The Marines, the Revolutionary Army, and a division of the Four Emperors' crew—
three of the world's greatest powers now found themselves gathered in the same room.
The air was thick with tension.
Marco and Izo immediately went on alert. Both men knew the reputation of Vice Admiral Tsuru, Chief of Staff of Marine Headquarters.
She was a living legend, a strategist who had stood shoulder-to-shoulder with Fleet Admiral Sengoku and Hero Garp during the old era.
Though she ranked just below those titans in fame, the tales of her wisdom and victories were legendary across the seas.
Ace and Sabo exchanged uneasy glances.
There was one thing neither of them could ignore—
if Vice Admiral Tsuru was here, then perhaps other Marine giants had arrived as well.
Their grandfather, the Hero of the Marines—Monkey D. Garp—
just the thought of him made Ace and Sabo stiffen instinctively.
No matter that one of them was now second-in-command of the Revolutionary Army and the other a division commander under Whitebeard—
against Garp, both would rather surrender than face his fist.
The suffocating silence dragged on.
Just as Peacock, Tsuru's aide, reached for the whip at her waist, ready to strike if needed—
the old vice admiral finally broke the silence.
"Guild Master Sugisawa Yuuto," Tsuru said evenly, "let's speak in private."
To everyone's surprise, the encounter between Marines, Revolutionaries, and the Whitebeard Pirates did not erupt into chaos.
The only reason was clear—this was Fairy Tail's territory.
Had it been a hothead like Smoker, he would've charged in without a thought.
But Vice Admiral Tsuru was not one to act recklessly, especially in the home of Sugisawa Yuuto.
Of course—
if they met again outside this place, things would likely go very differently.
When Tsuru finally turned and left the room,
Marco and Ace both let out deep, relieved breaths.
"Seems like she held back because of Master Yuuto's presence," Sabo remarked.
"As expected of Fairy Tail," Izo added. "Even after clashing with the World Government, the Marines still show respect."
Marco nodded. "We can't keep imposing here, though. With the Marines gathering, we should retreat as soon as Sabo's fully recovered."
Ace agreed with a silent nod.
Across the hall, Peacock hesitated before speaking.
"Grandma Tsuru, that was the Whitebeard Pirates and the Revolutionary Army. Are we really just going to let them go?"
"They are Sugisawa Yuuto's guests," Tsuru answered calmly.
Yuuto gave a faint, satisfied nod.
You gave me face—so I'll give you face in return.
For the Marines, that was the right call.
It was precisely because Tsuru had handled things diplomatically
that Yuuto had chosen not to expose the Marines' earlier child-trafficking scandal during Doflamingo's reign.
"Guild Master Yuuto," Tsuru continued, "thanks to you, Doflamingo's ambitions have finally been laid bare.
Without Fairy Tail's intervention, the darkness shrouding Dressrosa might've lasted for years."
"No need for thanks," Yuuto replied lightly. "We only did what needed to be done. Someone entrusted me with this mission, so I simply followed through."
"Still," Tsuru said, "I've prepared a formal payment for the job Vice Admiral Gion passed along."
Yuuto shook his head.
"Technically, we completed that mission before it was even officially commissioned through her.
In that case, it wasn't a true request—so no reward is necessary."
"Even so," Tsuru insisted, "this matter weighed on me for a long time. You've lifted a burden from my heart.
I must at least show some gratitude."
Yuuto smiled faintly.
"If you say so, Vice Admiral Gion already gave me quite the… gesture of thanks."
At that, Peacock's expression instantly shifted.
"That was Sister Gion's first time! Don't make it sound so casual!"
"First?"
"Important?"
The Fairy Tail girls froze mid-step.
Their expressions darkened immediately.
Especially Mirajane and Juvia, both of whom narrowed their eyes like cats ready to pounce.
If Yuuto was out there charming another Marine vice admiral,
they'd have to work much harder to keep him in line.
But even as that thought formed, Mirajane sighed inwardly.
Even with all of them together, Yuuto always came out on top—both in magic and in mischief.
To beat him… we'd need stronger allies, she thought.
Erza's strength is fine—but her brain and skin are both too soft…
Despite her hints—and outright teasing—Erza had yet to make a move.
Sensing the rising awkwardness, Vice Admiral Tsuru deftly changed the subject.
"Guild Master Yuuto, regarding the surviving members of the Donquixote Family…"
"They're all imprisoned in the royal dungeons," Yuuto replied.
"If you want to take custody, speak directly with King Riku. He'll cooperate."
Conversations with clever people always went smoothly.
An hour passed in calm discussion before Peacock leaned close to Tsuru and whispered,
"Grandma Tsuru, the Whitebeard Pirates and the Revolutionary Army are moving out."
Tsuru didn't respond immediately. Instead, she glanced toward Yuuto.
"Please," Yuuto said simply, giving his silent consent.
He had no particular alliance with the Whitebeard Pirates—there was no reason to shield them.
As for Sabo, though the Revolutionary Army had helped during the chaos,
if he chose to leave with his brothers, that was his risk to bear.
"Guild Master Yuuto," Tsuru said, bowing slightly, "we'll be taking our leave for now.
I hope we can share words again someday."
Yuuto chuckled.
"I'll look forward to seeing the Chief of Staff's next move."
Somewhere high above Dressrosa,
Morgans, the great news bird, flapped his wings excitedly, his quill scratching across parchment.
"What a spectacle! I only came here to report the latest developments to Sugisawa Yuuto,
and I stumble into a scene this sensational! Subarashii! Absolutely subarashii!"
He wrote furiously, eyes glinting behind his glasses.
"The Whitebeard Pirates—Phoenix Marco, Fire Fist Ace, Captain Izo—
all major figures, gathered here in Dressrosa! What business do they have with Fairy Tail?"
"And the young Revolutionary Army Chief of Staff, Sabo, appearing alongside them…
could it be an alliance between the Whitebeard Pirates and the Revolutionaries!?"
The sound of his pen filled the sky.
"And finally—the standoff between the Marines' Chief of Staff, the Revolutionary Army,
and the strongest pirate crew of the New World… how will this end!?"
Half an hour later, Morgans' wings twitched in excitement as he observed from afar.
"Ahhh, what a pity! They were this close to being surrounded!
But that Vice Admiral truly lives up to her legend.
After all, we're talking about the strongest pirate crew and top officers of the Revolutionaries…"
He clicked his tongue in awe—
then froze midair.
"Wait—no way… why are Fire Fist Ace and Sabo coming back!?"