Marco quickly contacted Kaido and the Big Mom Pirates through a transponder snail, informing them of the situation. Upon hearing the news, both of them were stunned.
It had only been a month since the Egghead Island War. Not long ago, they had agreed to a temporary truce to recover their strength and have Vegapunk develop advanced weapons to enhance their forces. Yet now, they were being dragged into another conflict with the World Government and the Marines.
Since the formation of the Three Emperors Alliance, they had been in constant battle. Although their influence across the Grand Line had increased, the Beasts Pirates, the Big Mom Pirates, and the Phoenix Pirates had all suffered significant losses.
Big Mom was the first to react, her voice filled with irritation.
"Hey, Marco, that Straw Hat brat is not even part of your crew, so why are you getting involved in his problems?"
Kaido followed with a dissatisfied growl.
"That's right. My Beasts Pirates already took heavy losses at Egghead. I am not interested in starting another war against the Marines and the World Government."
The truth was that the Egghead Island War had no real victor. Both sides suffered severe losses. The Three Emperors Alliance had lost more manpower overall, while the World Government lost one of the Gorosei, several members of the God's Knights, and even the ancient weapon Pluton.
At Marco's current level, numbers no longer mattered much. What truly decided battles now was high-level combat power. Ordinary fighters were only useful for maintaining territory.
Marco spoke in a calm but firm tone.
"Relax. I am not asking you to mobilize your entire crews. I only need the two of you. Most members of the God's Knights possess Conqueror's Haki, and the Gorosei are the same. Numbers are useless against them. What matters is top-tier strength."
Kaido and Big Mom fell silent for a moment.
Marco continued,
"This is only a precaution. If the Phoenix Pirates can handle it alone, we will. But if things go wrong, I will need your support."
Kaido snorted.
"Tch, what a hassle. Fine. I understand. When the time comes, I will support you through the mirror."
Big Mom clicked her tongue.
"Same here. But after this, you will have Vegapunk create artificial giants for me."
Marco's expression turned cold.
"Do not try to negotiate at a time like this. I already told you, take that up with Vegapunk yourself."
Big Mom frowned but did not push further. She knew her influence within the alliance was the weakest. Strengthening her crew was her top priority.
"Hmph. Fine. Then I have one more condition. The first batch of battle suits Vegapunk creates must go to my crew first. Both Whole Cake Island and Egghead cost me dearly."
Marco nodded without hesitation.
"That is acceptable."
After the Egghead Island War, the Vinsmoke family had already begun cooperating with the Big Mom Pirates. Their alliance hinted at a possible political marriage, much earlier than in the original timeline. It was a calculated gamble, as the Three Emperors Alliance had managed to hold its ground against the World Government in two major conflicts.
Once the call ended, Marco turned to Ace.
"Ace, do you have Luffy's vivre card?"
Ace nodded.
"Yes. After Marineford, I collected his hair and nails to make one."
He took it out, revealing that a portion of it had already begun to burn.
Marco took the vivre card, tore it in half, and handed one piece to Yamato.
"Follow this when the time comes."
Everyone nodded.
Meanwhile, on Amazon Lily…
Silvers Rayleigh was being pushed back by Saint Garling. After gaining a power similar to Izanagi, Garling had become overwhelmingly strong. In less than half an hour, Rayleigh was already at a disadvantage.
If he were alone, he would have retreated into the sea long ago. But with Boa Hancock and Luffy behind him, that was not an option.
Saint Figarland Garling looked at the heavily breathing Rayleigh with a mocking smile.
"So you are the Dark King, the former right-hand of Gol D. Roger. Yet you are already exhausted in such a short time. Age truly catches up to everyone."
Rayleigh let out a tired chuckle.
"You are not wrong. But I did not expect your stamina to be this impressive either."
Garling's expression turned cold. A month ago, his stamina would not have been much better than Rayleigh's. But after becoming one of the Gorosei and receiving a blessing from Imu-sama, everything changed. Though his appearance remained that of an old man, his body had regained the vitality of youth. His aging had completely stopped.
"If you leave now, I might spare your life," Garling said coldly. "You no longer qualify as someone worth killing."
Rayleigh did not respond.
He was conflicted.
Through their battle, he clearly understood the gap between them. Even in his prime, defeating Garling would have been unlikely.
The situation was dire.
If this were anywhere else, Rayleigh would have already escaped with Hancock and Luffy. But this was Amazon Lily, located in the Calm Belt.
Hancock, as the ruler of Amazon Lily, would never abandon her island.
Escaping by ship was nearly impossible. Pirate ships relied on wind, but the Calm Belt had none. Movement depended on sea kings pulling the ship, which was far slower than Marine warships.
The Marines, with Vegapunk's technology, could move freely through the Calm Belt using powered warships.
Rayleigh quickly understood the reality. Escape was not an option.
The only choice left was to use the terrain of Amazon Lily for a prolonged fight and wait for reinforcements from the Phoenix Pirates.
It was a desperate gamble.
Even under ideal conditions, it would take several days for help to arrive from the New World. By then, they might already be dead.
But this was their only chance.
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