Switching the Blue Planet to flight mode and crossing hundreds of kilometers to reach Whitebeard's fleet took less than an hour.
A massive "spaceship" like that approaching? Yeah, it caused quite a stir.
Besides Marco, others like "Diamond" Jozu and "Flower Sword" Vista gathered at the bow, eyeing the newcomers warily.
Under their watchful gazes, the Blue Planet slowed down, hovering about a kilometer from Whitebeard's fleet before descending and switching back to "ocean mode."
"…So this is Whitebeard's fleet? It's pretty impressive. Feels totally different from seeing it in the manga!" Bulma said, clearly amazed.
Uchiha Hikari nodded in agreement.
No kidding.
Whitebeard's pirate crew was probably the largest in this world. Just the core members—Whitebeard's "sons"—numbered over 1,600, split into 16 squads. Add in the 43 affiliated crews, and the total headcount was close to 50,000.
Right now, sailing in this sea was their flagship, the Moby Dick.
The ship was massive, bustling with activity. Not everyone was visible, but there had to be a few hundred people on board at least.
"Hey! Who are you guys?!" a burly, tiger-faced guy shouted from the edge of the deck.
Hikari took a deep breath before responding with a clear, booming voice: "Bulma, captain of the Dimension Pirates, along with her crew, requests an audience!"
Wrapped in her "ki," Hikari's voice carried far and wide, easily reaching Marco and the others a kilometer away.
"…A woman?" was Marco's first thought.
"…And a skilled one," was his second.
As for the "Dimension Pirates" name? It didn't ring any bells. New pirate crews popped up like weeds in this sea—Ace's Spade Pirates being a prime example. So, a few ambitious rookies showing up wasn't exactly shocking.
But…
Whitebeard, one of the Four Emperors, wasn't someone you could just waltz up and meet.
Marco didn't think this crew had the chops to match someone like Ace. Sure, a "flying pirate ship" was wild, but still…
"Pops doesn't meet just anyone. Head back," Marco said, waving them off.
Hikari smirked. "Oh? So what's it gonna take to see your Pops? If it's about strength… how's this?"
Before her words even settled, Hikari raised her right hand, a broken blade materializing in her palm.
—The Dragonbone Blade.
It had snapped during her clash with Kaido, and since she'd been stuck in the pirate world, she hadn't gotten it fixed by Totosai. But for showing off a bit of power? A broken blade would do just fine.
"One Hundred Eight…"
A low chant rumbled as highly condensed chakra and "ki" flowed from Hikari's palm, wrapping the blade in layers of energy.
A faint crimson aura flickered.
Knowing she was up against Marco, Hikari didn't go all out like she had with Kaido—no "Time Zero" charge-up or "Spirit Weapon: Fire Thunder God." Just a touch of her ocular power mixed into the sword's momentum.
"Haa…"
With a soft exhale, Hikari swung the blade downward in a clean, slicing motion!
Swish—!!!
In an instant, a pale red crescent of sword energy tore through the air, screeching as it hurtled toward the Moby Dick!
"…Half-Moon Slash!!"
One strike, splitting the sky!
The moment Marco saw the attack, he knew something was off. He leaped forward, transforming mid-air into a massive bird wreathed in deep blue flames, his body shifting into a half-human, half-bird form as he intercepted the slash!
Zoan Fruit: Mythical Type—Phoenix Form!!
From Hikari and Esdeath's perspective, this "Half-Moon Slash" wasn't all that fast or powerful—just a "serious basic attack."
But Marco's face was grim. He spread his wings to block the slash, then used his flame-covered body to absorb the impact a second time, barely neutralizing it.
As the shockwaves faded, a long, narrow gash was visible on his chest, healing rapidly before their eyes.
"…What's that?" Esdeath glanced at Hikari.
"Yep… he's a Devil Fruit user, just like Kaido and his crew. His ability, 'Flames of Regeneration,' is those blue flames you see. As long as they're burning, any injury he takes heals almost instantly," Hikari explained. "Think of it like a supercharged version of Leone."
—To be precise, those "Flames of Regeneration" could even heal others, curing viruses or diseases. But that wasn't relevant to the fight, so no need to dwell on it.
"Got it," Esdeath said.
Meanwhile, Marco, still in his Phoenix form, soared toward the Blue Planet, his massive wings propelling him like an arrow!
Before Hikari could react, Esdeath stepped forward. A sheet of ice launched her skyward, and she threw a punch wrapped in frost!
—Ice Demon: Simplified Bombardment Fist!
"Bring it!!" Esdeath roared.
A pale blue figure was sent flying from the clash, barely regaining flight just before hitting the sea. Marco stared at Esdeath in shock. "Are you… the captain, Bulma?"
"Come again!" Esdeath answered with a fist that grew larger in his vision as it rocketed toward him!
(End of Chapter)