"Ugh…"
Big Mom, who had been lying in bed, slowly regained consciousness after receiving a blood transfusion.
"Mama…"
Seeing her awaken, the members of the Big Mom Pirates turned toward her in excitement.
Marco was slightly surprised that she recovered so quickly. It truly showed why she was one of the Four Emperors. Her physique was extraordinary, allowing her to bounce back from such a near-death state in such a short time.
Big Mom slowly opened her eyes. Moments ago, she had felt nothing but endless darkness, yet a sudden surge of energy had pulled her back from the brink of death. Looking around, she saw the children of the Charlotte Family gathered around her, many of them crying as they covered their faces.
"Mama, it's wonderful, you're finally awake," said Charlotte Galette, her voice trembling with emotion. "This time, it's all thanks to Marco who saved you."
Big Mom parted her lips, but no words came out. Her body had yet to recover enough strength. Seeing this, Marco spoke calmly, "Alright, let her rest. Once she regains some strength, she can use her own lifespan to heal herself."
'I'm… still alive…'
At that moment, Big Mom was filled with shock. Though her consciousness had been fading when her throat was slit, she vaguely remembered sinking into the sea. She had never expected to survive such a situation.
Trying to move, she quickly realized her body was completely drained. The massive blood loss left her too weak to even lift a finger.
Katakuri immediately stepped forward. "Mama, don't move. You've lost too much blood. We're still transfusing you."
Hearing this, Big Mom stopped struggling. A faint smile formed on her lips, her eyes filled with renewed desire to live.
"It seems this old woman's life isn't meant to end just yet," she murmured softly.
Smoothie nodded. "Yes, Mama. This time, we drove back the Marines, the Gorosei, and the God's Knights."
Meanwhile, at the bow of the warship, Marco stood beside Kaido, watching the pirates of the Three Emperors Alliance transport the massive machines. As someone who valued power and warfare, Kaido had a clear appreciation for these heavy industrial weapons.
"Marco…" Kaido suddenly spoke, his gaze sharp and serious. "That Imu said you possess power not of this world. Is that true?"
Marco replied calmly, "You believe words like that?"
In truth, he did possess such power. The system had allowed him to rise from a Yonko Commander level to his current level in an incredibly short time. Growth like that defied all logic.
Even Monkey D. Luffy's explosive rise could not compare.
"There really isn't?" Kaido asked again, clearly unconvinced.
Marco gave no further response. If Kaido wanted to doubt him, so be it. With his current strength, he had no need to explain himself to anyone.
Seeing his silence, Kaido did not press further. However, the thought lingered in his mind.
Perhaps King was right.
Perhaps Marco truly was the reincarnation of Joy Boy.
Otherwise, how could his strength grow at such an unnatural rate?
If Marco did not acknowledge it, perhaps it was because he had no memory of his past life.
This realization left a bitter feeling in Kaido's chest. For years, he had believed that he himself might be Joy Boy.
But clearly, that was not the case.
He once told King that the one who could defeat him would be Joy Boy.
Would that person be Marco?
Kaido did not know yet, but after leaving Egghead Island, there would be time to find out.
At that moment, Marco's expression suddenly changed.
"That is…"
The ground trembled faintly as a massive figure approached. In the distance, a gigantic robot could be seen running toward them, carrying something in its arms.
Marco narrowed his eyes slightly. "That's the Ancient Robot, Emet. He was Joy Boy's companion 800 years ago."
Kaido's eyes widened in surprise. "You're saying that thing is from 800 years ago?"
Eight centuries had passed, yet it still functioned perfectly, without rust or decay. The material alone defied comprehension.
Soon, the Ancient Robot arrived, carrying four Seraphim and seven Pacifista.
"Marco!"
Jozu leapt down from Emet's shoulder onto the warship.
Emet carefully placed the large machine it was holding onto the deck before speaking in a deep mechanical tone, "Marco, my energy is nearly depleted. I will soon enter a dormant state. You must find a way to recharge me."
Marco grinned. "Of course. Dr. Vegapunk is the greatest scientist in the world. If anyone can do it, it's him."
Hearing this, Emet nodded slightly before stepping onto the warship. Its enormous steel body took up most of the deck.
Slowly, it sat down against the mast.
With a low mechanical sound, its body split open from the center.
From within, it pushed out a massive stone-like object.
Placing it on the deck, Emet said, "This is my super energy chip, the core of my power. Once I enter dormancy, my body cannot be opened again. Even with current technology, restoring my energy will be extremely difficult."
Marco studied the object. It was over three meters tall and looked like an ordinary stone, yet he could sense it was anything but ordinary.
"An energy stone…" Marco murmured.
Emet replied, "You may call it that. Its energy is currently exhausted. If it can be recharged, I will be able to assist you in the coming war."
As it spoke, its internal mechanisms began to shut down. The steel casing closed once more, sealing its body completely.
Without the energy chip, the red glow in Emet's eyes began to dim.
"Then… I leave the rest to you…"
The light faded completely.
Silence fell.
Marco looked at the now-motionless giant and spoke firmly, "Don't worry. I'll find a way to restore it."
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