On Cake Island, after ending the call, Perospero turned and reported calmly, "Mama, he hung up."
Big Mom lifted her teacup, amusement dancing across her massive face.
"Mamamama! Let him hang up, then." She chuckled. "That little brat Marco needs to learn something—sitting on a Yonko's throne isn't that easy. The Whitebeard Pirates took far too much territory in the New World. It's time they spat it back out."
Back aboard the Phoenix Pirates' ship, Jozu and the others watched Marco's darkened expression. They could all tell—Big Mom's crew had completely underestimated them.
"Marco," someone asked anxiously, "what do we do now?"
Marco had just opened his mouth to answer when the Den Den Mushi in his hand rang again.
Buruburuburuburu.
The snail's face shifted, transforming into Jinbe's likeness. His voice was urgent.
"Marco, it's confirmed. The Big Mom Pirates have come to seize Fish-Man Island. They've already burned the flags—both the Whitebeard Pirates' and the Phoenix Pirates'."
Marco's eyes turned cold.
"I understand," he replied immediately. "Send people to reinforce Fish-Man Island at once. Do not engage them directly. Hold your ground—I'll handle everything once we arrive."
Jinbe exhaled sharply. "Alright. But you must come quickly."
The call ended.
Marco was about to issue orders when a familiar mechanical voice echoed in his mind.
"New mission released…"
Without hesitation, Marco opened the system panel and switched to the mission tab.
Mission: Establish Authority
The Big Mom Pirates have openly provoked you. Go to Fish-Man Island, defeat the Sweet Commanders, and teach the Big Mom Pirates a profound lesson.
Reward: 2000 attribute points.
Mission: Challenge a Yonko
Challenge Big Mom.
• Remain undefeated for one day: 1000 attribute points
• Remain undefeated for three days: 2000 attribute points
• Defeat Big Mom: 10,000 attribute points
Marco barely spared the missions a second glance.
Even without the system, this path was unavoidable.
Fish-Man Island had been targeted. As the Captain of the Phoenix Pirates, if he failed to respond, he wouldn't survive in the New World—let alone stand as a Yonko.
And once the Sweet Commanders were defeated, Big Mom would never let the matter rest.
War was inevitable.
Marco lifted his gaze and addressed everyone, his voice steady and resolute.
"The Sweet Commanders of the Big Mom Pirates have invaded Fish-Man Island and burned our flags. This is a direct insult—an open declaration of hostility."
His eyes swept across the crew.
"If we don't strike back after this, then we might as well abandon the seas entirely. So I've decided—I'll personally deal with the Sweet Commanders."
Jozu stepped forward at once, diamond fists clenched, and shouted, "Of course! Marco, I'm coming with you! We'll make them understand what happens to anyone who dares touch the Phoenix Pirates—even if they're a Yonko crew!"
A cold wind seemed to rise across the deck.
The Phoenix Pirates were about to announce their presence to the world—
with fire and blood.
"Yes! Make them pay!"
"That's right—so what if it's the Big Mom Pirates?"
"We'll teach them a lesson!"
The Phoenix Pirates roared with excitement, their voices echoing across the deck. Yet beneath that fervor, a subtle unease lingered. If their pops were still alive, none of them would fear Big Mom's name. But now Whitebeard was gone. Could Captain Marco truly stand against another Yonko?
Doubt flickered in many eyes.
Marco noticed it—and smiled faintly.
He turned to Law beside him and said calmly, "Sorry, Law. Our move against Doflamingo will have to be delayed. The Big Mom Pirates take priority. Once we settle this, we'll deal with Doflamingo together."
Law nodded without hesitation. "That's fine. But I want to go to Fish-Man Island with you."
"You're coming too?" Jozu asked, surprised.
A sly curve appeared at the corner of Law's mouth. "Opportunities like this don't come often. I want to see what a clash between Yonko crews really looks like."
Marco didn't hesitate. "Alright."
He turned back to the crew. "As for the personnel heading to Fish-Man Island—"
Before he could finish, the Den Den Mushi rang again.
Marco paused. Being interrupted twice in a row annoyed him, but he quickly composed himself and answered. "This is Marco."
The snail's face shifted into Karma's likeness, his voice panicked.
"Captain Marco, it's bad! Jack—one of the Beasts Pirates' All-Stars—has attacked Nanku Island! All our flags have been burned!"
"What?!" Marco's eyes narrowed sharply.
Big Mom's forces striking Fish-Man Island while the Beasts Pirates attacked Nanku Island at the same time—this wasn't coincidence. It was coordinated.
The expressions of the Phoenix Pirates darkened as they realized the same thing.
Marco immediately demanded, "How many ships? Is Jack the only All-Star? Where are Queen and King?"
Karma answered quickly, "They came with ten pirate ships. Jack is the only All-Star present. We didn't see Queen or King. However, five Tobiroppo executives—Who's-Who, Sasaki, Ulti, Page One, and Raquel—are with him. There are also dozens of elite officers."
Marco let out a slow breath of relief. No Queen. No King.
If it was only Jack, the situation was still controllable.
"Hold your ground for now," Marco ordered decisively. "If you can't maintain the line, retreat temporarily. I'll send Vista to support you immediately. If it's just Jack, he's manageable."
"Understood," Karma replied. "We'll hold out as long as we can."
The call ended.
Vista spoke grimly, "The Beasts Pirates and the Big Mom Pirates attacking us at the same time… This was planned."
Ace clenched his fists. "Those bastards… They really are shameless."
At that moment, a familiar mechanical voice echoed in Marco's mind.
"New mission released…"
Marco opened the system panel and glanced at the mission tab.
Mission: Establish Authority
The Beasts Pirates have openly provoked you. Immediately go to Nanku Island and teach them a profound lesson.
Reward: 1500 attribute points.
Mission: Challenge a Yonko
Challenge Kaido of the Beasts.
• Remain undefeated for one day: 1000 attribute points
• Remain undefeated for three days: 2000 attribute points
• Remain undefeated for five days: 3000 attribute points
• Defeat Kaido: 10,000 attribute points
Marco's eyes hardened.
Two Emperors. Two battlefields. One choice.
The Phoenix Pirates' trial by fire had truly begun.
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