Soon after, Marco entrusted everything to Vista and the others before parting ways with the Phoenix Pirates.
In his judgment, even if Kaido were ultimately defeated, escaping from the battlefield would not be a problem for him. Big Mom, who had already chosen to retreat the moment the Marines arrived, also still had a chance of survival.
At the same time, Marco made a direct call to Vegapunk, instructing him to withdraw immediately if Hachinosu could no longer be held. He also briefed Vegapunk on the overall situation and the coming operations.
After all, the Phoenix Pirates were currently positioned in the first half of the Grand Line. Even with Marco's full speed flight, reaching Hachinosu would take at least two to three days. Traveling by ship would be even slower.
All he could do now was hope Kaido and Big Mom could hold the line.
If they could not, there was nothing more Marco could do in the short term.
At the same time, Marco also realized something important.
He needed to strengthen not only his own power, but the overall strength of the entire Emperor Alliance.
Among Devil Fruit Awakening abilities, there was a rumored Impart or Bestow-type awakening technique.
Although Marco did not yet understand its full mechanism, he suspected it might be the key to enhancing the combat strength of the Phoenix Pirates as a whole.
---
Holy Land Mary Geoise
This time, Marco did not conceal his presence at all.
The moment he entered Mary Geoise, he began a full-scale massacre.
Almost instantly, the system notifications echoed in his mind.
"Killed Celestial Dragon guard, gained 10 attribute points." "Killed Celestial Dragon guard, gained 10 attribute points." "Killed Celestial Dragon, gained 500 attribute points."
Black flames rained down across the Holy Land.
The dark fire and the golden architecture of Mary Geoise intertwined, engulfing entire districts in destruction. Guards and Celestial Dragons alike were swallowed by the inferno.
Compared to his last visit, Marco's strength had transformed dramatically.
His Observation Haki now covered an even wider range, allowing him to clearly sense every fleeing guard and every terrified Celestial Dragon.
"Phoenix Dance."
A cold voice echoed through the sky.
In the next moment, black firebirds erupted from his wings and shot in all directions.
"Aaaaaahhhhh!"
Screams filled the Holy Land.
The flame birds hunted their targets relentlessly, striking Celestial Dragons and guards alike. Once touched, the Black Flames clung to their bodies like living parasites, refusing to extinguish as they burned them alive.
Marco soared through the sky in his phoenix form, continuously unleashing waves of black flame constructs.
Each one, roughly a meter long, moved with unnatural life, diving into the streets below.
Mary Geoise descended into chaos.
"Don't even think about escaping."
Marco's voice turned cold as his Conqueror's Haki exploded outward.
In an instant, fleeing Celestial Dragons collapsed unconscious where they stood.
The black flame birds immediately followed, igniting their bodies without hesitation.
Even those knocked out by Conqueror's Haki were not spared the agony as they were burned alive afterward.
Watching his attribute points surge continuously, Marco felt a rare satisfaction.
He should have come here sooner.
This place was a farm for power.
Celestial Dragons themselves were weak, yet each one still provided a massive 500 attribute points. Even their guards contributed 10 points each.
Individually insignificant, but in numbers, they were abundant.
Every Celestial Dragon had multiple guards, some even more than a dozen.
Stacked together, the total yield was enormous.
---
Suddenly, Marco's Observation Haki picked up a familiar presence ahead.
Saint Charlos stood there holding a leash.
At the end of it was Boa Hancock, former Shichibukai, now reduced to a slave.
Her neck was bound by a collar and iron chain. Her wrists and ankles were restrained with cuffs. She wore a revealing outfit meant to humiliate her status, and although her body showed no major injuries, her expression was hollow, her eyes filled with fear and emptiness.
Saint Charlos looked up and immediately panicked when he saw Marco approaching from the sky.
"It's him again!"
He remembered clearly. This was the man who had attacked Mary Geoise before and killed several Celestial Dragons.
"Kill him!" Charlos shouted angrily. "Capture him! Last time he even killed my sister. I want him as my slave!"
A nearby guard immediately panicked.
"Saint Charlos, that's impossible! We cannot fight him! We need to escape!"
"He's one of the Yonko, the strongest man in the world! Even members of the God's Knights have died to him!"
The moment those words landed, Charlos' face twisted in rage.
Bang.
He fired without hesitation, killing the guard instantly.
"How dare you disobey me!"
He then turned toward Hancock.
"You, my strongest female slave. You were once Shichibukai. I rented you for one billion Berries. Go and fight that bird man."
Hancock's body trembled slightly.
"Yes… Saint Charlos…"
Her voice carried fear and helpless submission.
Even though Charlos was weak, she could not resist.
Over the past month, she had attempted resistance once. It had only resulted in brutal punishment, breaking her will little by little until fear replaced pride.
At that moment, Marco had already arrived above them.
He looked down at Hancock.
Collar. Chains. Cuffs.
A once proud Empress reduced to this state.
Without hesitation, Marco released his Conqueror's Haki.
The shockwave instantly knocked out Saint Charlos and every surrounding guard before they could even react.
No words were exchanged.
There was nothing worth hearing from them anyway.
Their only value was attribute points.
Black Flame Phoenixes immediately descended upon their unconscious bodies.
The flames ignited instantly.
"Aaaaaahhhhhh!"
Saint Charlos rolled on the ground in agony as he regained partial awareness.
"Slave number 77! What are you doing?! Save me!"
Hancock's eyes widened as she watched the Celestial Dragon burn.
For a moment, she froze.
Even Luffy had only struck a Celestial Dragon before.
But Marco…
He killed one without hesitation.