Upon hearing Sanders' condition, Marco froze for a moment.
But Diamond Jozu was the first to respond:
"Deal! That condition's fine!"
Joining the Thunder God Pirates only after Whitebeard's death or the crew's disbandment?
That was basically no condition at all.
Whether Pops died or the Whitebeard Pirates dissolved—that would be ten or twenty years down the road at least.
By then, Marco would be in his sixties or seventies.
If the Thunder God Pirates were willing to take care of him in his old age—
all the better.
Unlike Jozu's eagerness, Marco was much more cautious.
After a pause, he asked Sanders:
"Aside from the internal injuries… does Pops have any other illnesses?"
It wasn't an unreasonable suspicion.
Sanders' condition felt… strange.
Almost like he was sure the Whitebeard Pirates were doomed.
But Pops was one of the sea's top powerhouses— He had weathered countless storms to survive this long.
Marco couldn't imagine anything besides illness that could lead to his death.
Sanders chuckled and said:
"Relax. Aside from the internal injuries, Whitebeard has no other health issues."
"I'm not short on money or treasure. Land I didn't conquer myself means nothing to me either."
"Besides—I want to see how strong Whitebeard is without those injuries."
That response finally put Marco at ease.
Of course.
What top fighter wouldn't want to witness Whitebeard—or even Roger—at their peak?
Still, he silently resolved to give Pops another check-up just in case he had missed anything.
Then Sanders casually added:
"Oh—don't worry. I won't be the one to kill Whitebeard."
Marco and Jozu's faces immediately darkened.
Before Marco could speak, Sanders added arrogantly:
"I mean, if I wanted to, I could… But I won't."
If they didn't still need his help to treat Whitebeard— that line alone would've been enough to start a fight.
For the honor of their captain and the crew, Even if Sanders was a Yonko, they would never back down.
Then Sanders asked again:
"So, Marco—do you accept my terms?"
"I do."
Marco agreed without much hesitation.
Like Jozu thought— he figured by the time Pops passed, he'd be getting on in years anyway.
If Sanders wanted him then, well... he could retire peacefully under the Thunder God Pirates' flag.
"Alright then. I'll find time to meet with Whitebeard personally."
With that, Sanders hung up.
As the Den Den Mushi went silent, Jozu burst out laughing:
"Haha! Can you believe how easy that was? Sanders actually agreed!"
"Marco—looks like you've got a retirement plan now!"
"What was he thinking? Thinking Pops is gonna die soon?"
"Once Pops is healed, he'll live to a hundred!"
Marco tugged on Jozu's arm awkwardly and gestured toward Issho.
Jozu fell completely silent, freezing in place, awkward and unsure what to do.
Calling a Yonko stupid in front of his first mate?
That was practically a challenge.
If Issho passed the comment along to Sanders, Their hard-won deal might be over before it began.
"Sorry about that, Issho-san. Jozu tends to speak before he thinks."
Marco apologized sincerely.
Issho smiled meaningfully and replied:
"No worries. I don't think the captain would mind."
But inwardly, Issho was thinking something else entirely:
"Sanders, stupid?"
A man who always made the right moves, who knew so many hidden truths…
There was no way someone like that would act without reason.
Which meant— Whitebeard probably didn't have much time left.
Probably just a few more years.
But what exactly would happen that even someone like Whitebeard couldn't survive?
Issho didn't know yet.
"The Marines? Or the World Government?"
Either way, it definitely wasn't the Thunder God Pirates.
"Let's move on to the handover of the territories."
Marco quickly changed the subject.
He began discussing the logistics with Issho.
Meanwhile, after hanging up, Sanders lounged lazily on the sofa.
Hancock nestled in his arms, graceful and seductive.
"Are you really going to heal Whitebeard?"
"You should've asked for more territory or treasure."
She spoke in a soft, alluring voice.
"Territory and treasure… those are just worldly things,"
Sanders replied with a smile.
"Besides, once Whitebeard is dead—they'll be mine anyway."
Hancock didn't ask when Whitebeard would die.
Instead, she warned him softly:
"You're planning to use that ability—the one that removes marks, aren't you?"
"Then you'd better be extra careful."
"Don't worry."
Sanders patted Hancock's hand and said with a smile:
"Even if I end up weakened… no one can keep me here."
He had plenty of tricks up his sleeve.
If he wanted to escape, no matter how injured—no one could stop him.
Not even Whitebeard at his peak.
"So, are you leaving soon?"
Hancock asked reluctantly.
"Yeah. I'll stay for a few more days."
Sanders replied with a smile.
As he spoke, he lifted Hancock into his lap.
"So let's make the most of our time."
Without waiting for a response, he kissed her.
Ripples of passion spread through the tower chamber.
Outside the room,
Marigold and Sandersonia stood holding trays of wine and delicacies.
The two sisters exchanged a glance— then silently set down the trays and walked away, wordlessly.
Elsewhere, in one of the tallest rooms in Dressrosa— Violet sat at a windowsill, overlooking the entire kingdom.
Speaking into a Den Den Mushi, she said softly:
"Robin, that's how it went. The Disaster of Europe has already sailed away."
From the other side, Robin replied with a soft chuckle:
"I didn't expect Kaido to have a daughter… and that she'd want to marry Sanders."
"Is Yamato beautiful?"
Robin suddenly asked,
"What's she like?"
"A very cute girl,"
Violet replied. Then she quickly added:
"But Captain Sanders already turned her down."
Everyone in the Thunder God Pirates knew about the relationship between their captain and Robin.
Violet genuinely wished them well, and didn't want anything to jeopardize their bond.
"Heh… Violet, you don't understand Sanders."
Robin chuckled softly.
That scoundrel of a man had clearly told her before— he never intended to have only one woman.
"What's the situation with the Marines and World Government intel agents?"
Robin asked again.
Given the current tensions, she needed to stay sharp.
Sanders had just launched an attack on Mariejois , and now the second-in-commands of two major pirate crews had come to Dressrosa.
There was no way the Marines and World Government would sit idly by.
"They're all trying to figure out why the Whitebeard Pirates and Beasts Pirates are here,"
Violet replied.
"Then ignore them," Robin said.
"They won't find anything useful."
"But—stay alert for anyone who can fly."
"If anyone tries to scout Sky Island, inform me immediately."
"Understood," Violet replied.
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T/N:
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