Hearing Marco's words, a faint light returned to Hancock's eyes. In that moment, Marco's presence seemed overwhelmingly large in her perception, almost unreal. Yet doubt quickly followed, and she lowered her gaze slightly.
"But my identity is a slave."
Marco exhaled lightly, clearly unconcerned by her hesitation.
"That does not matter. No one will care about that. The Phoenix Pirates' ultimate goal is to overthrow the World Government. To me, the Celestial Dragons are enemies."
Hancock's eyes widened slightly as she processed his words. A trace of disbelief surfaced in her expression.
"You are really planning to become enemies with the World Government?"
Marco raised a hand and gestured toward the surroundings.
"At this point, I already am."
After saying that, he turned slightly and added.
"Go if you want. Or follow me. I still have more Celestial Dragons to eliminate."
Hancock froze for a moment.
"Eliminate… Celestial Dragons? Why would you do something like that?"
Marco looked at her reaction and immediately understood something. Her fear of the Celestial Dragons was not simple fear, it was deeply ingrained, almost instinctive, just like in the original timeline. He decided to test her reaction further, not to force her, but to see where she truly stood.
"You are the Pirate Empress. The Celestial Dragons turned you into a slave. Have you never thought about revenge?"
The word "revenge" seemed to strike something deep inside her.
Hancock's lips parted slightly, but no words came out.
She had never truly considered it.
As a former slave, her only desire had been escape, to bury that part of her past and never think about it again. The idea of striking back at the Celestial Dragons was something she had never dared to imagine.
Just the thought alone caused her body to tremble faintly.
Marco watched her reaction without surprise. Outwardly, she was the Empress of Amazon Lily. But when it came to the Celestial Dragons, that image collapsed completely.
He had seen enough in his past life to understand something simple. Not everyone who suffered wanted revenge. Some people only wanted escape.
And forcing them could lead to outcomes no one wanted to deal with.
He recalled his own past clearly. He had once risked his life to save someone, only for it to end badly, leaving him with nothing but regret. Since then, he had learned not to interfere too deeply with choices that were not his own.
Hancock's fear might be something deeper, something unstable. There was no need to gamble on it.
If she was not ready, then she was not ready.
Marco's attitude toward people had always been direct. The only women he had ever kept close in this life were Monet, whom he had treated purely as a tool from the beginning, and Galette, whose relationship with him had been purely political. There were no unnecessary attachments.
To him, trust was reserved almost entirely for the members of the Phoenix Pirates. That bond was built through years of shared experience, not fleeting emotion.
Looking back at Hancock, he pointed in a direction.
"If your condition is not good, head that way. You can escape the Holy Land from there, or hide until I finish what I need to do."
Without waiting for her response, Marco's body ignited in blue flames as he transformed into a phoenix and shot into the sky.
His goal remained unchanged. The Celestial Dragons here were only the beginning. The real objective was to plunge the Holy Land into chaos, forcing both the Gorosei and Imu to react, and ultimately drawing pressure away from the New World.
Rescuing Hancock had simply been an additional task, not the main purpose.
Even if she had not been there, his plan would not change.
As the flames disappeared into the distance, Hancock's expression tightened.
Fear surged back into her heart.
She was afraid he would not return.
She had nowhere else to go. Amazon Lily was no longer a safe option, and returning would only endanger her homeland. Marco had become the only possible path forward.
She raised her voice urgently.
"Marco, please come back. I beg you."
A faint voice returned from the sky.
"Do not worry. I will return."
With that, Marco disappeared in pursuit of his targets, guided by Observation Haki.
Left alone, Hancock stood in silence for a moment. The burning remains of the Celestial Dragons surrounded her, and the weight of everything she had experienced pressed heavily on her mind.
Finally, she turned and ran.
Staying here any longer would only lead to recapture.
Meanwhile, Marco continued his rampage through the Holy Land.
The system notifications continued to flood his mind.
Killed Celestial Dragon guard, gained 10 attribute points.
Killed Celestial Dragon guard, gained 10 attribute points.
Killed Celestial Dragon, gained 500 attribute points.
Killed CP0 agent, gained 200 attribute points.
The steady stream of gains brought a cold satisfaction to his expression.
Then, suddenly, his Observation Haki reacted.
Five powerful presences were approaching at extreme speed.
Marco lifted his gaze toward the sky.
"So they are already here."
Through his perception, their identities became clear.
Saint Ethanbaron V. Nusjuro, ability Bone Horse, estimated strength King level in demonized state.
Saint Peter, ability Sandworm, estimated strength King level in demonized state.
Saint Topman V. Nusjuro, ability Fierce Boar, estimated strength King level in demonized state.
Saint Figarland Garling, ability Itzumanade, estimated strength King level in demonized state.
Saint Jaygarcia Saturn, ability Ushi-oni, estimated strength King level in demonized state.
All five held King level combat power.
Marco narrowed his eyes slightly.
His current strength was also at King level, but facing five opponents at that tier simultaneously was still a dangerous situation, especially if they coordinated their attacks.
His attribute points now stood at 113,700.
More than enough to adjust his growth.
There would be other opportunities later. If necessary, he could always return to this battlefield again.
For now, the stage had changed.
The Gorosei had entered the field.