Marco frowned as the new notifications echoed in his mind. The timing was terrible. New missions, right now of all moments. He opened the system panel and selected the mission tab. Three objectives appeared at once.
New Mission: Become Captain
Now that Whitebeard has fallen in battle, the Whitebeard Pirates cannot be without a leader. Become the new Captain of the Whitebeard Pirates.
Reward: 1000 attribute points.
New Mission: Retrieve the Body
Whitebeard has fallen in battle. As his son, you have the responsibility to retrieve his body and bury him in his hometown, Sphinx.
Reward: 3000 attribute points.
New Mission: Revenge
Whitebeard was killed by the Blackbeard Pirates. Eliminate them to avenge your father.
Reward: 10000 attribute points.
Bounties:
Captain Blackbeard, Marshall D. Teach, 3000 attribute points.
Crew members: Shiryu, Jesus Burgess, Van Auger, Laffitte, Avalo Pizarro, Catarina Devon, San Juan Wolf, Doc Q, and others, 500 attribute points each.
Marco exhaled slowly. Missions or not, these were things he would have done regardless. Blackbeard would die. The Whitebeard Pirates would not fall apart. And Pops would not be left to rot on a battlefield.
But the system's second mission reaffirmed what he was already planning. Ace was still alive, barely holding on. Even if Shanks truly arrived, relying on another Yonko to recover Whitebeard's body was not something Marco would accept. That responsibility was his.
A sharp voice cut through his thoughts.
"Hey, hey, hey, getting distracted while facing me, are you?"
Light gathered at Kizaru's toes. In the next instant, he launched a blinding kick at the speed of light.
Marco barely had time to react. Armament Haki coated his arms as he raised them in defense, but the impact was overwhelming. His body shot through the air like a missile, hurled thousands of meters away.
"Marco!"
The Whitebeard Pirates cried out in alarm as they watched his figure vanish into the distance.
Kizaru blinked, mildly surprised that Marco had been sent flying so far. He relaxed again almost immediately, speaking in his usual lazy, teasing tone.
"Well, that troublesome fellow is out of the way for now. So, why don't you hand over Fire Fist Ace?"
The air grew tense at once.
"Damn it, he still wants Ace!"
"We will never let you take him!"
Vista stepped forward, gripping his twin blades tightly. He knew he could not defeat an Admiral alone, but he was not alone anymore. As long as they held out until Marco returned, there was still hope. Without realizing it, even he had begun to rely on Marco. Perhaps it was the way Marco had led them through the chaos of this war, or perhaps it was the pressure of Conqueror's Haki that revealed his true kingly spirit.
Far from the battlefield in the sky above the bay, Marco steadied himself after being blasted away. Unlike how it appeared to the others, he was not panicking. In truth, this outcome suited his intentions perfectly.
This was his chance.
Marco reached into his coat and pulled out a Den Den Mushi, quickly dialing a number. His eyes sharpened with resolve.
Marineford, central plaza.
Blackbeard stood atop Whitebeard's massive body, grinning wildly.
"Zehahahahaha… what a magnificent last speech, Pops!"
As he straightened up, darkness began gathering in his palm, preparing to seize the power of the Tremor Tremor Fruit.
A powerful voice stopped him.
"That is enough, Blackbeard."
Sengoku stepped forward, his expression colder than ice.
"You have violated the agreement you made when you became a Shichibukai. You trespassed into Impel Down and released the prisoners of Level Six. Both are unforgivable crimes. As Fleet Admiral, I hereby revoke your title as one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea. Surrender at once, Marshall D. Teach."
For the first time, shock crossed Blackbeard's face. They discarded him the moment his usefulness ended. Sengoku, Akainu, Aokiji, all standing together. His smile twitched, then widened again into something sinister.
"Zehahahahaha… I guessed this would happen sooner or later. Brothers, move out. Buy me a few seconds."
"Don't mess this up, Teach." Shiryu drew his long sword with a chilling grin. "If you fail, we go our separate ways."
Blackbeard laughed louder. "Zehahahahaha, what dependable comrades. I'm counting on you, Shiryu."
The Blackbeard Pirates stepped forward, blocking the Marines' advance.
Akainu snorted, his fists transforming into molten magma.
"This is Marineford, not some backwater you scum can run wild in."
Sengoku's voice rang out sharply. "Sakazuki, do not use excessively destructive techniques. You will damage the fortress."
Akainu's expression darkened in irritation. He had intended to annihilate them all with overwhelming force, but with Sengoku's order, he was forced to restrain himself.
"Hmph, I don't need you to tell me that."
His legs became surging lava as he charged straight at the Blackbeard Pirates.
"Meigo!"
His molten fist slammed forward in a devastating strike. Shiryu raised his blade to meet it head-on.
The instant steel collided with magma, a terrifying shockwave burst outward. Shiryu's face tightened. Only now did he truly feel the crushing pressure of an Admiral. Even after being heavily injured by Whitebeard earlier, Akainu's raw power remained monstrous.
Still, Shiryu held his ground. One mistake here meant death.
"Teach, hurry up! I can't hold an Admiral for long!"
"I know!" Blackbeard roared back.
He appeared beside Whitebeard's body, darkness swelling in his palm. He pressed it down against the massive corpse as black smoke rapidly spread across Whitebeard's chest.
Aokiji leaped into the air, frost gathering in his hand.
"I won't let you finish that."
"Ice Age Capsule!"
Before his attack could land, an enormous hand blocked his path. San Juan Wolf stepped forward, intercepting the freezing assault with his palm. Ice spread rapidly across his giant hand.
"Ah, ah, it's freezing! My hand is freezing!"
Sengoku also launched himself into the air, his palm aimed directly at San Juan Wolf.
"Shockwave…"
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