The son's debt is paid by the father, that is justice and righteousness. No commoner could object now. If it weren't for Roger, we wouldn't be in today's troubled times.
"The captain knows a lot, even these secrets," Redfield sighed.
"Ace is being executed — the Whitebeard Pirates will surely go to war with the Marines. Are we going to use this chaos to strike Whitebeard's territory?" he asked, smiling as he considered the plan.
"No need," Kaito said, shaking his head calmly. "With our strength right now, regardless of which Emperor we confront in the Four Seas, victory is certain. A sneak attack isn't necessary."
"So you plan to just watch the Marines and Whitebeard Pirates fight each other?" King asked, confusion in his voice.
"That depends on what Yamato chooses," Kaito said, looking at Yamato with a faint smile. He knew that some years ago Ace visited Wano, not only meeting Tama and the others but also forming a bond with Yamato — though that didn't bind Yamato permanently.
"Me? What does this have to do with me?" Yamato asked, puzzled and uneasy.
"I'm giving you a choice," Kaito replied. "You and Ace are friends. I want you to sever that tie completely."
"You have always admired Kozuki Oden, and you long to sail the seas with Ace and explore the world."
"Here are your options: first — our crew will send help and rescue Ace. In return you must commit yourself fully to our pirate group."
"You must understand I've taken command of this crew. If you want to sail, you may sail. Our ambition is to dominate the New World. Your strength is a prized asset — I do not want to lose you."
"But most important of all, I don't want you and your father to be set against each other."
Yamato hesitated, glancing at Kaito with conflicted eyes.
"The second option," Kaito continued, "is to do nothing and simply watch as the Marines and Whitebeard clash. We interfere with nothing."
It was a simple choice: save a friend now, and pledge full loyalty to the crew, or watch him die. Any sane person would choose to act.
Yamato did not hesitate. "I choose the first option. When do we leave to save Ace?"
"Don't worry. Ace isn't scheduled for execution for another month. Our fleet should reach Marine Headquarters in at most two weeks. Plenty of time."
"First, prepare. I will notify you when we set sail."
"Understood," Yamato said, bowing slightly before leaving.
Once she was gone, Kaito's lieutenants turned to him, unconvinced. But his reasoning won them over.
"Saving Ace is also a debt returned to Bullet," he said quietly. "After all, Bullet was indebted to the original Roger Pirates."
Bullet looked at him in surprise, gratitude shining in his eyes.
"And I owe Garp — or rather Makino — a favor. Rescuing Ace would settle that debt," Kaito added with a sigh.
Over the following weeks, the crew came to understand Kaito's motives: justice, repayment, and loyalty. That explanation silenced doubts. Deep down, they knew Kaito owed nothing directly to Garp — only to whoever Makino is. And who knew what strange old favor had been done in Windmill Village?
There was also the memory of Risa… Kaito wondered whether she was safe, somewhere in Windmill Village.
At that time, Wano had closed its borders. But news of Kaido's status as one of the Four Emperors spread across the seas. Once Kaito and his group vanished, calm returned to the waters — briefly.
Then came news from the Marines. The sea, once still, was struck by a massive meteor, boiling with shock and fear.
In a tavern on the North Blue, pirates and common folk alike argued — panic etched on their faces.
"Is it really true? Marines are executing Firefist Ace in a month?"
"Are the Marines risking war with the Four Emperors?"
"Whitebeard is the strongest being alive. What are they trying to do? Destabilize the world?"
Panic and fear painted every face. Whitebeard, the strongest among the Emperors, stood between utter chaos and fragile balance. With Ace's execution looming, hope rested on his protection.
On the deck of his ship, the Whitebeard Pirates — the mighty crew aboard the Moby Dick — fell silent. The air grew heavy. Even the hardened crew bent under the oppressive aura radiating from Whitebeard himself.
A few moments passed before Whitebeard laughed, deep and thunderous.
"Marines! Sengoku! Garp! You old men! You leave me no choice but to fight!" His voice resounded across the ocean, soaked in Haoshoku Haki, crushing all doubts.
"Very well. Then let war begin," he said, calm yet terrifying.
"Marco! Jozu! Order the entire crew aboard within ten days!"
"Understood, Pops!" Marco said, eyes bright with excitement.
"With pleasure," Joz added.
"Garp! Sengoku! On the day of Ace's execution — I will give you a gift you won't forget," Whitebeard's glare froze the air.
Meanwhile, the Red-Hair Pirates sat on an island that seemed to bask in eternal spring. The red-haired captain read the latest newspaper quietly.
"What should we do? Do we help?" someone asked. Smoke rings drifted lazily from Benn Beckman's lips as he stared out at the endless horizon.
The captain shook his head gravely. "No. Let Whitebeard deal with this. Our duty is to watch over Kaido and Charlotte Linlin. Ensure neither makes a move against Whitebeard's territory while he's away."
Benn nodded in agreement.
Elsewhere, aboard the Big Mom Pirates' flagship — the castle-like fortress drifting in the sea — the air was filled with eager excitement. A woman's hoarse voice drifted through the dark halls:
"This is perfect! Whitebeard is heading into war with the Marines — it's our greatest chance!"
Her eldest son, Perospero, spoke up eagerly: "Mom, are we taking advantage of this chaos to seize Whitebeard's territory?"
She flashed a wicked smile. "Don't worry. If Whitebeard survives the rescue of Ace, we stay out. If he dies — we strike immediately."
"As long as Whitebeard exists, any plunder his pirates commit will be reclaimed by him. Without him — we take everything."
Perospero's eyes glinted as he understood.
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