Big Mom was breathing heavily. The injuries she suffered this time were severe, but fortunately they were not fatal. By sacrificing three years of her lifespan, she managed to restore her body.
Still, the situation was far from favorable.
She was currently on Egghead Island, not within her own territory. Unlike Whole Cake Island, there were no large numbers of Homies surrounding her. Without them, she could not strengthen herself through fusion with Homies as she usually did during battle.
For the first time in a long while, regret surfaced in Big Mom's heart.
Starting a world war, overthrowing the World Government, ambitions like these now seemed unbelievably distant.
Was it truly wise to ally herself with Kaido and Marco, two men who were just as reckless as she was?
Once, Big Mom had believed firmly in her own strength. Even if she was not the strongest person in the world, she thought very few could truly defeat her. Her nearly indestructible body had always been her greatest confidence.
But ever since the war against the Marines and the World Government began, she slowly realized how naive those thoughts had been.
The World Government possessed countless powerful individuals.
And the Gorosei stood at the very peak of them all.
Their strength even surpassed that of the Admirals.
However, there was no turning back now. Even if Big Mom wanted to withdraw from the alliance, neither the pirates nor the Marines would allow her to leave so easily.
Her only option was to continue fighting.
Staring at Saint Nusjuro, Big Mom's expression twisted into a fierce grin.
"As expected of the Gorosei who stand at the very top of the world," she said. "The true elites among the Celestial Dragons. Your strength really is extraordinary."
As she spoke, she lifted the broken Napoleon.
Once again, she poured life into the weapon.
Napoleon immediately regenerated and returned to its massive greatsword form.
Big Mom laughed loudly.
"But taking my head will never be that easy," she declared. "This old lady is Big Mom!"
The ground cracked beneath her feet as she launched herself forward and charged toward Saint Nusjuro.
The moment she moved, Katakuri and King also rushed forward to assist her.
Saint Nusjuro responded with cold indifference.
"Then let us see how many times your lifespan can restore your body."
At the same time, high above the dome surrounding Egghead Island, another fierce chase was unfolding.
Marco was pursuing Saint Mars through the sky.
Saint Mars was fleeing desperately.
Suddenly, a blazing stream of fire erupted through the air.
"Heat Breath!"
In the distance, Sak in his pink dragon form unleashed a terrifying blast of flames that slammed directly into Saint Mars.
The scorching flames exploded violently upon impact. Saint Mars's body stiffened for a moment under the extreme heat.
Marco's patience had already run thin from the constant pursuit.
At that moment, a powerful surge of Conqueror's Haki erupted from his body, locking precisely onto Saint Mars.
Immediately, Saint Mars felt the pressure.
His abilities began weakening under the overwhelming force.
Saint Mars quickly activated his own Conqueror's Haki to defend himself.
But that brief moment was enough.
Marco closed the distance instantly.
"Destruction Black Flame, Phoenix Wing Strike!"
Towering black flames erupted like a raging tide, engulfing Saint Mars completely.
The attack slammed him downward toward the buildings of Egghead Island with tremendous force.
Wrapped inside the black flames, Saint Mars felt an intense burning pain unlike anything before.
When the attack struck him, Marco had carefully used Conqueror's Haki to lock onto him. The power temporarily suppressed Saint Mars's immortality, preventing him from escaping the damage.
Marco showed no mercy.
He did not allow Saint Mars even a single moment to recover.
Black flames engulfed his entire body as he dived down from the sky like a falling meteor.
"Destruction Black Flame, Phoenix Sword!"
His speed increased rapidly.
Marco's right hand transformed into a blazing hand blade, leaving a trail of black flames behind him.
Boom!
A deafening explosion echoed across Egghead Island.
The island itself seemed to tremble.
Marco's blazing hand blade pierced straight through Saint Mars's body and drove him violently into the ground.
At the same time, the powerful Conqueror's Haki concentrated in Marco's palm surged forward, completely sealing Saint Mars's ability to activate his immortality.
The Marines across Egghead Island witnessed a shocking sight.
Marco had struck Saint Mars down from the sky and pinned him firmly to the ground.
Moments earlier, their morale had soared after Saint Nusjuro severely wounded Big Mom with a single strike.
But now another Gorosei had been completely suppressed by one of the Four Emperors.
The Marines' fighting spirit immediately faltered.
Meanwhile, Kaido and Big Mom also noticed the situation unfolding in the sky.
Kaido let out a loud laugh.
"Worororo! Looks like someone on our side is winning!"
Big Mom also watched Marco dominate the battle. Although it made her own position appear weaker in comparison, Marco was still her ally at the moment.
She grinned fiercely.
"It seems your companion isn't doing very well."
Saint Nusjuro observed the scene with a solemn expression.
After a moment, he sighed quietly.
"Phoenix Marco... that man is truly extraordinary."
"Cough... cough... damn insects!"
Pinned to the ground, Saint Mars roared in fury.
For the first time, a trace of fear appeared in his eyes.
He attempted to activate his ability and call for assistance, but his entire body was covered by Marco's Conqueror's Haki. The overwhelming pressure completely blocked his powers.
Marco looked down calmly at Saint Mars.
Without hesitation, he pressed his knee heavily onto Saint Mars's chest while gripping his head firmly with his left hand.
Saint Mars had no chance of escaping.
At the same time, Marco's right arm began gathering surging black flames.
Admiral Aramaki saw this and instantly roared in rage.
"You bastard! What are you trying to do to the creator of this world!"
He immediately shouted orders to the surrounding Marines.
"Move now! Capture Marco immediately!"
"Yes, sir!"
The Marine soldiers reacted instantly and rushed forward, preparing to surround Marco.
But at that critical moment, a massive blast of fire shot down from the sky.
Sak arrived just in time.
"Don't even think about interfering with Marco!"
At the same moment, members of the Phoenix Pirates appeared across the battlefield.
One after another, they intercepted the advancing Marines and blocked their path.
However, for Marco, the Marines present on Egghead Island were no longer a real threat.
At this point in the battle, they simply could not stop him.