Essential Components of Pirate Negotiations
Besides Whitebeard, Big Mom and Kaido's conditions for Shanks undoubtedly involved greed beyond "face"—they both wanted One Piece and even wanted to become the legendary "Joy Boy".
As for the lack of a "D", they don't feel it's insurmountable...
Even without the "D," Roger would never have given up. The reason he could only admit that he "arrived too early" was due to celestial phenomena, which were beyond human control.
In the original work, Big Mom and Kaido once announced that they would join forces to hunt One Piece, but then they were met with a sliding tackle from a newcomer.
Whitebeard wasn't particularly interested in One Piece. Back then, when Roger offered to share the secret of One Piece with him, Whitebeard didn't ask any further questions.
Of course, Shanks would never share the secrets of One Piece with the likes of Big Mom and Kaido!
Shanks gestured to stop Beckman from speaking, and said more directly in a deep voice, "That's none of Captain Charlotte's concern."
The atmosphere at the scene immediately became tense.
Big Mom and Kaido were already subtly revealing their Conqueror's Haki, pressing towards Shanks from the left and right respectively.
However Shanks, Beckman, and Sig were not at a disadvantage...
All three of them originally possessed Conqueror's Haki, and Shanks was especially skilled at Conqueror's Haki!
In their previous encounters, the other three had already realized that, in Conqueror's Haki alone, the youngest Shanks was the strongest among the Four Emperors.
Beckman and Sig are undoubtedly in a tier below the "Four Emperors"...
The surrounding air was subtly Distortion, but the scene remained calm. Faced with the silent threat of the two emperors, Shanks' subordinates continued eating and drinking as usual, though their eyes were already filled with a hint of fighting spirit.
Morgans, standing behind BigMom, couldn't resist writing furiously—his hands, now transformed into wings, held the pen steadily.
However, Morgans did not use the camera Den Den Mushi or Den Den Mushi at this time...
Even with Big Mom protecting him, during negotiations, he could only "take notes." If he tried to Record using a Den Den Mushi, he would be stripped bare!
Although he brought Live Broadcast Den Den Mushi with him, he planned to use it after the Four Emperors reached an agreement.
After all, the Four Emperors might not want their arguments or even fights to be broadcast live, but the agreements they reach can be broadcast live.
Besides being backed by Big Mom, it was also because Morgans' previous "Four Emperors" predictions made the other three companies feel comfortable, so they turned a blind eye.
Seeing that the Four Emperors were about to fight, even the executives of the Imperial Guard were filled with apprehension. Only Morgans was extremely excited, and his subordinates wrote furiously.
Sig glanced at him, unsure whether the guy was padding his draft or making it all up—we were just holding our own, and you're going to write half a chapter for me?
Of course, Sig only glanced at Morgans, his main attention focused on Katakuri, and he discovered...
The Four Sweet Commanders stared at him intently, all with unfriendly expressions!
Sig:???
Isn't that a bit targeted?
Looking at the other side, Kaido's subordinates, King and Yamato, were also staring intently at him... but the meaning in their gazes was clearly different.
Even Marco and Jozu from Whitebeard's side were staring at him!
Hmm, Sig feels that if he doesn't face off against one of the Four Emperors, he'll end up being surrounded and attacked by a bunch of Yonko commanders!
Just as Big Mom and Kaido's first mate were getting restless, Whitebeard spoke up...
"Kid, what do you think pirates are? Just exploring and finding treasure isn't enough. If you want something, you have to take it! You've already realized that, haven't you?"
The Whitebeard finished his drink in one gulp, then tossed aside the bathtub-sized wine bowl, stood up, gripped the Cloud-Cutting Blade, and leaned on the ground...
He's not interested in One Piece, but that doesn't mean he'd approve of Shanks exploring his territory—that's not pirate stuff!
However, indirectly, Whitebeard's actions did help Shanks in a way...
At that moment, Whitebeard was facing Shanks. Suddenly, he felt a surge of fighting spirit, and his subordinates Marco, Jozu, and Ace naturally stood up as well.
However... the other combatants retreated instead of rushing forward, maintaining their previous coordination.
This also prevented Big Mom and Kaido from escalating the conflict.
Unlike Whitebeard, they brought fewer combatants, but a considerable number of officers!
While Red-Hair' crew is indeed "elite," they are also quite "small." They are on par with top-tier fighters and even have an advantage against any other Yonko crew. However, in a true "crew vs. crew" scenario, Red-Hair' crew would definitely be the weakest...
Just like during the Battle of Eidolon, when Golden Lion held the upper hand before the storm hit, no matter how strong Roger's crew was, their numerical and fleet advantages could not be ignored.
Whitebeard suddenly erupted with fighting spirit, then swung his sword at Shanks opposite him, who in turn Shanks and drew his sword...
The sky split apart as Griffin and Cloud-Cutting Blade clashed!
The Conqueror's Haki coating was on full display!
"Captain Kaido, how about we go over there and talk?" Sig stood up at this moment.
Whitebeard was definitely left for Shanks.
No matter how old he gets, Whitebeard is still the "World's Strongest Man." In terms of seniority and status, he is slightly higher than the other two in the eyes of the pirates!
As for Big Mom and Kaido, in terms of ability compatibility, they are about the same for Sig.
Both are "Monster" physically, but Big Mom has a stronger soul and more methods, while Kaido is more inclined to be purely powerful in offense and defense.
As for Sig... while he may not be omniscient or omnipotent, he is already a well-rounded Warrior, and he's the same no matter who he faces!
However, considering their relationship, Sig thinks it's better to choose Kaido.
"I'll go too!" Yamato stepped forward.
Sig even felt he should lend her the "Blade of Spirit and Flesh" and rename it "Frostmourne"...
"You stay here!" Kaido said, giving King a wink.
Kaido now feeling extremely troubled, constantly feeling that he had made the Error decision before. It wasn't until he thought about the rapidly expanding Armament Legion that his resentment and anger subsided slightly.
Big Mom was also targeted by Beckman at this point. As for the other three Yonko commanders, Red-Hair' crew still had Lucky Roo, Yasopp, Jack, Weevil, and others...
Moreover, characters like Ace and Yamato are likely just there to appease him, and... Yamato can even indirectly divert some of King's attention, so Sig and Beckman don't need to worry about him!
It was already a foregone conclusion that Shanks and Whitebeard would not easily determine a winner. The most dangerous and important question is whether Beckman and Sig can hold off Big Mom and Kaido... They just need to hold them off for a while!