Back aboard the Marco's ship, the crew had already prepared a meal. Marco, without ceremony, ate heartily, driven by the urgent need to recover his strength.
The Phoenix Pirates watched in awe, voices brimming with excitement. "Marco, we never imagined you could hold Big Mom to a standstill!"
"That's incredible! Marco, you now possess strength comparable to a Four Emperor."
"I think it's more than that. Didn't you notice that the Old Hag was the first to call a halt? That means she was already at a disadvantage, worried about losing."
The crew was electrified. They had long known the reputation of the Four Emperors, and Big Mom was recognized alongside Whitebeard as one of the strongest beings in the world—the undisputed 'Strongest Woman.' Even if she didn't surpass Whitebeard in raw power, she had sat firmly on the Four Emperors' throne for decades.
Yet here was Marco, matching her blow for blow.
Ignoring their praises, Marco focused on his meal. His mind was hazy with exhaustion, and he simply wanted to eat, rest, and restore both his physical and mental stamina. His battle with Big Mom had not been easy. Even without visible injuries, the toll on his body and mind was immense.
The next day, Marco arrived early, ready to resume the battle. Both he and Big Mom were sharper and more cautious, each having analyzed the previous day's encounter to identify weaknesses.
Big Mom, who had dismissed Marco initially, now regarded him as a genuine threat. She no longer underestimated him due to his youth, and the second day of fighting was far more intense.
Marco, meanwhile, had refined his Observation Haki, gaining an even greater edge. From morning to night, they clashed without a clear victor, finally agreeing to halt for the day.
On the third day, both combatants fully understood each other's strengths and weaknesses. Their attacks were more precise, targeted, and strategic, yet fatigue from the first two days began to weigh on them. They paused for lunch and resumed, fighting until late evening before returning to their respective ships.
By the fourth day, exhaustion was evident. Three consecutive days of high-intensity combat had accumulated fatigue and injuries that could not be undone by a single night's rest.
Marco's advantage lay in his Devil Fruit ability: no visible injuries meant he could keep pushing forward. Big Mom, on the other hand, carried both fatigue and accumulated internal injuries from the relentless fights. Her body had not fully recovered, making her more vulnerable despite her durability.
The fifth day saw a slight drop in intensity. Their blows were less fierce, punctuated by two breaks, but still the battle lasted from sunrise to nightfall, ending once again in a draw.
On the sixth day, Marco's Phoenix Fruit recovery allowed him to maintain peak performance, while Big Mom's condition worsened due to sustained injuries and fatigue. By now, Marco began gaining a subtle advantage.
By the seventh day, Marco's Zoan-type Devil Fruit recovery had tipped the scales. Big Mom's decline was unmistakable. Recognizing the mounting threat, she finally suggested a halt.
"Enough, Marco. Let's stop here!"
After seven consecutive days of relentless combat, Big Mom now acknowledged Marco's status as an Emperor, though grudgingly. The battle had physically and mentally exhausted her. She feared that continuing might lead to her defeat, so she proposed a temporary truce.
Marco grinned. "Oh? Are you admitting defeat?"
He hadn't anticipated being able to fight Big Mom to such an extent. His original goal had been merely to hold out for three days without defeat to earn attribute points. Now, after seven days, he glimpsed the possibility of victory.
Defeating a seasoned Four Emperor like Big Mom would cement his reputation, spreading across the seas and solidifying his status as a true Four Emperor.
Big Mom's face darkened. She realized that further combat could result in a humiliating loss for her crew and herself. "Admit defeat? I recognize your strength matches a Four Emperor's, but if you want this old lady to admit defeat, that will never happen."
"Then let's call it for today. Tomorrow, seven in the morning, same place," she added, coldly walking toward the Singing Mama.
Marco glanced at the sky. It was only past eight in the evening—earlier than expected. Normally, their battles would stretch late into the night.
Yet he didn't mind. Both sides were exhausted from continuous combat. Even with rest, Big Mom's injuries could not fully heal in a single night, giving Marco confidence for the next day's battle.