Rocks finished speaking, then once again extended an invitation toward Marco.
"All right… I'll ask you one last time—will you become my subordinate?"
This was the third time Rocks had approached him. Refusing again might've seemed like ingratitude.
But Marco didn't hesitate. For him, Whitebeard wasn't just a captain—he was family. Betraying that bond? Never.
Besides, the man in front of him still wore Teach's face. That alone filled Marco with disgust.
His answer came in the form of action.
Marco's body transformed into full beast form as he soared into the sky. He spread his wings and launched green fireballs down toward Rocks.
He'd learned his lesson—close combat was dangerous against Rocks. This time, he attacked from range, spreading his flames wide.
Though the Phoenix Fruit had fire attributes, Marco's flames were restorative, not destructive. The fireballs struck with blunt force, not burning power.
Rocks wasn't fazed. Watching the incoming barrage, he chuckled.
"So… you still prefer playing house with Newgate. What a shame."
With a casual wave of his hand, black spears formed from darkness shot out behind him, instantly destroying the green fireballs mid-air.
Then, with a sharp gesture, the spears extended outward—straight toward Marco.
Marco's eyes narrowed. In the air, he quickly summoned a shield of green flames in front of himself.
"Immortal Thistle!"
Puff! Puff! Puff!
The black spears drilled into the flame shield, sending bursts of fire in every direction before finally dissipating.
Marco felt cold sweat on his forehead. Just a little more, and the shield would've broken.
Below, Rocks examined his hands with irritation.
"The darkness is weakening… I can't waste any more time. I need to finish this."
He raised a hand toward Marco and activated Dark Water once again.
The moment Marco saw it, his expression changed.
Not this again!
He had been caught by this ability once already. Without hesitation, he shot upward, trying to fly beyond its range.
But he'd underestimated the gravity of darkness.
After just a few beats of his wings, he was pulled downward—dragged through the sky with no resistance.
Seeing escape was impossible, Marco canceled his Phoenix form mid-flight and clenched his arm, coating it in Armament Haki.
As the Whitebeard Pirates' First Division Commander, Marco's control over Armament Haki was advanced—he could even project it.
He launched a punch forward, unleashing a powerful invisible shockwave toward Rocks.
Below, Rocks smirked in appreciation.
"Impressive," he said. "You really do have good instincts. But it's a shame… I have no use for someone I can't control."
He didn't stop talking—but neither did he hold back.
Even in Teach's body, Rocks had full mastery of Haki—all three types. His spirit alone overwhelmed the limits of the flesh.
He clenched his fist, cloaking it in Conqueror's Haki, streaked with black lightning.
Then he threw a punch of his own.
"Divine Silence!"
The shockwave from Marco's attack shattered instantly.
BOOM!
Marco's body was sent hurtling to the ground like a ragdoll.
When he hit, blood sprayed from his mouth. His whole body was battered, torn, and barely moving.
He tried to rise, summoning his Phoenix flames once more. They flared to life—but something was wrong.
He watched with growing dread as his injuries healed far slower than usual.
In truth, even the strongest Devil Fruits couldn't compete with advanced Haki—especially Conqueror's Haki-coated attacks.
Had Marco seen the Marineford War from an outside perspective, he might have understood. Even there, he was punched aside by Garp, and later seen wrapped in bandages.
To truly master a Devil Fruit… it wasn't enough. What Marco needed now was something like Uchiha Chiga's Rinnegan—a power that could push abilities beyond their limits.
But Marco had no such gift.
Grinding his teeth, he made himself a silent promise:
If I survive… I'll master my Haki. I swear it.
Truthfully, Marco's Haki wasn't weak. But he lacked Conqueror's Haki, and that made all the difference. Rocks, even while limited by Teach's body, was simply too strong.
Right now, Rocks' power was already at Yonko-level.
If he were in his original body?
Marco would've been annihilated in a single punch—even with the Phoenix's regeneration.
As the bloodied commander staggered, Rocks approached with exaggerated, mocking strides. His smile was unnervingly wide, his presence suffocating.
Marco watched, trying to stand, trying to fight—but even twitching a finger sent shockwaves of pain through his body.
He was helpless.
A sitting duck.
But Rocks didn't strike the final blow.
Instead, he stood before Marco… and patted his shoulder twice.
Normally, a friendly gesture. But in Marco's state, those pats nearly broke more bones.
Marco winced, teeth clenched against the pain. His glare burned into Rocks like fire through paper.
If stares could kill, Rocks would've been reduced to ash.
But he just laughed.
"Relax," Rocks said. "I'm not here to kill you."
He leaned closer.
"I want you to deliver a message… to Newgate."
Marco blinked.
A message?
"I want you to tell him… that his old captain, Rocks, is back. And he should prepare for my return!"
Rocks threw his head back and laughed.
"GYA HA HA HA HA!"
Then, without another word, he turned and walked away—his form fading into the shadows.
Marco remained kneeling, dazed, bloodied… but alive.
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