wage war against the Marines and the World Government?" someone speculated aloud.
"Hahahaha! If that's the case, I have to join this war! Even if I die in it, it'll be worth it!"
A pirate burst out laughing, his face filled with fanatic excitement.
As the crowd buzzed with speculation and alarm, some people had already begun moving away from the port.
"Let's get out of here! The Whitebeard Pirates and the Beasts Pirates just fought a war not long ago—they might clash again any moment! We have to leave before we get caught in it!"
Many merchant ship owners were already shouting at their workers to hurry the loading and departure.
Some even abandoned their cargo entirely, choosing to flee with their crew, planning to return after the storm had passed.
No matter how valuable their goods or ships were, they didn't outweigh their lives.
When two pirates with bounties exceeding one billion berries faced off, even the shockwaves from their battle could destroy the entire port.
If you didn't leave now, you wouldn't have a chance later.
Meanwhile, on the shore, Cavendish and Lepanto stared tensely at the oncoming ship.
"I didn't expect the Whitebeard Pirates to show up too… Violet didn't mention anything about this!"
"What if they fight?"
Lepanto was visibly anxious now.
Just one second-in-command of a Yonko was already enough to give them a headache—
Now there were two.
And worse, those two had recently been at war.
"Start evacuating the port immediately. There's no way we can stop either of them if they start fighting."
"All we can do now is hope they can restrain themselves."
Cavendish said grimly.
He glanced both at the sky and back toward the city, a trace of urgency flickering in his eyes.
The only people who could stop a battle between these two…
were the Thunder God Pirates.
On the other side, just as King was about to step onto the shore, he stopped.
With his exceptional Observation Haki, he easily picked up the conversations happening on land.
He turned his head to look at the lackeys on the ship.
The lackey understood instantly and nimbly climbed up the mast.
"Lord King the Wildfire, that really is the Whitebeard Pirates' flag."
"Those guys weren't wrong — the Phoenix Marco is here!"
The lackey glanced behind them, then quickly jumped down and reported to King.
In an instant, a terrifying aura began radiating from King's body—
Like a volcano on the verge of erupting.
Meanwhile, Yamato's eyes lit up.
The Whitebeard Pirates?
Kozuki Oden's former comrades — she was finally seeing them!
She had long admired the pirate crew that Kozuki Oden had once sailed with.
To become Oden, she naturally had to follow the path he once walked.
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Long ago, she had already planned — if she ever got the chance to sail, she would go join the Whitebeard Pirates. But the opportunity never came.
During the previous war between the Beasts Pirates and the Whitebeard Pirates, Yamato had not taken part at all.
So this was the first time she was seeing members of the Whitebeard Pirates!
She hadn't expected to encounter them here in Dressrosa.
And it wasn't just anyone — it was Marco the Phoenix, captain of the Whitebeard Pirates' First Division!
Swoosh!
Yamato leapt straight onto the mast, curiously peering toward the Whitebeard Pirates' ship in the distance.
Soon, she spotted Marco standing at the bow.
Hmm… he looked more or less like his pictures — calm and composed.
Was that Diamond Jozu beside him?
She had heard his entire body could be covered in hardened diamond — even weapons imbued with Armament Haki couldn't leave a mark on him.
These were Oden's old comrades… They looked incredibly strong!
Yamato's mind was flooded with thoughts as she stood on the mast, motionless.
King glanced at her but said nothing.
Though beneath his mask, the corner of his mouth twitched slightly.
He wasn't surprised by Yamato's reaction.
Someone who had wholeheartedly taken on the identity of Kozuki Oden would, of course, be curious and eager to meet Oden's former companions.
This was also why, despite Yamato's incredible combat power, she had never participated in the war against Whitebeard.
Everyone in the Beasts Pirates feared that their "Lady Yamato" would defect mid-battle and side with the Whitebeard crew instead.
"Lord King, should we fire a warning shot to show the Whitebeard Pirates we mean business?"
One of the pirate lackeys asked in a low voice.
"No need."
King replied indifferently.
He didn't disembark either but stood quietly on the ship, waiting.
He was also curious about Marco's arrival.
They had come for a marriage alliance — so what was Marco doing here?
Could it be that the Whitebeard Pirates were also planning to form an alliance with Sanders?
The thought flashed through King's mind, but he dismissed it quickly.
The Whitebeard Pirates neither wanted to wage a massive war nor had any ambition to compete for the pirate throne — there was simply no reason for them to ally with the Thunder God Pirates.
Soon, Marco's ship sailed into the port, docking beside King's ship.
"Long time no see, King!"
Marco stood on the deck, smiling as he greeted King — as if seeing an old friend.
To an outsider unfamiliar with their identities, it would have seemed like they were long-lost friends catching up.
"It hasn't been that long."
King replied coldly, the flames on his back burning even fiercer.
"Looks like your wounds healed well. That flame of yours is something else."
Marco's smile faded, and he retorted with a smirk:
"Your flames aren't bad either — perfect for grilling meat."
Before the words even fully left his mouth, blue flames surged up around Marco's body.
Tension instantly filled the air — thick with hostility.
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T/N:
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