The moment Marco finished speaking, Big Mom's gaze turned ice-cold.
Though Marco couldn't see her through the transponder snail, the distorted expression carved into its face—and the grinding, furious clicks it made—were more than enough to convey her rage.
"You little brat! Who do you think you are?!" Big Mom roared. "Do you really believe you're one of the Yonko just because you inherited Whitebeard's leftovers? Is it because you beat Katakuri that you've grown so arrogant?! In this world, no one who dares threaten me has ever been born!"
Her voice dropped into a chilling snarl.
"Fine. You want an explanation? Then in three days, I will give you one myself. But hear this well—if you so much as lay a finger on Katakuri or Snack, I will personally annihilate your Whitebeard—no, your Phoenix Pirates!"
Marco had anticipated her fury. His expression didn't change in the slightest.
"Old hag," he replied calmly, "you relics of the old era always bark about annihilating this person or that, as if threats alone still rule the seas."
A faint, dangerous smile touched his lips.
"But I belong to the new era. And if you can't annihilate us… then who knows? Maybe one day, I'll be the one to annihilate you."
Big Mom ground her teeth audibly. Then, just as suddenly, she laughed.
"Mamamama… It seems you're quite confident in your strength, Marco. I've heard rumors that you, too, possess the qualities of a king. Is that true?"
Marco didn't answer.
Big Mom continued leisurely, "Very well. Then let this old pirate see whether you—the heir of Whitebeard—are truly worthy of sitting on a Yonko's throne."
With that, she cut the connection.
The transponder snail went silent.
Marco showed no anger. Whether it was his original temperament or his current resolve, his emotions remained steady.
He waved his hand dismissively toward Smoothie and the others. "Alright. You can all scram."
Smoothie had heard every word exchanged between Marco and Big Mom. She understood perfectly—Katakuri and Snack were now hostages.
Grinding her teeth, she finally said, "Fine. We're leaving."
As the Big Mom Pirates withdrew, Jinbe, King Neptune, and the others approached.
Neptune bowed deeply, his voice filled with gratitude. "Thank you, Marco."
Marco smiled lightly. "You're welcome, King Neptune. Fish-Man Island will always be under the protection of the Phoenix Pirates."
Then his eyes sharpened. "But this matter isn't over yet."
Neptune laughed heartily. "No matter what comes next, today was a great victory! I've already prepared a grand banquet in the Ryugu Palace—every member of the Phoenix Pirates must attend!"
After witnessing Marco personally defeat Katakuri, Neptune's confidence in the Phoenix Pirates had doubled. Their legacy as Whitebeard's successors, combined with decades of friendship, made him certain he had chosen the right side.
Jinbe, Marco, and the division commanders all shared close bonds. Even if the Phoenix Pirates were not yet at their peak, as long as they overcame this crisis, protecting Fish-Man Island would not be an issue.
Meanwhile, Trafalgar Law, who had silently observed the entire conflict, remained deep in thought.
'A Yonko's crew is still a Yonko's crew, even after falling', he reflected. 'Compared to this… Doflamingo really is nothing.'
And in three days, an even more terrifying storm was coming.
"Haki…" Law muttered under his breath.
He was no stranger to it. Back when he served under the Donquixote Family, he had learned the basics—but never truly committed to mastering it. Until now, he had underestimated its importance.
After witnessing this war, however, one truth was undeniable: in the New World, every truly powerful figure possessed Haki.
'Looks like it's time I take Haki training seriously,' Law thought, his eyes narrowing with resolve.
At the Fish-Man Island Royal Palace…
The banquet hall rang with laughter. Members of the Phoenix Pirates drank, sang, and celebrated with abandon, still riding the high of their victory over the Big Mom Pirates.
Joy filled the room—but it wasn't universal.
With alcohol emboldening him, Curiel finally voiced the unease gnawing at him. "Marco… isn't it a bit of a waste to let the Big Mom Pirates leave like this?" he said reluctantly. "They burned our flag, and yet we just let them go. Once they regroup with Big Mom's main force, won't they…"
He trailed off, but his meaning was clear.
Marco glanced at Curiel, then swept his gaze across the room. Judging by their expressions, Curiel wasn't the only one thinking this. Quite a few captains shared the same frustration.
Setting down the lobster meat in his hand, Marco spoke calmly. "I understand your concerns. I really do. But now is not the time for an all-out war with the Big Mom Pirates."
He continued evenly, "As for what you're worried about—there's no need to panic. We're holding two Sweet Commanders as hostages. As long as Big Mom doesn't want them dead, she won't act recklessly."
"In three days, I'll personally challenge Big Mom," Marco added, his tone steady. "Once she realizes that I already possess strength on the level of a Yonko, she'll weigh the pros and cons. When that happens, she'll back off on her own."
Even so, a few pirates still looked dissatisfied.
They had won decisively today, yet were forced to watch their enemy retreat unpunished. For warriors who had once followed Whitebeard, that bitterness was hard to swallow.
Marco understood them perfectly.
When their old man was still alive, Whitebeard never compromised. Anyone who crossed him was crushed outright. But Marco wasn't Whitebeard—and more importantly, the Phoenix Pirates weren't at their peak.
Seeing their expressions, Marco sighed and said bluntly, "Don't look at me like that. I'm annoyed too. But what choice do we have?"
"Our crew is in its weakest period right now," he continued. "If a Yonko's crew is willing to make concessions, then fighting them to the death would be foolish. If we clash head-on with the Big Mom Pirates, the Beasts Pirates and other forces will immediately grow bolder and start carving up our territory."
"What we need right now isn't war—it's deterrence," Marco said firmly. "We have to make the other Yonkos hesitate, make them think twice before acting against us."
"As long as we survive this weak period and recover our strength, we'll have all the time in the world to deal with the Big Mom Pirates properly."
Realization dawned on their faces.
"So that's how it is…" several subordinate captains murmured, nodding in newfound respect.
Jinbe, ever the most level-headed among them, had already understood Marco's reasoning. Still, he knew the linchpin of the plan rested on one person alone.
"Marco," Jinbe said gravely, "Big Mom has ruled the seas for decades. She's a monster from the same era as Old Man. Her defense is terrifying—bullets and cannon fire barely scratch her. They don't call her the Steel Balloon for nothing."
The room quieted slightly.
Everyone understood what Jinbe meant.
For Marco's plan to work, Marco himself would have to prove—beyond any doubt—that he could stand toe-to-toe with a legend.
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