Upon hearing Charlotte Linlin's words, both Whitebeard and Kaido fell silent.
They naturally knew that with the strength of their three crews alone, they would have no chance against the World Government.
However, neither Whitebeard nor Kaido had actually intended to overthrow the World Government in this war.
Whitebeard was here for answers, while Kaido was simply driven by his love for battle.
"Before we start a war, it's best to talk to them first. As long as the World Government is willing to hand over the murderer and compensate us, there's no need for a war," Charlotte Linlin said. This was her purpose for coming here: compensation and fame.
As one of the most powerful pirate crews in the New World, they were already wealthy and renowned.
But humans were greedy; and the satisfaction they got was fleeting. Linlin desired more wealth and even greater fame. Especially the latter.
If they succeeded this time, the reputation of their three crews would completely surpass other powerful crews in the New World, establishing them as emperors among pirates.
After all, if they succeeded, they would be the pirate crews that forced the World Government to yield.
With such an imperial reputation, their crews would undoubtedly experience rapid expansion, quickly gaining the strength to match their status and truly becoming emperors of the sea, the Three Emperors.
"Agreed. As long as the World Government is willing to hand over the murderer, this war can end here," Whitebeard nodded in agreement.
He had come to understand that the Romilava Capital incident was suspicious and unlikely to be orchestrated by the World Government.
If the World Government wanted to deal with pirates, they would simply strengthen the Marines. There was no need to kill potential Marine Admirals. Therefore, there must be a hidden reason behind this incident. They might have all been manipulated.
"Hmph, you're saying this now, after coming all this way? Since we're here, let's have a grand battle with the World Government!" Kaido said discontentedly, acting like a simpleton.
However, no one knew what he was truly thinking. Perhaps everything he displayed was just a facade, and he was actually more perceptive than anyone else.
"Let's see the World Government's attitude," Whitebeard said. He only needed answers.
Thus, the three pirate crews, with over a dozen massive pirate ships forming a huge fleet, sailed towards Mary Geoise.
Mary Geoise had become the focus of the world's attention. At the first line of defense stood Sengoku, Garp, Z, Aokiji, Kizaru... renowned figures in the Marines, all waiting on their warships for Whitebeard's arrival.
"They're here," Sengoku said, spotting the fleet slowly emerging on the distant horizon.
"Attention everyone, prepare for battle!" Z shouted.
Marines on all warships prepared themselves, loading their rifles and placing cannonballs beside the cannons, ready to fire at any moment.
The atmosphere became tense and oppressive. Many hearts were filled with trepidation, uncertain if a war would erupt.
Sarutobi Hoshi and his two companions were also preparing.
They were on Z's warship, surrounded by their fellow students from the Marine academy.
As outstanding Marine talents, almost everyone in the academy would become officers in the future.
However, this batch of outstanding Marines was exceptionally huge, with many new recruits, making this class unique.
To become high-ranking officers, they still needed to undergo many trials. And this potential war was their first test.
The two fleets drew closer, like two behemoths slowly approaching each other. Finally, they were only a hundred meters apart, close enough to see the faces of those on the opposing decks.
"Halt! This is Mary Geoise. Passage is forbidden!" Sengoku's booming voice resounded, clearly reaching the ears of Whitebeard, Kaido, and Charlotte Linlin.
"Sengoku, you should know our purpose for coming. If the World Government doesn't give us an explanation, then war today is inevitable," Whitebeard said, looking at the Marine officers on the opposite side with a heavy heart.
Even if it was just the Marines acting as the first line of defense, breaking through this line would require a heavy price. It was even possible they wouldn't be able to get past this defense line.
On the Marine warship's deck, hearing Whitebeard's words, Sengoku inwardly breathed a sigh of relief. These words conveyed an attitude:
Whitebeard and the others didn't want this war either. This made things much easier to handle.
"I know the explanation you seek, but I must reiterate that this is all a frame-up. The World Government did not plan the Romilava Capital incident. The appearance of those five bodies in the World Government's possession was entirely deliberate," Sengoku said.
Regardless of the upcoming negotiations, he couldn't admit to this matter.
Once they admitted the World Government's responsibility, the nature of the situation would change drastically.
"I don't care if it was the World Government or not. The fact is, my son, Vista, is dead. And his body was found in a World Government laboratory! Today, either you hand over the murderer, or we fight!" Whitebeard responded loudly. This was his stance.
However, these words made Charlotte Linlin and Kaido frown. Their objective wasn't just this. They needed not only the murderer but also compensation.
"That scientist has already committed suicide. He was indeed a World Government scientist, but he was controlled when he committed those acts," Sengoku said loudly.
In truth, he didn't know if the scientist was controlled, but regardless of the facts, this excuse was necessary now. "Let's stop here. We will hand over the bodies of your crew members and the scientist to you. Let this incident end here." He tried to directly end this potential war. Everything seemed much simpler than he had imagined.
However, Sengoku knew it couldn't end so easily.
If it could, they wouldn't have mobilized so many elites and set up so many lines of defense. After all, dealing with just three pirate crews was relatively easy and the Marines alone were sufficient.
"You killed my son! Can this matter simply end with handing over the murderer?!" Charlotte Linlin spoke before Whitebeard.
If she spoke after Whitebeard agreed to Sengoku's proposal, her purpose for coming here would have completely failed.
join my patreon for 150+ advanced chapters: patreon.com/HyppoTL