Marco naturally understood the unspoken meaning behind Jinbe's words. He smiled reassuringly and said with quiet confidence, "Don't worry, Jinbe. If I dared to say it, then I'm prepared for the consequences. My Armament Haki has already reached the stage of external emission—it's strong enough to pierce Big Mom's defenses. And in my battle with Katakuri, my Observation Haki crossed into the realm of future sight. I'm still not completely proficient, but it's enough for now. Coupled with the regenerative power of my Phoenix ability, I won't claim a guaranteed victory… but I can promise this—I won't lose."
Those words eased the tension in the room.
Seeing Marco's calm confidence, everyone relaxed. They trusted him—not just because he was strong, but because the way he carried himself now reminded them unmistakably of their old man.
"That's good," Jinbe nodded, glancing toward Neptune, who also gave a subtle nod of agreement.
Jinbe had already discussed Marco's earlier proposal with King Neptune. For Jinbe, Fish-Man Island's safety was paramount, and Neptune had personally witnessed Marco's strength during this conflict. Though Marco was not Whitebeard, he undeniably possessed the presence and power of a new Yonko. Strengthening ties with the Phoenix Pirates was clearly the right choice.
Turning to Marco, Jinbe spoke solemnly, "Marco, I've already discussed the matter you mentioned earlier with my crew… and with King Neptune."
"Oh?" Marco's eyes lit up slightly. Around him, the other Phoenix Pirates instinctively leaned in, anticipation written all over their faces.
Jinbe smiled, his expression both dignified and sincere. "Ten years ago, I wished to join the Whitebeard Pirates—to contribute, even in some small way, to the old man and his family. But circumstances forced me onto a different path, and I became one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea. Now that I am no longer a Shichibukai, joining the Phoenix Pirates is a long-cherished wish finally within reach. If Captain Marco does not disdain me, then I will serve with all my heart."
For a heartbeat, the hall was silent—
Then it exploded with cheers.
"That's amazing!"
"Welcome, Jinbe!"
"We've fought side by side for years—now you're finally one of us!"
"Hahaha, this calls for a drink!"
One after another, the Phoenix Pirates rushed forward, clapping Jinbe on the shoulders and pulling him into hearty embraces. To them, Jinbe had never truly been an outsider. During the Marineford War, he had abandoned his Warlord status without hesitation to stand alongside Whitebeard's crew. Now, with the old man gone, Jinbe's joining was like injecting a powerful new backbone into the reborn Phoenix Pirates.
Jinbe laughed deeply. "Hahahaha! I'm honored to fight alongside you all. And there's more—this isn't just my decision. The Sun Pirates also wish to sail under the Phoenix banner, as a subordinate crew. We hope you'll grant us that honor."
Marco smiled without hesitation. "Of course. There's no reason to refuse."
Cups were raised high across the hall.
"Welcome, Jinbe!"
"Welcome!! Sun Pirates!"
"With you joining us, the Phoenix Pirates will definitely reclaim our former glory!"
"Drink up! Nobody's going home sober tonight!"
The banquet grew even more raucous, lasting well into the next day. Only then did everyone finally remember that greater matters still awaited them. Fortunately, the Kohn Islands—Marco's chosen battleground—lay in the first half of the New World, only half a day to a full day's voyage from Fish-Man Island. There was no need to rush.
During this lull, Trafalgar Law approached Marco with a request—to learn Haki.
Marco didn't hesitate. Law had helped the Phoenix Pirates immensely, and the crew inherited the Whitebeard Pirates' belief in repaying kindness. Marco arranged for Fossa to guide Law in training both Observation and Armament Haki.
As for Marco himself, he spent much of this time in the prison, questioning Katakuri about Observation Haki. Katakuri was reluctant at first, but as a captive, he had little choice. In the end, he shared several key insights—most importantly, that true future sight required absolute emotional calm.
Meanwhile, Curiel brought Marco updates from the past few days, especially news from Nanku Island. Vista and his group had already defeated Jack of the Beasts Pirates along with the rest of the Tobiroppo. Jack, however, remained stubborn and defiant, swearing that he would return.
After hearing Curiel's report, Marco's expression hardened. "Then it's settled," he said calmly. "If we don't resolve this quickly, the Beasts Pirates won't back off."
"Exactly," Curiel nodded. "Vista thinks the same. That's why he's keeping a close watch on the Beasts Pirates' movements right now."
Marco gave a short nod. "Anything else?"
Curiel hesitated for a moment, then spoke frankly. "According to Jozu, the Wang Zhi Pirates have started stirring as well. Several of their warships have been spotted near Shihblan Island. They haven't launched a direct attack yet—most likely they're still observing. But Jozu says they've been probing us repeatedly, testing our limits. It's only a matter of time before they make a move."
Marco's eyes narrowed. His tone remained composed, but the weight behind his words grew heavier. "Wang Zhi… another remnant of the Rocks Pirates. He may not rival the Beasts Pirates or the Big Mom Pirates, but he's still a force just beneath the Yonko. Beehive Island lies deep within our territory. Back then, because of his relationship with the old man, Pops allowed him to occupy it without interference. I didn't expect him to reveal his fangs so soon after Father's death."
Anger flickered briefly in Marco's eyes, but he suppressed it. Now was not the time to settle old grudges.
"Tell Jozu not to act for now," Marco instructed. "As long as Wang Zhi doesn't make the first move, we'll hold our ground."
"Understood," Curiel replied with a nod. Given the circumstances, it was the most rational decision. With the Phoenix Pirates' main force deployed elsewhere, there simply weren't enough troops to guard every front.
Still, Curiel couldn't help asking, "But if Wang Zhi really attacks Shihblan Island in the next few days… should Jozu and his men retaliate?"
Marco felt a dull ache form at his temples.
If they didn't respond, Wang Zhi would only grow bolder, gradually carving away at Phoenix territory. Other opportunistic forces would see that weakness and swarm in like vultures.
But if they did retaliate… there was no guarantee Jozu, with his current strength and limited forces, could withstand the Wang Zhi Pirates.
Even though Marco had secured a temporary victory at Fish-Man Island, the Phoenix Pirates were far from safe.
Right now, they were fighting on three fronts:
Nanku Island, threatened by the Beasts Pirates.
Shihblan Island, eyed hungrily by the Wang Zhi Pirates.
And Fish-Man Island, still overshadowed by the looming wrath of the Big Mom Pirates.
If even one of these fronts collapsed, the consequences would cascade—triggering a chain reaction that could drag the entire Phoenix Pirates into ruin.
Marco exhaled slowly.
This was no longer just a battle.
It was a war of survival.
After a brief silence, Marco finally made his decision.
"Of course we fight back. Recall Jozu. If the Wang Zhi pirates dare to stretch out their claws, then we'll cut them off."
Marco had made up his mind—no matter who came knocking, he would not retreat. As long as the confrontation with the Big Mom Pirates was settled quickly, the pressure on Nanku Island and Shihblan Island would ease considerably.
"Understood," Curiel nodded, then continued his report. "There's one more major incident. While we were away, Eustass Kid, recently recognized by the World Government as one of the Worst Generation, burned the flags of both the Phoenix Pirates and the Whitebeard Pirates in Mazou Town. He also defeated the Wolfba Pirates… and slaughtered over a hundred of their crew, along with more than eight hundred residents of the town."
Marco's expression darkened at once.
"He killed civilians?" His voice dropped. "Is there something wrong with him? How can anyone be that bloodthirsty?"
Curiel's tone was filled with anger. "After defeating the Wolfba Pirates, Kid captured over a hundred people and ordered the townsfolk to execute them. When they refused, he killed the civilians instead. The entire town was wiped out. He's completely twisted."
"…An utterly despicable scumbag," Marco said coldly. Even without witnessing it himself, the mere description made his blood boil.
Marco naturally knew of Eustass Kid—one of the Supernova from the same generation as Luffy. In the original timeline, Kid had always been more violent and reckless than Luffy. But the two were fundamentally different.
Luffy's recklessness came from freedom, conviction, and—like it or not—the halo of destiny.
Kid, on the other hand, was driven by cruelty.
He slaughtered pirates, Marines, and civilians alike. Unlike Luffy, who was a free-spirited adventurer wearing the label of "pirate," Kid was a genuine villain.
Marco recalled Shakky's words from the original story—that Kid's bounty surpassed Luffy's precisely because of his frequent massacres of civilians. Back then, Marco had wondered whether the Marines had exaggerated the truth for propaganda. But now, it was clear: Kid really was a bloodthirsty psychopath.
Among pirates, civilians were resources. Pirates produced nothing themselves; their food, money, and supplies all came from plunder. Civilians—those who labored and produced—were the very foundation pirates relied upon. That was why most pirates stole wealth, not lives.
Yet there were always mad dogs who wanted to prove how "fearsome" they were, slaughtering indiscriminately just to announce their existence to the world. These people practically had "I'm dangerous" and "I'm evil" carved into their faces—nothing more than low-level thugs drunk on violence.
Eustass Kid was exactly that kind of trash—only more arrogant, more self-centered, and more extreme.
Such people were scum not only in the eyes of the Marines, but also in the eyes of most pirates. Even pirates had lines they would not cross. Ordinary civilians posed no threat; they were honest, hardworking people. Massacring them was unforgivable.
No wonder even the usually easygoing Red-Haired Shanks eventually wiped Kid out in the original story.
Marco exhaled slowly, his gaze cold.
'If it were me… I'd want to kill him too.'
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