Blackbeard's face immediately bloomed into a sinister, chrysanthemum-like grin. "Zehahahahaha, perfect! This is like a gift delivered just when I was growing restless. I worried about not finding a powerful Devil Fruit User, and now they've delivered themselves right to my doorstep. Burgess, how many people are there?"
"Including Gekko Moriah, three in total," Burgess replied.
"Three?" Blackbeard's brow furrowed. Gekko Moriah had once been a Shichibukai, active in the New World for decades, so how could he have so few subordinates? Even if the Blackbeard Pirates had recently declined, they still had five strong fighters. How could Moriah's crew consist of only three?
Shiryu, standing beside him, explained, "After Gekko Moriah failed to challenge Kaido over twenty years ago, all his companions were killed. He stopped recruiting and instead focused on creating zombies."
"Zombies?" Blackbeard frowned, intrigued. Despite years with the Whitebeard Pirates, he had limited information on Moriah. He knew about Moriah's failed challenge and his subsequent recruitment by the World Government as a Shichibukai, but little else.
"As the former warden of Impel-down, I know everything about him," Shiryu continued. "Gekko Moriah is a Shadow-Shadow Fruit user. He can sever shadows from people and infuse them into corpses, creating zombies with a form of undying ability. Though only three appear now, once battle begins, he can summon a vast army instantly. These zombies are troublesome, but they could also be exactly what we need."
Blackbeard raised an eyebrow. "Are these zombies truly undying?"
"Yes," Shiryu confirmed. "They are corpses; they don't feel pain and do not fear death. However, they have a weakness: seawater and salt can neutralize them. A little salt in the mouth is enough."
"Zehahaha, perfect! Then they'll be easier to handle," Blackbeard laughed, clapping his hands. "My boys, it's time to act! We cannot let Gekko Moriah escape."
Meanwhile, aboard the Moby Dick, Marco and his crew had already reunited with Vista and the others. With the Beasts Pirates abandoning Nanku Island after Marco's victory over Big Mom, the island was now a wasteland.
"Damn Jack…" everyone muttered as they surveyed the toxic landscape.
Jinbe observed the lingering poison in the air. "This gas may take several days to dissipate."
Marco nodded grimly. "The airborne toxins will blow away, but the poison absorbed into the soil will take much longer to clear."
Ace's eyes burned with determination. "These bastards! Marco, let's go to Wano! We can't leave this unresolved."
"Exactly, let's go to Wano and settle our score with Kaido," others chimed in, filled with righteous anger. Though reclaimed, Nanku Island would remain unproductive for some time.
Marco raised his voice. "Don't worry. Kaido of the Beasts will be dealt with soon enough. But first, we must handle Wang Zhi, this traitorous snake. If he stabs us in the back during our expedition, it will be a problem."
Everyone nodded in agreement. Marco continued, "Next, I plan to declare war on the Wang Zhi Pirates and bring Beehive Island fully under Phoenix Pirates' control. Any objections?"
Ace smiled. "You're the Captain, Marco. Just give the order!"
Vista echoed, "Yes, you lead now. Give the order!"
Marco didn't hesitate. "All main Phoenix Pirates and affiliated crews will leave basic forces on their islands. The rest gather at Shihblan Island in ten days. Spread the news that the Wang Zhi Pirates betrayed us. Even as Pirates, our cause must be just. Wang Zhi was the first to betray; don't let him hide behind anyone else."
Everyone acknowledged the command. Marco added, "Spread the word! This will be Phoenix Pirates' first official battle as a Four Emperors crew. We must win; failure is not an option."
Across the New World, news of Phoenix Pirates declaring war on the Wang Zhi Pirates spread quickly.
For most, it was shocking. Marco, a newly-minted Four Emperors, had defeated Big Mom, and now he was targeting the Wang Zhi Pirates, a force that had held Beehive Island for decades, creating an almost impregnable stronghold. Many believed even one Shichibukai could not challenge them alone.
Still, Marco's announcement of Wang Zhi's betrayal framed the war as righteous. To pirates, betrayal was the only justification they needed; opportunism was part of their code. Few cared beyond that, even the other Four Emperors or the Marines, because Marco had already demonstrated Four Emperors-level strength. Subduing the Wang Zhi Pirates was mere formality.
Wang Zhi's dominance of Beehive Island had been aided by Whitebeard Pirates' surrounding territory. Without Whitebeard's oversight, he had dared to launch a sneak attack against the Phoenix Pirates while they dealt with Big Mom and the Beasts Pirates—a treacherous act no one could tolerate.
In a bunker on Beehive Island, an old white-haired man clenched his fists, voice filled with resentment. "Damn Marco… he actually declared war on me."
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Throw your stones my way 😭
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