"Are you ready with everything you need to prepare?"
"Ready? Oh oh oh, ready."
"What have you prepared?"
"Well... there will be wine and barbecue..."
"And much more!"
Marco stared at Thatch, who was clasping his fingers in front of him: "We are going to explore a dangerous island, not have a party."
Thatch looked helpless: "But this is all what Dad ordered!"
"Dad?"
"Yeah, Dad said not to be nervous when we go to Yerug Island this time. Just treat it like going home. You can have fun however you like."
"But..."
Marco couldn't shake the feeling that something was off: "Isn't everyone saying that Yerug Island is dangerous now?"
People outside were spreading wild rumors about how dangerous Yerug Island was, and what ferocious beasts roamed there. Why did the mood change so drastically when they got here?
Thatch smiled and said, "You'll have to ask Dad about that. I've still got to prepare the supplies for our departure. Dad specifically ordered enough alcohol, or it'll be boring."
"I'm heading out. You do what you need to do."
At this time, the Whitebeard Pirates and the Roger Pirates were all making preparations. To outsiders, it looked like they were gearing up for an expedition to Yerug Island.
But only the crew members of both ships knew they were actually going to have a good time.
After Larson and Rayleigh finished their discussion, the Whitebeard Pirates and the Roger Pirates began getting ready to head for Yerug Island.
As Marco watched the crew load meat and wine, there were already plenty of onlookers observing them.
At first, people assumed the two pirate crews were like any other group preparing to explore Yerug Island.
But from the looks of it, that wasn't the case.
Who's ever heard of adventurers loading up on wine and meat before an expedition?
Looking at Thatch bustling about nearby, Marco suddenly felt that they were ahead of the other groups planning to head to the island.
Look at the others—careful, trying to stay hidden, making sure not to reveal themselves, and then quietly slipping onto Yerug Island.
And here they were.
All they'd need was a loudspeaker to announce their departure.
Moreover, the crew members of both ships had no fear about entering an unknown island and facing whatever dangers awaited them.
They were truly doing as Whitebeard said—treating this as nothing more than a bit of fun.
In terms of attitude, they had already won.
"What are you thinking?"
A large hand reached out and patted Marco on the head.
Marco clutched his head and saw Larson standing beside him.
He muttered under his breath, "Is it really okay for us to flaunt like this?"
"Huh?"
Larson was a bit surprised that Marco was now concerned with the bigger picture.
"Of course it's fine."
He smiled. "But..."
Marco hesitated. "What if there really is some danger out there?"
He was worried that their relaxed demeanor would cost them dearly if a monster they couldn't handle showed up.
"Even if you wanted to prepare, what exactly would you prepare?"
Larson leaned on the ship's pole. "Bring more guns? Or gather more manpower?"
Marco found himself lost in thought after hearing Larson's words.
Larson smiled, but when Marco saw it, he felt an involuntary chill run down his spine.
"What is danger? It's something unknown, far beyond anyone's ability to handle, which is why it's called danger.
But that's for others. Marco, you need to remember that right now, you're standing with the two most powerful pirate crews in the world."
"When these two pirate groups join together, nothing in this world can be defined as dangerous in their presence!"
These simple words made Marco's blood boil with excitement.
His face flushed red. Larson's mention of the two most powerful pirate groups included him!
Larson continued, "Maybe to others, it seems like this island in the East Blue is fraught with danger. But once it passes through our hands, what they fear as a savage beast will become nothing more than a sweet little kitten."
"I see!"
Marco's confidence was surging.
Without another word to Larson, he rushed into the cabin.
"What did you say to get him so fired up?"
At that moment, Whitebeard approached, a puzzled look on his face.
"I didn't say much. I just gave him a clearer understanding of our strength."
Larson thought about how Marco had grown since joining the crew, and with a sense of nostalgia, added, "That kid has come a long way, but there's one thing he still struggles with—his self-assessment of his strength isn't quite right."
Whitebeard smirked. "I think what you meant to say is that his assessment of your strength isn't accurate."
"Hahaha, so you've noticed that too?"
Whitebeard waved him off. He never understood how Larson could be so serious and dependable during critical moments, yet so narcissistic and comedic the rest of the time.
It was like two completely different personalities combined in Larson.
"By the way, how are you going to deal with those two?"
"Which two?" Larson asked, looking confused.
Whitebeard rubbed his forehead. "Looks like you've really forgotten about them."
When Jem and Roberta were brought before Larson, he was genuinely stunned.
He had indeed forgotten about those two.
The main reason was Kaido's sudden appearance back then, which diverted his attention, and in the chaos, Jem and Roberta had slipped his mind.
Now, seeing the two trembling in front of him, Larson thought for a moment and said, "Even though I don't want to be too harsh, someone still has to lead the way. You two should decide between yourselves who's staying."
Upon hearing Larson's words, Jem and Roberta's bodies trembled even more. They raised their heads, looking at each other in terror, as if they saw the same despair reflected in one another's eyes.
What did he mean by deciding who stays?
Would the one who doesn't stay be killed?