Hearing Ace's analysis, the Phoenix Pirates all nodded in agreement. On the surface, Marco and Katakuri looked evenly matched—fists colliding, blows traded blow for blow. But in truth, the balance had already tipped.
Katakuri was being forced onto the defensive.
Marco could afford to trade injuries. Every wound he took was instantly swallowed by blue flames and erased. Katakuri, however, had no such luxury—each hit he suffered lingered, dragging down his stamina and dulling his movements. Seeing this clearly through his Future Sight, Katakuri had no choice but to tighten his defense.
Yet now Marco's Observation Haki could keep pace with his own.
In speed, endurance, and recovery, Katakuri was falling behind. After several minutes of stubborn resistance, Marco finally broke through—his fist crashed into Katakuri's abdomen, Armament Haki surging explosively. Katakuri spat out fresh blood, forcing himself to retaliate with a punch to Marco's face.
Blue flames flared.
Marco didn't even stagger.
"Damn it…" Katakuri gasped, despair creeping into his chest. His younger brothers and sisters were watching from behind. He couldn't fall—not here, not now. His pride and convictions refused to allow it. And yet, deep down, he understood the truth: once his advantage in Observation Haki vanished, victory had slipped beyond his reach.
Still, he clenched his teeth and stood firm, refusing to show weakness.
Marco watched him quietly—the scarf still covering his mouth, his posture unbroken despite the blood. Marco felt a genuine respect for the man before him. This was the Katakuri who had once fought Luffy to the bitter end. And through this battle, Marco himself had awakened Future Sight—something even he hadn't expected. Perhaps his mental strength had finally reached the threshold.
Blue flames danced around Marco's Human–Beast form as he spoke calmly, almost gently.
"It looks like what you've been holding onto is about to crumble."
Katakuri's pupils tightened. His fists clenched—but he said nothing.
Marco continued, his voice cutting deeper than his blows.
"It must be exhausting, always playing the role of the perfect big brother. But there's no such thing as perfection in this world. To avoid defeat, you chase overwhelming strength… yet there will always be someone stronger. And when you meet them, defeat is inevitable."
"I will not lose," Katakuri said firmly.
Marco smiled faintly.
"You have a reason not to lose. And I have an even greater one. Your reason is to preserve your perfect image—and even if that image shatters, you're still a Sweet Commander, still protected by Big Mom. But me?"
His eyes sharpened.
"I am the Captain of the Phoenix Pirates. And as Captain, I cannot be defeated."
In the next instant, Marco attacked again—faster, heavier, more merciless than before.
The gap widened rapidly.
It was as if Marco's stamina was endless. His fists and kicks hammered into Katakuri, driving him back step by step. Blood dripped continuously from Katakuri's body. His vision blurred. His strength ebbed away.
At last, his legs gave out.
Katakuri fell to his knees.
Even then, his stubborn will refused to let his back touch the ground. His body tipped forward instead—and his consciousness finally slipped away.
"Katakuri-nii…"
"Lord Katakuri…"
The Big Mom Pirates stared in disbelief.
When Katakuri had first begun bleeding, their cheers had faded—but they had still believed. Katakuri was invincible. He had to win.
Only now, as they watched him truly fall, did that belief finally shatter. Tears welled up in their eyes, as if a dam had broken, and silence spread across the battlefield.
"Phew… phew… that really took a lot out of me."
Marco let out a long breath. Thanks to his terrifying regenerative ability, his body showed no visible injuries—but this fight with Katakuri had dragged on for a full two hours.
Strictly speaking, Katakuri wasn't even a Zoan-type Devil Fruit user. A battle of such intensity, with nonstop pressure and razor-thin margins, shouldn't have lasted that long. And yet it had. Perhaps it was Katakuri's refusal to lose—or his fear of losing—that kept him standing far beyond his limits.
Marco could understand that stubbornness.
Katakuri bore too much weight. Within the Big Mom Pirates, Big Mom was undeniably powerful—but she was also a fanatic. Disobedience meant death, even for her own children, and her uncontrollable hunger pangs were a constant threat.
As the head of the Sweet Commanders, Katakuri was the pillar holding everything together—strong, calm, dependable. In many ways, he was the true backbone of the Big Mom Pirates. And he had willingly shouldered that role, choosing to become the "perfect older brother" in front of his siblings.
Ding. Mission complete.
Defeat Katakuri, head of the Sweet Commanders, and awe the Big Mom Pirates.
Reward: 2000 attribute points.
The system's mechanical voice rang out, almost soothing.
Marco smiled faintly and turned to the Phoenix Pirates behind him.
"Someone, tie him up."
"Yes!"
Several crew members immediately stepped forward, seastone handcuffs in hand.
The Big Mom Pirates erupted at once.
"You bastards—what are you planning to do to Katakuri-nii-sama?!"
In response, the Phoenix Pirates instantly tensed, several Division Commanders stepping to the front, ready for anything.
"Stop! Everyone, stop!" Smoothie shouted sharply. Watching her crew surge forward in rage, she knew better. Even Katakuri had fallen—how could they possibly defeat Marco now?
Still, their confidence hadn't vanished entirely.
Mama was their trump card. As long as Big Mom existed, they weren't truly cornered.
"Relax," Marco said calmly, his tone steady. "I won't kill him. Right now, he's a very valuable hostage."
Then he looked directly at Smoothie.
"Call Big Mom. Tell her exactly what happened here."
Smoothie's eyes narrowed. She understood the situation clearly now—this was beyond what a Sweet Commander could handle. She nodded slowly.
"…Understood."
As Smoothie stepped aside to make the call, Marco opened his system panel.
Name: Marco
Age: 43
Attribute Points: 2000
Devil Fruit: Zoan Type – Phoenix Form (Unawakened)
Haki:
Armament Haki (Top-tier)
Observation Haki (Top-tier)
Haoshoku Haki (Intermediate)
Physical Techniques:
Soru (Intermediate)
Rankyaku (Intermediate)
Moonwalk (Intermediate)
Tekkai (Advanced)
Finger Pistol (Advanced)
Kami-e (Intermediate)
Strength: 10,054
Speed: 4,500
Defense: 8,800
Recovery: 45,000
Stamina: 8,100
Mental Strength: 9,300
System Combat Power Evaluation: Admiral/Yonko Level.
Marco closed the panel, blue flames flickering faintly around him.
The real conversation… was about to begin.
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