Meanwhile, after wrapping up his talk with Kaido and Big Mom, Marco set to work, printing new wanted posters targeting Marine officers.
That evening, the transponder snail in front of him started ringing.
Marco picked it up without much hesitation. From the other end came Vegapunk's voice. "Marco, it's me, Vegapunk."
Hearing him, Marco let out a quiet breath. He really had been worried Vegapunk might have disappeared. He laughed. "So you didn't forget our deal after all, Doctor."
Catching the faint displeasure in Marco's tone, Vegapunk replied solemnly, "I didn't have a choice. I'm with the Revolutionary Army now, so I'm relatively safe for the moment. By the way, I saw in the papers that Egghead Island was wiped out by a Buster Call. Is that true?"
"It's true," Marco confirmed, "but it wasn't a Buster Call. Egghead was destroyed by Uranus."
"What? Uranus?" Vegapunk's voice jumped in pitch. "You mean the ancient weapon, Uranus?"
"Yeah," Marco said, his tone turning grave. "But you don't have to worry about Uranus anymore. I blew that thing up."
"B–blew it up?" Vegapunk stammered, stunned. The thought was hard to swallow—Marco had destroyed Uranus, an ancient weapon?
While Vegapunk was still reeling, Marco added with a hint of teasing, "Come to think of it, Doctor, the first thing you asked about was Egghead. Originally, after we drove off the God's Knights and the Gorosei, we were planning to help you move the machinery from Egghead. But Uranus showed up too fast. That's what ended up causing our heavy losses."
He then softened slightly. "But it's fine. As long as you're alive, Doctor, that's what matters. Where are you now? I'll send someone to pick you up."
Vegapunk, still in disbelief, pressed again, "Marco, did you really blow up Uranus?"
Marco let out a short, derisive snort. "How could I fake something like that? And I've got no reason to lie to you."
"N-no, it's just too astonishing," Vegapunk said, his voice rising with excitement. "Can you tell me the details? If you destroyed Uranus, does that mean its wreckage is still on Egghead Island?"
Marco's tone grew serious. "No. There's nothing left of Uranus. After I shattered its energy stone, Uranus self-destructed. The explosion engulfed all of Egghead Island. That's why our Three Emperors Alliance took such devastating losses."
"I-I see." Vegapunk's thoughts spun as he hurriedly asked, "By the way, what did you just say was Uranus's energy stone? Is it Uranus's core?"
"Yeah, that's right." Marco nodded. "And it just so happens I've got an energy stone that needs recharging right now. You can study it then."
"You have an energy stone?" Vegapunk frowned in confusion, unable to figure out how Marco had gotten his hands on something like that.
"Do you remember the giant ancient robot on Egghead Island?" Marco asked.
"Yes," Vegapunk replied with a nod.
Marco's expression turned serious. "That giant ancient robot's name is Emit. It was Joy Boy's companion eight hundred years ago. When I was fighting Imu's clone, I accidentally activated it. In the end, my companions only survived because Emit generated an energy shield to protect them—but that used up the last of its power."
Hearing this, Vegapunk grew even more animated. "Really? That ancient robot could still be activated? I've studied it for a long time and always thought it was completely drained. How did you manage to activate it?"
Marco, starting to lose patience, cut him off. "Alright, we can talk about this slowly when we meet. Where are you now?"
Sensing Marco's impatience, Vegapunk answered at once, "Well, I'm currently at—"
"Wait a moment, Vegapunk, let me talk to him." A middle‑aged man's voice interrupted just as Vegapunk was about to reveal his location.
Vegapunk nodded and spoke into the transponder snail, "Hold on, Dragon wants to talk to you." Then he handed the snail over.
The transponder snail's features shifted to match Dragon's stern face as he said, "Hello. I am Dragon, leader of the Revolutionary Army."
Marco recognized the name—the man who had remained a mystery throughout the original story—but now, hearing his voice, Marco felt only displeasure. He replied coldly, "Leader of the Revolutionary Army, your reputation precedes you. But what business does the Revolutionary Army have with me?"
Dragon's tone was low and steady. "Vegapunk told me the goal of your Three Emperors Alliance is also to overthrow the World Government. That happens to coincide with the Revolutionary Army's objective."
Marco's voice grew even colder. "So? Are you trying to cooperate with us? Or are you planning to use Vegapunk to threaten us?"
Dragon remained calm and answered solemnly, "Not a threat—cooperation."
Marco's hostility toward the Revolutionary Army eased a little. He spoke solemnly. "Cooperation is possible. But let me make one thing clear first—Vegapunk is a member of our Phoenix Pirates. You'd better understand that. If you're thinking about controlling him, then I absolutely won't agree."
Dragon replied calmly, "Don't worry. Dr. Vegapunk and I are old friends. I will absolutely not endanger his life, nor will I restrict his freedom."
"I contacted you through Vegapunk because I hope to cooperate with your Three Emperors Alliance."
Marco fell silent for a moment, then answered just as seriously, "If it's cooperation, then of course we welcome it. But for anything important, it's best to talk face-to-face. Some things just can't be made clear over a Den Den Mushi."
"I agree," Dragon said. "Then please inform Kaido and Big Mom of this. We'll discuss the details when we meet."
—
Grand Line, Blackbeard Pirates.
Blackbeard stared at the newspaper in his hand, a flicker of surprise crossing his eyes. "The strongest man in the world? Why is Marco that strong?"
The bounty printed beneath Marco's wanted poster was far above even Whitebeard's. Teach found it hard to accept. Bounties didn't perfectly represent strength, but a number that high was enough to prove that Marco definitely wasn't weak.
A moment later, Teach dismissed his doubts with a wave, crumpling the newspaper and tossing it aside as a sinister grin split his face. "But no matter how strong you are, you can't be stronger than me—someone who's got three Devil Fruit abilities."
Nearby, Vasco Shot bared his teeth in a wide grin and let out his trademark laugh. "Hehehehe! Captain, if what the newspaper says is true, then the Phoenix Pirates—and even the whole Three Emperors Alliance—are pretty weak right now. Why don't we use this chance to wipe 'em all out? Then you'll be the Pirate King, Captain!"
Blackbeard gave a small nod. He had obtained the Vampire Fruit some time ago. Over this period, he had already begun to fuse the powers of his three Devil Fruits and had even started to get a handle on Conqueror's Haki.
But for Teach, Conqueror's Haki was secondary. The power of Devil Fruits was still his main weapon. He chuckled darkly. "Yeah… that's true. I'm sure Marco and Ace are dying to kill me too. The grudges between me and the Whitebeard Pirates really should be settled properly."
…Three days later, in the New World, on Garbage Island.
The island lay close to the Big Mom Pirates' territory, but it wasn't part of their domain. Just like its name implied, it was worthless, and Big Mom had never bothered to claim it.
Garbage Island, strictly speaking, wasn't even a real island. It was originally just a cluster of large reefs. Over the years, however, drifting marine debris had been carried here by the currents and piled up, clinging to the reefs and settling in layer after layer.
As the trash continued to accumulate, it gradually filled the gaps between the reefs, until the old reef cluster turned into this bizarre "island" of garbage.
Even so, because of the peculiar conditions of these waters, no one ever settled here. Island or not, it remained deserted and completely without value.
Now, the Phoenix, Queen Mama Charter, and the Ogre were closing in on Garbage Island. The sea around them was thick with industrial waste, the water giving off a sour, unpleasant stench. Kaido wrinkled his nose, clearly irritated, and snorted, "Hmph, those bastards from the Revolutionary Army sure know how to pick a spot! To choose a place like this."
Big Mom clicked her tongue in annoyance. "Mamamama… To be honest, I'm a bit uneasy about cooperating with the Revolutionary Army. These guys have always hidden in the shadows. For them to suddenly show up and talk about cooperation is pretty suspicious."
Marco replied casually, "Who cares? We'll know once we meet them."
Just then, a young man came skimming over the waves with Moonwalk. The pirates of the Three Emperors Alliance tensed, watching him closely, but no one attacked. As long as the guy wasn't a complete idiot, there was no way he'd try to pick a fight with three Yonko by himself.
The young man landed lightly on the phoenix's deck. He reached up to straighten his top hat, then beamed, his smile bright and open. "Long time no see, Ace…"
"Is he your friend, Ace…?" Yamato, standing nearby, leaned in with open curiosity.
Ace frowned slightly as he studied the young man. He looked familiar somehow, but Ace couldn't place him. He asked politely, "Excuse me, who are you?"
At that, the corners of Sabo's mouth curled up. "Makes sense. It's been almost eleven years since we last saw each other. Do you remember that besides Luffy, you have another brother?"
Ace's pupils shrank sharply. With that reminder, a single name burst into his mind. Taking in the man's face and figure, he blurted out, voice shaking with excitement, "Sabo… you're Sabo!"
Seeing that Ace had finally recognized him, Sabo broke into a wide grin. "Long time no see, Ace."
Ace, eyes bright, rushed forward and pulled Sabo into a fierce hug. "Hahahaha! Sabo, you're still alive! I thought you had…"
"I'm sorry. I made you worry." Sabo laughed as well, the excitement obvious in his voice. "When I first went out to sea, I ran into a disaster. I only survived thanks to Dragon-san. But I lost my memories afterward. It wasn't until after the Marineford War, when I saw the reports about you and Luffy, that everything came back."
Ace tightened his arms around him, practically trembling. "Hahahaha, that's great, that's really great! Luffy's gonna be over the moon when he finds out you're alive!"
"Tch." Kaido snorted, clearly displeased. "So he's an acquaintance?"
Marco, who had long known Sabo was alive but had never told Ace, stayed silent. Big Mom clicked her tongue impatiently. "Mamamama… sorry to cut into your little brothers' reunion, but you're the Revolutionary Army's second-in-command, the Chief of Staff, aren't you? If you're here, does that mean Dragon's here too?"
Sabo finally reined in his excitement and turned back to Ace. "Sorry, Ace. Let's talk more later!"
"Yeah," Ace replied, nodding. "Okay."
Sabo faced Marco, Kaido, and Big Mom, his expression turning serious. "Our leader is waiting for you on Garbage Island. Three Captains, please follow me."
With that, Sabo kicked off the ground, using Moonwalk to rocket toward Garbage Island.
"Mama mama! These guys sure are energetic!" Big Mom cackled, a sinister grin stretching across her face.
"Everyone, stay here and wait," Marco called back to Ace and the others.
In the next instant, blue flames wrapped around him as he transformed into a phoenix and soared after Sabo.
Kaido shifted into his massive Azure Dragon form, and Big Mom rose into the sky standing atop Zeus. Each of them used their own way of flying as they followed Sabo.
Before long, Marco and the other two closed in on Sabo and reached the center of Garbage Island. Despite being the island's core, it lacked the reeking stench of the outskirts. The air here was noticeably cleaner—perhaps because the piles of trash at the center had long since settled.
"Oh, Marco…" From atop a giant reef, Vegapunk raised a hand and waved up at the phoenix in the sky.
Marco and the other two landed a short distance away, their gazes fixed on the group waiting opposite them. Only a handful of Revolutionaries had come: Dragon himself stood at the front, with Ivankov and Inazuma at his side.
------------------
AN: Check out my P@treon For +70 extra chapters.
Thank You For your Support!!
[email protected]/noviceauthor777
-----------------------
To keep the chapters coming - Support with POWER STONES.
For Every 100 power stones - 1 BONUS chapter.