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Tears of anguish streamed down Ace's face as he listened. How could he have not known this? Even if there was only a one-in-ten-thousand chance, he still wanted to save Luffy.
To the Gorosei, however, the scene before them was nothing but entertainment. They had never planned on letting Luffy leave alive.
Killing the reincarnation of Joy Boy was the supreme order handed down by their master, Imu. On Amazon Lily, anyone else could be spared—but Straw Hat had to die.
The reason they lingered here now was mainly to buy time for Gorum and the Marines to withdraw. The five Gorosei had been summoned to Amazon Lily through a Magic Circle and could return to the Holy Land whenever they wished, but Gorum had come in his Main Body.
And with Gorum's strength, he was no match for Marco. So they needed to stall—and enjoy the show along the way.
Saint Garling glanced at Marco, his tone dripping with mockery as he continued to sow discord. "It seems your Captain won't surrender for Straw Hat Luffy, Fire Fist Ace."
Ace's eyes were bloodshot as he roared, "Shut up! Marco is my Captain, and I won't let you hurt him. My life is right here—if you let my brother go, you can take my life anytime…"
Saint Garling's playful smirk widened. He sneered, "What touching brotherly affection. But as I said, we're not interested in your life. If you want so badly to save your brother, then kill Marco. As long as you kill him, we'll immediately release Straw Hat Luffy."
Ace's pupils shrank sharply at those words.
Marco's expression darkened. As expected, these guys were pure villains—using hostages, forcing comrades to kill each other. He'd seen this kind of plot a thousand times in anime and movies in his previous life, but having it happen to him for real made the rage in his chest boil over uncontrollably.
He was so angry he could barely speak. In a low, icy voice, he said, "If you really kill Ace's brother, then I'll kill you all to avenge him."
He prepared to leap into action.
"Don't…" Ace once again stepped in front of Marco, pleading, "No, Marco…"
Although he knew the Gorosei could never be trusted, Marco understood that if he attacked them head‑on right now, Luffy would really die.
Rage burned in Marco's eyes as he shouted, "Can you trust anything these old bastards say? The only reason they're still standing here negotiating with us is because of my strength. If I really surrender, I die—and your brother and you die with me. The Phoenix Pirates will be wiped out by them too. Do you actually want to see that happen?"
Ace's heart was on the verge of collapse. Marco's words rang true, but the sight in front of him crushed him even more—Luffy clutched in Saint Garling's hand, a blade pressed to his throat, ready to slice it open at any moment. Despair pressed down on Ace. If he attacked, the Gorosei would kill Luffy for sure. If he hesitated any longer, Luffy might die anyway.
Tears of despair streamed down Ace's face. He dropped to his knees in front of the Gorosei and begged, "Please, let Luffy go! As long as you let Luffy go, I'll do anything you want."
The Gorosei's hearts swelled with delight at the sight. This was their tried‑and‑true method of breaking slaves: first grant them hope, then drown them in despair.
Indeed. These insects are all the same. No matter how powerful they become, as long as they cling to 'bonds' and 'friendship,' they're nothing to fear.
Marco's expression twisted. He was trapped. If he moved now, Luffy would definitely be killed. And when that happened, Ace would blame him—if not out loud, then in his heart.
He silently cursed himself. He should've flown a little slower and waited for the Gorosei to kill Luffy before showing up. Then he wouldn't be in such a damned awkward position.
At that moment, Marco triggered his level detection:
'Saint Topman Warcury, Ability: Fierce Boar, Estimated Strength: Weak King Level.'
'Figarland Garling Saint, Ability: Itzumanade, Estimated Strength: Weak King Level.'
'Shepherd Ju Peter Saint, Ability: Sandworm, Estimated Strength: Strong Yonko Level.'
'Saint Ethanbaron V. Nusjuro, Ability: Bone Horse, Estimated Strength: Strong Yonko Level.'
'Jaygarcia Saturn Saint, Ability: Ushi-oni, Estimated Strength: Strong Yonko Level.'
Marco's gaze lingered on Figarland Garling's ability, and he thought, As expected.
Back on Egghead Island, Garling hadn't possessed any Devil Fruit powers. Now, however, he wielded the Itzumanade ability—the very same power once held by the late Gorosei, Saint Mars.
It could only mean that after Saint Mars's death, Imu had bestowed that ability upon Figarland Garling Saint.
Marco's gaze shifted to the Marine admiral known as "Shura" as he analyzed him in his mind: "Figarland Gorum. Zoan-type Human-Human Fruit, Mythical Zoan, Asura form. Estimated strength: Yonko level."
His expression tightened. "His strength has grown too," Marco thought with a sigh. Back on Egghead, Gorum had no Devil Fruit and was only at a weak Yonko level. Now that he'd eaten a Mythical Zoan-type Devil Fruit, his power had risen to Yonko level—and he might even reach the level of a strong Yonko in the future.
Saint Garling lowered his eyes to Ace, who was kneeling and bowing his head to the ground, and spoke coldly, "I already gave you a chance. Go kill Marco. As long as you kill Phoenix Marco, we will immediately release Straw Hat Luffy."
At those words, Ace's eyes filled with turmoil. On one side was his partner and captain. On the other was his younger brother. How was he supposed to choose?
Marco's gaze turned icy. Watching the Marines already beginning to retreat, he said in a hard voice, "Taking hostages? You think you're the only ones who can do that? That Marine admiral is a Celestial Dragon, isn't he? And he's your son, right? Then I'll take him too."
With that, Marco spread his wings and shot toward the fleeing Marines.
But in the same instant, all four of the other Gorosei moved. Aside from Saint Garling, who still had Luffy in his grasp, they leapt into action and cut Marco off, blocking his path and keeping him from reaching the Marines.
Realizing Marco's intention at once, Saint Garling shouted sharply, "Stop! If you dare lay a hand on them, Straw Hat dies on the spot!"
Seeing the blood already trickling from Luffy's neck, Fire Fist Ace cried out, "No! Stop!"
A heartbeat later, Ace made his decision. "Fine, we'll back off. Let Luffy go right now."
Hearing Ace's naive demand, Saint Warcury roared in reply, "Impossible! That was your only option just now. We will only release Straw Hat if you kill Marco. Besides, even if you throw away Straw Hat's life and fight us, the final outcome will not change."
Saturn's lips curled into a sneer. "Marco, your strength is impressive, but if the five of us join forces, you can't possibly defeat us. If you want to save Straw Hat, surrender right now. You don't want to watch Fire Fist Ace's brother die, do you?"
Marco's eye twitched at the threat. He stared at the Gorosei with open disdain. "I have to say, you guys really are as timid as mice. The five of you together are more than capable of fighting me head‑on, yet you choose to rely on such despicable tricks."
His own sneer deepened. "Let me guess. You're deliberately stalling for time so that that Celestial Dragon Admiral and the rest of the Marines can escape. You Gorosei must have used a magic circle to get here. Once the Marines retreat, you'll kill Straw Hat on the spot, dispel the magic, and go straight back to the Holy Land. That about right?"
The Gorosei were taken aback; they hadn't expected Marco to see through their plan so cleanly. Of course, they wouldn't admit it. They were the self‑proclaimed creators of this world—how could beings like them ever be seen retreating from mere insects?
Saint Garling finally stopped trading barbs with Marco and turned his cold gaze on Fire Fist Ace. "It seems your captain is a very cold‑hearted man, Fire Fist Ace."
Ace looked at Marco in despair, tears welling in his eyes, a flicker of desperate pleading hidden there. If he could, he wanted Marco to sacrifice himself, just this once—that was the only way to save Luffy. But he couldn't force the words out; they jammed in his throat like thorns. Instead, he turned toward Saint Garling and shouted, voice cracking, "I'm begging you—what do you want in order to let Luffy go?"
Saint Garling's tone did not waver. "I already told you. Kill Marco, and I will release your brother immediately."
Ace's face crumpled even further, his expression completely shattered. "I can't do something like that at all!" he screamed.
The flames raging around his body flared higher with his turmoil, showing just how close he was to breaking. If the Gorosei kept pushing him like this, even Ace didn't know what he would do next—turn his fire on Marco, or hurl it at the Gorosei. He himself had no answer.
Marco was still being held back because of Luffy. His gaze swept over the remaining four Gorosei besides Saint Garling. He knew he couldn't keep dancing to their tune; it was time to take the initiative. If Saint Garling really killed Straw Hat Luffy and Ace ended up blaming him for it, then Marco was prepared to accept that.
"Today, all five of you old bastards die here." With that, Marco launched himself straight at Saturn.
"Stop, Marco…!" Saint Garling bellowed. "Do you want Straw Hat to die?"
This time, Marco didn't hesitate. Straw Hat was Ace's brother. Ace might let himself be controlled because of Straw Hat—but Marco wouldn't.
He shot toward Saturn, Armament Haki condensing along his hands, shaping into blades of hardened ki. Two pitch-black Ki Blades formed in his palms as he roared, "Destruction Black Flame: Phoenix Sword!"
Saint Warcury immediately stepped in front of Saturn. Among the Gorosei, his defense was the strongest. He coated his arms in Armament Haki, bracing himself.
Whoosh!
Marco's twin blades came down, cleaving through Saint Warcury's arms in an instant. The sword pressure and black sword aura from the Ki Blades tore across Nusjuro's torso, carving an X-shaped wound into his chest. Blood sprayed as he coughed it up and was sent hurtling backward.
The moment Marco attacked, Saint Nusjuro, Saint Peter, and Saturn all tensed, moving to surround him while shouting, "Marco, are you trying to get Straw Hat killed?!"
Saint Garling added his own furious warning, "Stop, Marco, or Straw Hat will die because of you!"
Hovering in the air, Marco looked down at Saint Garling, his expression ice-cold. "Saint Garling, you really think you can threaten me with Straw Hat? I'm not that naive."
"If he dies, I'll avenge him."
With that, Marco dove back in, continuing his assault on the three, including Saturn.
The Gorosei quickly realized Marco wouldn't be manipulated with Straw Hat's life. Still intent on squeezing value out of his hostage, Saint Garling shouted at once, "Fire Fist Ace! Kill Marco immediately, or Straw Hat dies right now!"
Tears streamed down Ace's face as he stared at Luffy, who had already lost consciousness. His little brother's life force was fading fast, his aura growing weaker with every passing second. Ace's expression twisted, on the verge of collapse. He shook his head hard and choked out, "No, no… Marco is my Captain. As long as I don't attack Marco, as long as you spare my brother, I'll do anything."
Saint Garling let out a cold snort. He knew full well that Fire Fist Ace would never raise a hand against Marco. Accepting the next best option, he drawled, "Alright then, we'll do it your way. A life for a life. Let me see whether you're truly willing to sacrifice your own life for your brother."
To Ace, those words were like a rope thrown to a drowning man. He no longer had to choose between betraying a comrade and saving his brother—he could trade his own life for Luffy's. Relief and a twisted sort of joy surged through him. He looked straight at Saint Garling and blurted, "Are you serious?"
In the distance, Marco, locked in a fierce clash with the four Gorosei, was so furious he nearly coughed up blood. How could anyone be this naive at a time like this? He roared, "Ace! Don't believe him! Even if you sacrifice yourself, he won't let your brother go!"
Ace slowly pushed himself up from the ground. He turned toward Marco and gave him a small, grateful smile. "I'm sorry, Marco. I'm afraid I'll let you down. Thank you… for taking care of me all this time."
Those words, sounding so much like a final farewell, made Marco's heart sink. Panic spiked through him, but with the combined pressure of the four Gorosei bearing down on him, all he could do was soar higher into the sky and shout at the top of his lungs, "Idiot! Don't trust him! Even if you die in Luffy's place, it'll just be a pointless death!"
Ace shut out Marco's voice. For him, there was nothing to hesitate over. If it meant saving Luffy, he would gladly throw his life away. He met Saint Garling's gaze and asked firmly, "If I die in Luffy's place, will you release Luffy?"
Seeing Ace walk straight into the trap, Saint Garling's lips curled into a cruel smile. He lifted his chin arrogantly and replied, "Hmph. Of course. I am the world's highest authority—one of the Gorosei. I wouldn't lower myself to lying to a lowly pirate like you."
"Good. I hope you keep your word.
Ace drew the dagger from his waist and pressed the cold blade to his own neck. Without taking his eyes off his target, he called out to Marco, "Marco, I'm entrusting Luffy to you."
Marco's vision burned red with rage. He hadn't expected Ace to walk into their trap so easily, and his temper spiked like a flash fire. Luffy might've been the so‑called protagonist, but that didn't mean Marco was willing to let Ace throw his life away.
"You idiot!" he roared. "Even if you die, Luffy won't be saved! Don't be so naive!"
Ace no longer listened to Marco. His gaze locked onto Saint Garling, eyes unshakably firm. He asked again, needing to hear it one more time. "If I die, will you release Luffy immediately?"
Seeing that Ace had truly taken the bait, Saint Garling's lips curled into a cruel smile. "That's right."
"Good…"
Ace steeled himself. He was ready to end his own life in an instant, staking everything on the chance that Saint Garling would honor his word. It was the only gamble he had left to save Luffy.
"A–Ace…"
At that moment, Luffy, who had been lying there barely conscious, suddenly forced his eyes open. In a faint, trembling voice, he whispered, "Don't… mind me… just… hurry… and run…"
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