Grand Line, within the territory of the Blackbeard Pirates.
Marshall D. Teach stared at the newspaper in his hand, a flicker of surprise flashing across his face.
"The strongest man in the world? Why is Marco's bounty so high?"
He glanced again at the bounty figure that far surpassed even Whitebeard's. While bounties were not a perfect measure of strength, a number this extreme clearly meant Marco was no ordinary opponent.
Teach quickly dismissed his hesitation and tossed the paper aside with a sinister grin.
"No matter how strong you are, you can't surpass me. I've got three Devil Fruit abilities."
Nearby, Jesus Burgess laughed loudly.
"Wehahaha, Captain! If what this paper says is true, then the Phoenix Pirates and even the Emperors Alliance must be weakened right now. Why don't we strike now and wipe them out? Then you'll be Pirate King for sure!"
Teach nodded slowly.
He had already obtained the Vampire Fruit not long ago, and during this time he had begun integrating the powers of his three Devil Fruits, while also starting to grasp Conqueror's Haki. However, for him, Haki was secondary. Devil Fruit power was everything.
"Hmm, you're right," Teach said. "Marco and Ace are probably itching to kill me too. The debts between me and the Whitebeard Pirates should be settled properly."
---
Three days later, New World, Garbage Island.
The island lay near the territory of the Big Mom Pirates, though it did not belong to them. It was too worthless for even territorial expansion.
Despite its name, Garbage Island was not truly an island, but a cluster of reefs. Over time, drifting marine debris accumulated between the reefs, slowly forming a landmass. Even so, the environment remained harsh and uninhabited.
At this moment, the Phoenix, Big Mom, and Kaido approached the area together.
The sea smelled foul due to floating industrial waste. Kaido clicked his tongue in irritation.
"Hmph, those Revolutionary Army guys really picked a disgusting place."
Charlotte Linlin also frowned slightly.
"Mama mama, I still don't trust this cooperation. The Revolutionary Army always hides in the shadows. Suddenly coming out like this feels suspicious."
Marco replied indifferently, "We'll find out when we meet them."
At that moment, a young man approached them using Moonwalk.
The Emperors Alliance immediately became alert, but no one moved to attack. After all, no one would be foolish enough to challenge three Emperors alone.
The young man landed lightly, adjusting his hat with a bright smile.
"It's been a long time, Ace."
Portgas D. Ace frowned slightly.
"Do I know you?"
The man smiled faintly.
"It's been nearly eleven years. Do you remember, besides Luffy, you had another brother?"
Ace's eyes widened instantly.
"Sabo… you're Sabo!"
The man nodded.
"Long time no see, Ace."
Ace rushed forward and embraced him tightly, laughing.
"You're alive! I thought you were gone!"
Sabo laughed as well.
"Sorry for worrying you. After I set out to sea, I was caught in an accident. It was thanks to Monkey D. Dragon that I survived. I lost my memory after that. It wasn't until the Marineford War, when I saw reports about you and Luffy, that I remembered everything."
Ace laughed loudly.
"Luffy's going to be so happy."
Kaido clicked his tongue again.
"Hmph, an old acquaintance?"
Marco had already known Sabo was alive, though he never told Ace.
Charlotte Linlin spoke with irritation.
"So you're the Revolutionary Army's Chief of Staff? Then where is Dragon?"
Sabo calmed himself and nodded.
"Sorry, we'll catch up later, Ace."
"Yeah."
Sabo turned toward Marco, Kaido, and Big Mom.
"Our leader is waiting on Garbage Island. Please follow me."
He stepped forward again using Moonwalk, heading deeper inland.
Big Mom chuckled.
"Mama mama, energetic kid."
Marco spoke briefly to Ace and the others.
"Wait here."
He transformed into a Phoenix and followed after Sabo.
Kaido transformed into a Azure Dragon, while Big Mom rode Zeus, all three flying after him.
---
At the center of Garbage Island, the air was noticeably clearer, the waste having settled away from the core.
Sabo landed first.
Marco and the others followed shortly after, descending onto the rocky surface.
Ahead of them stood members of the Revolutionary Army, including Emporio Ivankov and Inazuma, alongside others.