The white-haired old man on Beehive Island was none other than the legendary Pirate King, Wang Zhi.
At seventy-one, he had long given up on ambition, intending only to live out his days in peace.
His recent actions against the Phoenix Pirates had been spurred by a simple calculation: with the combined might of the Big Mom Pirates and the Beasts Pirates, he assumed Marco's crew would be crushed.
Acting early would allow him to claim some of the spoils.
However, Wang Zhi had never anticipated Marco defeating Big Mom.
Shock coursed through him.
Big Mom was younger, stronger, and nearly unmatched—if she could not defeat Marco, Wang Zhi had no chance.
Seeing the news, he immediately ordered his subordinates to retreat from Shihblan Island and Qiming Island, claiming to Jozu, "I only sent troops to help because I thought they couldn't withstand the Big Mom Pirates and the Beasts Pirates."
Jozu didn't believe him, but Wang Zhi comforted himself.
Perhaps he could smooth things over with some Berries if Marco questioned him.
Yet, he had underestimated Marco's ruthlessness.
The new Four Emperors wasted no time; war was inevitable, leaving Wang Zhi anxious.
"Captain, what should we do?" Doran, his first mate, asked nervously.
At nearly seventy, Doran had been with Wang Zhi since the Rocks Pirates era.
He had seen the rise and fall of countless crews and remained loyal throughout decades of battles.
Wang Zhi steadied himself.
"Prepare the men. I'll call Marco and see if we can turn this hostility into diplomacy."
Doran nodded, sensing this was the wisest course.
Wang Zhi added quietly, "But Marco is no Whitebeard. We must prepare for the worst."
Soon, he activated his transponder snail.
As expected, the connection was quick.
"Hello, this is the Phoenix Pirates…" a rough voice answered.
"I am Wang Zhi. Connect me to Marco. I have something to discuss," Wang Zhi commanded.
Onboard the Moby Dick, Marco was enjoying rum at a celebratory banquet with his crew when Sak approached.
"Captain, Wang Zhi is calling."
A smirk crept across Marco's face.
"I knew he would. He's probably calling to beg for mercy."
"Of course! Even Big Mom fell to you, Captain Marco. Wang Zhi is nothing!" Sak and the others cheered.
"Had it not been for his old friendship with Pops, he would have been eliminated long ago. And now he repays kindness with treachery—attacking us mere months after Pops' death."
Marco raised an eyebrow, grinning.
"Let's hear him out. Bring the transponder snail here."
The snail was brought, and Marco's voice rang out.
"Marco speaking."
On the other end, Wang Zhi said cautiously, "Congratulations, Marco, on becoming the new Four Emperor of the New World."
Marco's voice was sharp.
"So what? Are you here to beg for mercy?"
Wang Zhi's face paled, realizing he could not compete with Marco's strength or his crew.
Yet, with decades of experience, his pride remained intact.
Calmly, he spoke, "Times are changing. After Newgate's death, you rose swiftly. I wish to negotiate peace. The actions of my crew were unauthorized, and I will punish them to prevent recurrence."
Marco's eyes narrowed.
"Peace? Your 'keeping to yourselves' is because Pops allowed you a piece of our territory. Otherwise, you'd already be beneath ten feet of grass."
Wang Zhi clenched his fists in frustration.
He had hoped for diplomacy, but Marco's momentum and recent victory over Big Mom left no room for negotiation.
Through the transponder, Wang Zhi's voice turned sharp with defiance.
"Marco, don't be overbearing! Beehive Island is fortified like an iron barrel. Over two hundred turrets and bunkers, countless tunnels, food and ammunition for three years. If you have the strength, come and attack!"
The air was tense as both sides braced for the coming storm.
Marco, his victory over Big Mom still fresh, was unstoppable, while Wang Zhi, despite his age, was determined to defend his legacy.
The stage was set for an inevitable clash between the new Four Emperors and the seasoned Pirate King.