On Egghead Island, the forces of the Three Emperors Alliance had already lost their escape routes. The destruction of the Moby Dick and the mirrors had cut off any chance of retreat, leaving them locked in a desperate battle against the Marines. Yet everything changed when the God's Knights suddenly vanished under the overwhelming surge of Conqueror's Haki.
Confusion spread across the battlefield.
No one understood what had just happened, but one thing was clear, this was an opportunity.
An opportunity to rescue Kaido and Big Mom.
At that moment, Fujitora, the only Marine Admiral present, stood with a grim expression. "What exactly is going on?" he said, his voice heavy.
With both the Gorosei and the God's Knights forcibly sent away, the Marines had instantly lost their greatest advantage. Fujitora felt the weight of a true crisis pressing down on him.
High above, Marco hovered in the air, his gaze locked onto Imu. A faint smile formed on his face. "This works out well. Now it's just you left."
Imu's eyes turned cold. Before any response could be given, Marco had already moved.
Their clash resumed instantly.
After only a brief exchange, it became clear that the body Imu was using could not endure Marco's overwhelming power. Blood began to spill as the strain intensified.
"It seems this body can't handle you at all," Marco said with a sharp grin, pressing the attack without hesitation.
Elsewhere, Fujitora's situation grew worse by the second.
The Three Emperors Alliance had too many fighters at the level of Yonko commanders. Even as an Admiral, he could not suppress them all alone. Their objective was clear, rescue Kaido and Big Mom at any cost.
Fujitora understood the consequences.
If they succeeded, everything the Marines had sacrificed in this war would be meaningless.
Even if it cost him his life, he could not allow that to happen.
"All Marines, board the warships immediately and retreat," he ordered decisively.
At this point, he no longer cared about the orders of the Gorosei. They were not present, and as the highest-ranking officer on the battlefield, the responsibility fell to him alone.
"You think you can escape now? Return Lord Kaido!" King roared as he charged forward.
Without the God's Knights to restrain them, the Marines were quickly overwhelmed.
Fujitora sensed multiple powerful presences closing in. His expression hardened as he used his gravity ability to lift the warships into the air. Marines scrambled desperately, clinging to the vessels as they rose. Some failed to make it in time and were cut down by pursuing pirates.
"Don't think you're getting away," Charlotte Katakuri shouted.
Slamming his hand onto the ground, he activated his awakened ability. The terrain transformed into mochi, stretching upward and sticking to the bottoms of the rising warships, dragging them back down.
At that critical moment, Gion, also known as Momousagi, unleashed a powerful slash, cutting through the mochi.
"Abandon the other warships," she called out sharply.
"Yes," the Marines responded, their survival instincts pushing them to act with urgency as they scrambled onto the remaining vessels.
Fujitora raised his sword once more. His gravity surged, pulling massive meteorites from the sky. They descended like a blazing storm, crashing toward the forces of the Three Emperors Alliance.
The battlefield shook violently.
Faced with such devastating power, even Yonko commander-level fighters hesitated to advance. The meteorites were relentless, and only those with sufficient strength could destroy them.
"Don't think you can escape. Boro Breath."
A massive pink dragon appeared in the sky, unleashing a torrent of scorching flames.
The attack struck one of the warships directly, burning through its mast as flames spread rapidly.
Marines rushed to extinguish the fire while Fujitora continued forcing the ships higher into the air. With increasing altitude, fewer enemies could reach them.
But the dragon did not relent.
"Everyone, get on my back. Don't let them escape," the pink dragon called out.
Hearing this, powerful pirates leapt onto its enormous body. Stretching across the sky, it easily carried thousands as it surged forward in pursuit.
The pirates themselves could hardly believe the turn of events. Moments ago, they had been on the verge of collapse. Their escape routes destroyed, their leaders captured, their morale shattered.
Then Marco rallied them.
Now, they were chasing a Marine Admiral.
On the Marine side, the tension was just as intense. Cannon fire filled the sky as they attempted to hold back the advancing dragon and the pirates riding it.
Meanwhile, on another part of Egghead Island, Marco and Imu abruptly halted their clash.
A new presence had emerged.
The ancient robot, Emeth, which had lain dormant in the scrap heap, began to move. Slowly, it rose to its feet.
Both Marco and Imu were momentarily stunned.
The robot's voice echoed out, deep and mechanical. "You are Nefertari D. Lili's descendant… no, the ruler of that palace."
Imu narrowed his eyes slightly. "I didn't expect you to still function. Your energy should have been depleted long ago. That Conqueror's Haki just now must have been the power Joy Boy left within you. Even after eight hundred years, he refuses to rest."
Emeth ignored him.
Instead, its gaze shifted toward Marco.
"I do not know who you are, but you are strong. Aside from Joy Boy, you are the strongest human I have ever encountered."
Marco remained silent for a moment. He had not expected Emeth to awaken at all.
"Are you Joy Boy's companion?" the robot asked.
Marco gave a faint, wry smile. "That's difficult to answer. I know of him, but I don't truly understand him. There are eight hundred years between us."
He paused briefly, then continued, "But that doesn't matter right now. Emeth, do you want to become my companion?"
The robot seemed to process his words before responding.
"If you are connected to Joy Boy, then you are also my companion. However, I do not know your name."
Marco let out a quiet breath, slightly exasperated by the logic, yet not rejecting it.
"My name is Marco," he said calmly. "And I am a pirate."