"Daifuku…"
At that moment, Katakuri's calm composure shattered. Seeing his brother's fate uncertain, and another sibling gravely injured, his only thought was to protect his younger family members at any cost.
"Get out of my way, Fire Fist!" The enraged Katakuri hardened both fists with Armament Haki and lunged at Ace, aiming to end the fight quickly.
Ace did not flinch. He crossed his fingers and declared, "I told you, don't even think about getting past me, Cross Fire!"
Instantly, a cross-shaped fire imprint burned across Katakuri's chest and erupted into a massive flame, spanning a thousand meters. At the center of the explosion, Katakuri was thrown backward.
"A direct hit?" Ace murmured, momentarily surprised. Landing a strike on Katakuri had always been nearly impossible, even with his flames restrained. But seeing the furious expression on his opponent, Ace realized why this attack had succeeded. A cunning smile spread across his face. "Angry, huh? That must be why his Observation Haki is malfunctioning."
Katakuri spat a mouthful of blood. The cross-shaped flame had burned away his scarf, revealing the jagged scar of his mouth.
"Your mouth…" Ace observed, incredulous. It looked as though it had been torn and stitched back together.
Katakuri's face turned pale. Hastily, he reclaimed his scarf to cover the scar and glared at Ace with deadly intent. "Bastard, you saw my true face…"
Ace's lips curled. "Oh, so you care about your image that much? That's why you cover it up."
Katakuri's eyes darkened, his killing intent doubling. "Anyone who sees my true face must die…"
Ace smiled, unshaken, and met Katakuri's renewed barrage head-on. Each punch now carried more intensity than before, reinforced by flames and Haki. Neither was willing to yield. The ground cracked beneath them, debris flew, and dust clouded the battlefield as their fists collided with earth-shaking force.
Meanwhile, Marco had arrived in front of Cracker with astonishing speed. Namur, seeing Marco's approach, instinctively stepped back and said respectfully, "Marco…"
Marco nodded. "Namur, handle the biscuit soldiers he creates. Give me a minute, and I'll finish this quickly."
"Understood." Namur trusted Marco's strength completely. Though Cracker was formidable, he could not match Marco.
Cracker's eyes burned with rage. "What do you mean, 'one minute'? Are you saying you can defeat me that fast?" He prepared to activate his ability but hesitated upon seeing Namur. Water was the weakness of his biscuit soldiers, and with a Fishman standing nearby, he couldn't use them effectively.
"Hmph, then come on! Let's see if your bounty of 1.8 billion Berries is truly deserved." Gripping his long sword, Cracker adopted a defensive stance. He would defend at all costs; there was a billion Berries difference in their bounties alone. Victory was not yet in his hands.
Marco said nothing. His body blazed with blue flames as he charged, relentless.
Cracker tensed. He had seen Daifuku fall to Marco in a single strike. If that was possible for Daifuku, then he certainly had no chance.
Slashing downward with his sword, Marco did not dodge. Hardened with Haki, his palm gripped Cracker's sword like iron. "Don't even think about escaping," he growled, then punched Cracker square in the chest.
Cracker blocked with his free arm, feeling the immense power of Marco's fist. He smirked, "Don't underestimate me, Biscuit Creation…"
In a flash, two biscuit arms formed at his waist, each gripping a long sword. Marco's eyes hardened. He kicked Cracker's abdomen with immense force. The biscuit arms shattered instantly.
Cracker doubled over, clutching his stomach. "Ahhh! It hurts, it hurts so much!"
Marco's expression remained cold, but a flicker of surprise crossed his eyes. The man before him was truly terrified of pain. Even his bounty, his legendary title, could not hide such a glaring weakness. Cracker's entire demeanor betrayed his fear as he curled over in pain like a wounded shrimp.
Marco's smirk was faint, almost imperceptible. He now clearly understood Cracker's greatest vulnerability: a pirate who could command entire armies of biscuit soldiers, yet could not endure the simplest of injuries himself.