The moment those words left his mouth, a commotion erupted among the Whitebeard Pirates' many "sons."
More precisely, it was not a commotion, but [hostility]!
Vista the Flower Sword drew his twin blades, half of Diamond Jozu's body turned glittering, and Thatch pulled out a massive iron fork.
The other crew members still conscious also drew their weapons, whether long blades, firearms, or sharp claws.
Yet the most agitated of all was still Marco the Phoenix!
"How dare you, White Ghost! How dare you speak to Pops like that!"
A piercing cry rang out.
Surging blue-green flames ignited all over Marco's body. His arms transformed into phoenix wings, and his feet became slender phoenix talons as he instantly entered the hybrid form—the most powerful form available to a Zoan Devil Fruit user.
"Get off the Moby Dick! Come back when you've learned some manners!"
The next instant.
Marco beat his wings and flew into the air. His talons gleamed with a chilling edge as they tore through the air with a hiss, lunging viciously at Adrian in the center of the deck.
"Phoenix Brand!"
The Phoenix Fruit seems like another excellent candidate for fusion...
The thought flashed through Adrian's mind.
Unhurriedly, he raised the Cursed Sword Kitetsu, coating it in Armament Haki imbued with multiple traits.
Black Jade, Ryuo, Iron, Mountain-Crushing!
Armament Haki bearing four traits clung to the Cursed Sword Kitetsu, dyeing it a deep, inky shade. Then Adrian raised his right arm and forcefully—
Swung!
The Cursed Sword Kitetsu seemed to break through the limits of time and space, tracing a lightning-like arc through the air, too fast for anyone to react.
Though he had launched his counterattack second, the Cursed Sword Kitetsu reached Marco first.
The cursed blade slipped nimbly past the menacing talons and slashed brutally