At that critical moment, Marco suddenly sensed a powerful aura spreading across the dome of Egghead Island.
At the same time, one of the Five Elders, Saint Jaygarcia Saturn, the Warrior God of Scientific Defense, silently appeared inside the dome where Vegapunk's laboratory was located.
A strange Magic Circle flickered beneath him as his body materialized.
Because Saturn himself had scientific knowledge and frequently supervised Vegapunk's research, he had previously visited Egghead Island to push Vegapunk to accelerate the development of the Seraphim and the Mother Flame. During that visit, he had secretly placed a magical mark on the island as a teleportation anchor, allowing him to return instantly if necessary.
High in the sky, Marco noticed the sudden appearance of Saturn Saint above the dome.
His eyes narrowed as surprise flashed across his face.
"The Five Elders can teleport without being summoned?"
Marco had always believed that the Five Elders needed to use summoning circles, with one of them acting as the anchor to call the others.
But what he saw now suggested something different.
The key was not the summoning itself, but the Magic Circle.
As long as a Gorosei had previously visited a location and left a Magic Circle anchor, they could teleport there freely.
Marco quickly understood something else.
During the Whole Cake Island War, Saint Mars had personally traveled from the Holy Land to Whole Cake Island first because there had been no anchor point there. Only after arriving could he use a Magic Circle to summon the other four Elders.
"You're not summoning anyone else," Marco said coldly.
Without hesitation, he shot forward through the air and flew straight toward Saturn Saint.
Meanwhile, the sudden appearance of Saturn Saint immediately alarmed everyone inside the dome.
"What is that?" Sentomaru exclaimed.
Both the Phoenix Pirates and Sentomaru had seen the strange Magic Circles before. The moment the glowing circle appeared in the sky again, the Phoenix Pirates immediately understood what had happened.
Kingdew explained quickly, "That is an ability used by the Five Elders. They use Magic Circles to teleport through space."
"Magic Circles?" Sentomaru frowned in confusion. "Something that mysterious actually exists in this world?"
Harta, standing beside him, spoke with a serious expression.
"I do not know the exact details either, but it may be connected to a Devil Fruit ability. The Five Elders also seem to possess a form of immortality. They are extremely powerful, and even Seastone has little effect on them. Marco believes that only Conqueror's Haki can truly suppress them. Anyone without Conqueror's Haki would only be wasting their effort by facing them."
Inside the dome, Saturn Saint slowly opened his eyes and calmly looked around.
He had successfully teleported into the center of Egghead Island.
Soon, his gaze landed on a video Transponder Snail hanging nearby. He knew Vegapunk would be observing everything through the surveillance system.
Without hesitation, he spoke directly to it.
"Vegapunk, you should be watching this."
His voice was cold and merciless.
"Since you have chosen to betray the World Government, I will personally end your life."
Inside the monitoring room, Vegapunk stared at the screen with wide eyes.
"S-Saint Saturn? What kind of ability was that just now? You appeared here instantly!"
Lilith gripped her bubble gun tightly, her expression full of anger.
"Hmph. Saturn Saint dares to show up here himself. If he is here, we should fight him head on."
Shaka immediately shook his head.
"Lilith, please calm down. With your strength, you cannot fight one of the Five Elders."
Lilith snorted stubbornly.
"I am a scientist. Of course I would use technology."
At that moment, Jozu stepped forward confidently.
"Doctor, please do not worry. We will protect everyone here."
Vegapunk nodded slightly.
"Then I will rely on you."
Although he was the world's greatest scientist and possessed unparalleled intelligence, Vegapunk's own combat ability was almost nonexistent. His strength lay in his inventions, not in battle.
Meanwhile, Vista stared at the screen with a grim expression.
"The abilities of the Five Elders are truly mysterious. Unlike before, Saturn Saint came here alone this time. No one summoned him."
The Five Elders were terrifying opponents.
Although their individual strength might be slightly below that of a Marine Admiral, their immortality made them far more troublesome enemies.
Jinbe calmly analyzed the situation.
"Their teleportation must depend on Magic Circles. Saturn Saint probably left an anchor here during one of his previous visits to Egghead Island. That is why he can teleport here directly."
Vista and Jozu both nodded in agreement.
Recently, Marco had explained many of the Five Elders' abilities to the division commanders.
However, even Marco himself was not completely certain how to permanently defeat them.
After awakening his advanced Conqueror's Haki, he had not yet fought the Five Elders again. He was unsure whether this powerful Haki could truly suppress beings with immortality.
Even so, Marco had already shared a possible method.
If the Five Elders could not be killed, then they could be neutralized.
The solution was simple, dismember them, seal the pieces in boxes, and throw them into the sea.
Even if they possessed immortality, it would be extremely difficult for them to regenerate under those conditions. If they ever managed to revive again, it would likely take an unimaginably long time.
Jinbe spoke seriously.
"It seems Captain Marco already expected this situation. That is why he ordered us to remain here. Vista, Jozu, we must prepare ourselves."
Both men nodded immediately.
Suddenly, Jozu pointed toward another monitor screen.
"Look. Marco is coming."
On the surveillance footage, Marco was flying rapidly toward the dome.
Dark flames surrounded his body as a pair of enormous black wings spread across his back, nearly twenty meters wide.
He looked like a gigantic black bird soaring across the sky.
At the same moment, Saturn Saint also noticed Marco approaching.
Saturn understood something clearly.
In a one on one battle, defeating Marco would not be easy. Especially when he also needed to personally execute Vegapunk.
Without hesitation, Saturn raised his hand and began gathering energy.
In the sky above him, a massive Magic Circle began to form.
Marco saw it instantly.
A terrifying wave of Conqueror's Haki erupted from his body.
His Haki locked directly onto Saturn Saint.
"Do not even think about summoning anyone else!"
The moment Marco's Conqueror's Haki locked onto him, Saturn's body froze.
The forming Magic Circle trembled and slowly faded away.
Fear flashed across Saturn's eyes.
Marco's overwhelming Conqueror's Haki was disrupting the mysterious power granted to him by Imu. The ability he relied on was gradually weakening under that immense pressure.
For the first time, Saturn found himself unable to use that power.
"Damn it," Saturn muttered in disbelief.
"How can his Haki be this powerful?"