Marco gradually descended from the sky, landing firmly on the ground of Egghead Island. Below him, Emeth looked up, its mechanical voice carrying a hint of excitement.
"Amazing, Marco. You defeated Imu. Although that was only a vessel possessed by her, I can sense that Imu's strength has grown significantly."
Marco let out a quiet breath, his expression calm, almost indifferent. "Isn't that obvious? The World Government has existed for eight hundred years. That means Joy Boy has been gone for just as long. Over that time, Imu would naturally grow stronger."
Emeth fell silent for a moment, then replied with a faint note of disappointment, "That is true. Even if Joy Boy were still alive today, he might not be able to defeat Imu."
Marco scoffed lightly, his confidence unwavering. "Just because Joy Boy couldn't defeat her doesn't mean I can't."
Emeth turned its gaze toward him. "Can you truly defeat Imu?"
"Yes," Marco answered without hesitation. Then his tone shifted slightly. "Tell me something, Emeth. How strong was Joy Boy?"
He had always been curious. In the original history, the Conqueror's Haki Joy Boy left behind had been powerful enough to make Imu recoil in fear even after eight hundred years. That alone spoke volumes.
Emeth paused, as if searching through incomplete data. "I cannot give a precise answer. I only know that Joy Boy was extremely powerful, but in the end, he was defeated because Imu ambushed him."
"An ambush?" Marco narrowed his eyes slightly, intrigued.
Before Emeth could continue, a familiar voice called out.
"Captain Marco."
Marco turned to see Jinbe approaching, accompanied by Jozu and Vista. Behind them followed four Pacifista units. Their attention quickly shifted to Emeth, their expressions filled with surprise.
"Did that robot just speak?"
"Hello," Emeth greeted them calmly.
Vista blinked, clearly taken aback. "It really is talking."
Jozu folded his arms, studying the massive figure. "And it's even larger than most giants."
Marco gave a brief nod. "Its name is Emeth. From now on, it's one of us. However, its energy is critically low, so we'll need Vegapunk to find a solution."
The three nodded, not fully understanding but accepting it nonetheless.
At that moment, Jinbe stepped forward and handed Marco a device. "Marco, this is the control terminal Vegapunk left behind. It can command the Seraphim and Pacifista."
Marco took the controller and looked ahead. Four Seraphim stood before him, S-Hawk, S-Snake, S-Bat, and S-Shark, modeled after Dracule Mihawk, Boa Hancock, Gecko Moria, and Jinbe himself.
"Only four?" Marco asked. "Where are the others?"
Jinbe replied, "S-Bear was taken by Vegapunk. They likely used the power of the Paw Paw Fruit to escape."
He paused briefly before continuing, "As for the Seraphim modeled after Crocodile and Doflamingo, they were destroyed by Saint Peter."
Marco felt a trace of regret. Losing two Seraphim was no small loss. Still, recalling Saint Peter's monstrous strength, especially in his transformed state, it was not entirely surprising.
Around them, the battlefield had quieted.
With Imu's vessel destroyed, the forces of the alliance erupted into cheers. Members of the Phoenix Pirates looked at Marco with admiration.
"Captain Marco actually defeated Imu."
"He's truly the strongest in the world."
Marco did not respond to their praise. Instead, his gaze swept across the island. There were no Marines, no Gorosei, and no God's Knights left on Egghead.
For now, they had secured victory.
But it would not last.
If the Gorosei returned using their mysterious methods, the situation could turn disastrous in an instant.
Marco exhaled slowly. After hours of relentless combat, the strain on his body was undeniable. His battles against the Gorosei and Imu had drained both his stamina and focus.
Still, his voice remained firm.
"Listen carefully. Gather every piece of machinery on this island. Take everything that can be moved. Leave nothing behind for the World Government."
The order caught many off guard.
"Captain Marco, do we really need to move everything? Isn't this island ours now?"
Marco shook his head. "Egghead is too close to Marine territory. Our losses are heavy, and we cannot afford another attack. If the Gorosei and God's Knights return, we won't be able to hold this place."
The reality was harsh. Both Kaido and Big Mom were severely injured. If their enemies returned in full force, the alliance would collapse.
Egghead Island had to be abandoned.
But not empty handed.
"Move everything," Marco repeated. "At maximum speed. Not even a single screw should be left for the World Government."
"Yes, Captain."
The crew immediately sprang into action, rushing toward the laboratories and storage facilities.
Just then, Charlotte Galette ran toward him. Her eyes were filled with tears, her voice trembling with urgency.
"Marco, please… go save Mama. She's about to collapse."