"Marco..."
A hoarse voice called out.
Marco turned and saw Kaido standing nearby, his massive body wrapped in bandages. The wound on his neck had been sealed with Katakuri's mochi. Like Big Mom, Kaido's body was too tough for ordinary needles, making proper stitching nearly impossible.
"Kaido, looks like you're still alive and well," Marco said with a faint smile, his tone carrying a hint of teasing.
Kaido frowned slightly. Because his throat had been slit, even with his awakened Zoan abilities, the wound had not fully healed. Speaking still caused him pain.
"Use your flames, heal my throat," Kaido said, his voice rough and strained.
Marco did not hesitate. A cluster of blue Regeneration Flames formed in his palm before drifting onto Kaido's neck.
With the flames accelerating his recovery, Kaido immediately felt relief. His already powerful regeneration was further enhanced, allowing the wound to heal at a much faster rate.
Kaido exhaled slowly. "Finally, that feels better."
Marco glanced at him and said calmly, "The neck is one of the most vulnerable parts of the body. If it were anyone else, they would have died instantly. The fact that you're still standing says enough."
"Hmph, who do you think I am?" Kaido snorted, a faint breath escaping his nostrils. Then he narrowed his eyes slightly. "I did not expect you to have such medical skill on top of your strength."
Marco smiled lightly. "Before I became a captain, I was the ship doctor. My Regeneration Flames are more effective on myself, but for others, they still accelerate cell regeneration and help wounds close faster."
Kaido gave a small nod. "I see."
However, his gaze remained serious as he studied Marco. The strength Marco had displayed during this war had far exceeded his expectations. Kaido had known about his black flames, but not to this extent.
More importantly, Marco's Haki had clearly grown stronger.
After a moment, Kaido spoke again. "King mentioned something earlier. He said you had someone move all the machines on this island."
Marco nodded. "That is correct. The Gorosei were not defeated, only pushed back temporarily. If they return, we will not be able to hold them off. Retreating now is the best option."
Kaido did not argue. After personally facing the Gorosei, he had come to understand the gap in strength. In a one on one fight, he could still manage, but against multiple of them, even he would struggle.
Then Kaido's eyes sharpened. "Tell me something. How exactly did you repel the Gorosei and the God's Knights?"
His voice grew heavier. "I lost consciousness back then, but King said a powerful Conqueror's Haki forced them all back. Was that you?"
Marco met his gaze and smirked slightly. "If I had that kind of power, I would have used it long ago. That was Joy Boy's Haki."
"Joy Boy?" Kaido and King both reacted at once, their expressions shifting.
The surrounding members of the Big Mom Pirates were also visibly surprised. They were familiar with the name. Since forming the Three Emperors Alliance, they had shared intelligence, including stories from eight hundred years ago.
Joy Boy was a figure from legend, said to bring laughter and freedom to the world. Most dismissed it as myth, yet now the name had surfaced in reality.
Marco continued, "Eight hundred years ago, Joy Boy stored an incredibly powerful Conqueror's Haki within the Ancient Robot. I simply released what he left behind."
Kaido's eyes narrowed. "Haki can be stored?"
Even he found that difficult to believe.
King, however, seemed even more focused. "Marco, are you Joy Boy?"
Marco looked at him, clearly unimpressed. "No."
King did not back down. "Then how do you know about it?"
Marco's expression remained calm. "That is not something I need to explain."
King fell silent, though his thoughts churned. The more Marco refused to answer, the more convinced he became.
For years, King had believed Kaido was Joy Boy. But after witnessing the events on Egghead Island, his belief shifted.
In his eyes, Marco fit the role far more.
King spoke firmly, "You must be Joy Boy's reincarnation. You have simply lost the memories of your past life. But that does not matter. Whether you are Joy Boy or Marco, I believe you can change this world."
Marco let out a small chuckle, then smiled. "You are not wrong about one thing. I can change this world."
Kaido clicked his tongue, clearly dissatisfied. "Hmph. If you really are tied to Joy Boy, then one day, I will fight you again."
Marco nodded without hesitation. "That works for me."
This was something he had already planned.
Once they reached a safe place, he intended to fight Kaido. Not just to settle their strength, but also to firmly establish leadership within the Three Emperors Alliance.