After stopping, Marco's cold gaze fell on the blue Genie. Through the smoky haze, he spotted Charlotte Daifuku not far away. "It's you again, Charlotte Daifuku. Did you really think you were strong just because I didn't deal with you before?"
Charlotte Daifuku snorted, his expression icy. Dozens of pirates emerged from behind him. "Marco, we've roughly figured out your plan. You intend to have the three Captains block Katakuri, Smoothie, and Cracker while you take them down one by one. But we won't let you succeed."
Charlotte Mont-d'Or stepped forward, his tone stern. "Katakuri, Smoothie, and Cracker are far stronger than Snack. If we stop you here, and they defeat Fire Fist Ace, Fossa, and Namur, your Phoenix Pirates will fall."
Marco sneered at the group blocking his path. "The premise is that you can actually stop me," he said indifferently.
"That's right. We won't allow you to hinder Captain Marco." At that moment, Sak led the First Division members, rushing forward to block Marco's path.
A playful smile curved Marco's lips. He spread his hands mockingly. "See?"
The appearance of Sak and his crew turned the Big Mom Pirates' expressions grim. They realized the more they tried to stop Marco, the more the Phoenix Pirates would counter. As long as Marco could quickly handle the Sweet Commanders, the remaining Big Mom Pirates, lacking high-level combat power and coordination, were vulnerable.
"Captain Marco, leave these guys to us!" Sak called.
"That's right, your opponents are us." The First Division members charged, engaging the Big Mom Pirates in battle.
Marco nodded. "Then I'll leave it to you." He had no time to waste on these minor threats. With the small fries held back, he launched himself toward Cracker.
The Big Mom Pirates could only watch, helpless to bypass Sak and the First Division to intercept Marco.
However, one figure still had the power to do so.
"Don't think you can escape, Marco," Charlotte Daifuku roared, sending the Genie after him again.
A 'whoosh' of sword energy forced Marco back several steps. The Genie blocked his way, with Daifuku looming behind it. Marco's anger flared; he hadn't wanted to deal with him, but now he was forced into it. With a roar, he charged. "Are you never going to stop?!"
Charlotte Daifuku froze. He quickly tried to command the Genie to intervene, but Marco's movements were faster. Using Rokushiki: Soru, he instantly appeared before Daifuku. The blue flames around his fist grew as his pupils narrowed.
"Iron Body: Fire Fist…"
Before Daifuku could react, Marco's punch pierced through his abdomen. Blood spewed from Daifuku's mouth.
"Cough… you bastard, Marco…" Daifuku groaned in pain. The Genie, sensing its master's agony, faltered mid-attack and began to dissipate into smoke.
Marco's fist burned with blue flames as they coursed into Daifuku's body. "I ignored you, yet you really thought you could trade blows with me? Summoning a Genie is useless. Can't you even manage a basic defense?"
"Cough… don't underestimate me, Marco…" Daifuku spat, clenching his teeth. He grabbed Marco's head, screaming, "Genie, kill him!"
"Leave it to me!" The Genie, nearly gone in smoke, reformed instantly under Daifuku's command. It soared into the air, great sword raised to strike Marco from behind.
Marco ignored the attack. Blue flames surged from his arm into his palm, entering Daifuku's internal organs. "Die! Phoenix Flame: Super Spiral Incineration Cannon!"
'Boom, boom, boom…'
A spiral of blue flames erupted inside Daifuku, swelling his chest and abdomen before piercing through his back. Blood shot from his mouth, nose, chest, abdomen, and back as his body was flung in a spinning spiral. The Genie, striking at Marco, vanished into smoke at the last moment.
"Brother Daifuku…" "Lord Daifuku…" The Big Mom Pirates watched in shock. A pirate with a bounty of 300 million Berries had been utterly defeated by Marco in a single strike. Daifuku slid across the deck, leaving a long, bloody trail.
"How could this be? Brother Daifuku, who was as strong as a monster, actually…" Some of the younger Charlotte Family members could hardly believe what they were seeing. Their pride, built on Daifuku's power, was shattered in an instant.
For a moment, the Big Mom Pirates were stunned into inaction. Even a monster like Daifuku could do nothing against Marco. Only the Sweet Commanders had a chance to contend with him.
"Lord Daifuku." A ship doctor rushed over, eyes wide at the extent of Daifuku's injuries. His internal organs had been shredded by the Shockwave, many ejected during the attack. Such wounds were beyond repair.
"These injuries… they're beyond saving, aren't they?" Marco muttered, observing the aftermath. This attack, combining Haki and Devil Fruit power, surpassed even what he had done against Edward Weevil. It pierced through Daifuku's back, leaving him incapacitated.
A small smile appeared on Marco's lips. This was the effect he had wanted—an attack that combined raw power, precision, and Conqueror's Haki. Daifuku had brought this on himself; if he had not interfered, Marco would never have bothered.
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