On the deck of the Moby Dick, when Whitebeard said, "Become my son!" the entire deck fell silent.
"Eh—"
Several seconds later, Marco and the others cried out in shock, staring at Whitebeard with utter disbelief.
Whitebeard paid no attention to the surprise of those around him and held out a hand toward Tsugikuni Yoriichi.
"Hey, Pops, what are you thinking?"
"How is that possible? That guy is Tsugikuni Yoriichi! How could he join our Whitebeard Pirates?!"
Marco quickly recovered from his shock and rushed to Whitebeard's side, grabbing onto his trouser leg as he shouted. As he spoke, his gaze remained fixed on Tsugikuni Yoriichi in the distance, afraid that Yoriichi might nod the very next second.
In Marco's eyes, the Whitebeard Pirates were simply the best. Anyone would want to join them.
Tsugikuni Yoriichi had once been a Marine Admiral and held a lofty position within the Marines, but so what? The Marines were still no match for the Whitebeard Pirates! Yoriichi had stormed the Holy Land and become a wanted criminal of the World Government. In Marco's view, if he joined the Whitebeard Pirates, he would receive Whitebeard's protection. That would absolutely be a good thing for Yoriichi.
Having been part of the Whitebeard Pirates for many years, Marco had immense confidence in his old man. Even the World Government was nothing in his eyes.
Marco opposed Yoriichi joining the Whitebeard Pirates not because he feared the World Government pursuing him. He simply felt that Yoriichi was far too unpredictable.
If someone like that joined the Whitebeard Pirates, he would definitely be a disaster for the crew's current harmony and stability.
"Marco, what kind of expression is that?"
"Looking at you, it's like you think I'm dying to join you."
Tsugikuni Yoriichi found Marco's anxious opposition amusing.