Marco glanced at the defeated pirates with a cold expression.
"Release all of them. Everyone, prepare to move at full speed."
"Release them?"
The members of the Phoenix Pirates immediately reacted with disbelief.
"We're just letting those bastards go?" "They attacked us!" "That's too easy on them!"
Marco did not even bother looking at the trembling pirates before him.
"They're not worth worrying about," he said indifferently. "If they dare stand against us again, we'll send them straight to hell."
The captured pirates instantly became excited after realizing they would survive.
"Thank you, Lord Marco!" "We swear we'll never oppose the Phoenix Pirates again!"
Marco ignored their gratitude entirely and turned toward his crew.
"Brothers, we're returning."
Once everyone boarded the Phoenix, Jozu, Fossa, and Thatch quickly reported the latest information regarding the Beasts Pirates, the Big Mom Pirates, and Hachinosu.
After listening carefully, Marco fell into deep thought.
The newly appointed Admiral Shura had personally led a Marine assault against the Big Mom Pirates, with the God's Knights participating as well. Faced with overwhelming pressure, Big Mom had abandoned Totto Land and chosen to retreat directly.
Meanwhile, the Beasts Pirates were facing an even more terrifying force.
Fleet Admiral Sengoku, Admirals Fujitora and Ryokugyu, along with former Admiral Zephyr, had all joined the battle. Combined with the Shichibukai and over seventy thousand Marines, the scale of the war was massive.
At this very moment, Kaido was being besieged by Fujitora and Ryokugyu.
Marco still had absolute confidence in Kaido's strength.
If two of the original Admirals, Aokiji, Kizaru, or Sakazuki, had joined forces against Kaido, then Kaido would likely have already fallen.
However, Fujitora and Ryokugyu were still inferior to the original Admirals. Even if Kaido was at a disadvantage, defeating him would not be easy.
What worried Marco the most was Hachinosu, where Vegapunk was currently located.
This time, nearly all of the Phoenix Pirates' main combatants had followed Marco to seek revenge against Teach. It was not because Marco insisted on bringing everyone along, but because the Phoenix Pirates had inherited the will of the Whitebeard Pirates.
Every single one of them carried hatred toward Teach.
Everyone wanted to personally participate in the war and avenge Whitebeard.
Faced with their determination, Marco could not refuse.
Originally, he believed that with Kaido and Big Mom holding the New World, combined with Brulee's Mira Mira no Mi ability, reinforcements could arrive quickly if anything happened.
He never expected Brulee to be assassinated by the World Government.
That development had completely caught him off guard.
Marco could not help wondering how Big Mom had failed to properly protect Brulee.
At this point, the only person Marco truly trusted to hold the line was Kaido.
As for Big Mom, he could only hope she managed to survive.
It was not that Marco underestimated her, but among the Yonko Alliance, Big Mom's combat ability was the weakest. Facing Saint Figarland Garling, who stood at the same level as a Yonko, while also dealing with the God's Knights, placed her in an extremely dangerous situation.
Kaido, on the other hand, was different.
Aside from Marco himself, Kaido could genuinely be considered the strongest creature in the world.
Ace frowned.
"Even if we rush back immediately, it'll still take several days. That's not even counting the time needed for coating. By then, it might already be too late."
Fossa sighed heavily.
"Brulee is dead, so we can't use the Mira Mira no Mi for fast travel anymore."
Marco suddenly raised his head.
"Then we'll attack Mary Geoise and Marineford."
The moment those words left his mouth, the entire ship fell silent.
Jozu stared at him in shock.
"Attack Mary Geoise and Marineford?"
Marco nodded calmly.
"This was originally part of the plan anyway. Kaido and Big Mom kept rejecting it before, so it was postponed. But now things are different."
His eyes sharpened.
"The Marines and the God's Knights have deployed most of their forces to attack Kaido, Big Mom, and Hachinosu. That means Marineford and Mary Geoise are weaker than ever."
Marco paused briefly before continuing.
"If we launch attacks on both locations at the same time, they'll be forced to retreat and defend them."
He suddenly stopped speaking halfway through his explanation.
"I guess you could call it... drawing the enemy back to save our allies."
The crew quickly understood his intentions.
Realization spread across everyone's faces.
"So that's your plan!" "Hahaha! That's brilliant!" "They'll have no choice but to return!"
Excitement immediately swept through the ship.
Marco continued calmly.
"I'll personally attack Mary Geoise. Vista, you'll lead the Phoenix Pirates to attack Marineford."
Vista's expression became serious as he listened carefully.
"The moment the Marines begin returning, retreat immediately. Do not engage their full forces head-on."
Ace frowned slightly.
"We're splitting up?"
"Wouldn't it be safer to keep our strength together?"
Ever since Whitebeard's death, Marco had become the pillar supporting everyone. Over time, the crew had unconsciously started relying on him just as much as they once relied on Whitebeard himself.
If Marco was absent, many of them worried they would make mistakes.
Marco shook his head.
"No. We must divide our forces."
"If we only attack Marineford, the World Government may decide it's acceptable to sacrifice it temporarily. They could still force the Marines to continue attacking Kaido and Big Mom."
"But Mary Geoise is different."
His gaze grew colder.
"The Holy Land is the home of the Celestial Dragons. The Gorosei and Imu would never allow it to fall into chaos."
"The moment Mary Geoise comes under attack, they will immediately recall their forces."
Marco continued explaining in a serious tone.
"Besides, Mary Geoise sits atop the Red Line more than ten thousand meters above sea level. Among all of us, only Shura and I can fly there directly."
"The Gorosei, the God's Knights, and Imu are all extremely dangerous. If all of you follow me there, the casualties would be disastrous."
A heavy atmosphere settled across the deck.
Everyone knew Marco was telling the truth.
Even the Yonko avoided recklessly attacking Mary Geoise.
Marco looked at them calmly.
"So the best option is for me to attack the Holy Land alone while you attack Marineford."
"Only then can we force both the Marines and the God's Knights to withdraw completely."
Jozu clenched his fists tightly.
"But Marco... if you go there alone..."
Marco smiled faintly.
"Relax."
"Unless Imu personally intervenes, nobody in Mary Geoise can stop me from leaving alive."
Even so, Vista still looked uneasy.
"There's another issue," he said gravely. "We still need ship coating before entering the New World. We don't even know whether Hachinosu can hold out that long."
Marco immediately responded without hesitation.
"Then don't attack the current Marineford."
Everyone looked at him in confusion.
Marco's eyes narrowed slightly.
"Attack the old Marineford instead. Or any major Marine base nearby."
"As long as we create enough chaos and make enough noise, the Marines will have no choice but to respond."
A dangerous smile slowly appeared on Marco's face.
"We don't need to win."
"We just need to make the World Government panic."
===
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