Soon, with the aid of Trafalgar Law's Ope-Ope no Mi, every pirate who had lost a limb finally regained a new one.
"Fire Fist—!"
Flames burst to life around Ace's right hand. He flexed his fingers, feeling the power flow smoothly through his arm, and laughed in delight. "This is incredible! It feels exactly the same as before! Thank you so much, Doctor Law!"
Standing nearby, Law adjusted his hat and replied calmly, "Although the arm has fully integrated with your body, its strength may not yet match the rest of you. Until it adapts completely, you should still be careful."
Ace grinned brightly. "Got it. Thanks again, Doctor."
Law's expression remained composed, though the exhaustion behind it was undeniable. During his stay with the Phoenix Pirates, he had done little besides operate. More than ten hours a day were spent in surgery, and it took him a full week to complete procedures for over twelve hundred people.
If animal limbs had been used, the process would have been far simpler—kill the animal, transplant the limb, and the Devil Fruit would handle the rest. But this time, Law had chosen to transplant human limbs instead. He refused to kill people merely for convenience. Even if most of them were pirates, he couldn't bring himself to do it.
So he operated instead—painstaking, precise, and merciful—removing limbs without unnecessary suffering.
In return, the Phoenix Pirates gave those captives a single promise: their lives would be spared.
When the final surgery was completed, Law turned to Marco.
"Captain of the Phoenix Pirates, I've finished transplanting limbs for everyone. Over twelve hundred people. It's time for you to keep your word."
"Of course," Marco replied, a faint smile forming on his lips.
He straightened and called out, "Vista, Namur, Harta, Izo—come with me. We're going to deal with Doflamingo."
"No problem," Vista replied immediately, rising with an eager grin. The others followed suit without hesitation.
Ace suddenly stepped forward. "Marco, let me come too! I want to test the strength of my new arm."
Marco looked at him, his expression turning serious. "Are you sure? Your arm was only just reattached."
Ace nodded firmly, confidence blazing in his eyes. "Yes. If we're dealing with Doflamingo, you'll handle him. I'll just take care of his subordinates. There won't be any problems."
Marco considered it for a moment—then nodded.
"Alright. Then let's go together."
The decision made, the Phoenix Pirates began to move.
The storm surrounding the Heavenly Yaksha was finally about to break.
Before Marco could finish speaking, the Den Den Mushi at his waist suddenly began to ring—buruburuburuburu.
Without hesitation, Marco took it out and answered, "This is Marco."
"Marco, it's me." Jinbe's voice came through the receiver, urgent and heavy.
Marco's expression hardened. "Jinbe, what happened?"
Jinbe spoke solemnly, "The Sweet Commanders of the Big Mom Pirates have just arrived at Fish-Man Island. Judging by their movements, they intend to take it over. I wanted to inform you immediately."
"What?" Marco's eyes narrowed. The surrounding members of the Phoenix Pirates instinctively gathered closer.
Then, instead of anger, a sharp, excited smile curved Marco's lips. "So it's finally begun. A Yonko Pirate Crew has made the first move against us."
He said decisively, "I understand. I'll contact Big Mom personally. Hold your position—I'll come to support you immediately."
Jinbe nodded on the other end. "Alright. I'll hold the island."
The call ended.
Marco immediately dialed another Den Den Mushi. As a Yonko crew vice-captain till a few days back, he naturally possessed direct contact channels to the other Yonko.
The call connected quickly.
The Den Den Mushi's face twisted into a familiar sneer—Perospero.
"Perorin~ Hello, this is Perospero speaking."
Marco's voice turned glacial. "Perospero. This is Marco. Put Big Mom on the line."
"Hehehehe~ So it's you, Marco." Perospero laughed mockingly. "Mama is enjoying her afternoon tea right now. She doesn't have time to answer calls. If you have something to say, you can tell me instead."
Marco's eyes darkened. "You're not qualified to speak to me. Get Big Mom."
"Hahahahaha!" Perospero laughed even harder, malice dripping from every syllable.
"As expected of someone who's just taken over the Captain's seat—how arrogant. Do you really think that sitting in that chair makes you a Yonko?"
His tone sharpened.
"Whitebeard was the one we recognized. And he's dead. As for the Whitebeard Pirates—no, the Phoenix Pirates—you're no longer worthy of standing on equal footing with the Big Mom Pirates. So speak. I'll decide whether Mama even needs to hear it."
Marco listened quietly, then spoke with absolute cold certainty, "I have nothing to say to you."
Click.
The call was cut off.
Marco slowly lowered the Den Den Mushi, blue flames flickering faintly around his eyes.
"So that's Big Mom's answer…" he muttered.
The War of the Four Emperors had truly begun.
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