One Piece: Marine Luffy, Garp regrets it

King turned to Queen with a complex expression, his eyes narrowing behind his mask as he regarded the corpulent scientist who so often opposed him.

"You're not concerned about vengeance," he said coldly, cutting through Queen's pretense. "You're simply afraid of being hunted down if we strike out on our own. You want Big Mom as your new protector. Don't pretend this is about loyalty to Lord Kaido."

Queen erupted into a coughing fit, nearly dropping the cigarette clutched between his fingers. His face flushed deep purple with anger.

"You bastard! Don't slander me!" he bellowed, jabbing a finger toward King. "I may be selfish and somewhat... cautious about self-preservation, but Captain Kaido always treated me well! If there's ever a chance for revenge, I would certainly take it!"

King merely turned away from Queen's outburst, falling into silence once more. It was as though he had spoken only to provoke his fellow All-Star, taking some small, bitter pleasure in his irritation.

Queen continued to fume, his massive frame quivering with rage. He seemed moments away from physically attacking King, consequences be damned.

This time, however, the silence was brief. Before Queen could escalate further, King raised his head and fixed Perospero with a decisive stare.

"When will the wedding be held... brother-in-law?"

At these words, Perospero's face split into a broad grin. Behind him, the other Charlotte siblings exchanged looks of triumph and relief. The Beast Pirates collectively exhaled, though many couldn't help feeling a pang of loss. Their crew's proud independence was ending—they would now be subordinates in a larger organization.

Queen, for once, refrained from arguing with King. Even he recognized the gravity of the moment.

The decision was made. The Beast Pirates would join the Big Mom Pirates.

The merger of two Emperor crews was bound to create shockwaves throughout the world. While pirates and Marines alike buzzed with speculation about this new development, an unexpected visitor arrived at the summit of the Red Line.

In Mariejois, the Holy Land, five aged figures gathered in their private meeting chamber. The Gorosei—the Five Elders who represented the highest authority of the World Government beneath Im—regarded their unusual guest with varying degrees of suspicion and curiosity.

The hooded figure sat quietly before them, face partially obscured.

"There's no need for disguises here," said the Elder known as Saint Jaygarcia Saturn, stroking his long beard. "No place in the world is more secure than this chamber."

The hooded man hesitated briefly but made no move to reveal himself further.

"My apologies," he replied, "but my identity remains... sensitive. This meeting must be conducted with the utmost discretion."

As he spoke, he tilted his head slightly upward, allowing crimson hair to become visible beneath the hood. Three distinct scars crossed his left eye—a face known throughout the world.

"Let's dispense with the pleasantries," interrupted the bald Elder with the imposing mustache, Saint Marcus Mars. "What business brings a notorious Emperor like yourself to seek audience with us?"

The other four Elders fixed their attention on Shanks, awaiting his response.

Unperturbed by Mars's evident disdain, Shanks maintained his characteristic composure. His expression turned grave as he spoke:

"I've come to discuss a certain Marine officer with you..."

[*This fanfic is created before Shank was clear of his rat allegation, please understood}

While power shifted dramatically in the New World and secret meetings determined the course of history, the aftermath of Kaido's defeat continued to ripple across the seas.

Opportunists and aspiring pirates viewed the power vacuum as their chance to claim territory in the New World. More cautious captains, however, were terrified by the Marine's display of strength. Many fled back to Paradise overnight, some retreating all the way to the Four Blues.

But no one benefited more from the war than Vice Admiral Monkey D. Luffy. Having personally slain Kaido, his reputation soared to unprecedented heights. The Marine Headquarters promoted his achievement extensively, and those who watched the recorded battle awarded him a fearsome new epithet: "The Dragon Slayer."

One week after the historic battle, in the waters surrounding Wano Country, the inpatient ward of Onigashima First Hospital—under the jurisdiction of G-66 Branch—housed an unusual patient.

A pitiful-looking middle-aged man in a blue and white striped hospital gown was shamelessly flirting with the young nurse attending to him.

"Ah, Nurse Kaede," Kizaru drawled, his usual languid tone carrying a hint of mischief. "Such a waste that a beautiful woman like yourself remains unmarried. Perhaps you'd consider dating a man like me? Though there's quite an age gap between us, when love blooms, age becomes merely a number."

The nurse maintained her professional demeanor despite her flushed cheeks. "Please stop joking, Admiral. How is your wound healing today? Any redness, swelling, or discomfort?"

Seeing the nurse's embarrassment only encouraged Kizaru. With shameless audacity, he began unfastening his hospital gown.

"I'm not sure I'm recovering properly," he said with an exaggerated sigh. "Perhaps Nurse Kaede would examine me again? A gentle touch might speed the healing process."

Kaede had been flustered by the Admiral's teasing, but once the gown parted to reveal the massive wound stretching from his right chest across to his left abdomen, her professional instincts took over. All traces of embarrassment vanished as she focused on her patient's medical needs.

Firmly pushing Kizaru back onto the bed, she began a thorough examination, ignoring his suggestive comments.

The injury—inflicted by Big Mom's Napoleon during their confrontation—had nearly cost the Admiral his life. Though now on the mend, the wound remained impressive enough that even the notoriously lazy Kizaru had been granted an extended convalescent leave.

A fact he was thoroughly enjoying, despite the pain.

"You know," he mused aloud as Kaede checked his stitches, "some might call getting nearly cut in half bad luck. Personally?" His trademark lazy smile spread across his face. "I consider it the best vacation I've had in years."