Alliance of Four Nations?

The discussion that had originally been about cooperation came to an abrupt end. Whitebeard had no desire to continue talking, his heart consumed by hatred and fury.

Whitebeard strode away, wanting some time alone to calm down, leaving Marco and the others to continue the negotiations.

Harald did not leave. On the contrary, Whitebeard's departure made him relax slightly, because everyone still present represented national powers.

Fish-Man Island, the Giant Kingdom, and Kuja Island.

Whether for resources or to win over these allies, Harald believed they were all suitable partners.

Shakky's good mood was instantly ruined as well. She did not doubt the intelligence concerning Mobius; after all, a fabrication like that would be exposed at a glance.

As for the source of the information, Shakky did not ask either. Everyone had their own channels.

"Now that Whitebeard has left, we can continue discussing cooperation."

Mobius spoke up, drawing everyone's attention once more. He wore a warm smile under their gazes.

"Although the Whitebeard Pirates are one of the greatest forces in the world today, in the eyes of the World Government, they are still a pirate crew."

As pirates, their position was inherently unacceptable.

"I considered giving your crew the outer shell of a nation, but after thinking it over, I couldn't find a suitable place."

"Until here—Wano Country."

"This is a nation with deep historical roots and abundant resources. More importantly, it has an extremely close connection with the Whitebeard Pirates."

"If possible, after resolving Wano Country's problems, I hope you can formally form an alliance with our three factions in the name of Wano Country."

Mobius spoke eloquently, while the Whitebeard Pirates exchanged looks. In truth, they did not understand much of what he meant.

Harald's eyes lit up. He still disliked associating with pirates, even Whitebeard, but it would be different if they acted in Wano Country's name.

Shakky froze, her gaze becoming increasingly complicated. She had originally come only to find someone, yet it now seemed she had stumbled into something extraordinary.

"But Wano Country belongs to Brother Oden. How could we..."

Marco hesitated greatly. Though Mobius's revelation had left him with a favorable impression of the man, he lacked experience in certain matters.

"Wasn't he Whitebeard's brother? If so, as the elder brother, Whitebeard naturally has the right to inherit Wano Country, including all of you."

Mobius spoke indifferently, then looked toward Izo in the crowd.

"If I remember correctly, you were born in Wano Country. Kaido occupies it now, and it has no leader. Do you believe Whitebeard has no right to manage it?"

Izo's face instantly went pale. Faced with that question out of nowhere, he could not answer at all.

On one side was the bond between lord and retainer he had shared with Oden. On the other was the debt of gratitude he owed his father. How could he choose?

"Whitebeard surely does not wish to seize his brother's country, but Wano Country in its current state must be controlled by a powerful leader."

"I am merely giving you a reminder now. When we reach Wano Country in the future, I hope you will be prepared to take over the nation."

"At the very least, persuade your father to help that country."

Mobius smiled. He held no particular prejudice toward Wano Country. Those who needed killing would be killed, and what needed managing would be managed.

It was simply basic sympathy for the common people at the bottom that made him choose to find them a better protector.

Yamato and her little companions had not grown up yet. Without them, Mobius did not trust Wano Country's local forces alone.

Marco opened his mouth, but in the end, he nodded and accepted it for now. His mind was a complete mess, so he would simply follow Mobius's arrangements first.

"In that case, I can represent the Giant Kingdom and formally sign an alliance treaty with you."

Harald stepped forward and gave his solemn assurance.

As the world's strongest nation, even though Harald had begun implementing gentler rule, Elbaf remained a nation of warriors after centuries of accumulation.

"I cannot make that decision, but I can write to my sister. She should be very willing."

Thinking of Gloriosa's current situation, Shakky could not help feeling secretly sorrowful. She should at least find her sister some outstanding allies.

"Same here."

Neptune hurriedly voiced his agreement as well. He had never cared whether Whitebeard was a pirate, but since the national advisor had said so, he needed to make his stance clear.

The atmosphere suddenly became harmonious, aside from the increasingly bewildered Whitebeard Pirates.

Seeing that the matter had temporarily concluded, Shakky no longer hesitated and directly explained why she had come.

"Neptune, I came here for only two things. First, I brought Rayleigh to see what had happened to Fish-Man Island. Second..."

"Several years ago, the finest young warriors of Kuja Island were abducted and taken to Mary Geoise. Now that the fish-man Tiger has freed a great number of slaves, I wanted to ask whether Tiger's side had any news of them."

With official matters concluded, it was time for personal business.

Neptune was surprised upon hearing this. People from Kuja Island could be abducted and sold? Hadn't they always been the ones abducting others?

Today had brought this merman king quite a few shocks, but Neptune still said,

"I understand. I will contact Tiger. Although there is no news from him yet, this is his hometown after all."

Shakky nodded, deciding that night to sell some information and spread word that Fish-Man Island had been surrounded, so Tiger would realize the problem in his hometown.

Taken to Mary Geoise...

Harald lowered his head. As things stood, he did not dare face such an issue at all. For the future of the Giant Kingdom, he had sold everything he possessed.

He knew full well that the Celestial Dragons had enormous problems, yet Harald believed he had no other choice.

"If there is anything I can do to help, please tell me." Harald spoke earnestly. This was his personal attempt at atonement.

Shakky smiled, knowing what her old friend was going through.

"Speaking of which, King Harald, do you still remember Dorry and Brogy?"

Mobius suddenly thought of those two hulking men, an amused smile appearing at the corners of his lips.

If he remembered correctly, their subordinates had been deceived by the World Government. He could give this giant king a warning.

"Dorry! Brogy! Of course I remember them. They were my best friends, as well as the former captains of the Giant Warrior Pirates."

Harald straightened his chest. Remembering the happy days of his childhood, a smile finally appeared on his face.

"It's just... I have not heard any news of them for a long time. I don't know where they are."

His tone grew subdued. Although the Giant Kingdom did not lack warriors, without the Giant Warrior Pirates, it still lacked a measure of confidence.

"I know."

Mobius smiled. He had read the script.

"Hm?"

Harald lowered his head, his shadow nearly covering Mobius completely.

"Really? Where are they?" Harald could not hide his excitement.

"The Grand Line, Little Garden. Since it takes a year for the Log Pose there to store enough magnetic force to point toward the next location, few people ever reach it. That is why the two giants' whereabouts have remained unknown all these years."

"Little Garden?"

Harald repeated the name several times, then expressed his gratitude to Mobius.

"I understand, Mobius. You will be the benefactor of the Giant Warrior Pirates, and a friend of Elbaf."

The giant king understood the art of speaking as well. He truly was a wise ruler of his generation.

"Of course, there is one more piece of news for you. Two giants who set out to search for the Giant Warrior Pirates' captains are currently trapped on Enies Lobby."

"Because the people there covet giant combat power, they deceived them by claiming their captains had been captured by the Marines. They said that only if they guarded the gates for a hundred years would their captains be released."

"So..."

Harald's expression darkened. He could understand others pursuing giant combat power, but he would never permit them to deceive and manipulate his people!

"I understand."

Harald clenched his fists. Once he left this place, he would go bring his people home!