Big Mom's eyes turned icy as she spoke through the transponder snail.
Although Marco could not see her directly, the grinding sound in her voice and the distorted expressions on the device made her fury unmistakable.
"You brat, who do you think you are! Do you truly believe inheriting the Whitebeard Pirates makes you an Emperor? Do you think defeating Katakuri gives you the right to be arrogant? In this World, no one yet dares challenge this old woman and survive!
Fine, you want an explanation? I will give it to you in three days.
If you even think of touching Katakuri or Snack, this old woman will annihilate your Phoenix Pirates without hesitation!"
Marco had anticipated Big Mom's rage, but his own emotions remained steady.
"Old hag, you remnants of the old era always spout threats about annihilating this person or that," he said coolly. "But as someone of the new era, if you cannot defeat us, perhaps it will be I who annihilates you one day."
Big Mom gritted her teeth, then regained composure and smiled with a hint of respect.
"You certainly have confidence in your strength, Marco. I hear you also possess the potential of a King, is that correct?"
Marco said nothing.
She continued, her tone deliberate, "Very well. Then let me, a senior pirate, see if you, heir to the Whitebeard Pirates, truly have the qualifications to hold a firm seat among the Four Emperors."
Without further words, she hung up the transponder snail.
Marco did not react with anger. Both he and his original self were naturally calm in such situations. He waved to Smoothie and the other crew members.
"All right, you may leave," he instructed.
Smoothie, having heard the conversation, understood the implications. Katakuri and Snack were to be held as hostages. She gritted her teeth.
"Understood," she said.
As the Big Mom Pirates withdrew, Jinbe and Neptune approached.
"Thank you, Marco," Neptune said with gratitude.
"You're welcome, King Neptune," Marco replied warmly. "Fish-Man Island has always been under the protection of the Phoenix Pirates. But this matter is far from over."
Neptune laughed heartily, reassured by Marco's victory. "Regardless, this is a great triumph. I've already arranged a banquet at the royal palace; the Phoenix Pirates must attend."
The outcome of the battle had strengthened Neptune's faith in the Phoenix Pirates. As the successors of the Whitebeard Pirates, and long-time allies of Fish-Man Island, he knew they could be trusted to uphold their role as protectors.
Jinbe, Marco, and the captains shared strong camaraderie, and despite the Phoenix Pirates being slightly weakened after recent events, they could handle the defense of Fish-Man Island once they overcame this hurdle.
Meanwhile, Trafalgar Law, who had observed silently, contemplated the battle.
Even a fallen Four Emperors crew remained a formidable force; handling someone like Doflamingo was trivial in comparison. But he sensed that an even more thrilling confrontation would unfold in three days.
"Haki?" Law muttered to himself. He was familiar with the basics from his time in the Donquixote Family, but his knowledge had been limited. After witnessing the battle, he understood that all powerful individuals in the New World wielded Haki extensively. He resolved to strengthen his own Haki training.
At the Fish-Man Island royal palace, the Phoenix Pirates celebrated with drinking and music. Their victory over the Big Mom Pirates was the cause for their boisterous joy.
Yet amidst the celebration, some crew members voiced unease.
Curiel, emboldened by alcohol, spoke up. "Marco, letting the Big Mom Pirates go… it feels like a waste. They burned our flag, yet we let them leave. When they regroup with the main force, won't—"
His concern was clear, and Marco understood it without needing him to finish.
He set down his lobster and addressed the crew calmly. "I understand your worries. But now is not the time to fight the Big Mom Pirates. There is no need to fear; we have captured two Sweet Commanders as hostages. As long as Big Mom wishes to keep them alive, she will not act recklessly."
"In three days, I will personally challenge Big Mom. Once she sees that I already possess an Emperor-level strength, she will weigh the consequences and will likely retreat."
Although the crew still felt uneasy, they understood the logic behind Marco's decision.
Most pirates thought simply: victory meant crushing their enemies immediately. The Whitebeard Pirates had operated similarly, enforcing obedience through strength. But Marco's current position and the Phoenix Pirates' temporary weakness did not allow that.
He explained further, "Do not frown. I am annoyed too, but what choice do we have? Our crew is in a weaker state. As long as the enemy is willing to make concessions, we need not fight to the death with a Four Emperors crew.
If we clashed with the Big Mom Pirates now, the Beasts Pirates and other forces would seize the opportunity to attack us more recklessly."
"What matters now is deterrence," he continued. "We must ensure the other Emperors do not dare act against us. This is not the time for war. Once we survive this weak period and regain our strength, we will have ample opportunity to deal with the Big Mom Pirates properly."
Hearing Marco's reasoning, the crew finally nodded in understanding. "So that's the plan!"
Jinbe, always rational, fully grasped the strategy. Marco's display of immense strength was the key; as long as Big Mom was deterred, all else would fall into place.
Still, Jinbe warned, "Marco, Big Mom has ruled the seas for decades. She is a peer of Old Man Whitebeard and nearly invulnerable. Neither bullets nor cannon fire can harm her easily. She is known as the 'Iron Balloon.'"
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Milestones
100 Power stones = 1 Bonus Chapter
200 Power stones = 3 Bonus Chapters
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