On Sak's side of the battlefield, the three of them were locked in combat with Admiral Fujitora. Even while fighting, they could not ignore what was happening elsewhere. The Big Mom Pirates were clearly falling apart on every front.
Sak glanced around anxiously and let out a heavy sigh. "The situation is getting worse by the minute."
After forcing back a Marine officer, Ulti rushed to Sak's side and spoke without hesitation. "Sak, if this keeps going downhill, we should retreat."
She had no intention of throwing her life away here. As long as she could escape with her brother, that was enough for her. As for how to retreat, she was not worried at all. With Sak's Pink Dragon Fruit, taking to the sky was easy. With herself, Page One, and the other two captains, even an Admiral would struggle to stop them if they chose to leave.
Fossa, however, hesitated. Although his marriage to Smoothie had been short and their bond was not particularly deep, she was still his wife. At a moment like this, he found it difficult to abandon his wife and child and flee on his own.
Blenheim raised his voice loudly. "Hold on a little longer. Captain Marco and the others will be here soon."
Almost as if responding to his words, Fujitora suddenly frowned. In the midst of the fierce battle, he had clearly sensed several powerful presences rapidly approaching.
At that moment, deep beneath the smoke-filled battlefield, a deafening explosion erupted from within a basement. Immediately after, a figure burst out like an arrow released from a bow.
Marco emerged into the open sky.
Close behind him came more than a dozen captains of the Phoenix Pirates, followed by a steady stream of their crew members pouring out one after another.
"That's Marco of the Phoenix…" The Marine soldiers stared in shock, disbelief written all over their faces.
At the same time, Baron Tamago raised his arms and shouted at the top of his lungs. "Brothers, the Phoenix Pirates have arrived. Our reinforcements are here."
"They are here." Despair vanished from the faces of the Big Mom Pirates as cheers erupted across the battlefield.
Marco spread his wings and climbed higher into the sky, looking down at the brutal scene below. The situation was nearly one-sided. The Big Mom Pirates had already suffered devastating losses.
Only two or three hours had passed since the battle began, yet they had been pushed to the brink. Still, Marco could not help recalling Marineford. Even then, facing the full might of the Marines, massive casualties had occurred in just a few short hours.
"Fire Fist."
Ace moved the instant he appeared, unleashing a blazing attack that obliterated a Marine Rear Admiral in a single strike.
At the same time, black flames erupted around Marco's body. His massive black wings spread wide, stretching dozens of meters as he roared.
"Destruction Black Flame, Dance of the Phoenix."
In an instant, countless phoenix-shaped flames formed from black fire and surged toward the Marines. Wherever a phoenix landed, the black flames clung tightly and burned with terrifying intensity. The heat was overwhelming and nearly impossible to extinguish, causing screams of agony to echo across the battlefield.
Marco hovered in the air, his wings beating powerfully as he shouted, "Brothers, charge with me. Destroy the Marines."
A thunderous roar answered him. The morale of the Phoenix Pirates surged instantly, and even the Big Mom Pirates, who had been drowning in despair, felt hope reignite in their hearts. The arrival of the Phoenix Pirates had brought with it the possibility of turning the entire battle around.
Big Mom Pirates officers began shouting orders. "Follow our allies, the Phoenix Pirates. Counterattack."
"Annihilate the Marines."
"The time has come."
Fueled by renewed confidence, the Big Mom Pirates launched a fierce counteroffensive.
The Marines immediately felt crushing pressure. They had been only moments away from completely wiping out the Big Mom Pirates, yet the sudden appearance of the Phoenix Pirates shattered that certainty. Confusion spread among the ranks. Reinforcements were supposed to come from the sea, so how had they appeared from inside Cake Island itself?
The answer lay beneath Cake Castle. In the basement, Phoenix Pirates continued to emerge through mirrors connected to the Mirror World, flooding out onto the battlefield.
Admiral Fujitora sensed the growing number of powerful presences across the island, his expression turning even heavier. "It seems the situation is slipping out of control."
Marco circled above the battlefield, surveying everything below. Suddenly, a dazzling figure lunged toward him. Before she could get close, a blade intercepted her path.
Vista stepped forward, smiling. "I cannot let you attack our king so easily, Vice Admiral Momousagi."
Momousagi fixed her gaze on the man blocking her, a trace of seriousness flashing through her eyes. "Fifth Division Captain, Flower Sword Vista."
Vista's familiar smile widened. "You know me? I am honored."
Momousagi tightened her grip on her sword, Konpira. "It would be strange if I did not."
At that moment, Marco activated his ability to assess the battlefield.
Gion, strength estimation: Strong Emperor Subordinate level.
Tokikake, strength estimation: Strong Emperor Subordinate level.
Fujitora, Paramecia, Gravity Gravity Fruit, strength estimation: Admiral Emperor level.
Dracule Mihawk, strength estimation: Strong Emperor General level.
Boa Hancock, Paramecia, Love Love Fruit, strength estimation: Weak Emperor Second in Command level.
Cavendish, strength estimation: Weak Captain level.
Trafalgar Law, strength estimation: Captain level.
Eustass Kid, strength estimation: Captain level.
Buggy, Paramecia, Chop Chop Fruit, strength estimation: Crew member level.
Compared to Marineford, both Mihawk and Hancock had clearly grown stronger. Still, Marco knew the Shichibukai were likely not fighting seriously. He had no intention of wasting time on them.
There was only one person on this battlefield he truly wanted to face.
"Lord Marco." Baron Tamago's voice rang out urgently from below. "Please hurry and assist Mama and Lord Katakuri. Fleet Admiral Sakazuki and Admiral Aramaki are fighting them in the forest, along with Lord Smoothie."
Marco followed the direction Baron Tamago pointed toward. In the distance stood a towering forest of massive trees, each rising hundreds of meters high. It was unmistakably the work of Admiral Aramaki's ability.
Just as Marco was about to move, a cold mechanical voice echoed within his mind.
"A new mission has been issued."
Mission: Avenge.
During the Marineford War, you were defeated by Admiral Akainu and left powerless. Defeat Sakazuki, now the Fleet Admiral, and claim your revenge.
Reward: 10,000 attribute points.
Marco's eyes narrowed slightly.
"So it is another revenge mission," he thought calmly. "Fine. That is exactly what I wanted."
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