Seeing Sakazuki sent flying, Aramaki immediately abandoned his fight with Big Mom and rushed toward him.
"Brother Sakazuki…" Aramaki arrived beside him and froze.
Sakazuki's body was a ruin.
His internal organs had been almost completely destroyed by the Destruction Black Flame. Black fire still lingered inside him, burning relentlessly. Even with the Forest-Forest Fruit's exceptional vitality, wounds like these were beyond normal treatment.
Still, Aramaki did not hesitate.
Several thick vines pierced into Sakazuki's body like life-support tubes, pumping raw life force into him in a desperate attempt to keep him alive.
Big Mom watched the entire exchange with narrowed eyes. The fight between Marco and Sakazuki had lasted less than a minute, yet it was brutal beyond reason.
Both of them were monsters.
Especially Sakazuki. Knowing Marco's terrifying regeneration, he still chose to fight head-on, exchanging fatal blows without retreat.
"Ma ma ma ma ma," Big Mom laughed slowly. "So that's how it is. You've grown far stronger, Marco."
Her gaze lingered on the Black Flame covering Marco's body. When they last fought, he did not possess this power. There was no doubt this was the result of his Devil Fruit awakening.
Behind her, Katakuri remained silent, his expression heavy. Only now did he fully understand Marco's earlier provocation. Marco had deliberately enraged Sakazuki, forcing him into a reckless, suicidal exchange.
Just then, the system's voice echoed in Marco's mind.
"Mission complete. Fleet Admiral Sakazuki has been defeated. Reward: 10,000 attribute points."
Marco showed no outward reaction.
After catching his breath, he slowly pushed himself upright. The wound in his chest had shrunk significantly, and the damage to his head had healed by more than half. Given enough time, his body would fully recover.
Only now did Marco exhale.
As long as he was not instantly killed, his awakened phoenix regeneration could restore him, no matter how severe the injury.
Aramaki noticed Marco's recovery and felt a chill crawl up his spine. This level of regeneration surpassed even his Forest-Forest Fruit. It was enough to instill genuine fear.
Marco raised his voice. "Big Mom, let's take him down together."
Even without a system mission, an opportunity like this could not be wasted. An Admiral stood before them, weakened and exposed.
"Fine," Big Mom replied without hesitation.
She stepped onto Zeus and surged forward through the air.
Aramaki's expression changed instantly.
Facing two Emperors at once was unthinkable, especially when one of them had just defeated Sakazuki head-on. There was no chance of victory.
He immediately transformed his body into a mass of trees and began to retreat, carrying Sakazuki with him.
Vine-like tubes remained embedded in Sakazuki's body, continuously supplying life force. Without a heart or functional organs, this was the only reason he was still alive.
"Aramaki…"
A weak voice suddenly spoke.
Sakazuki slowly opened his eyes.
Aramaki froze.
Then, to his disbelief, Sakazuki inhaled sharply and forced himself upright.
Aramaki stared at him in shock. As a Forest-Forest Fruit user, he understood Sakazuki's condition better than anyone. By all logic, Sakazuki should not even be conscious, let alone standing.
"Brother…"
Sakazuki looked at him and spoke firmly. "Aramaki. Convey my final order as Fleet Admiral. All Marines are to withdraw from Cake Island immediately. Preserve as much combat strength as possible and return to Marineford."
Aramaki's voice trembled. "Brother, you…"
Sakazuki's gaze was unwavering.
He glanced at the vines connecting them and understood clearly. The only reason he still lived was because Aramaki was feeding him life force.
"This time," Sakazuki said hoarsely, struggling for breath, "we lost."
Most of his lungs were gone. His breathing was labored. His internal organs were nearly destroyed. Most importantly, his heart no longer existed.
There was no path to survival.
Even if sheer willpower and the Forest-Forest Fruit kept him alive for a short while, he would never leave Cake Island.
As Fleet Admiral, he would not allow himself to die in retreat.
Sakazuki stepped down from Aramaki's body.
Aramaki panicked. "Brother Sakazuki…"
"Execute the order," Sakazuki roared. His fists transformed into magma as he turned toward Marco and Big Mom, who were closing in fast.
Killing intent burned fiercely in his eyes.
"Even if I die, this old man will drag you pirates to hell with me," he roared. "Meteor Volcano!"
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