The next day on Sphinx Island, after a night-long banquet, Sak had already arranged for the Phoenix Pirates' new flag to be crafted.
The design featured Marco's Phoenix emblem: a classic pirate skull and crossbones crowned with a pair of blue wings, representing the Phoenix. The flag was simple, yet clear and striking.
Subordinate pirate crews each received a Phoenix Pirates flag and quickly purchased small boats on the island before setting out.
With Whitebeard gone, news had already spread of multiple islands formerly under Whitebeard's protection being attacked. They needed to return promptly to repel the intruders and to rebuild their fleet.
Back on the Moby Dick, Marco made no changes to the ship's name.
He had grown up on this vessel, and though the main ship had been destroyed in the Marineford War, this secondary ship was sufficient for the Phoenix Pirates for now.
Once the immediate crisis passed, they could consider constructing new vessels.
"Captain Marco, this looks fine, right?" Sak shouted from the flagpole, where he had already hoisted the Phoenix Pirates flag.
The crescent moon flag of the Whitebeard Pirates remained alongside it, a symbol that had flown over the Grand Line for decades, representing both Whitebeard's power and the crew's glory.
Even without Whitebeard, the flag still commanded respect.
Marco nodded. "Yes, leave it as it is."
The crew saw both flags flying together and felt no discomfort.
They had been under the Whitebeard flag's protection for so long; it simply now represented memory, not active leadership.
At that moment, the system's mechanical AI voice spoke. "Task completed. The Whitebeard Pirates have been renamed the Phoenix Pirates, and the pirate ship has raised its own flag. Reward: 500 attribute points."
Marco now had 1,500 attribute points.
He spent them all on Mental Power, raising it from 6,800 to 8,300 points.
Strengthening his mind was essential for learning Conqueror's Haki.
"Captain Marco," a beautiful blonde woman in a pink nurse's uniform called, "what should our next task be?"
Marco closed the system panel and addressed her and the dozen nurses behind her.
"Ann, continue your work caring for the injured companions as before. I'll find medical books for you later so you can study them."
These nurses had originally served Whitebeard, caring for his health.
Though sent off before Marineford, they had nowhere else to go and had requested to remain aboard.
Marco immediately agreed.
"Yes," Ann said, bowing.
After dismissing them, Marco turned to the other crew.
"Even though I am now Captain, the other three Four Emperors will likely not recognize me easily. Once I truly achieve that strength, I can challenge Pops' flag."
No one contradicted him.
Vista asked, "Marco, what are our next steps?"
"We'll cross that bridge when we come to it," Marco replied calmly.
"We cannot panic. Panic only shows others our weakness, just as before. Pops always sent his subordinate crews to defend our territory, and if they failed, the Captains would step in. It's the same now."
"Really, our true threat comes only from the other three Four Emperors," Marco continued.
"Pirates and the Seven Warlords are only minor obstacles. If they move against our territory, I'll personally handle it."
Hearing Marco's confidence, the Phoenix Pirates felt reassured.
At that moment, a member of the First Division approached, carrying a box and placing it before Marco.
Jozu asked curiously, "Marco, what's this?"
Marco grinned mischievously. "This is Pops' inheritance for us."
Excitement rippled through the crew.
Pops had been notoriously frugal, so the thought of him leaving anything behind thrilled them.
"What is it?" "Treasure?" "Impossible, Pops doesn't care for money!"
Marco laughed. "Stop arguing. Most of this will be useless to you, only useful for me and Ace."
The crew looked puzzled.
Marco opened the box to reveal a notebook.
"This is a manual on training Conqueror's Haki," Marco explained.
"Before departing for Marineford, Pops anticipated he might not return, so he prepared this for me to give Ace after rescuing him."
Hearing this, most of the crew was disappointed; without Conqueror's Haki, the manual meant little to them.
Ace, however, brightened.
He stared at the notebook, flipped it open, and saw it was filled with Whitebeard's insights and instructions for mastering Conqueror's Haki.
The depth of Pops' care moved him.
With eyes misty, Ace whispered, "Pops, thank you."
Marco teased with a grin, "Hey, now that I've awakened Conqueror's Haki, you can't keep it all to yourself."
Ace laughed through his tears, "Alright, then let's train together, Marco."
The Phoenix Pirates now had not only a new Captain but a new path forward—rising stronger in the wake of Whitebeard's passing.
___
Access special early releases on my Patreon! Becoming patrons count as support for me: patreon.com/Zphyr 🥀