One Piece: Marine Luffy, Garp regrets it

Following Page One's transformation, the other Beast Pirates tightened their grips on their weapons, eyeing the Charlotte Family forces with open hostility. The tension in the air was thick enough to cut with a blade.

Ulti—Page One's biological sister and fellow Flying Six member—saw the situation deteriorating rapidly. She hurried back to the center of the camp to alert their remaining leaders.

Perospero observed the transformed dinosaur-human hybrid before him with undisguised interest, a calculating gleam in his eyes.

An Ancient Zoan user I haven't seen on the battlefield before, he thought. Kaido was always good at keeping his strongest pieces hidden.

Not that it mattered now. These exceptional fighters with their rare abilities would soon be assets of the Big Mom Pirates—or so he planned.

Excitement bubbling within him, Perospero licked at his massive candy staff with his unnaturally long tongue. His face split into a smile that was more unnerving than reassuring.

"No need for hostility, Miss Dinosaur," he called out in a falsely sweet tone. "We were allies before, and we haven't come to break our agreement simply because Kaido is... no longer with us."

"Then why surround our camp with an army?!" Page One snarled back, refusing to lower his guard. The massive Spinosaurus bared its teeth menacingly.

Rather than answer, Perospero merely waited patiently outside the camp, knowing that Page One lacked the authority to negotiate. The real decision-makers would arrive shortly.

Sure enough, within minutes, the ground began to tremble with heavy footsteps. After a brief commotion from the camp's interior, three imposing figures emerged—the All-Stars of the Beast Pirates, led by King the Wildfire, followed by Queen the Plague. Behind them came Ulti, hurrying to rejoin her brother.

"Page One! Fall back!" Ulti called out, seeing that battle hadn't yet erupted. "King and Queen are here to handle this!"

Hearing his sister's voice, Page One—still snarling at the Charlotte Family—glanced back over his massive shoulder. Upon seeing the All-Stars, he snorted with dissatisfaction but immediately reverted to his human form and retreated to Ulti's side.

With the true leaders of the Beast Pirates present, Perospero's expression shifted to something resembling genuine respect—or at least a convincing facsimile of it.

"King, Queen," he began with a courteous nod, "perfect timing. I've come with a matter of great importance to discuss—"

"Spare us your pleasantries," King interrupted, his voice hoarse and cold.

The Lunarian's piercing gaze swept across the gathered Charlotte siblings and their forces. Even through his mask, the intensity of his stare made many of them shift uncomfortably or avert their eyes.

Kaido's death had struck King harder than anyone. He had viewed the Emperor not merely as a captain but as a brother—the one who had freed him from imprisonment and given him purpose. Since their defeat at Wano, King had isolated himself within his quarters, reliving every moment of his history with Kaido.

It was only Ulti's urgent report of the Charlotte Family's arrival that had drawn him from his solitude.

Perospero and Katakuri exchanged glances, both understanding King's emotional state. For their plans to succeed, they would need to navigate this delicate situation with care.

Immediately, Perospero's grin vanished, replaced by a somber expression. He bowed his head slightly.

"My sincere condolences for your loss," he offered. Behind him, the other Charlotte siblings followed suit, lowering their heads in a show of respect—whether genuine or feigned.

As the currently stronger faction and the hosts who had provided refuge to the Beast Pirates remnants, the Charlotte Family was making a calculated show of deference. The gesture wasn't lost on King.

Though still immersed in grief, King recognized his responsibility to the crew Kaido had left behind. Straightening to his full, impressive height, he addressed the candy-man directly.

"State your purpose."

Perospero had no intention of playing games. He glanced back at Katakuri, who gave a slight nod. The eldest Charlotte son stepped aside, allowing Smoothie—the third Sweet Commander of the Big Mom Pirates—to move forward.

Standing nearly twelve feet tall, Smoothie cut an imposing figure even among this gathering of powerhouses. Her expressionless face revealed nothing as she approached.

"King," Perospero began, his tone now businesslike, "we've come to remind you of your commitment. Smoothie's hand in marriage was promised to you as part of our alliance."

He gestured broadly to encompass the surrounding forest.

"But more importantly, we recognize the precarious position you now find yourselves in. Without Kaido's protection, the Beast Pirates will become targets for every ambitious crew in the New World."

His voice dropped lower, more earnest.

"Out of respect for the friendship between our mother and Kaido, and the arranged union between you and Smoothie, we extend a sincere invitation: join the Big Mom Pirates. Bring your crew under our protection. Together, we can maintain the power that once made our alliance feared throughout the seas."

King's inscrutable gaze shifted to Smoothie. Her face remained impassive as she met his stare without flinching. There had never been love between them—their engagement was purely political, a union of convenience to cement the alliance between their crews.

Now, ironically, this loveless arrangement had become the Beast Pirates' potential salvation.

The assembled Beast Pirates remained deathly silent, all eyes fixed on King as they awaited his decision. Though many—Ulti and Page One included—bristled at the thought of subordinating themselves to Big Mom, none dared voice their objections in this critical moment.

King stood motionless for several long minutes, wrestling with the weight of a decision that would determine the fate of Kaido's legacy. Even for someone of his unwavering resolve, this choice proved paralyzing.

Beside him, Queen—ever pragmatic despite his flamboyant personality—recognized King's internal struggle. The rotund scientist took a deep drag from his cigarette, blue smoke curling around his face as he exhaled.

"We should accept," he said quietly, his voice carrying only to King's ears. Then, louder for all to hear: "If we join forces with the Big Mom Pirates, we preserve our strength. And one day..." His spectacles glinted menacingly. "We might actually have a chance to avenge the Captain."