Marco the Phoenix transformed into a blue bird and circled continuously in mid-air.
"Hey, you blind fellow... how about we join forces and take down the Moonlight Pirates?"
However, Issho remained composed and unmoved.
"The blueprint must not be allowed to leave this place... but neither can it be handed over to you or the Whitebeard Pirates. Forgive me, but I cannot agree to that."
"We of the Whitebeard Pirates aren't here to seize the blueprint for ourselves. We only want to prevent it from falling into the Marines' hands!" Marco stated seriously.
"Old Man isn't interested in the blueprint itself. He just doesn't want anyone to obtain it and use it against us. I swear to you, the moment we get our hands on it, I will burn it to ashes right on the spot!"
"I see... Truly worthy of Whitebeard. Very well, I'll agree to this for now." The blind admiral nodded.
The two stood side by side, forming a temporary alliance.
Moonlight Sluth's face turned livid. He sneered angrily, "You two bastards! You think you've already got me cornered? Don't you dare look down on me!"
Meanwhile, the man in the peaked cap looked grim. He had tried to escape several times, only to be blocked every time.
Now that Marco the Phoenix had joined the fray, escaping had become even more difficult.
Thinking quickly, he lowered his voice urgently. "Shadow Fiend! I command you to act! If you ensure my safe escape, I promise to pay you an additional price: five more Devil Fruits!"
Right now, he already owed Phantom 75 fruits. Adding five more would make it 80.
He couldn't guarantee his alliance actually had that many in stock, but it was the only bargaining chip he had left; otherwise, he would surely be captured by these two sooner or later.
Yet, there was no response at all.
Seeing that Marco and Issho were about to make their move, the man panicked. "Ten fruits! If I die here, you won't get anything at all!"
"Heh heh heh..."
A low laugh echoed. The next moment, a wisp of black smoke drifted out and swiftly condensed into a pitch-black humanoid figure.
"I'm taking a huge risk, risking punishment from Emperor Vladimir himself, just to make an exception and step in for you this once."
Shadow Fiend stood with an air of calm superiority, looking up at the blue bird in the sky. "Marco, are you tired of living? If you value your life, back off."
Marco's expression shifted. "Shadow Fiend of Phantom... Hmph! You aren't even a combat specialist. You really think you can stop me? No matter what, I am taking these people into custody today!"
"A pity. It seems you people have completely misunderstood who I am."
Shadow Fiend shook his head as black smoke billowed and swirled around his body.
"I am merely a humble errand boy for Phantom. Yet, despite that, among all ordinary members and even officers, I am the only one who has unlocked all Five Seals!"
"Five Seals?!"
Marco's pupils contracted, his heart filling with dread.
He knew exactly about the Seals system. Even the Nine-Tailed Fox was only restricted by Three Seals.
Yet this Shadow Fiend before him claimed to have unlocked five levels!
"If you want to fight me... you had better send at least an Emperor-level combatant!"
...
Marco stood on high alert, staring seriously at the sudden appearance of Shadow Fiend.
He didn't know exactly what the concept of Five Seals represented, but he clearly remembered that the Nine-Tailed Fox, with only Three Seals unlocked, had defeated him with absolute ease.
Marco gritted his teeth. "You people are breaking your word! This place is outside District 1, and yet you still dare to interfere in the struggle for the blueprint?!"
"Watch your tongue." Shadow Fiend replied calmly.
"I am only appearing here because I'm risking severe punishment from Emperor Vladimir. If you can offer me ten Devil Fruits right now, I will withdraw immediately."
Back at the auction, Phantom had given their word: as long as no fighting took place within District 1, they would not intervene.
Shadow Fiend didn't even bother to argue or justify himself on that point; he was above such trivialities.
"Ten fruits was the price he paid to hire me. If you are willing to pay a higher price, naturally, I wouldn't mind stepping aside and letting you do as you please."
"You bastard... You're taking advantage of the crisis to rob us?! In your dreams!" Marco was furious.
"Heh heh heh..."
Shadow Fiend chuckled softly. "Instead of worrying about the blueprint, I think you'd better hurry back to Whitebeard's side. He's currently being besieged by over a dozen pirate crews."
Marco's expression darkened. "No! This is my mission! Now that I've located the blueprint, I won't leave easily. Old Man has my other comrades protecting him. Save your breath... I want to see exactly what makes you qualified to stop me after unlocking these so-called Five Seals!"
With that, he spread his wings and dove straight down toward Shadow Fiend.
Shadow Fiend was immune to physical attacks. Knowing this, Marco had no intention of wasting time fighting him; his priority was to capture the man in the peaked cap immediately.
Yet Shadow Fiend remained motionless, standing perfectly still, allowing Marco to approach.
The moment Marco swept close to the ground, and his shadow was cast clearly upon the earth... Shadow Fiend vanished.
He disappeared instantly, reappearing in the very next second right behind Marco.
"What?!" Marco was shocked. "This isn't a matter of speed... that was teleportation!"
"Congratulations, you guessed right... Shadow Puppet Manifestation!"
As the words were spoken, Shadow Fiend's figure melted directly into the shadows on the ground.
In an instant, Marco's body jerked violently and came to a sudden, grinding halt.
He was horrified to find himself completely unable to move. His body no longer responded to his own will, as if bound and controlled by an invisible force.
"Impossible! You... you're controlling me?!" He roared in utter shock.
This ability — ignoring all defenses, diving straight into the target's shadow, and seizing complete control — was simply an unsolvable power.
No... there is no such thing as an unsolvable ability in this world... Marco struggled furiously, fighting to regain control over his own body.
However, his efforts were completely useless.
"Heh heh heh..."
Shadow Fiend's laughter echoed directly inside Marco's mind.
"Truth be told, I don't actually care if you catch him or not. You are free to do whatever you want. The only reason I'm stopping you is because I really like the reward of ten fruits."
"What did you say?!" Marco's face burned with rage.
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