A New "Second-Generation Pirate Crew"!

"Charlotte Katakuri..."

Marco was certainly no stranger to this masterpiece of the Charlotte Family.

He was simply puzzled that the White Dragon Emperor would bring up the other party at this time.

It's important to know that the White Dragon Emperor personally destroyed the Great Pirate BIG MOM Pirates and Charlotte Family.

Based on Marco's previous understanding.

Charlotte Katakuri should have been completely destroyed by the White Dragon Emperor along with Big Mom.

But now, judging from what the White Dragon Emperor says...

Charlotte Katakuri is not dead?

A faint red light flickered in Storm's eyes. His Observation Haki "heard" Marco's thoughts and he spoke again.

"Charlotte Katakuri is indeed not dead. Although he has not officially joined my ranks, he is currently working for me."

Storm has been in control of Whole Cake Island for quite some time now.

The previous owners of Totto Land were the BIG MOM Pirates and the Charlotte Family.

Those wicked and vicious pirates were either dead or wounded.

But Storm wasn't cruel enough to wipe out the entire BIG MOM Pirates and Charlotte Family.

A pirate is a pirate.

However, there are still many underage children in the Charlotte Family, including some under five years old.

Adult offspring like Charlotte Perospero and Charlotte Oven, or rather, adult pirates.

Storm, of course, showed no mercy in his cleanup efforts.

But what about the Charlotte Family children who haven't been completely corrupted yet?

Storm couldn't bring himself to do it.

He originally planned to let Charlotte Family's children, who were still young, "free-range" on Cake Island.

But at Charlotte Katakuri's request...

Storm changed his mind.

Charlotte Katakuri paid the price for his actions, in exchange for the lives of the Charlotte Family children.

Um...

Although Storm had long intended to spare the innocent children.

However, this did not prevent him from using this already made "decision" as a condition to make a deal with Charlotte Katakuri.

What Storm asked Katakuri to do—which was also what he wanted Marco to do—was quite simple.

Keep being a pirate!

Moreover, they are pirates who consider the Storm Pirates and the Dawn Pirates as their hypothetical enemies!

Storm's idea is not complicated.

In his view, the appearance of the four red stones, representing the "ticket" to the Laugh Tale of Raftel, will definitely have a significant impact on the development of the Great Pirate Era.

But no matter what...

The number of pirates—especially in the New World —is simply too great.

Even with the combined efforts of the New Marines, the Dawn Pirates, and the Storm Pirates, they were unable to wipe out all the pirates.

Moreover, compared to the New Marines, or Emperor Pirates like the Dawn Pirates and the Storm Pirates.

The other pirates in the New World are far too weak in terms of both strength and influence.

There's no way this group of pirates would willingly challenge the New Marines or Storm.

Once Storm and the New Marines decide to wipe out these pirates, the pirates will definitely scatter and flee, making it more difficult to capture them.

That is precisely what was taken into consideration.

Storm plans to find a new "leader" for the pirates in the New World.

Charlotte Katakuri was the first "pirate leader" he had in mind.

In terms of status, Charlotte Katakuri is Big Mom's second son;

In terms of fame, Charlotte Katakuri is the Charlotte Family's greatest achievement, with a bounty exceeding one billion.

In terms of strength, Charlotte Katakuri, while not as good as the Pirate Emperor, is still considered a top-tier fighter below the Emperor.

The more important point.

Charlotte Katakuri and Storm have an irreconcilable conflict!

If Charlotte Katakuri were to raise the banner of rebellion against the White Dragon Emperor, and unite the scattered pirates of the New World...

He might be able to do it.

And then...

With the help of Charlotte Katakuri, the "leader of the rebels," Storm can wipe out all the Gyuuki of the New World in one fell swoop!

In short, it's all about getting rid of pirates.

Phoenix Marco, he was the second choice that Storm had thought of on the spur of the moment.

In terms of all aspects, Marco is no less capable than Katakuri, and may even be superior.

Furthermore, Marco is also Storm's enemy!

This is important.

In front of Marco, Storm briefly explained his thoughts.

Marco's eyes were filled with strange emotions.

He never expected that the White Dragon Emperor would be so enthusiastic about "fighting pirates"!

However, on the other hand...

Ever since the White Dragon Emperor rose to fame, it seems he's either fighting pirates or on his way to fight pirates.

Even Marco had never heard of the White Dragon Emperor committing any crimes.

This Pirate Emperor is nothing like a pirate!

Marco's feelings were complicated, but he would absolutely not agree to the White Dragon Emperor's conditions.

"I refuse!"

Marco completely disregarded the White Dragon Emperor's [Haki] suppression and once again unleashed his [Mythical Zoan: Phoenix] ability, transforming himself into a magnificent "birdman".

"The Whitebeard Pirates were destroyed by your hand... I will never cooperate with an enemy like you!"

To be honest...

The Whitebeard Pirates White Dragon Emperor on the main battlefield.

For this reason.

Marco was very hostile towards the White Dragon Emperor, but he did not harbor resentment.

Pirates died on the battlefield.

This is a very simple way to die.

It's at least a thousand times better than a despicable murder!

But no matter what.

Marco will never forgive the White Dragon Emperor for what he did, and he will never work for him!

"Why don't you hear my terms first?"

Storm remained completely calm, showing no concern whatsoever for the menacing "Flame of Regeneration" before him.

"Take a look behind you first."

Marco instinctively turned his head and saw a huge corpse lying quietly behind him.

The Phoenix let out a mournful cry that sounded like it was weeping blood.

"Dad!!"

As the Whitebeard Pirates' ship's doctor, Marco possessed excellent medical skills, and he immediately recognized Whitebeard's condition.

Dad is dead!

"As a condition..."

Storm's flat voice reached Marco's ears.

"I grant you permission to return Whitebeard's body to his homeland— the Sphinx Island— for burial."

"At the same time, I will provide shelter for Sphinx Island, or you can personally protect that island."

Distinguished from Charlotte Katakuri.

Katakuri was willing to work for Storm mainly because many of the Charlotte Family's descendants were in the latter's hands.

But Marco?

He was simply a Phoenix, free from all ties.

The Whitebeard Pirates were almost completely wiped out, leaving only this "Phoenix".

Storm wants to persuade Marco, he can only do so through Whitebeard.

"You!"

Marco turned his head, his eyes blazing with blue flames as he glared fiercely at the White Dragon Emperor, wishing he could skin him alive, tear him apart, and slice him into a thousand pieces.

"Of course, you can refuse my terms."

Storm didn't care about Marco's hostile attitude at all—he would have been surprised if the Phoenix didn't hate him.

"But let me tell you about the consequences first."

"First, I will kill you, Whitebeard Pirates will be completely wiped out;"

"Secondly, out of respect, I will give Whitebeard a dignified funeral. I will send someone to bury Whitebeard's body on Sphinx Island, so you don't need to worry about that."

Finally, Whitebeard's hometown, Totto Land, continued to expand its power, taking over all the territories that previously belonged to the Whitebeard Pirates, but it did not treat Sphinx Island in any special way.

"Sphinx Island will become one of the territories under the control of the Totto Land, but that's all."

To be fair...

Marco was not afraid of death.

If he could be killed by the White Dragon Emperor.

He wouldn't mind going to hell right now to catch up with his father, Jozu, Vista.

But Sphinx Island...

Marco is very familiar with the island.

The Whitebeard Pirates have been around for nearly forty years, during which time they have amassed a vast amount of treasure through various means.

According to the rules of the pirates, most of the Whitebeard Pirates' treasure was distributed to the "Captain"—that is, Whitebeard himself.

However, Whitebeard himself didn't care about treasure; he only cared about his "family."

Whitebeard sent the vast majority of his treasure to his hometown, the Sphinx.

Marco could disregard his life.

But he felt obligated to protect his father's hometown.

Certainly.

Marco could also choose to leave this matter to the White Dragon Emperor.

However, the Phoenix was truly uneasy about the other party's indifferent attitude towards Sphinx Island.

And there was also my father's remains...

Marco remained silent for a long time before finally putting away his "Flame of Regeneration" and reverting back to his ordinary pineapple head.

"I will not work for you! However, I will join forces with Charlotte Katakuri to exact my revenge on you!"

"No problem. Charlotte Katakuri actually feels the same way. I welcome your challenge."

Storm nodded, not surprised by Marco's final choice.

"However, remember one thing: never harm the innocent. That's my bottom line."

"If you, or Charlotte Katakuri, cross this line, I will immediately terminate our cooperation and arrest you."

Marco gave the White Dragon Emperor a cold glance.

"I really wonder if you're a pirate or a Marine!"

"Okay! I'm coming clean!"

Storm shrugged and said casually.

"Actually, I'm not just the Pirate Emperor, but also the Fleet Admiral of the New Marines."

Marco frowned and observed the White Dragon Emperor carefully for a while, but he couldn't be sure of the truthfulness of what the other party said.

But one thing he was certain of.

We really can't entrust Dad's funeral arrangements to this unreliable guy!

"There's one more thing."

Seeing that Marco did not respond, Storm changed the subject of the New Marines.

"Besides Charlotte Katakuri, there is another person who will be acting with you."

"Her name is Yamato, and she is a member of the Storm Pirates."

Yamato?

Marco was pretty sure he had never heard of the name.

But this woman was actually ranked alongside Charlotte Katakuri by the White Dragon Emperor...

Who is this woman?

"Beasts Kaido's daughter—or, of course, he calls her 'son'."

Storm briefly introduced Yamato's identity, and then spoke with self-assurance.

"I think it's necessary to place one of my people between you and Charlotte Katakuri."

Even if it's necessary, don't say it so openly!

Marco glanced at the White Dragon Emperor speechlessly.

"Why is Beasts Kaido's daughter in your hands? Is her situation the same as mine and Katakuri's?"

No, they are not the same.

Storm shook his head and said seriously.

Yamato hates her father and wishes she could overthrow him completely.

"So after I defeated Beasts Kaido, Yamato willingly worked for me."

"Snort!"

Marco snorted, it was unclear whether he believed the story.

But...

Beasts Kaido's daughter;

Big Mom's second son;

And him...

That White Dragon Emperor has such a twisted sense of humor!

Isn't the Dawn Pirates, one "second-generation pirate crew," enough?!

First update.

I'll try to update the second chapter before midnight.