Hearing Ace speak, every member of the Phoenix Pirates nodded in understanding.
On the battlefield, Marco and Katakuri exchanged strikes with fierce intensity. From the outside it looked balanced, yet the reality was different. Katakuri had shifted into defense. Marco's ability to instantly heal meant that every injury he took was temporary, whereas Katakuri's wounds would hinder him in subsequent encounters. Seeing this through his own Future Sight Observation Haki, Katakuri chose to hold back and defend rather than press an all-out offense.
Now Marco's Observation Haki had finally caught up with Katakuri's. Regardless of how masterful Katakuri's defense was, he could no longer match Marco in speed, stamina, or endurance. After defending relentlessly for several minutes, Katakuri was finally struck in the abdomen by a powerful punch from Marco infused with Armament Haki. The force drove him backward and he spat fresh blood onto the ground.
At once Katakuri retaliated, lashing out with a fist that connected squarely with Marco's face.
Yet Marco did not stagger. The blue phoenix flames on his body erupted, burning fiercely, and he showed no sign of harm from that blow.
Katakuri gasped for air, his confidence waning as frustration crept into his expression. His younger siblings stood behind him, watching with anxious eyes. His devotion to perfection and his role as their protector made giving up unthinkable, yet right now he knew he had lost his greatest advantage. Without superior Observation Haki, his chance of victory was slipping further away.
Still, he forced himself to remain composed and mask any sign of weakness.
Marco watched Katakuri adjusting his scarf, admiration mixing with respect. Here was a warrior who had once clashed evenly with Monkey D. Luffy himself. And Marco realized with surprise that he had genuinely mastered the ability to foresee short threads of the future through Observation Haki. Perhaps it was due to his iron will and immense mental fortitude that he adapted so rapidly.
At this moment Marco had assumed his Human-Beast Form, the brilliant blue flames blazing around him as he spoke with measured seriousness.
It feels as though everything you've been clinging to may collapse soon, he said.
Katakuri's pupils tightened, and he involuntarily tightened his fists, but remained silent. Marco continued, refining his words to strike at the heart of Katakuri's conviction.
It must be exhausting carrying the weight of perfection before your younger siblings, Marco said gently. There is no such thing as a perfect person in this World. To avoid loss you must be strong, but inevitably someone stronger will appear before you.
Katakuri lifted his gaze, his eyes stern as he declared, I will not lose.
Marco smiled slightly, and pressed on with composed resolve. Your reason for not losing comes from a desire to protect a flawless ideal of yourself. Even if that image shatters, you still have your position as Sweet Commander and Big Mom to depend on. But me, I am the Captain of the Phoenix Pirates. As Captain, I cannot be defeated. I cannot accept failure.
With that Marco surged forward, his next attack fiercer and more controlled than ever.
As the battle progressed, Marco's momentum increased. It was as if his reserves of strength and willpower were inexhaustible. Every strike he delivered was precise and powerful, forcing Katakuri to retreat step by step. Blood dripped relentlessly from Katakuri's form, and his vision grew hazy. Eventually he could no longer remain upright and dropped to one knee.
Yet his stubborn pride would not allow his back to meet the ground. For a moment his body leaned forward, eyelids fluttering, and then at last he collapsed into unconsciousness.
Members of the Big Mom Pirates stared in disbelief. Many murmured his name, their voices thick with shock and sorrow. They had watched Katakuri bleed for a long time, and even as the cheers faded they believed he would prevail because he was invincible in their hearts. Only now, as their Sweet Commander fell, did their own faith begin to crumble. Tears welled in their eyes, spilling freely as though a dam had burst.
Marco exhaled deeply, sweat and blazing blue fire flickering over his form. Despite his immense healing ability, this confrontation had drained him. The fight with Katakuri had taken two full hours of unrelenting intensity.
By logic alone, a non-Zoan Devil Fruit user engaged in such high-stress combat should not last this long. But to Marco it was clear that Katakuri's unwillingness to lose, and his fear of dishonor, pushed him beyond ordinary limits.
Marco empathized with that struggle. He knew the weight of expectation. Within the Big Mom Pirates, Charlotte Linlin, the Yonko known as Big Mom, inspired fanatical loyalty and fear. Anyone who defied her risked death, even her own children. She battled constant hunger pangs that twisted her will, and so her commanders were pillars of strength. As Sweet Commander, Katakuri had always been calm, dependable, and unfailingly strong. It was why everyone looked up to him as the ideal older brother.
An electronic chime echoed in Marco's mind, the familiar voice of the system resonating with an obvious chime.
Mission complete, it stated. Defeat Katakuri the Sweet Commander and awe the Big Mom Pirates. Reward: 2000 attribute points.
The sensation was pleasant, confirming Marco's growth.
Marco turned back to his crew and gave a simple command.
Someone, restrain him.
Phoenix Pirates stepped forward swiftly, their seastone cuffs ready.
At once the Big Mom Pirates erupted in outrage.
Bastards, what do you think you're doing to Brother Katakuri?
Seeing their fury rise, the Phoenix Pirates tightened their guard. Several captains stood at the forefront, alert for conflict.
Smoothie strode forward and raised her voice to quell the moment. Stop, everyone stop. She watched the Big Mom Pirates surge forward as though to battle Marco to the death. Even though Katakuri had fallen, defeating Marco seemed impossible with their strength alone.
Still, their greatest confidence lay in Big Mom herself.
Marco held up a hand in reassurance. Do not worry, I will not kill him, he said calmly. He is a valuable hostage now. Then he turned to Smoothie and added, Contact Big Mom and inform her of the situation.
Smoothie's gaze narrowed, understanding the severity of the moment. If even Katakuri had been defeated, the battle had escalated beyond her capacity. She met Marco's gaze and nodded with firm resolve.
As Smoothie went to make the call, Marco reviewed his status panel:
Name: Marco
Age: 43 years old
Attribute Points: 2000
Devil Fruit: Zoan Type, Phoenix Form (Unawakened)
Haki: Armament Haki (Top-tier), Observation Haki (Top-tier), Conqueror's Haki (Intermediate)
Physical Techniques: Soru (Intermediate), Rankyaku (Intermediate), Moonwalk (Intermediate), Tekkai (Advanced), Finger Pistol (Advanced), Kami-e (Intermediate)
Strength: 10054
Speed: 4500
Defense: 8800
Recovery: 45000
Stamina: 8100
Mental Strength: 9300
System Combat Power Evaluation: Admiral/Emperor Level
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