"Even if the Forest Forest Fruit can create trees that resist flames, fire will always hold dominance over wood. Besides, my Destruction Black Flame is no ordinary fire."
Marco's voice was calm, yet filled with absolute confidence. His sharp gaze locked onto the enormous burning tree giant before him. At the same time, he pushed his Observation Haki to its limit, sharpening his senses to search for Aramaki's true body hidden within the massive wooden structure.
A faint red glint flashed across Marco's eyes as his Observation Haki finally pinpointed Aramaki's location.
Without hesitation, Marco shot forward, aiming directly at the tree giant's waist.
"I found you. Destruction Black Flame, Fire Fist."
His arm ignited in searing Black Flame. Armament Haki coated his fist, and Conqueror's Haki Infusion surged through it, amplifying the strike with overwhelming force. His punch exploded into the tree giant's body with a thunderous boom.
The colossal wooden form shattered instantly.
Fragments of charred wood scattered through the air as Aramaki's true body was forced into view.
Countless thick vines erupted around Aramaki, twisting together to block Marco's assault. The two forces collided violently mid air. Flames devoured wood, and Haki clashed with a deafening shockwave.
Marco's power surged in an instant.
His Conqueror's Haki Infusion radiated outward, shredding the incoming vines one by one before concentrating fully on Aramaki himself. The impact tore through Aramaki's defenses. His right arm and shoulder were ravaged, blood spraying into the air as he was blasted backward.
Marco did not give him time to recover.
He beat his wings and surged forward, intending to press the advantage and finish the battle in one decisive strike.
"Damn it, that hurts," Aramaki hissed, grimacing. "So this is Conqueror's Haki Infusion."
Before Marco could close the distance, Aramaki's body suddenly sank into the earth, merging seamlessly with the ground.
Marco descended instantly and stomped down with tremendous force. The ground exploded inward with a resounding crash, forming a deep crater.
But the attack struck nothing.
Aramaki had already retreated deep underground.
Marco clicked his tongue in frustration. "He's fast."
He extended his Observation Haki again and sensed Aramaki's presence nearly a hundred meters below the surface. The versatility of the Mori Mori no Mi was far more troublesome than he had anticipated.
If only my Conqueror's Haki could reach that level, Marco thought.
He remembered how Red Haired Shanks once projected his Conqueror's Haki across an immense distance, locking onto Aramaki and forcing him to withdraw his Devil Fruit ability entirely. That overwhelming pressure had compelled even an Admiral to retreat.
Marco understood that the peak of Conqueror's Haki was its infusion into attacks. Yet Shanks' display had gone even further, exerting dominance that disrupted a Devil Fruit user directly. That level of mastery was extraordinary.
If Marco could reach such a state, even briefly, he would seize the opening and end this battle instantly.
Hovering high above the forest, Marco scanned the terrain below. Aramaki had fused himself with the surrounding environment. Though Observation Haki allowed Marco to roughly track his position, striking him underground was far from simple.
"I need to refine my Conqueror's Haki after this war," Marco muttered quietly.
For now, Aramaki's evasive tactics left him with limited options.
Moments later, a small sapling sprouted from the ground below. It grew rapidly, thickening and expanding until it reshaped itself into a towering humanoid figure once more. In seconds, Aramaki reappeared as a thirty meter tall tree giant.
Marco did not rush in this time.
He watched calmly and said, "You mentioned holding out for reinforcements. So the World Government or Marine forces are on their way. That's why you're stalling."
Aramaki's lips curved into a thin smile. "Of course. You pirates formed a temporary alliance and think you can challenge the order of this world. Your strength is impressive, I admit that. But pirates will always be lowly criminals. The Celestial Dragons are the true gods of this world."
"Gods?" Marco scoffed. "You only joined the Marines during the World Military Draft. Why worship them so deeply? Did you serve the World Government before becoming an Admiral?"
Aramaki's expression turned proud. "That's correct. I had the honor of serving as a guard for a Celestial Dragon. I understand their authority better than anyone. It is a power you ants could never comprehend."
Marco's eyes grew colder.
"When I went to the Holy Land, I killed hundreds of those Celestial Dragons. They bled like anyone else. In the future, I will kill even more until that rotten bloodline disappears from this world."
Aramaki's face twisted with fury. "Insolent pirate. How dare you insult the gods."
"You really are nothing more than a loyal dog," Marco replied evenly. "If you're so devoted, then come kill me. Kill the man who slaughtered your precious Celestial Dragons."
Aramaki did not charge recklessly.
He remembered Sakazuki's fate. Provoked into a direct confrontation, Sakazuki had been overwhelmed and ultimately killed by Marco. Aramaki had no intention of repeating that mistake.
He maintained distance, relying solely on his Devil Fruit ability.
From their earlier exchange, he understood the gap between them. Marco possessed superior Haki, greater speed, and overwhelming offensive power. That Black Flame was especially dangerous. Even with Aramaki's remarkable regeneration, he doubted he could outlast Marco in a prolonged close range battle.
Stalling was enough.
As long as reinforcements arrived, the balance would shift.
High above, Marco's gaze shifted briefly across the battlefield.
Big Mom rampaged without restraint. Ordinary Marine soldiers stood no chance against her Soru Soru no Mi. Any hint of fear resulted in their lifespans being stolen instantly. Against weaker opponents, her power was nothing short of catastrophic.
Only an Admiral level combatant could truly restrain her.
Marco's expression remained composed, but his mind calculated rapidly.
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