On Whole Cake Island, the battle raged on without pause. Both sides had already paid a heavy price in blood.
With the Gorosei personally entering the battlefield, the situation shifted dramatically. The Seven Warlords of the Sea, who had previously maintained a cautious neutrality, were forced back into full engagement under the overwhelming authority of the Gorosei. In their presence, none of the Shichibukai dared to continue holding back. They actively confronted the high ranking fighters of the Big Mom Pirates and the Phoenix Pirates, pushing the conflict into an even more brutal stage.
As time dragged on, the true terror of the Gorosei's Immortality became increasingly evident. Even when Marco inflicted what should have been fatal wounds, the Marines and the other Elders would immediately shield the injured one, buying enough time for their bodies to regenerate.
The longer the war continued, the more favorable it became for them.
"Phoenix Seal!"
Marco's kick struck Saint Nusjuro with explosive force, shattering his right arm and sending him flying backward across the battlefield.
"Do not get arrogant, insect!"
Saint Peter surged forward, his fist coated in Armament Haki. His punch landed squarely on Marco's head, the impact resounding like thunder.
"Destruction Black Flame!"
Black flames erupted from Marco's body in an instant, forcing Saint Peter to retreat several steps as the searing heat pressed against him.
Marco did not pause. He advanced again.
"Fire Fist!"
His blazing punch pierced through Saint Peter's torso, scattering flesh and fragments outward like shattered debris. Yet even as the body broke apart, regeneration had already begun.
It was then that Marco finally saw clearly what had caught his attention earlier.
On the backs and right shoulders of Saint Nusjuro and Saint Peter, there were peculiar markings. They resembled tattoos, yet their aura felt far more sinister. During the fight, Marco had noticed that each of them deliberately avoided taking direct damage in those specific areas.
That detail made him increasingly suspicious.
Before he could dwell on it further, a gigantic talon descended from above.
Marco dodged instantly and looked up to see Saint Mars blocking his path.
Facing three Gorosei working in coordination, even Marco felt the pressure mounting.
He smirked and said mockingly, "So you all carry strange tattoos. I thought Celestial Dragons considered themselves above such things. Or are those slave marks?"
Saint Mars, Saint Nusjuro, and the still regenerating Saint Peter all showed visible displeasure.
They had tried to conceal those markings, yet Marco had noticed. After suffering so many injuries, the Magic Circles on their bodies could no longer remain hidden.
Saint Mars spoke coldly, "You speak too much, insect."
By then, Saint Nusjuro's shattered arm had fully regenerated. He stepped forward slowly, his voice calm but heavy with menace.
"Do not pretend ignorance, Marco. Even if your regenerative ability is extraordinary, you have endured countless injuries. Your stamina must be draining rapidly."
His gaze sharpened.
"We acknowledge your strength. Among mortals, you stand at the pinnacle. However, your advantage lies only in recovery. You can never defeat a god."
Saint Peter added, his tone measured, "We are willing to grant you an opportunity. Submit to us, and you shall be elevated to the noble status of a World Noble. All previous offenses will be erased."
Marco laughed faintly, though his eyes remained cold.
"At a time like this, you expect me to take that seriously?"
"Do you believe this is a joke?" Saint Peter asked.
Saint Nusjuro continued, "Your power is unparalleled among mortals. That is precisely why we are extending this offer. We hope you will reconsider."
"There is nothing to reconsider," Marco interrupted calmly. "I have no interest in becoming a Celestial Dragon."
A brief flicker of disappointment crossed Saint Nusjuro's face before it hardened into killing intent.
"In that case, we will eliminate you."
The suffocating hostility of three Gorosei descended upon Marco simultaneously.
Encircled by them, he could feel the difficulty of the situation. Their Immortality rendered his most devastating attacks temporary at best. For the first time in this battle, a trace of frustration stirred within him.
Damn Kaido. Where is that bastard?
With the Gorosei standing at the forefront, Marine morale surged. Their apparent invincibility inspired confidence, driving the soldiers to fight with renewed ferocity.
In contrast, the Phoenix Pirates and the Big Mom Pirates struggled. Without a method to counter Immortality, their efforts felt increasingly futile.
If not for the objective of rescuing the Big Mom Pirates and repelling the Marines, Marco might have already ordered a withdrawal. The war had devolved into attrition, and the Gorosei were uniquely suited for such a contest.
For them, Marine casualties were expendable. New recruits could always replace the fallen.
For Marco, however, the members of the Phoenix Pirates were irreplaceable. Excessive losses would wound his crew deeply, perhaps beyond recovery. With the Three Emperors Alliance already at war against both the Marines and the World Government, recklessly accepting new recruits carried its own dangers. At such a time, infiltration by government agents was a real possibility.
The battlefield grew bloodier with every passing minute.
Realizing he could not kill the Gorosei as things stood, Marco's confidence wavered. He began contemplating a strategic retreat.
If necessary, he would target the Holy Land itself, eliminate Celestial Dragons to strengthen himself, and push his Observation Haki, Armament Haki, and Conqueror's Haki to their limits before facing the Gorosei again.
"Big Mom!"
Hovering in mid air, Marco called out to Charlotte Linlin, who was locked in a violent clash with Saint V. Nusjuro below.
"What?" she shouted back, her voice booming over the chaos.
"This won't work!" Marco called down. "Their Immortality makes this unsustainable!"
Big Mom understood that reality well. Yet the Saint V. Nusjuro before her possessed defensive power comparable to her own. She had not even broken through his guard, much less tested the limits of his Immortality.
She glanced upward at Marco, who was holding back three Gorosei alone. A rare flicker of admiration crossed her eyes. She was struggling against one, yet he faced three.
She understood his intention. He wanted to withdraw.
If the battle continued, casualties would mount. Marco, fighting three opponents, risked becoming the first to fall. Should he be defeated, morale would collapse instantly.
However, retreating now meant the Big Mom Pirates would inevitably suffer heavy losses during disengagement.
Resentment toward Kaido surged within her.
So much time had passed. Where was that man? Was he deliberately allowing the Marines to weaken them?
A shadow of brutality passed through her eyes before she finally spoke.
"Fine. We retreat."