Seeing Fire Fist Ace still conflicted and hesitant, Kaido's mouth curved into a confident grin as he praised his daughter's strength. He said, "Yamato's ability is truly formidable. She has Three Types of Haki and is a Mythical Zoan Dog‑Dog Fruit, Okuchi no Makami user. Her strength can rival the All‑Stars of the Beasts Pirates, she has fully inherited my ogre bloodline."
"Who cares about your ogre bloodline!" Yamato snapped, irritation clear in her voice.
Kaido's teeth clenched with anger, but he held himself back. This moment was crucial, for if the marriage alliance succeeded, it would strengthen their ties. He resisted the urge to strike his unfilial daughter and instead endured.
Yamato felt miserable inside. Though she didn't dislike Ace—after all, he was one of her first friends—Kaido's attitude made her heart ache. He spoke as though he was sending away a plague rather than honoring her wishes.
Even though she often claimed she wanted adventure at sea, now that it was actually happening, a strange unease stirred within her.
Yamato turned and looked at Ace, and Ace met her gaze. For a moment, both of them paused, their eyes locking. A faint blush rose on each of their faces.
Kaido watched them with a smug, fatherly smile and said, "At least it seems you two do not dislike each other. This is already a big step toward success."
Yamato did not retort this time, her expression reflecting confusion and something softer beneath.
Marco, noticing Ace's silence, spoke up, "Ace, what do you think about all this?"
Ace hesitated before answering. He seemed caught off guard by the question and remained silent for a moment.
From Marco's view, he didn't oppose the arranged marriage. In fact, he even teased, "If you really look at her, Yamato is quite pretty. It does not seem like you'd be at a disadvantage marrying her."
Kaido's grin widened at Marco's words.
Ace's face flushed crimson at the remark, and he awkwardly protested, "No, Marco, why would you even say that!"
Marco laughed and said with a shrug, "I'm just being honest, but it's your choice. If you don't want to marry her, no one's forcing you."
Ace glanced at Yamato, and as they met eyes again, both looked shy—like young people who had never dealt with something like this before. Ace scratched his head and admitted, "Actually, I don't really mind. Mostly, it depends on what Yamato thinks."
Marco raised an eyebrow, half‑joking, "Wow, that sounds a bit like the line of a scoundrel."
"What? How did I become a scoundrel?" Ace bristled, offended.
Marco pressed on, serious now, "Do you like her or not? Give a clear answer. This is a major life event, even if it's arranged. You have to decide for yourself. No one can force you if you truly don't want this."
Ace paused and reflected. At his age, he wasn't completely sure what liking someone truly meant, but he understood the seriousness of the moment. He looked at Yamato, then at Marco, and a youthful, innocent smile spread across his face.
"Actually, Yamato is pretty cute, and I do like her somewhat," Ace admitted with a shrug, "It's just that this whole thing was sprung on me out of nowhere. If Yamato doesn't object, I don't have a problem with it."
Kaido's grin grew even larger. "It seems you agree then. So, Yamato, what about you?"
Yamato clenched her fists as though she wanted to break free from Kaido's hold and loudly declared, "Fine, I'll marry! From now on I sever our father‑daughter bond, and we each go our separate ways!"
Kaido scoffed. "Don't be ridiculous. Ogre blood will always run in your veins, something you can never deny. When you and Ace have children, they will still return to inherit the Beasts Pirates."
"Who wants to inherit your Beasts Pirates?" Yamato snapped.
Kaido's expression softened slightly, as if he were contemplating something grand. "That is not for you to decide."
Yamato's eyes flashed with anger. "Then can I have the key to these handcuffs now?"
Kaido replied coolly, "Yes, but only after the wedding tonight."
"No, isn't that too fast?" Ace protested. Though he did not reject the marriage itself, and while the vitality of youth stirred in him, he was still nervous.
"We are pirates," Kaido said calmly. "There's no need to linger over formalities. For the sake of this alliance, sooner is better."
Kaido then turned to Marco and asked, "Marco, you have no objections, correct?"
Marco shook his head, awkwardly shrugging, "Ace already agreed, so what objections could I possibly have?"
Kaido nodded and continued, "Then you have no objections to the marriage alliance between Sak and Ulti, right?"
Marco's expression turned grave. "I will discuss this with Sak when we return."
Ace looked uneasy. Though he agreed to marry Yamato, he did not want to see his other companions forced into an unwanted situation. Yamato was coming from the Beasts Pirates to the Phoenix Pirates, while Sak would be going the other way. The imbalance troubled him.
He leaned toward Marco and whispered, "Marco, do we really have to send Sak to the Beasts Pirates as an envoy? We are companions. How can we make Sak do something he doesn't want?"
Kaido frowned at Ace's words and said, "I don't like hearing that. And just how do you know he doesn't want to? Would I treat him badly if he came here?"
Ace said nothing more, and Marco stepped forward. "It doesn't have to be Sak. Whoever goes for the marriage alliance has to choose for themselves. If Sak doesn't want to go, I will not force him."
Marco turned to Kaido. "Surely you have no objections? After all, it is my right to decide who serves as envoy."
Kaido hesitated, then nodded slowly. "That is indeed your right. But the person who comes must be a core member of the Phoenix Pirates, someone whose strength is not far below Yamato's. Only then can the alliance be considered equal. In other words, a captain‑level fighter."
Marco understood and nodded. "I will make this clear to everyone."
Kaido agreed. "Very well. I'll have Who's Who send you Ulti's photo then."