"Pops... it's my fault... I've brought shame to the Whitebeard Pirates," Marco lay on the bed, head lowered in shame, not daring to let Whitebeard see his face.
The Hoof of the Soaring Dragon on his face, even with his Phoenix fruit ability, couldn't be removed.
This was a brand carved onto his face using Rosse's power, likely infused with the power of seawater. Devil Fruit ability couldn't erase it. Even if he peeled off the skin on his face, once his Fruit restored it, the mark would still reappear.
The only way, perhaps, was to cover it with another brand or tattoo.
But even if it could be hidden, looking like this, how could he still have the face to live?
"Don't say foolish things. Being able to come back alive is enough," Whitebeard waved his hand to cut off Marco's words, walked up to him, and raised his head with a hand, "Marco!"
With his deep and powerful voice, Marco's whole body trembled, and he instinctively looked up.
When he met Whitebeard's concerned gaze, Marco couldn't help but burst into tears, "Pops! I've let you down!"
"Don't say foolish things again, no one blames you, Marco!"
Whitebeard's expression was solemn as he said in a steady voice, "Outmatched in skill, just win it back next time. You still have other brothers and sisters, and you still have me. This time, I'll avenge you!"
Looking at the Hoof of the Soaring Dragon on Marco's face, Whitebeard's anger was nearly uncontrollable.
Killing a man was one thing, but torture was going too far.
Since the opponent didn't play by the rules, then he wouldn't have to be polite either.
"Pops!", Marco choked with emotion. After suffering such a painful defeat, yet not being punished by Whitebeard, made him feel even worse.
Maybe, from the very beginning, he shouldn't have provoked Rosse.
But now, since hatred had already formed, the only thought he had left—
Was to kill Rosse! Take revenge!
"Pops, that Celestial Dragon's ability is strange. And according to Uncle Carlo, his physique and Haki are no weaker than yours," Marco calmed himself and hurriedly began to describe Rosse.
He had experienced that battle firsthand. Though Rosse hadn't seemed to use his full strength that time, he still managed to gather a lot of intel.
"So you're saying, that monster's physique, Haki, fruit ability, swordsmanship, all are top-tier? Truly a bona fide monster," Teach had been listening on the side. After hearing Marco's words, he couldn't help but summarize with an expression of astonishment.
He was only 20 years old now, but believed himself not weaker than Carlo, just slightly inferior to Leviathan.
With such strength, he already counted among the strongest of the young generation.
Those like Crocodile or Gecko Moria were no match for him at all.
But now hearing of Rosse's strength, Teach couldn't help but feel frustrated, and even felt a strong sense of jealousy.
The fruit that controlled the sea, it couldn't possibly be worse than the one he dreamed of.
If only he had Rosse's background, there'd be no need to rely on the Whitebeard Pirates. Maybe he'd already be stronger than 18-year-old Rosse.
"A rival who's grown strong... Redfield lost, it seems, because of him," Whitebeard's expression grew more serious after hearing that.
He didn't think Rosse had surpassed him, but Rosse definitely had the strength to fight on equal footing, that much was certain.
Even if he faced four enemies alone, he couldn't do it as easily as Rosse did.
Of course, right now he was at his peak. If he used Conqueror's Coating without regard for the cost, then it wouldn't be impossible.
But according to Marco, Rosse had crushed Leviathan and the others with overall strength, not by using some overpowering force.
That required caution.
The last all-around strong fighter... was Rocks D. Xebec nearly twenty years ago.
"Pops, we definitely need to avenge Marco and the others, but what should we do?", Teach couldn't help but ask.
He knew with Whitebeard's nature, he would never give up on revenge.
But the opponent also had backing, he was a Celestial Dragon backed by the World Government.
It'd already be lucky if they didn't come after them for revenge. If they acted recklessly, they might fall right into the enemy's hands.
He only wanted to use the Whitebeard Pirates to find the fruit he desired, not to die alongside them.
"Hmph! Blood debts must be repaid in blood. First, gather news from the sea. See if any Celestial Dragons are traveling alone," Whitebeard said coldly.
Looking for someone on the sea wasn't easy.
But the World Government was huge. There were many ways to cause trouble for them.
Carlo, Leviathan, Vista, Marco... the torment they suffered would be repaid with the blood of the Celestial Dragons.
"That I actually know. Not long ago, Saint Arlin of the Celestial Dragons showed up in the North Blue. He's still chasing the Revolutionary Army. Should we work with them?", Teach grinned.
If it was just some minor skirmishes, he didn't mind helping out a bit.
But if Whitebeard wanted to storm Marine HQ, then he'd have to pass on that.
"Garp's son? No need to make contact."
Whitebeard rejected outright. With his strength, he didn't need allies. In fact, that would risk exposure.
Besides, Dragon was being chased all over the world. His opponents weren't even particularly strong. That alone made Whitebeard look down on him.
If his enemy were someone like Garp, then he'd at least understand.
But from what others had said, Saint Arlin wasn't even stronger than the late Leviathan. He didn't believe Garp's son lacked the strength to handle it.
He had no interest in working with cowards.
"BOYS, SET OFF!"
"Aye! Aye! Captain!"
———
[Marine HQ, Rosse's Resting Quarters]
"Whitebeard's gone missing. What do you want from me? Shamrock, you can't find him, so you think I can?", Rosse sneered and hung up the phone, not bothering to chat idly with Shamrock and the others.
Shamrock was one of the God's Knights in charge of the mission to eliminate Whitebeard. Because his father was the leader of the God's Knights, he was the one in charge and brought along quite a few strong subordinates.
Taking on this mission wasn't about avenging him.
It was just that he had gotten too much attention lately. Figarland had already been suppressed by him before, and if Shamrock could take care of Whitebeard now, he'd be able to one-up him.
After all, Whitebeard had sent someone to assassinate him. If he ended up dying at Shamrock's hands, that'd definitely be huge news.
However...
A scornful smile curled at Rosse's lips.
If Shamrock happened to die, it wouldn't be a big fame boost, it'd be the entire Celestial Dragon race becoming a laughingstock.
But still...
Thinking of what Shamrock said, that Whitebeard had vanished, Rosse's eyes flickered.
'Sea emperors all have some way to avoid tracking.'
Or rather, only those who weren't easy to kill ever became sea emperors. Otherwise, the Marine would've wiped them out already.
But with Whitebeard's personality, he wasn't one to run from trouble.
If they couldn't find him now, it could only mean, he had a bigger plan in motion.
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