Marco didn't waste a second. He knew time was their greatest enemy.
"To put it simply," he said quickly, "the Marines plan to announce Ace's early execution to force us into panic. Once we believe it, we'll rush our assault to save him."
"When the Whitebeard Pirates and our forty-three allied crews push into the inner Crescent Bay—onto this frozen battlefield—the Marines will withdraw to the plaza."
He paused, his expression grim.
"Then they'll activate their real trap."
"Fifty-meter-high encirclement walls will rise inside Crescent Bay. Warships and the World Government's new weapons—the Pacifistas—will seal off every escape route, completely surrounding us and our allied crews."
"And after that…" Marco's eyes hardened. "Akainu will step in and burn everything down with the Magma-Magma Fruit."
He took a breath and continued.
"Those walls contain Sea Prism Stone. Even your Tremor-Tremor Fruit won't be able to break them, pops. That's why Little Oars is crucial. If the encirclement walls go up, he may be the only one capable of smashing through them."
Whitebeard's expression slowly darkened as he listened.
"So that's Sengoku's plan…" he said in a low voice. "As expected of him. Vicious… and thorough."
"If we misstep even once, we really could be wiped out."
He glanced at Marco, eyes approving.
"Well done, Marco. Getting intelligence like this in the middle of battle isn't easy."
A faint smile tugged at Marco's lips as he added, "There's more."
"I've confirmed that the Marines plan to turn Squard."
Whitebeard's gaze flickered.
"They're telling him that you secretly struck a deal with the Marines—sacrificing the forty-three allied crews in exchange for Ace's life. Their goal is to have Squard assassinate you."
Marco's voice dropped.
"And it might not stop with Squard. As long as someone makes a move against you—whether they succeed or not—it would deal us a devastating blow."
Whitebeard's eye twitched, killing intent flashing for an instant.
"…So they'd stoop that low," he said coldly. "To deceive my sons with such filth."
"If that's truly their tactic, then I won't let them get away with it."
Having said his piece, Marco straightened.
"Pops, no matter what, you have to be on guard against Squard. I'm heading to support Little Oars."
Whitebeard nodded.
"I was planning to send you to assist our allied crews anyway."
"The Marines trying to have Squard assassinate me is meant to sow discord—to make our allies believe I betrayed them. We can't allow that."
"Now that we know their plan," Whitebeard continued, "we can't let Little Oars charge too far ahead. He'll be the key later."
"And our forty-three allied crews need to change tactics. Instead of being surrounded…" Whitebeard's lips curled into a fierce grin. "…we'll surround them."
"Break through the Marine defensive line from the flanks. Help our allies land on the plaza from both sides."
Marco nodded without hesitation.
"Alright."
Then, more quietly, he added, "Still… Be careful, pops."
He had only transmigrated into this world a few hours ago. Even with Marco's memories and strength, he wasn't yet strong enough to carry this war alone.
Whitebeard was still the pillar holding everything up.
"Gurarararara!" Whitebeard laughed loudly. "Relax. Now that we know their tricks, they're nothing to fear."
With that, Marco turned and took off—ordering Zack to stay behind and guard Whitebeard before disappearing back into the chaos of battle.
The counterattack had begun.
When Whitebeard noticed Zack standing behind him.
"Pops," Zack said respectfully, "Marco asked me to stay and protect you. He's already told me everything."
Zack planted himself firmly at Whitebeard's back, his tone unwavering.
"Even though your strength makes my protection unnecessary, I will not allow anyone to harm you—even if that person is also your son."
Whitebeard's brows knit in mild displeasure, but it quickly softened into a fond smile.
"You really are a bunch of foolish sons," he said with a chuckle. "Very well—stay here. But remember this: when Squard arrives later, you are not to act."
"Yes," Zack replied without hesitation.
Whitebeard then lifted a transponder snail.
"This is Whitebeard. Get me Whitey Bay."
Moments later, the call connected.
"Pops…" Ice Witch Whitey Bay's voice came through clearly.
Whitebeard spoke with calm authority.
"Whitey Bay, pass this order to the captains of our allied pirate crews. Prioritize destroying the Marine warships on the left and right sides of Crescent Bay."
"After that, land on Marineford from both flanks."
"Yes, Pops," Whitey Bay answered immediately.
"One more thing," Whitebeard added. "I've sent Marco to support you. You and Marco must protect Little Oars at all costs—he'll be crucial later."
"Understood."
As the call ended, Whitey Bay relayed the orders without delay.
—
Marco quickly caught up to Little Oars, landing lightly on the giant's shoulder.
"Little Oars," Marco said firmly, "target the warships."
"Got it!" Little Oars responded, lifting his forty-meter-long blade and bringing it down in a single, devastating arc.
A Marine warship split cleanly in two.
Panic erupted among the Marines. They had assumed Little Oars would charge straight for the plaza—where an Admiral could deal with him. No one had expected him to turn back.
"Damn it—it's Demon Oars!"
"And First Division Commander Marco!"
"Are we being surrounded by them and the allied pirate crews?!"
As Little Oars wreaked havoc on the fleet, Marco dove straight into the Marine ranks, cutting down soldiers and rapidly harvesting attribute points.
"It's Marco and Demon Oars!"
"Move—support them!"
The allied pirate crews surged forward, morale blazing. Under Marco's lead, they tore open a massive breach in the Marine defensive line. The Marines stationed outside Crescent Bay were forced back to the left and right flanks, losing control of the battlefield.
"Marco!" Whitey Bay rushed over amid the chaos. "You came to support us—how's Pops doing over there?"
After finishing off a Marine, Marco answered without slowing down.
"Relax. Pops is the strongest man in the world. The more pressure we put on the Marines here, the more forces they'll be forced to pull away from the plaza."
With that, Marco plunged back into the fray.
Whitey Bay watched him for a moment, still filled with questions—but there was no time for them now.
She raised her weapon and shouted,
"Attack! Sink every Marine warship!"
The counteroffensive surged forward, and for the first time since the war began, the Marines were being pushed back on multiple fronts.