Chapter 1353: Die!
Chapter 1353: Die!
Marco hovered high above, launching attacks against the Navy. As the Phoenix, he was nearly impossible to kill, his figure thrusting forward through the Navy ranks.
After Kuro shifted the battlefield, Marco had rushed to reinforce the battlefield. He couldn't allow the Navy to keep advancing, especially with those white-clad monsters present.
As a participant in the Top War, he knew the terrifying power of this bearded man from the Navy—the absolute defense like a Colossal Shield, an impenetrable barrier that also possessed immense attack power. That giant-like build alone was enough to make life tremble.
Marco hovered above the pirate crew's sky, raining down blue flames against this white wall of defense.
Within the Navy ranks, Smoker, Tina, Sengoku, and others were fiercely resisting, fighting against the pirates beneath the Colossal Shield.
The pirates still standing were all elites among elites, far surpassing ordinary foes. The battle had become a stalemate.
At this level of combat, endurance became the only deciding factor.
However, once Admiral Vegapunk from the Navy joined the fray, the situation began tilting decisively forward.
Marco not only had to contend with the Navy within the white wall but also Yi Xiao's attacks.
Yet his Phoenix abilities allowed him to handle both fronts effortlessly.
When meteors rained down, he resisted with his physical body, using Haki to destroy them midair. While these falling projectiles devastated lower-tier pirates, those at his level found them manageable.
Smoker's smoke had no effect on him. Tina could only throw her Black Gun at Marco from below, but the blue flame of Restoration healed his body after the weapon pierced through.
"Moonstep!"
Koby bounded through the air, landing multiple steps toward Marco before throwing a punch. Marco kicked him squarely in the abdomen, sending him plummeting like a cannonball.
"It really is..."
Flapping his wings to hover in place, Marco surveyed the stalemate below. With a sweep of his wings, blue flames rained down, igniting the pirates' bodies and restoring their physical strength.
"This is troublesome."
Marco's gaze fell on Kuro, who had finished his battle and was flying toward them. A bitter smile tugged at his lips as he found himself in a difficult position.
He had come with great confidence.
Because of Luffy.
This kid had once earned Dad's special favor, been chosen by Shanks, erupted with immense combat power in Wano Country, and built a formidable reputation across the Grand Line.
After Dad's death, Marco had seen great potential in Luffy.
That spirit, that ambition, that fearless courage to throw punches at anyone—Marco had admired it all.
As Luffy's reputation grew stronger across the Grand Line, Marco became convinced he was the One Piece.
The one who would find that Great Treasure, the same one Roger discovered, and change the world.
Though after Dad's death, Marco had become almost desireless—especially after his final battle with Marshall D. Teach, he simply wanted to protect Dad's homeland.
But when Luffy invited him, he still came.
Because he believed—because he thought Luffy's presence could turn the tide. If he could defeat Sakazuki, he could surely change the outcome of the Top War once more.
But...
Golden Lion Kuro.
This man had completely defied all reason.
He had slaughtered Luffy's entire crew!
Not a single one left. No unexpected twists.
And now—
Whoosh!
A flood of memories flashed through Marco's mind as Kuro suddenly appeared before him, cleaving downward with his blade.
Hiss!!
Marco's body was carved with a massive gash. He desperately retreated backward, flapping his wings to ascend.
"Phoenix, huh?"
Kuro sneered, his eyes narrowing as he sized Marco up. With a flash, he reappeared right behind the retreating Marco. Extending his palm, Haki surged to his fingertips. He grabbed Marco's head and slammed him downward with tremendous force.
Boom!!
Carried by the Haki-enhanced strike, Marco had no chance to resist. He crashed into the ground, creating a crater in the already shattered battlefield.
The earth had long been reduced to ruins. Kuro had already abandoned any hope of preserving the New Marine Headquarters. He had initially wanted to keep it intact for future use after the battle.
But that hope had shattered long ago—long before fighting Luffy or even Marshall D. Teach.
As for himself...
He had already become a pirate.
What did he have to do with the Navy? What did he care about them?
Combat was indiscriminate by nature. It was already a miracle he hadn't harmed his allies—could anyone expect him to avoid damaging the ground as well?
"Marco, you keep coming back for more. I've told you countless times—don't provoke me. Just sit quietly in your territory as the Navy's watchdog. That would've been best."
"Last time in Wano Country, you escaped by sheer luck with your life, yet you still don't know when to die. Now you're here again, causing trouble."
Kuro's eyes narrowed as he pinned Marco's head, a faint smile playing on his lips. "Once you die, the place you're protecting will probably fall too."
At his words, Marco's body stirred. A surge of blue flame erupted, scorching Kuro—but it was quickly blocked by Kuro's surrounding flame aura.
"They say Phoenix flames lack offensive power, but that's a lie too, right? I remember you clashing with Big Mom. Interesting, but flames are all the same in the end."
Kuro reversed his grip on Autumn Water, the blade's tip aiming at Marco's head, ready to strike.
But this Phoenix wasn't a Logia. His innate ability to heal was terrifying. Even with Haki and the absolute destructive power of Wu Sheng Kong Sha, Kuro couldn't inflict lasting damage before the blue flames disappeared.
As for why Garp had once injured Marco with a single punch...
Perhaps it was because Marco had been careless.
But in this life-or-death moment, he wouldn't make the same mistake.
And precisely because of that, Marco was still struggling.
"Do you think I want to waste time on you? You pirates can swarm in, but the Navy can also call upon Lida!"
"Here I come!"
A wisp-like figure leapt from a distance, flashing multiple afterimages before appearing before Marco.
Lida extended his palm, slamming his hand onto Marco's body as his hair whipped behind him. "Energy Drain!!"
Just like during the first Top War, under Lida's ability, Marco's physical strength began draining away.
The blue flames covering his body gradually faded. Marco felt his strength wane, his resistance growing weaker until all the blue flames vanished completely, revealing his frail, weakened form.
"Die!"
Kuro's eyes flashed red as his blade pierced straight into Marco's brow center, the steel burying itself completely.
(End of Chapter)
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