Looking at the system panel, Marco realized that he now had two "Establish Authority" missions and two "Challenge the Yonko" missions active at the same time.
However, he could only choose one of the authority-establishing objectives.
In truth, Marco barely spared the missions a thought. Whether the system issued them or not, his destination was already decided.
Fish-Man Island.
Not only would it grant him greater rewards, but more importantly, the Sweet Commanders were there. Their overall combat strength far surpassed Jack's forces—especially Katakuri.
Among the Phoenix Pirates, only Marco himself might be able to contend with Katakuri head-on. Even then, victory was far from guaranteed. Katakuri's Observation Haki bordered on the absurd.
At present, the Phoenix Pirates had only three fighters who had truly reached Yonko Commander level—Vista, Ace, and Jozu. The remaining Captains were strong, but not yet at that tier. Combat strength had to be allocated carefully.
Unfortunately, the situation left no room for meticulous planning.
Marco lifted his gaze and spoke decisively, his voice cutting through the noise.
"Enough arguing."
The deck fell silent.
"The Big Mom Pirates and the Beasts Pirates moving together is unexpected—but not shocking. Big Mom and Kaido were close in their early years. A joint attack like this is hardly surprising."
His eyes hardened.
"Even if they form a full alliance someday, it wouldn't change anything. What matters now is dealing with the crisis in front of us."
Everyone nodded immediately.
Marco continued without hesitation, issuing orders with crisp precision.
"Vista. You'll lead Blamenco, Blenheim, Atmos, Kingdew, and Kil, along with their divisions, to Nanku Island. Order all nearby subordinate crews to reinforce you."
Vista nodded firmly. "Leave it to me."
Marco met his gaze seriously. "The Beasts Pirates are mostly Zoan users. You're a great swordsman—your attacks can cut straight through their defenses. I'm counting on you."
Vista grinned confidently. "If it were King, I might be cautious. But Jack? He's not even worth mentioning."
With that, he turned and began gathering the Captains under his command.
As they departed, Marco turned back to the remaining crew.
"I'll personally go to Fish-Man Island. Namur, Curiel, Izo, Fossa—you're coming with me."
Before anyone else could speak, Ace stepped forward.
"Wait. I'm going too."
Marco frowned slightly. "Ace, your arm was just reattached. You should still be resting—"
"Is this really the time to rest?" Ace snapped back, eyes blazing.
Jozu stepped forward as well, his voice heavy with resolve. "He's right. I'll go too. They've already trampled right onto our doorstep."
His fists clenched.
"If we don't hit back hard now, Father's legacy will be eaten away piece by piece. Even if they're another Yonko crew, we have to teach them a lesson."
Marco nodded slowly. He agreed—but responsibility weighed heavier than pride.
"I understand," he said gravely. "But we can't commit everyone. We still need enough strength left behind to hold our territory."
The war had begun on two fronts.
And Marco, standing at the center of the storm, had to decide how much he was willing to gamble.
"At present, our Phoenix Pirates have only fourteen Commanders," Marco said steadily.
"The First and Fourth Division commander positions are still vacant."
His gaze swept across the room.
"Vista is taking six to hold off the Beasts Pirates, and I'll be leading a force to confront the Big Mom Pirates. That means if any other power makes a move while we're gone… you'll have to stand and face them yourselves."
Silence followed.
Jozu and Ace both lowered their heads.
They all understood the reality far too well.
The Marineford War had been both a victory and a devastating defeat.
They had won because Ace was rescued—because the Marines learned, in blood, the price of provoking Whitebeard.
But they had also lost… utterly.
Whitebeard had fallen.
More than half of their fifty thousand crew were dead.
The once-invincible Whitebeard Pirates had fallen from the strongest of the Yonko to the weakest.
Even though Marco had taken command smoothly, without internal strife, their strength was at its lowest point in decades. Worse still, their territory was vast—too vast—drawing the greedy eyes of countless pirates.
The Phoenix Pirates were like a gravely wounded tiger, surrounded by wolves waiting for the kill.
Marco had been thrust into leadership at the darkest possible moment.
If he made a single mistake, everything Whitebeard had built over a lifetime would collapse overnight.
He turned to Ace.
"How about this—Ace, you come with me. Your flames should have some restraining effect against the Sweet Commanders."
Ace's eyes lit up. "Alright!"
Marco then faced the others, his expression solemn.
"Jozu. Rakyō. Harta. I'm leaving the rear to you."
His voice hardened.
"If Queen or King shows up… or if the Wang Zhi Pirates attack—retreat if you must. Territory can be reclaimed. Lives cannot."
Jozu answered immediately, his diamond fists clenched.
"Don't worry. As long as I'm here, anyone who comes will be smashed back."
Rakyō snorted confidently.
"Besides the Yonko themselves, no one else is worth fearing."
Harta, however, spoke with caution.
"You're the ones who need to be careful at Fish-Man Island. The Sweet Commanders are Big Mom's strongest forces—especially Katakuri. His power is terrifying."
Marco smiled.
"Relax. I've got this."
His eyes burned with resolve.
"And when this is over, I won't let Big Mom or Kaido off either. If I don't fight them, they'll never acknowledge me as one of the Yonko."
He paused, then continued firmly.
"No one is taking Father's legacy from us. Not only that—I will restore the Phoenix Pirates to the glory the Whitebeard Pirates once held." A faint conqueror's haki aura surrounded Marco.
For a moment, the pirates felt as though they were seeing Whitebeard himself standing there again.
That presence—steady, fearless, absolute—made their faith in Marco deepen.
Jozu smiled.
"Yeah… I believe in you, Marco."
Marco returned the smile briefly, then turned serious.
"We're departing now. Stay sharp while we're gone."
"Leave it to us!" the crew replied in unison.
The storm was coming—and the Phoenix Pirates would face it head-on.
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