As he spoke, Marco patted Gawain's hand.
"Your current situation is exactly the same as Roger's back then. You two are like a candle, your brain is constantly burning, and that burning quickly spreads to your body."
There's really no cure for this disease. Even Teach's Yami Yami no Mi won't help you. I really don't know why you sought him out. The Yami Yami no Mi is only good at stripping away Devil Fruit; is there any other Devil Fruit that can save you?
Don't count on Teach, my brother really can't help. If you trust me, hurry up and go find Vegapunk, that way you can at least live a few years or even decades longer, like Roger."
After saying that, Marco patted Gawain's hand regretfully.
Ten days ago, Gawain defeated his own Pops and finally sat on the throne of the world's number one, at least in the eyes of pirates, as the leader of the Celestial Dragon who was infinitely arrogant and powerful.
In just ten days, Gawain, a man of such promise, became a dying... torch!
However, even in the face of such a contrast, Gawain was still able to play in the swimming pool and even show a genuine smile to the children around him!
Such a breathtaking display of magnanimity left Marco in awe. Truly worthy of being recognized by his Pops and willing to die at his hands—a great hero of the new era, holding the highest position!
Thinking this, Marco silently gritted his teeth.
It would be such a pity if someone like that died!
Without this person, even if pirates once again stand at the top of the world in this new era, there will be no fun!
If possible, it just so happens that I've lost all interest in being a pirate.
In this way, once Teach has stabilized the atmosphere of the New Whitebeard Pirates Teach recruited enough strong men again...
His greatest legacy as the Whitebeard Pirates should also disappear from the New Whitebeard Pirates.
Compared to Namur and the others, he felt his Whitebeard- like aura was far too strong, and Teach's pirate crew was destined to become the Blackbeard Pirates!
As someone who survived by sheer luck, the region can be considered an intangible legacy left by his Pops to Teach brother Teach.
But the world of One Piece doesn't need intangible cultural heritage!
If I stay on the ship forever, Teach will become uneasy about my presence once Teach becomes powerful enough.
Ultimately, he was the older brother who had the most right to influence him, and someone like him was not suitable to be his younger brother's first mate.
So...
Marco gradually made up his mind!
After some time, I'll leave the Blackbeard Pirates and return to my Pops's treasure to become a doctor who treats the children.
At that time, I will visit Gawain from time to time to help him rekindle his Phoenix flame.
Although Gawain is an enemy of pirates, he is ultimately the hope of the world.
The world can exist without pirates, but it cannot exist without hope. Even the most wicked pirates were originally just a group of pitiful people who were desperately chasing after hope!
Just as Marco's mind was replaying the mini-drama, Gawain, who was being treated by Marco, was completely stunned.
Gawain completely bewildered by his current state!
The bleeding from his seven orifices stopped instantly, and a blue flame was burning continuously in his mind!
Judging by its appearance, it will likely take at least several months to burn completely!
Honestly, even in the desperate phase when Gawain knew he was about to die, he never saw Marco as a source of hope.
Even though he desperately searched for answers, he never considered Marco as the answer.
But...
Who would have thought!
Before Vegapunk and his group's plans had even officially succeeded.
It turned out that Marco, Teach's sidekick, was the biggest surprise and help he received?
When the Dark Bird was used as a totem, people thought the image looked too much like the Marco the Phoenix.
In the end, it turned out that this unexpected Dark Bird was the one who brought him the greatest help!
Is this fate? What an interesting fate!
For a moment, Gawain couldn't help but think that in the Pirate King manga, Oda had never indicated when Roger was diagnosed with a terminal illness.
But the truth is, Roger first engaged in a battle with Whitebeard, and the two fought for three days and three nights.
Then, Oden joined Roger's pirate crew.
With Oden, who could decipher the Poneglyph, joining the crew, Roger immediately embarked on his journey to retrace the Grand Line.
It took them about two years to traverse the Grand Line again and finally reach Laugh Tale, where Roger truly became the Pirate King.
The following year, Roger spent six months conceiving a child, and then turned himself in and was executed.
Therefore, it seems that Roger contracted a terminal illness around the time Oden joined the crew.
During that period, Roger happened to receive treatment from Marco...
In other words, Roger probably only Awakening his ability to Voice of All Things around that time!
Gawain mentally reviewed Roger's journey.
After Voice of All Things, he received help from Marco, then found Vegapunk, and a giant egg appeared on the ship. Finally, he returned to Twin Capes, chose a new route, and officially recruited Crocus.
In this light, Roger's journey is not so different from what Gawain is currently searching for!
So...
It wasn't what he thought at all; he lived a shorter life than Roger because his Observation Haki was worse.
Instead...
When Roger first Awakening, he probably only had a few days left to live, just like me. However, he was luckier and encountered the most effective and convenient solution among a series of options!
Marco is the best answer to his current predicament!
Facing an inevitable end of death.
Only the Phoenix can seize the final opportunity!
This is really interesting!!!
Suddenly, Gawain smiled and grabbed Marco's wrist.
Looking at Marco's perpetually sleepy, deadpan face, and his pineapple-shaped head swaying in the wind.
Gawain said earnestly.
"Thanks, Marco. Make sure we have a good drink tonight!"
"Of course, Gawain, I've helped you so much, so of course I have to drink all your good wine!"
Not just the wine, I also want to make a deal with you, but we'll talk about that later, haha!
Amidst the laughter, Marco and Gawain came to the side.
Seeing the two smiling faces, Teach finally let out a sigh of relief.
He had been so worried before. Alas, when faced with the impending death of Gawain, anyone could only feel fear.
But to everyone's surprise, his older brother miraculously solved his biggest problem.
My eldest brother, truly a legacy of intangible cultural heritage left to me by my Pops!
Across from him, seeing the silly grin on Teach's face, Gawain couldn't help but laugh too.
"Alright, Teach, you can relax now."
I was originally planning to ask you for help, but who knew Marco would be the best solution.
So, you become useless, and you'll even enjoy that feeling of being useless.
As he spoke, Gawain waved to Kaya.
Kaya listened attentively, Gawain spoke softly.
"Tell Zeff that we're having a huge party tonight, the biggest party ever!"
Besides that, sigh..
At this point, Gawain paused briefly, then sighed.
"Let Sanji get some rest. We don't need to keep him busy tonight."
His dishes were filled with too much sadness, but I'm really happy today, and I don't want to taste any more sadness.
Sanji... let him meet Judge. Just when Sanji thought his Pops was heartless, Judge, that proud guy, had actually cried alone in the deepest nights.
Reiju to die... I'm so sorry. War is so ruthless. I was even prepared for many more people to die.
We only hope that everything we pursue is worthy of their dedication and sacrifice.
I believe we deserve it!
As soon as he finished speaking, Gawain patted Kaya on the shoulder, Kaya immediately nodded.
Ten days ago, although she did not participate in the war, she did her best to assist in the medical department and witnessed countless wounded and dead.
She understood Sanji's pain all too well, because when Sanji lost his sister, Kaya was also desperately praying that Usopp would live a good life.
Usopp was indeed alive, and not even seriously injured.
But Sanji's beloved and most cared-for older sister...
Taking a deep breath, Kaya walked towards the kitchen. Her melancholy and profound figure caught Marco's attention.
Even a little girl with very little ability carries such heavy hopes and thoughts in her heart?
As expected of the Dark Bird Ship!
Thinking this way, Marco actually started to look forward to his future life.
Who knows, this notorious pirate, cursed and wanted by the government for over forty years, might actually become an indispensable part of the new era.
As for the others, they were all stunned.
Seeing that Gawain instantly received a brief healing from Marco, they couldn't help but feel overjoyed!
In this joyful atmosphere, Gawain began the grand banquet that night.
Amidst the excited tears of countless people, Gawain and Shirahoshi danced wildly, and then sang loudly with Uta.
It was around dawn, when the sun was just beginning to rise.
Gawain lay on the sofa, looking at the scene of drunkards all around him, and extended a warm invitation to Marco.
"Marco, in about two days, Vegapunk and Franky will give me a gift."
That gift was no less valuable than the one you gave me.
You could even say that gift was the biggest surprise I've received recently.
I firmly believe that the new era lies within that gift.
And I hope to invite you and Teach, among others, to witness that moment together!
As soon as he finished speaking, Gawain looked at Marco expectantly, and Marco nodded knowingly.
"I understand, I understand. Although I can't understand your arrangements, that castle that constantly reminds me of extreme danger is right under my nose."
Just one glance at it made my eyes hurt, so you can imagine how dangerous that thing was.
Is that a weapon, Gawain? Did you, while seeking Vegapunk's healing, also demand that he develop the latest weapons for you?
If so, that level of power would probably be comparable to Ancient Weapon, right?
Marco couldn't help but glance at the distant castle, which, in the dim light of the morning moon, was constantly emitting a blue light and the sound of piercing thunder.
At the same time, Gawain also turned around and looked at the castle.
As he watched, Gawain smiled ambitiously.
"Ancient Weapon?"
Hehe.
That thing truly deserves to be called the latest Ancient Weapon!
Even Ancient Weapon, in some respects, cannot compare to that one thing!
They all certainly have the ability to change the future, but the future that one thing can bring is much more definite and clear Koby of Ancient Weapon!
However, haha, it's not a weapon.
He's nothing but order and power!
After saying that, Gawain took a big gulp of wine and then smiled expectantly.
Beside him, Marco gasped.
"You're so confident? I'd like to see for myself."
But it's not a weapon?
Order and power—aren't those things things that only weapons can bring about?
Not a weapon..."
Marco was a little confused, but also a little expectant.
On this vast ocean, the pursuit of weapons has lasted far too long. The navy seeks greater power, as do the pirates, and even more so the World Government.
If we're talking about what constitutes a new era, then an era where weapons are no longer needed is probably the true new era.
But on the path to that era, how far can this man, who is only a few months away from death yet whose optimism commands respect, actually go?
Two days have passed since then.
At noon that day, while Gawain was having lunch with everyone.
Suddenly, the castle in the distance burst forth with incredibly dazzling lightning!
What was originally just flickering lightning hovering over the castle suddenly surged to an incredibly large size, obscuring the castle in the blink of an eye, and then the lightning spread rapidly.
First it spread into a spherical shape, then the lightning kept contracting, and contracting again!
From afar, the air near the castle appeared to have been condensed into an ethereal shape by the astonishing heat of thunder.
Immediately afterwards, the lightning spread out along the metal threads engraved on the entire Dark Bird Ship, instantly spreading into the thin lines floating underwater, and then along the tracks of the Sea Train, leading to every city and island in the world with Sea Train in operation.
The thunder continued to spread and intensify.
Every powerful figure on the Dark Bird Ship felt a chill run down their spine, a mixture of astonishment and lamentation.
Conversely, the civilians and the vulnerable who were originally the most affected are now unaware of the lightning strikes.
Unable to detect anything further, lightning appeared to them as something harmless, much like static electricity.
Unlike the powerful, whose hair stood on end, the common people only had their hair flying in the wind.
At the same time, the castle gates burst open, and Franky rushed out, stopping beside High Temperatures and bending down to speak to the expectant Gawain.
"My lord, the throne has been completely completed, but it has not yet been formally tested."
If possible, hehe.
Then we can show you our greatest achievement!