"Zehahaha, you lot are really impatient," Blackbeard laughed loudly as he looked at the Phoenix Pirates already eager for battle. "Brothers, it's time for war."
Marco lifted his gaze toward the sky. Night was about to fall. If the Vampire Fruit fully awakened alongside the Shadow-Shadow Fruit, Blackbeard would likely be able to gather shadows on a massive scale. He had probably already developed that ability.
In the original timeline, Luffy had relied on a hundred shadows to become Nightmare Luffy, gaining overwhelming power for a short time. Now, Blackbeard's strength far exceeded that version of Luffy. He might even be capable of fusing thousands of shadows.
Even if such power was temporary, it would still be extremely dangerous. Marco would not allow him the chance to complete that transformation.
"Phoenix Dance."
In an instant, countless black flame phoenixes split from Marco's wings, rushing toward Blackbeard like burning meteors.
"Zehahahaha, Dark Water."
Blackbeard was confident. The Dark-Dark Fruit could neutralize all Devil Fruit abilities. As long as Marco relied on a Devil Fruit, he believed he would win.
Darkness surged from his hand, swallowing the incoming black flame phoenixes.
But when the attack was absorbed, Blackbeard immediately looked up, only to realize Marco had vanished. His expression changed slightly, and he quickly activated Observation Haki, searching for him, yet found nothing.
"Teach, behind you," Shiryu shouted while clashing with Vista.
It was too late.
Marco had already concealed his presence completely and appeared beside Blackbeard in a flash-like movement.
"Black Flame Phoenix Blade."
A blade of condensed energy erupted from Marco's hand and pierced directly through Blackbeard's abdomen.
"Guhhh," Blackbeard coughed up blood, his face twisting in agony. The pain was so intense that his vision blurred. Instinctively, he reached out to grab Marco, trying to activate the Dark-Dark Fruit.
But at that moment, a surge of overwhelming Conqueror's Haki exploded from Marco's body.
Blackbeard's Devil Fruit ability was instantly suppressed.
It felt like his body had been submerged in the sea. His strength vanished for a split second, leaving him completely exposed. Fear finally surfaced in his eyes as he looked at Marco.
Marco did not hesitate.
Hatred needed no hesitation.
His other hand formed another Ki Blade, and with a sharp horizontal slash, Blackbeard's body was cut diagonally from shoulder to abdomen.
Blackbeard's pupils widened in shock.
Before he could even scream, Marco followed up instantly. Blade after blade of compressed energy slashed through the air. In less than a second, more than ten strikes landed on Blackbeard's body.
His body was torn apart before he could react.
Then Marco raised both hands, shaping them like a gathering sphere.
"Super Spiral, Incineration Cannon."
Black flames mixed with Armament Haki condensed violently into a spiraling mass, then fired forward in a devastating blast.
The compressed inferno engulfed what remained of Blackbeard's body, reducing it completely to ash.
Silence fell across the battlefield.
For a brief moment, neither side reacted.
Then the Phoenix Pirates erupted.
"We won, that's Captain Marco!"
"That bastard Blackbeard finally got what he deserved!"
"Hahaha, Marco is the strongest!"
"Pops, Thatch, we've avenged you!"
Their voices filled with relief and triumph.
On the opposite side, the Blackbeard Pirates stood frozen in disbelief. Their captain, a man who had wielded three Devil Fruits, had been erased in seconds.
Was this really the power of a Yonko of the New World?
"Run, retreat!" someone suddenly shouted.
Panic spread instantly. Weapons were dropped as many turned and fled. Most of them had no real loyalty to Blackbeard, they had only followed his strength. Now that strength was gone.
The battle had ended in less than three minutes.
"Don't let them escape, wipe them out," voices from the Phoenix Pirates rang out as they prepared to chase.
But Marco did not pursue.
At that moment, a voice echoed in his mind.
Killed Blackbeard Teach, reward 3000 attribute points.
Marco's eyes sharpened slightly.
He then spoke loudly, his voice carrying across the battlefield.
"The others don't matter. But those who took part in killing Pops must not escape."
"OH!!!"
Jozu stepped forward and roared, "Those who surrender will be spared, those who resist will be killed without mercy."
That single command shattered the remaining resistance.
Many of the fleeing pirates immediately dropped to their knees, begging for mercy.
___
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