Even if he was the only one left on the field, even if it looked like he was struggling in vain,
Marco would never surrender without a fight.
"Ace, Vista..."
The situation was growing more dire, but Marco remained calm and composed. Even under Aokiji's overwhelming pressure, he continued searching for an opportunity.
It seemed that he had undergone a transformation after the Summit War...
Or perhaps this man, who bore the title of first division commander of the Whitebeard Pirates, would no longer repeat the mistakes he had made during the Summit War.
Thus, even with Vista seriously wounded and his life hanging in the balance, and Ace immobilized under the control of the Shadow Pillar, Marco did not let himself become distracted or expose an opening. He fought Aokiji with everything he had.
"Arara, as expected of the first division commander of the Whitebeard Pirates."
No matter how hard Aokiji pressed, Marco blocked every attack one after another, leaving him unable to break the deadlock.
After all, this was not the kind of chaotic battle seen at the Summit War...
In a one-on-one fight, taking down an expert whose combat power surpassed that of a Yonko commander in such a short time was clearly unrealistic.
Aokiji, however, was not in a hurry.
Although he could not break through the stalemate, he steadily kept Marco suppressed.
Blue flames and solid ice clashed again and again.
The wildly surging energy and instantaneously forming layers of ice...
Between the two, destruction and reconstruction endlessly cycled, inspiring fear.
Outside the battlefield.
The members of the Maud Pirates watched the fierce battle within the combat zone with varying expressions.
"Captain, do we really not need to help Kuzan?"
Everyone turned their eyes toward Maud.
Having already finished their battles, they had planned to