On Sphinx Island, inside the main meeting hall, Marco faced Trafalgar Law, who had arrived at Whitey Bay's invitation.
Seated beside Law were the members of the Heart Pirates, their expressions tight with unease. They were clearly on edge, surrounded by the core figures of the Phoenix Pirates.
Marco did not dislike Trafalgar Law. In fact, he held a fairly positive impression of him. Calm, sharp minded, calculating, and above all a fellow ship doctor, Law was the kind of man Marco found easy to respect.
Taking his seat across from him, Marco spoke first, his tone polite but steady.
"Nice to meet you, Trafalgar Law."
Law glanced at Marco, then at the gathered Captains behind him, before letting out a dry remark.
"This is quite the welcome. When I arrived on the island, I noticed more than a few pirates missing arms or legs."
Marco's expression softened slightly as he smiled.
To restore Ace, Jozu, and the many comrades who had lost limbs during the Marineford War, a large number of Phoenix Pirates had gathered here on Sphinx Island. The scars of that battle were still everywhere.
"We had no other choice," Marco replied honestly.
"We suffered heavy losses at Marineford. That's why we asked for your help, Doctor."
Law's lips curved into a playful smirk.
"If you want my help, there are conditions."
Marco nodded without hesitation.
"Whitey Bay already explained everything. Say what you need."
He paused briefly, then added calmly,
"Even if you want us to deal with an Emperors crew, we can discuss it. But if it comes to that, we would need careful planning and time. We only just came out of a major war."
Law shook his head. His expression turned serious.
"Relax. I understand very well what an Emperors Pirate Crew represents. The man I want to kill is not one of them."
The room grew quiet.
"He has deep ties to an Emperors," Law continued, "and he is one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea. If we move against him, both the Marines and an Emperors crew could be drawn in."
The Captains exchanged looks, alert now.
A Shichibukai was no small matter. Their strength varied, but none of them could be taken lightly. Especially someone like Dracule Mihawk, the world's strongest swordsman, whose power was still largely unknown and who maintained close ties with Red Hair Shanks.
Marco, however, already knew the answer.
A faint smile appeared on his face.
"You are talking about Donquixote Doflamingo, aren't you?"
Law's eyes narrowed in surprise.
"How did you know?"
Marco replied casually, confidence clear in his voice.
"It wasn't hard to guess. There are only a few Shichibukai left. Mihawk, Bartholomew Kuma, Boa Hancock, and the Heavenly Yaksha, Donquixote Doflamingo. The red nosed clown might have joined recently, but he is clearly not your target."
He continued evenly,
"You and Doflamingo both come from the North Blue. He has long standing dealings with the Beasts Pirates and the Big Mom Pirates. Putting that together was simple."
Law let out a quiet laugh.
The Four Emperors all possessed vast intelligence networks. Even Law knew about Doflamingo's connection to Kaido, so it was only natural that the Phoenix Pirates would know far more.
"You're right," Law admitted.
"The man I want dead is Doflamingo."
Jozu clicked his tongue in irritation.
"That bastard? He killed more than a few of our comrades at Marineford."
"As long as he's not another Four Emperors, he's manageable," another Captain added.
"Still," someone else cautioned, "don't underestimate him. Among the Shichibukai, Doflamingo is abnormal."
"Abnormal or not, he's still just a Shichibukai," came the dismissive reply.
The other Captains clearly did not regard Doflamingo as an insurmountable threat. Even if their individual strength did not surpass his, they had complete confidence in Marco.
Marco nodded decisively.
"Alright. Do you want us to kill him directly, or capture him so you can finish him yourself?"
Law froze for a moment.
Marco spoke as if killing a Shichibukai were no more difficult than swatting an insect.
"As expected of the leader of the Phoenix Pirates," Law said slowly.
"So decisive, and without hesitation."
Marco smiled faintly, his tone confident rather than arrogant.
"You overestimate them. If it were Mihawk, it would be troublesome. But Doflamingo? He's not a problem."
He added calmly,
"As for offending the Beasts Pirates, that doesn't matter. We are already competitors."
Seeing Marco's certainty, Law said nothing further on the matter.
He stood up and asked instead,
"How many of your people lost limbs?"
Marco smiled at the shift in topic.
"Our main crew and affiliated crews combined, more than twelve hundred."
Law's eyebrows rose slightly.
"Over twelve hundred? That's quite a number. These surgeries should be interesting."
Marco personally led Law toward a medical ship docked nearby.
This vessel had been built at enormous cost back when it was used to treat Whitebeard himself. It was equipped with some of the most advanced medical facilities available on the seas.
Marco gestured around the ship.
"Is this enough? If you need anything else, tell us."
Law examined the equipment closely. As a ship doctor, he immediately recognized its quality, far exceeding even what he had on his own ship.
"This is more than enough," he replied.
Marco nodded, then turned to Jozu and Ace.
"Ace, Jozu, who goes first?"
"I'll go," Jozu said without hesitation, stepping forward.
Law nodded.
"To transplant an arm, I'll need a suitable one. A large number of animal arms should be prepared."
Jozu frowned.
"Animal arms? Can human arms be used?"
"They can," Law answered calmly.
Jozu relaxed at once, a grin spreading across his face.
"That's good. Then I'll leave the choice to you, Doctor Law."
Law paused for a moment before understanding the implication.
Outside, pirates sat restrained in prisoner carts, their faces pale.
Marco explained evenly,
"These are pirates who challenged us recently and lost. Law, we're counting on you."
Law looked at the scene, then nodded slowly, his expression unreadable as he prepared to begin.
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