At this moment the system's voice chimed with clear authority,
"Ding, mission complete, Edward Weevil has been killed. Reward, 1000 attribute points."
Marco absorbed the notification, watching the 1000 attribute points flow in.
He immediately invested every point into Mental Power, raising it from 8300 to 9300. This brought him very close to his goal of 10,000 points.
He exhaled slowly, flicking away the smoke curling from the muzzle of his pistol with a faint smirk in his voice,
"It seems that sometimes weapons truly surpass fists and feet… at least blades and guns can kill for certain, whereas bare punches might not."
At this moment, the Phoenix Pirate Captains approached.
Vista teased with a proud grin, "Marco, you truly live up to your name, your strength has grown more and more fearsome."
Marco's lips curved into a slight smile, though he offered no further reply.
Jozu, holding the sobbing Miss Buckingham Stussy in one hand, asked,
"Marco, what should we do with this woman?"
Marco's voice was calm and decisive,
"Kill her."
The silence that followed was immediate, all the Captains momentarily taken aback. Since the end of the Marineford War, they had witnessed a change in Marco. Before, he had not been so merciless. Perhaps it was the loss of their Old Man that forced him to bear the weight of captaincy and make cold choices.
Marco continued, eyes steady and unwavering,
"We must make it unmistakably clear to anyone who dares harm the Phoenix Pirates what awaits them. We cannot be like the Old Man once was, where a mere beating would suffice. They killed our comrades, so they deserve death themselves."
Jozu's expression was serious as he nodded in agreement,
"I understand."
With that, Jozu's hand hardened into diamond and he hoisted Miss Stussy higher. With a swift motion Vista's blade flashed, cleanly severing her head.
No cheers followed, and no laughter echoed. The Captains remained silent, each understanding the new reality. In the past, when the Old Man led the Whitebeard Pirates, even in the face of provocation they might only beat an enemy, seize treasure, or at worst maim. They did not kill. Because at that time, they were unshakably confident. The Old Man was recognized as the King of the World, and the Whitebeard Pirates stood unchallenged at the pinnacle.
But now, without him, everything had changed.
Marco looked at his crew with calm authority,
"All right, brothers, with Weevil handled, it's time for us to depart. Have someone escort the villagers back."
Blenheim nodded. "Understood, I'll make the arrangements."
Before anyone could move, Izo spoke up, his voice serious,
"There's another matter. Whitey Bay has reported that she has located Trafalgar Law and is bringing him here now."
---
Elsewhere in the New World — Deshman Island
The Blackbeard Pirates were locked in a brutal fight with one of the Supernova, X Drake.
Drake lay coughing blood, his face growing grimmer with each passing moment as he watched his crew fall one by one to the ruthless onslaught of Shiryu of the Rain and the others.
"Damn it," Drake growled through bloodied teeth, "how did you end up here, Blackbeard?"
Blackbeard's sinister grin widened,
"Zehahahahaha, this is fate, Drake," he laughed darkly, "Though your strength is admirable and I'd like nothing more than to invite you to join us, your past as a Marine leaves me unable to trust you, so please, just die."
The battle had left Drake battered and broken, his limbs shattered by Blackbeard himself, and no hope of escape remained. Every member of the Drake Pirates had already been slaughtered.
"Alright, Teach, go ahead," Shiryu urged, sheathing his Rainy.
Blackbeard shook his head slowly,
"No, this Devil Fruit should go to Burgess."
Burgess was surprised,
"Captain? That is an Ancient Zoan type! You don't even want it?"
Blackbeard's eyes glittered with cold calculation,
"If it were a Mythical Zoan, then yes, I would take it. But this… I will bide my time. Burgess is my comrade, so his growth also strengthens the Blackbeard Pirates."
Burgess' face lit up with excitement,
"Thank you, Captain!"
Drake, unable to move, knew escape was impossible. Still, he had made one final effort. While they spoke, he had already sent critical intelligence back to Marine Headquarters. Even if he died, the information had to reach them.
Soon, Drake was killed by Blackbeard, his life cut short. Just like that, X Drake, once recognized by the Marines as one of the Worst Generation, fell at the hands of Blackbeard.
Burgess wasted no time. Upon consuming the Dragon-Dragon Fruit, Ancient Species, Allosaurus Form, he roared with excitement as power surged through him.
"This is incredible! The strength of an Allosaurus is overwhelming! I feel so much stronger!"
Shiryu watched, impressed,
"I didn't expect you to really pull it off, Teach. It seems you truly have the potential to alter the World."
Blackbeard grinned with chilling ambition,
"Zehahahahaha, of course! I will become the one who stands at the top of this World! But for now we must remain discreet. If the Whitebeard Pirates realize we have returned to the New World, they will hunt us relentlessly. Now is not the time to challenge them."
Shiryu exhaled smoke from his cigarette and considered Blackbeard's words before asking,
"So what comes next?"
Blackbeard's smile was predatory,
"Zehahahahaha, don't worry, Shiryu. Although neither the Marines nor the Whitebeard Pirates have made the truth of my ability public, that actually works in my favor."
Shiryu nodded,
"The Marines do not publicize it because they are unsure whether it is true. They want you alive for examination. As for the Whitebeard Pirates, even if they announced it, few would believe it."
Blackbeard waved a hand dismissively,
"Whatever the reason, power is everything. Those who possess absolute power rule this World. Therefore, I must secure strong Devil Fruit abilities first."
Burgess, filled with zeal, pledged his loyalty,
"Captain, we will follow you to the death!"
Blackbeard's grin widened with wicked promise,
"Zehahahahaha, I will not disappoint you."