For the next month, Marco dedicated himself to managing the Phoenix Pirates while training Conqueror's Haki alongside Ace.
During this period, the system remained quiet, issuing no new missions beyond the two primary tasks: eliminating the Blackbeard Pirates and establishing Marco as a Four Emperors.
Marco had also dispatched scouts to search for Blackbeard, but following the chaos of Marineford, the notorious pirate had vanished.
He was presumably still lurking somewhere in the Grand Line, not yet venturing into the New World.
Marco knew that Blackbeard's ambition would eventually lead him there, but for now, his priority was fortifying the Phoenix Pirates' foundation.
Although the crew had lost over half their numbers during the Marineford War, the core leadership remained intact.
Any smaller pirate crews attempting to exploit the situation were inconsequential; the truly significant threats were merely observing, waiting for an opportunity.
That status quo shattered abruptly.
A pirate claiming to be Edward Weevil assaulted one of the Phoenix Pirates' islands, annihilating a subordinate crew of over three hundred men.
He plundered all the Berries on the island, burned the Phoenix Pirates' flag, and brazenly declared all of Whitebeard's property his inheritance.
Onboard the Moby Dick, Marco hung up the transponder snail after receiving the report.
On the table lay two photographs: one of a man with a runny nose, a crescent-shaped mustache, and several large stitched-up scars across his body, giving him a brutish, unintelligent appearance—Edward Weevil, the self-proclaimed son of Whitebeard.
The other depicted an unattractive older woman named Miss Bakkin, claiming to be Whitebeard's most beloved companion.
Vista stared at the photos gravely.
"Edward Weevil, who exactly is this man? He actually claims to be Old Man's biological son?"
Jozu's anger flared.
"It doesn't matter who he is. He dared to kill Noscal and his crew. That cannot go unpunished."
Other crew members chimed in.
"Even if he truly is Old Man's son, it doesn't matter, he cannot be forgiven."
"Whitebeard never had a child we knew of. This has to be a lie!"
"And that Miss Bakkin… claiming to be the Old Man's beloved? Ridiculous!"
Marco made a decisive order.
"Since he has dared to provoke the Phoenix Pirates, he must face the consequences."
"Locate Edward Weevil and Miss Bakkin immediately."
"Once found, the entire Phoenix Pirates will mobilize to eliminate them."
"They must understand the consequences of challenging us."
Rakyō nodded.
"Leave it to me. I'll contact the subordinate crews at once."
At that moment, the system's AI chimed in.
'Mission: Establish Authority. Edward Weevil killed a Phoenix Pirates subordinate crew and claims to be Whitebeard's son. This is unforgivable. Kill Edward Weevil and deter minor villains. Reward: 1000 attribute points.'
Marco allowed himself a brief smile.
Finally, a new mission.
Meanwhile, in the first half of the New World, in the Archipelagos of Archiraman, Whitey Bay, the Ice Witch, led her crew to a tavern.
Upon entering, she spotted a man in a polka-dotted beret seated at a table, accompanied by a fully clothed polar bear.
"It's Whitey Bay, the Ice Witch."
"She's a former Whitebeard Pirate."
"Haven't you seen the news? Whitebeard Pirates are now the Phoenix Pirates, led by Captain Marco."
"All former Whitebeard crews have raised the new flag."
Whispers filled the tavern as the locals speculated.
Ignoring the chatter, Whitey Bay approached her target, Trafalgar Law, and greeted him.
"Trafalgar Law, the Surgeon of Death from North Blue."
Law raised an eyebrow, eyeing her coolly.
Pekin, a Heart Pirates member, whispered, "Captain, this is the Ice Witch."
Law's expression remained neutral.
"Whitey Bay… and what brings you here?"
Whitey Bay seated herself, calm and composed.
"It's not me seeking you—it's our Captain."
Law frowned.
Whitebeard had died during Marineford.
She must mean the current Captain.
"You mean the leader of the Phoenix Pirates? I don't know him either," he said.
Whitey Bay explained, "Our Captain knows you are an Ope-Ope no Mi user and a skilled doctor."
"He wishes to ask for your help in reattaching the limbs of our injured comrades."
"If you agree, consider it a favor owed to the Phoenix Pirates."
Pekin and Shachi's eyes widened.
"An Emperors pirate is requesting your help!"
"A favor from a Four Emperors crew!"
Law's playful smirk returned as he realized the request's nature.
Despite the Phoenix Pirates' losses, Marco's leadership and the crew's strength, including fourteen commanders and forty-two subordinate crews, still made them a formidable force, far beyond the Donquixote Family.