Upon hearing this, the Gorosei and the God's Knights showed clear irritation. The God's Knights operated under an elite selection system, chosen directly from among the Celestial Dragons. Every member possessed at least the combat strength of an elite Vice Admiral, and with the immortality granted by Imu, each of them could maintain Vice Admiral Candidate level combat power.
The commander of the God's Knights was even comparable to an Admiral.
Yet Marco's tone carried unmistakable disdain, and that alone was enough to provoke both the Gorosei and the God's Knights.
"Marco, we are giving you a chance now. Leave the Holy Land immediately, or die," Saint Nusjuro said coldly.
The current strength displayed by the Phoenix Pirates had far exceeded their expectations. Both the Gorosei and the God's Knights valued their lives highly. Since the Phoenix Pirates clearly possessed the power to threaten them, caution was necessary.
"Oh…" Marco's lips curled slightly into a playful smirk, though his eyes carried a trace of thought.
He had launched this attack on the Holy Land, yet Imu still had not made a move. Was Imu waiting for an opportunity, or planning to let the Gorosei exhaust Marco first?
He did not dare underestimate Imu.
Eight hundred years of existence was not something to take lightly. Even with the system, he had to remain extremely careful. One wrong move, and everything could collapse.
Because of this, Marco remained vigilant not only toward the Gorosei and the God's Knights, but also toward the possibility of a sudden ambush.
Soon, he began assessing the battlefield.
Eighteen God's Knights in total. Adding the five previously eliminated, that made twenty three.
So this was the full strength of the Holy Knights.
Even Saint Figarland Shamrock, who had become an Admiral, was present. That confirmed it.
Among them, the commander of the God's Knights was Saint Figarland Shamrock, whose strength reached a high Admiral tier.
The vice commander was Saint Figarland Gulando, an Admiral level combatant from Marineford.
Another notable figure was Saint Nerona Thomas, who stood at a weaker Admiral tier.
In total, there were only three top tier Admiral class fighters. The rest of the God's Knights, even with their immortality enhanced by Imu's power, only reached Yonko Commander level at best.
It had to be said, the World Government's strength was overwhelming.
Fifteen Yonko Commander level fighters and three Admiral tier powerhouses alone were enough to crush any of the Four Emperors crews.
Of course, that referred to the original Four Emperors, not the current Phoenix Pirates. Marco's side had been strengthened far beyond normal limits due to his abilities.
After a brief exchange, Marco gave a sharp order.
"Brothers, retreat."
At his command, the Phoenix Pirates disengaged from their opponents and rose into the sky, preparing to withdraw.
From the beginning, Marco had never intended to fight to the death inside the Holy Land. The risks were too high. Imu's location and timing remained unknown.
Moreover, after confirming the strength of the God's Knights, Marco understood that even with full engagement, total elimination was unrealistic. The true uncertainty remained Imu.
He would not gamble recklessly. He would wait until he was stronger, then return for a decisive confrontation with the World Government.
"Help me, Gorosei!"
"Quick, save this Celestial Dragon!"
At that moment, Sak, who had transformed into a pink dragon, flew upward carrying hundreds of Celestial Dragons tied across his body, desperately trying to escape with the retreating Phoenix Pirates.
The Gorosei and God's Knights watched the Phoenix Pirates withdraw but made no move to pursue. Instead, a sense of relief mixed with unease appeared on their faces.
Through the battle, they could clearly feel Marco's power growing again.
It was as if he was evolving mid combat.
This thought unsettled them deeply.
Perhaps Marco truly possessed power not of this world, just as Imu had once suggested.
That possibility alone made the Gorosei uneasy.
As for the captured Celestial Dragons, none of them cared. To them, those people were nothing more than disposable tools.
The priority was Marco.
If he was not eliminated, they would never have peace again.
"Father, what do we do now?" Saint Shamrock asked seriously as he approached Saint Garling.
The Phoenix Pirates' Captains had all gained Phoenix power, just like them.
They had also received immortality, but while their source was Imu, the Captains' power came from Marco.
Even if it sounded absurd, a troubling thought had begun forming among them.
Could Marco already possess power on the same level as Imu?
That theory had been circulating within the God's Knights for some time, but no one had ever been able to confirm it.
Saint Garling exchanged a glance with the other Gorosei.
Saint V. Nusjuro spoke coldly.
"Shamrock, you will lead the God's Knights to secure the Holy Land. We will report everything to Imu-sama. The final decision will be made by Imu-sama."
"Yes," Saint Shamrock replied immediately.