Boom.
Saint Mars's body crashed heavily into the ground, sending up a massive cloud of dust. The impact shook the battlefield and immediately drew the attention of both pirates and Marines nearby.
"That is one of the Five Elders."
"Captain Marco knocked him down."
"Did Captain Marco win? As expected of Captain Marco."
Members of the Phoenix Pirates shouted in excitement, but Marco did not relax.
He hovered in the air and roared, "Keep attacking him. All Five Elders possess Immortality. I destroyed his head, but he is not dead. If you give him time, he will recover."
His words stunned everyone below.
Although many had already suspected that the Five Elders possessed some form of abnormal regeneration, hearing Marco confirm it so bluntly sent a chill through the battlefield.
Saint Mars lay in the crater, his body still wrapped in burning black flames. Around him, fragments of flesh and bone were slowly shifting, reconstructing his form.
"This monster lost his head and is still alive."
"How do you even fight something like that?"
Marco's voice rang out again, calm but commanding. "Do not let him recover. Tear his body apart, seal him in iron, and throw him into the sea. Even an Undying monster cannot escape the ocean."
The pirates' hesitation vanished.
"I understand."
"Quick, dismember him."
They rushed toward Saint Mars without further delay.
Several Marines attempted to intervene.
"You filthy pirates, how dare you touch one of the Five Elders."
Elsewhere on the battlefield, captains who were fighting Saint Jaygarcia Saturn heard Marco's strategy and immediately reacted.
"So that is it. If we tear them apart, even Immortality becomes meaningless."
"Exactly. Let them regret being unable to die."
"Arrogant insects." Saturn roared furiously, his monstrous spider legs stabbing toward the captains with murderous intent. "You dare speak of slaying gods."
On another front, Charlotte Linlin let out a loud laugh when she saw Saint Mars fall.
"Mama mama, impressive as always, Marco."
She was locked in battle with Saint Ethanbaron V. Nusjuro, who had already transformed into his Human Beast Form. Even so, facing one of the Four Emperors, a woman known as an iron balloon for her near impenetrable defense, Nusjuro had no quick method to suppress her. At the same time, Linlin also found it difficult to break through his Immortality.
In another corner of the battlefield, Charlotte Katakuri was struggling against Saint Shepherd Ju Peter, whose enormous sand worm form towered over him. Even setting aside Immortality, Katakuri found himself at a clear disadvantage in a one on one confrontation.
He was already pushing himself to the limit just to hold the Elder back.
When he saw Marco send Saint Mars crashing down, doubt flickered across his face.
"He defeated one of the Five Elders? Has the gap between us grown this wide?"
They had fought before, and at that time, they were evenly matched. Only a few years had passed. How had Marco reached such a terrifying level?
Marco was only slightly younger than him. When they were younger, their strength had not been so different. Had Marco's talent simply matured later, or had becoming a captain forced him to evolve beyond his limits?
Katakuri did not have time to dwell on it.
Facing Ju Peter's overwhelming presence alone was already suffocating.
"Katakuri, I will assist you."
Perospero approached, his expression serious.
"Brother Peros," Katakuri said, surprised. "How is Smoothie?"
"She is temporarily out of danger, but you know her temperament. She has already returned to battle." Perospero's tone was heavy. "We have lost too many siblings in this war. As the eldest son, I will not let you fall before me."
Saint Shepherd Ju Peter glanced at Perospero with cold disdain. "Endless insects."
Katakuri felt a surge of emotion but kept his voice steady. "Be careful. Even without considering Immortality, his strength alone is monstrous."
Back in the sky, Saint Nusjuro's face was dark with rage. He swung the first generation Kitetsu again.
"You insignificant ant."
Marco coated his arm in Armament Haki and blocked the strike directly. Sparks erupted as blade met hardened defense.
He smiled faintly. "It seems even the mighty Five Elders can lose their composure."
With a surge of force, Marco pushed Nusjuro back, then immediately closed the distance again.
"Now it is your turn."
For the first time, a trace of unease flickered in Saint Nusjuro's eyes.
When he and Saint Mars had fought together, they had already struggled against Marco. Now he stood alone.
Immortality no longer felt like absolute protection.
If he were truly torn apart, sealed in iron, and thrown into the sea, as Marco suggested, even Immortality would become a prison.
They had believed Marco's power relied primarily on his regenerative ability. They had not anticipated his overwhelming speed and physical strength. Since awakening the Phoenix Fruit, his black flames burned with frightening intensity and persistence, suppressing even their Immortality.
They had prepared for a difficult battle, yet even so, they had misjudged him.
While deflecting Marco's next strike, Saint Nusjuro silently communicated with the other Elders.
"What is our next move? Marco's strength exceeds our calculations."
Beneath the surface of his message lay a rare thought, retreat.
The Five Elders possessed other methods and hidden resources, but they had entered this battle with excessive confidence. They believed that with all five present, victory would be inevitable.
They had overlooked one crucial factor.
Marco himself.
His resilience allowed him to endure their attacks and retaliate with devastating force. Although they could regenerate, severe injuries slowed their movement significantly. They needed to cover each other to buy time for full recovery.
Now, Saint Nusjuro faced Marco alone.
If Marco inflicted a crippling blow, there would be no one left to shield him.