Kaido moved first, his kanabo colliding fiercely with Saint Nusjuro's Shodai Kitetsu. A violent shockwave erupted across the battlefield as Kaido grinned wildly.
"Worororo! Saint Nusjuro, last time we never settled things properly. This time, let's fight until one of us drops!"
Saint Nusjuro's expression darkened.
Among everyone present, Kaido was the opponent he least wanted to face.
The reason was simple. Aside from Marco, Kaido was undoubtedly one of the strongest monsters on the battlefield. During the battle on Egghead Island, both he and Saint Warcury had already fought Kaido together, yet neither of them managed to suppress him.
Now, Kaido possessed the power of the Phoenix on top of his original strength, making him even more troublesome than before.
Nearby, Dragon stepped forward and directly faced Saint Garling.
"Saint Garling, I'll be your opponent."
Saint Garling slowly drew the saber hanging from his waist. His cold eyes carried nothing but disdain.
"Hmph. It makes no difference to me. You're all just insects."
Big Mom also made her move soon after, locking her gaze onto Saint Saturn.
"Mamamama! Then you'll be mine, Saint Saturn!"
Among the Gorosei, she had already clashed with Saint Warcury, Saint Nusjuro, and Saint Peter before, yet she failed to gain any advantage against any of them. Even after obtaining the Phoenix ability, she still wasn't fully confident in defeating one of the Gorosei head on.
Because of that, she chose Saint Saturn, whom she had never fought before.
As long as she could hold him back, that would be enough.
Saint Saturn's eyes turned cold.
"Hmph. Was Egghead Island not enough to teach you a lesson? Or do you really think this old man is the weakest among us?"
At the same time, King stepped forward alongside Katakuri and Ace.
Their target was Saint Warcury.
"You're Saint Warcury, right? The three of us will handle you," King said coldly.
The three of them understood something very clearly.
A one on one battle against a Gorosei offered almost no chance of victory. Only by joining forces could they contend against monsters of that level.
King, Katakuri, and Ace all possessed Conqueror's Haki. Although their mastery was still incomplete, combining their strength together was enough to challenge one of the Gorosei.
On the other side of the battlefield, Saint Peter was stopped by the former Admiral Aokiji.
Aokiji scratched his head lazily before speaking.
"Honestly, I don't have Conqueror's Haki like those monsters, but if it's just holding you back for a while, I should still manage."
Soon, every fighter found their respective opponent.
Giant Prince Loki versus Holy Knight member Saint Shamrock.
First Division Commander Sak versus Admiral Ryokugyu.
Nineteenth Division Commander Yamato versus Admiral Fujitora.
Fifth Division Commander Vista versus Admiral Shura.
The remaining commanders and giants also charged into battle against the Holy Knights and the agents of CP0.
The battlefield instantly descended into complete chaos.
Meanwhile, elsewhere.
A massive magic circle flashed beneath Marco's feet before his figure disappeared from the battlefield entirely.
When he opened his eyes again, he found himself inside the depths of Pangaea Castle.
Marco calmly observed his surroundings.
Ahead of him stood an enormous staircase stretching hundreds of steps upward. At the very top rested a massive throne.
The Empty Throne.
Dozens of weapons were embedded in the ground before it, forming a silent warning that no one should ever sit upon that seat.
"So this is the Empty Throne…"
Marco narrowed his eyes slightly.
At that moment, Imu slowly walked out from behind the throne and stood beside it.
Her scarlet eyes quietly stared at Marco.
"How about it, Marco? Do you wish to sit upon this throne?"
She gently rested one hand against the throne while speaking calmly.
"For hundreds of years, you are the only person qualified to stand on equal footing with me."
Marco let out a faint laugh.
"At a time like this, you're still trying to recruit me?"
Imu remained expressionless.
"A monster like you appears only once in several centuries. Even Joy Boy from eight hundred years ago never reached your current level."
That statement was not arrogance.
It was simply fact.
Joy Boy had indeed once been Imu's greatest enemy. Eight hundred years ago, defeating him had required tremendous effort and even certain hidden methods.
But after centuries of growth, Imu's strength had long surpassed Joy Boy's era.
Yet Marco was different.
Even Imu could not completely grasp the limits of his power.
She stared at him carefully before speaking again.
"You possess power that does not belong to this world, don't you?"
"Otherwise, your growth would be impossible."
Marco's eyes narrowed slightly.
Still, he wasn't particularly surprised.
After all, his system truly was abnormal.
Less than a year had passed since the Marineford War, yet his strength had already risen from an ordinary Yonko Commander level to a terrifying Planetary level.
Such growth completely defied reason.
Even Monkey D. Luffy could not compare to him.
Unfortunately for Luffy, he was still trapped inside the frozen chamber, and whether he could ever escape remained uncertain.
Imu silently sensed the magic power gathering within the castle.
It was almost complete.
Because of that, she continued stalling for time.
"So tell me," Imu asked calmly, "where does your power truly come from?"
Marco had already lost interest in wasting words.
Blue phoenix flames erupted around his body as terrifying heat spread through the hall.
"If you want answers," Marco said coldly, "then ask with your strength."
Seeing Marco prepare to attack, Imu suddenly spoke again.
"Before that, allow me to ask one final question."
Marco frowned impatiently.
"Spit it out."
Imu's eyes remained fixed on him.
"Who exactly are you?"
Marco paused briefly before letting out a mocking laugh.
"What kind of stupid question is that?"
But Imu's expression remained serious.
"I am not asking for your name."
"I'm asking about your soul."
The atmosphere instantly became heavy.
Imu continued calmly.
"You are not the real Marco."
"After the Marineford War, your personality, behavior, and even your way of thinking changed drastically compared to the previous forty years."
"Your strength also increased at an impossible speed."
"So what I truly want to know is this…"
"Whose soul are you?"
For a brief moment, Marco's pupils contracted.
Imu noticed the subtle reaction immediately, and a faint sinister smile appeared on her face.
Marco soon regained his composure, but his eyes turned much sharper than before.
Then he suddenly asked,
"And what about you?"
"Who exactly are you?"
Marco had long suspected something strange about Imu.
Especially after the Egghead Island incident.
Imu had used bizarre abilities unlike any Devil Fruit power he had ever seen. Magic circles, strange energy, and abilities that completely defied normal understanding.
At first, Marco assumed those powers might simply be another form of Awakening.
After all, his own awakened abilities such as Light of Resurrection and Bestow were already abnormal enough.
But now, hearing Imu speak like this made him suspicious once again.
Imu calmly looked down at him from the staircase.
"I once traveled to another world."
"In that world, I learned of many things beyond this reality."
A strange light flickered within her eyes.
"And there, I learned something called magic."