Seeing the newly issued mission, Marco felt a surge of excitement deep within his chest.
The system had already released a Vengeance mission before, one that only required Sakazuki's defeat. But now, a true Revenge mission had appeared, and this one demanded Sakazuki's death.
That single difference made Marco's killing intent rise sharply.
Without hesitation, Marco glanced at his remaining 10,000 attribute points and made his decision. He poured every single point into strength. Once Sakazuki was killed, he would gain another 20,000 points. Driving the Marines out of Cake Island would earn him an additional 10,000. That would be more than enough to elevate his Haki to the next level.
Marco lifted his gaze to Sakazuki, who was seething with rage, and let out a quiet chuckle.
"The reason I'm here is simple," Marco said calmly. "Kizaru is now the vice captain of the Phoenix Pirates."
The moment the words fell, the battlefield went silent.
Sakazuki froze. Aramaki stiffened. Even Big Mom and Katakuri stared in disbelief.
"That's impossible!" Sakazuki roared.
Marco shrugged lightly. "Nothing is impossible. The fact that I'm standing here should already tell you everything."
Sakazuki clenched his fists, veins bulging as magma surged violently around his arms.
Marco continued, his tone relaxed, deliberately twisting the knife deeper. "Kizaru said the Marines pay too little, offer no benefits, and work him to death. Waking up earlier than a rooster, sleeping later than a dog, all for a dead end salary. He got tired of being a corporate slave."
Marco smiled faintly. "So I offered him ten times the pay. He agreed."
"Lies!" Sakazuki bellowed. "Utter nonsense!"
His magma boiled hotter as he growled coldly, "Enough. Whether it's true or not does not matter. After I kill you, I will confirm it myself."
The moment his words ended, Sakazuki charged.
Marco's lips curved upward slightly.
His strength had now reached 42,054 points.
There was only one way to defeat Sakazuki. The fastest way. The most decisive way.
Black flames ignited across Marco's body as he shouted, "Kizaru said it himself. The day you became Fleet Admiral was the day he lost all desire to remain a Marine. You drove out Aokiji. You drove out Kizaru. You scream about Absolute Justice, but all you are is a tyrant hiding behind the name of justice."
Sakazuki snapped.
"Shut up!" he roared. "A pirate has no right to judge my justice. Nether Dog!"
"Destruction Black Flame, Flame Blade!"
Neither of them dodged.
Sakazuki's magma fist punched straight through Marco's chest.
At the same time, Marco's black flame blade stabbed directly into Sakazuki's body.
Blood burst from Sakazuki's mouth.
His eyes widened. His Armament Haki had failed to fully block Marco's attack.
"Brother Sakazuki!" Aramaki shouted in shock from afar.
Both men were impaled through the torso. Marco's injuries were clearly worse, magma burning through his organs. Blood spilled from his mouth and nose, but phoenix flames surged within his body, rapidly repairing the damage.
Marco seized Sakazuki with his left hand, refusing to let him retreat.
Black flames erupted violently and condensed around Marco's right fist.
Blood stained the corner of Marco's mouth as he mocked, "This is your justice? Pure violence? You chased away two comrades. Is this all you amount to?"
"Shut up!" Sakazuki screamed. "Great Eruption!"
The magma arm inside Marco exploded with even greater heat. Marco's wounds tore wider, his body nearly split apart.
A hoarse cry escaped Marco's throat. Blood poured freely, but his grip did not loosen.
"The one who's dying is you," Marco roared. "Destruction Black Flame, Super Spiral Incineration Cannon!"
Black flames detonated inside Sakazuki's body.
A spiraling torrent of black fire burst through his back.
Sakazuki spewed blood violently, splattering across Marco's face.
Aramaki stood frozen. This was not combat. This was a battle of death and madness.
Fear appeared in Sakazuki's eyes for the first time.
With a furious roar, he tore his magma arm free from Marco's body and punched toward Marco's head. "Die! Nether Dog!"
Marco tilted his head slightly.
The punch still smashed half of Marco's skull above his left eye.
In the same instant, Marco's right hand clenched inside Sakazuki's chest.
He grabbed Sakazuki's heart.
Sakazuki's pupils shrank violently as he stared at the blackened organ in Marco's hand.
Then Marco crushed it.
The moment the heart shattered, Sakazuki's life force collapsed.
Less than a minute had passed since the battle began.
Marco's black flames ignited once more.
"Destruction Black Flame, Fire Fist!"
Boom.
The punch landed squarely on Sakazuki's face, sending him flying backward across the ground. His body slid dozens of meters before finally coming to a stop, motionless.
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