Marco hovered high above the battlefield, his sharp gaze locking onto the figure of Ace below as flames tore through the Marine ranks.
"Ace," Marco said calmly, his voice carrying authority without needing to rise. "Go and capture Eustass Kid. Do not kill him. Cripple him if you have to, but I want him alive."
Ace looked up at him and nodded without hesitation. "Got it. Leave it to me."
Before his words had even finished echoing, Ace had already vanished into a torrent of fire, moving swiftly across the battlefield in search of his target.
Eustass Kid was not someone Ace had forgotten. The man had ambushed the Wolf Pirates, kidnapped Whitey Bay, and handed her over to the Marines, nearly igniting another war on the scale of Marineford. Time and again, Kid had deliberately provoked the Phoenix Pirates.
Ace's expression hardened as he moved. He had no intention of going easy on someone who dared to target their family. Kid would live, but he would never forget this day.
On the battlefield below, Eustass Kid felt it clearly. A suffocating pressure had locked onto him.
"So it's me," Kid muttered, his face darkening.
Running never crossed his mind. His pride would not allow it.
Above the chaos, Marco turned away and flew decisively toward the massive artificial forest spreading across Cake Island. Towering trees pierced the sky, each one overflowing with unnatural life force.
Observation Haki flared quietly within him.
Katakuri's presence was still there, but it was weakening fast.
Marco's eyes sharpened.
At the same time, Sakazuki felt a surge of excitement as he sensed Marco's arrival. "So the Phoenix has finally shown himself."
Nearby, Ulti clenched her fists, her earlier thoughts of retreat vanishing completely. "If the Phoenix Pirates are here, then the Beast Pirates will not be far behind. As long as we hold out a little longer, once three Emperors gather on Cake Island, the Marines will be crushed."
Sak, fighting nearby, let out a low laugh. "Exactly."
Fossa and Blenheim felt their spirits soar. Their exhaustion faded as renewed confidence flooded their bodies.
Not everyone shared that optimism.
Admiral Fujitora's expression grew heavy beneath his blindfold. What had once been a near-certain victory was slipping away. The Phoenix Pirates' arrival had shattered the Marines' momentum entirely.
And worse, he could not sense Kizaru's presence at all.
Deep within the forest, Sakazuki and Aramaki both stiffened as multiple powerful auras flooded into the island.
Aramaki extended his awareness through the forest itself, his expression changing instantly. "Fleet Admiral Sakazuki, the situation is critical. The Phoenix Pirates are advancing rapidly. Marco is already here."
Sakazuki's face darkened. "What did you say?"
Magma churned violently around his body as his fury surged. "What is Borsalino doing? He was ordered to intercept them. Is that man incapable of handling something so simple?"
Before Aramaki could answer, the sky above them darkened.
A massive black phoenix descended in a blaze of flames, landing heavily before them as heat rippled outward.
Marco stood tall, black wings folding behind him, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "Looks like I made it in time. Big Mom, Katakuri, Smoothie, you're all still breathing."
Katakuri and Smoothie exchanged weary looks, forcing bitter smiles. Both were covered in severe burns, their stamina nearly exhausted. Katakuri in particular was in dire condition. His Devil Fruit abilities had been heavily restricted, forcing him to rely almost entirely on Armament and Observation Haki to withstand Sakazuki's relentless magma attacks.
Another few moments, and he would have been burned away completely.
Marco turned his attention to the towering figure behind them. Big Mom's body had grown to monstrous proportions, radiating terrifying power.
"What did you use?" Marco asked calmly. "You look bigger than ever."
Big Mom laughed hoarsely, her breathing heavy. "Mamamamama. Do you really think this old woman showed her full strength the last time we fought? An Emperor always has her trump cards."
Marco nodded lightly. "I see."
His ability activated silently.
Charlotte Linlin. Soul Soul Fruit user. Estimated strength: Strong Emperor General level, Soul Fusion state.
So that was it.
Marco was mildly surprised. Big Mom had pushed herself beyond her usual limits. As expected of an Emperor, she had hidden depths.
His gaze shifted next.
Aramaki. Forest Forest Fruit user. Estimated strength: Admiral Emperor level.
Marco noted it calmly. Compared to veterans like Sakazuki and Borsalino, the Admirals drafted later were powerful, but not quite as overwhelming.
Big Mom ignored his analysis and laughed again, forcing levity into her voice. "You're late, Marco. If you had taken any longer, I might have finished these Marines myself."
Marco snorted. "You would not survive bragging for another minute."
Sakazuki finally exploded.
"Enough!" he roared, magma surging violently. "Marco, why are you here? Where is Borsalino?"
He refused to believe Kizaru had been defeated. Sakazuki knew better than anyone how terrifying Borsalino's speed was. Even Marco's phoenix flames should not have been able to pin him down.
Speed was Kizaru's greatest weapon. Absolute speed decided both offense and defense.
Even Whitebeard in his prime would have struggled to completely suppress him.
Marco's smile faded.
"Mission: Revenge: During the Marineford War, Admiral Akainu delivered a fatal blow to Whitebeard, causing him to die at Marineford. Kill Fleet Admiral Sakazuki to avenge Whitebeard. Upon completion of the mission, you will receive 10,000 attribute points as a reward."
His eyes locked onto Sakazuki.