"If you give up our outer territories today, what about tomorrow?"
The captains' voices made Marco's expression grow even uglier.
"Whew!"
He took a deep breath, then suddenly shouted.
"Everyone, I am the acting captain right now!"
"Even if it's only temporary, I ask that you obey my orders!"
Only then did everyone settle down.
But this simple incident had already sown the seeds of internal conflict.
Once everyone dispersed, Marco pressed a hand to his forehead, his temples throbbing.
Only now did he understand why Pops had handed the captain's position to the young Ace without hesitation.
Ace's lineage and potential were things he did not possess.
"Ace!"
"I hope that when you return, you'll truly be able to bring everything under control and lead us back to the top!"
Murmuring to himself, Marco leaned against the ship's railing and let the sea breeze wash over him, his heart unbearably heavy.
On a deserted island not far from Marineford.
Bang!
A figure wreathed in flames flew backward, crashing through dozens of trees and skidding over a hundred meters across the ground before finally stopping.
"Fufufufufufu!"
"Spirit! You don't have enough spirit!"
"Where's your determination to grow stronger? Your ambition to rule the world? The spirit of a king who bows to no one?"
Doflamingo leaped high into the air and landed atop a tree, looking down with a mocking smile.
"He said you had the makings of a king, but I don't see anything that qualifies you."
"Someone who serves beneath another, who lacks the conviction of invincibility and the strength of character, doesn't even deserve a place in this world!"
"Haki, hand-to-hand combat, Devil Fruit powers—you're far too lacking in all of them!"
"Portgas—oh, no. To be precise."
"It should be Gol D. Ace!"
At that name,