Soon after, news of Emperor Phoenix Marco's sudden attack on the Holy Land Mary Geoise spread across the seas like a storm.
According to the newspapers, Marco had set fires throughout the Holy Land, plunging Mary Geoise into raging infernos. The reports described his actions as outrageous and unforgivable. Although the World Government deliberately avoided mentioning the massacre of the Celestial Dragons, even this carefully censored version was enough to shake the entire world.
Since Fisher Tiger's defiance of the World Government more than a decade ago, no one had dared to provoke it so openly. Marco's assault was a direct challenge to the authority that had ruled the seas for eight hundred years.
Among the other Emperors, reactions varied.
Kaido and Big Mom were both displeased. The Three Emperors Alliance had been formed, yet Marco had acted without informing them beforehand. Launching such a major operation alone naturally made them wary and dissatisfied. Complaints aside, however, the damage was already done. Marco's actions placed all three Emperors on high alert, as retaliation from the Marines was now inevitable.
At the same time, far from the Holy Land, Marine Base G-5 appeared calm on the surface.
Marine soldiers continued their patrols as usual. Inside his office, the newly appointed commander of G-5, Vice Admiral Smoker, sat reading the latest newspaper with a serious expression.
Suddenly, a deafening boom echoed through the base.
The ground shook violently, and the entire Marine Base G-5 trembled as if struck by an earthquake. Smoker shot to his feet, his face darkening.
"What happened?" he demanded.
Tashigi, who was also in the office, immediately stood up and turned toward him.
"Vice Admiral Smoker…"
Smoker did not let her finish. "Tashigi, come with me. We need to find out the source of this tremor immediately."
"Yes, Vice Admiral Smoker," she replied without hesitation.
The moment they rushed outside, Smoker's pupils shrank.
Marine soldiers were scattered across the plaza, lying unconscious on the ground. At the center of it all stood a single figure, completely wrapped in black flames. The fire burned violently, radiating an eerie and oppressive aura that made the air itself feel heavy.
Smoker stared at the man in disbelief.
"You are… Phoenix Marco?"
Marco turned his gaze toward Smoker and the remaining Marines behind him. A faint, almost playful smile appeared on his face.
"Vice Admiral Smoker. A Logia type Smoke Smoke Fruit user," Marco said calmly. "If I used you as a hostage, do you think Sakazuki would agree to an exchange?"
Smoker's expression instantly turned grim.
The Marco before him felt completely different from the man he had faced at Marineford. His presence was dozens of times more terrifying. Even more unsettling were the black flames surrounding him, flames that gave Smoker an instinctive sense of danger.
Still, as the highest-ranking officer at Marine Base G-5, Smoker's sense of duty would not allow him to retreat.
He drew the jitte from his back, his voice cold and resolute.
"I do not know why an Emperor would appear at Marine Base G-5, but this is my jurisdiction. Since you are here, surrender now."
Marco laughed softly, clearly amused by Smoker's confidence.
"Your courage is impressive," he said. "Relax. I am not here to take your life."
In the next instant, the black flames around Marco surged outward, forming massive wings. With a single beat, he vanished from his original position and shot toward Smoker.
"So fast…" Smoker muttered.
He knew dodging was impossible. Without hesitation, his body transformed into rolling white smoke, rushing forward to meet Marco head-on.
Their clash lasted less than a second.
Marco's fist, coated in Armament Haki and reinforced by Conqueror's Haki, smashed directly into Smoker's face. The impact sent Smoker spinning violently through the air before he crashed into the ground, completely unconscious.
"Vice Admiral Smoker!"
"Boss Smoker!"
Marine soldiers shouted in alarm and anger, charging forward to rescue him.
At that moment, an overwhelming wave of Conqueror's Haki burst from Marco's body. Like a crushing tide, it swept across the plaza. Tashigi and the remaining Marine soldiers collapsed instantly, their consciousness wiped out.
Silence followed.
Not long after, a pirate ship quietly docked near Marine Base G-5. The Decalvan Brothers rushed forward and bowed respectfully.
"Captain Marco."
Marco gave a short nod and issued a simple command.
"Take them all."
"Yes," the brothers answered.
The pirates moved quickly, binding the unconscious Marines and carrying them aboard the ship one by one.
Soon, another group of Marines rushed out in panic. Seeing Vice Admiral Smoker captured, their faces were filled with anger and helplessness. The leading Marine lieutenant commander clenched his fists and shouted.
"Damn it, Marco. What do you want to do with Vice Admiral Smoker?"
Marco looked at him coldly.
"Go back and tell Sakazuki this," Marco said. "If he wants Smoker and these Marines alive, he must release Whitey Bay. As long as she is freed, their lives are guaranteed."
The lieutenant commander fell silent.
Faced with such an overwhelming difference in strength, there was nothing he could do but watch as Marco and his crew departed with their captives.
The news reached Fleet Admiral Sakazuki soon after, igniting his fury once again.
With war against the Three Emperors Alliance looming, Marine Base G-5 had been ambushed. A Vice Admiral and over a hundred Marine soldiers had been captured. It was a heavy blow.
Kizaru remained quiet, offering no comment, though inwardly he felt some sympathy for Sakazuki. The Fleet Admiral had barely settled into his position, yet chaos seemed to follow him relentlessly.
Fujitora broke the silence, his expression grave.
"Fleet Admiral Sakazuki, what are your orders?"
Sakazuki snorted coldly.
"Hmph. Just a minor interruption. The overall battle plan remains unchanged."
He turned his gaze toward Kizaru.
"Borsalino. You will handle the hostage exchange."
Kizaru smiled faintly, his tone as unhurried as ever.
"Leave it to me. I will take care of it."