One Piece: Starting from Awakening the Cosmo at Marineford

Marco looked troubled.

Just as he hesitated, a voice rang out: "Blackbeard is here!"

Aaron also looked out to sea and saw a pirate ship made of four giant logs speeding towards them.

The ship's huge black sails were painted with three pale white skulls, and below them were the words "BLACK BEARD" written in large, blood-red letters.

The black-bearded man stood at the bow of the ship, arms crossed and grinning, with Gizzas Bages, Shiliu, and several other core officers beside him.

"Thief, hahaha!"

Even from two or three hundred meters away, the black-bearded man's maniacal laughter could already be heard.

A cheer erupted on the island as the pirates of Blackbeard's faction brandished their swords and spears to welcome their leader.

Marco's men, on the other hand, were filled with rage, waiting for the enemy not far away, or glaring at the approaching Sword of Giebeck, hoping that a sudden wave would capsize the ship.

Unfortunately, they couldn't get their wish. The pirate ship successfully docked, and Blackbeard Teach led eight captains ashore.

Once Blackbeard reached the shore, he immediately noticed Aaron's presence.

"Huh?" The black-bearded man grinned coldly. "There are marines here!"

When Lafayette saw Aaron, recalling the scene of being crushed by Aaron that day, he said with lingering fear, "Admiral, he's the one who killed Basque Jote!"

A fierce glint flashed in the black-bearded man's eyes, followed by a loud laugh: "So it's Colonel Aaron! You didn't come here to arrest me, did you?"

Aaron laughed heartily, "Blackbeard, you guys fight it out, I'm just here to watch the show. Besides, there are only a few of us here, we're no threat at all. You're not scared, are you?"

The black-bearded man was taken aback: "Hahaha! To be able to kill Basque Jotte, you certainly have some skill. However, you pose no threat to me. You killed my men; I'll settle that score with you later."

Aaron shrugged: "Welcome. Even if you want to calculate it now, I won't object."

The man with the black beard narrowed his eyes and chuckled, "No rush. Let me deal with Marco and his gang first."

Aaron said, "I'll wait for you."

The black-bearded man turned to his henchmen and asked, "Hey, you bastard! Funny! Do you guys find it funny?"

Burgess chuckled, "How about I go and meet him?"

The man with the black beard said, "Forget it. There's a proper order to things. Let's deal with Marco first, then settle accounts with him later."

Bages raised his fist, his biceps bulging like a small hill.

Blackbeard had already walked a short distance from Marco, ignoring the angry glares from the other captains, and greeted them with a warm smile, "Long time no see, Captain Marco! And Joz, Vista, everyone, long time no see! Hey, why aren't you all happy to see familiar faces? Where's Captain Fossa? Oh, he's dead too, sorry!"

Joz, with his fiery temper, cursed, "Damn bastard Teach! I was blind! You've been on the ship for decades, and I never saw your wolfish ambitions. I even considered you a brother!"

Blackbeard burst out laughing, arms flailing, "Hey, for the sake of our past brotherhood, this war could have been completely avoided. Join my crew, and I can still make you captains! Captain! How about we go and seize One Piece together?"

Joz retorted angrily, "You're dreaming!"

"Hahaha! Marco, what do you think?"

Marco, whose expression had remained calm throughout, shook his head at this moment: "Teach, no, Blackbeard, you killed Ace and then Old Man. This deep-seated hatred can never be resolved. Wanting us to be your subordinates is wishful thinking. Today, it's either you or me!"

The man with the black beard laughed and said, "Marco, I'm hurt by what you're saying! All this talk about dying is awful. Wouldn't it be better if we just lived in peace? I don't think this battle is absolutely necessary. As long as you safely hand over your territory to me, I can still protect the island's inhabitants."

"I might even consider leaving Sphinx Island to you. I guarantee my men won't set foot on it. What do you think?"

Joz retorted, "You're dreaming."

Blackbeard turned his head away from Joz, focusing instead on the changes in Marco's facial expression.

Suddenly, his eyes lit up: "Marco, you also think my suggestion is a good one, right? If you feel that a fight is unavoidable, I can still leave Sphinx Island to you after I win. Am I being generous enough?"

"Baka!" Jozu cursed, his body transforming into diamond as he charged towards Blackbeard.

Burgess immediately raised his fist and charged forward, shouting, "Admiral! I've got my eye on this guy's Devil Fruit ability, how about I have it?"

The black-bearded man grinned: "Alright! Jozu's abilities are indeed very suitable for you."

Upon hearing this, Burgess became even more excited: "Elbow Strike Wave!"

"Bang!" The two collided, making a loud noise.

"Ha ha ha ha! My men! Let's fight! Marco, come on!"

The black-bearded man laughed loudly, and with a sudden clench of his right hand, thick black smoke, as black as ink, billowed out from his body.

Shiryu slowly drew his sword, pointed it at Vista, and said, "Floral Sword, I've wanted to spar with you for a long time."

Vista grinned: "Shiryu of the Rain, let me see the power of your legendary sword 'Thunderstorm'!"

After saying that, Vista rushed forward.

The captains and captains behind Marco quickly found their opponents and charged into battle.

The island was instantly filled with shouts of battle. The pirates on the ships on the shore were dazzled and their blood was boiling. They wished they could also grab their swords and charge up there to kill a few people and have some fun.

Marco, however, remained motionless, merely staring at the black beard.

The man with the black beard waved his hand and laughed, "Marco, what's wrong? Didn't you want to kill me? Why aren't you doing it?"

Marco was suddenly engulfed in azure flames, his arms transformed into wings, and he launched a flying kick straight at Blackbeard: "Phoenix Seal!"

The kick landed on Blackbeard's stomach, sending him flying and bouncing a few times on the ground.

Blackbeard cried out in pain, drawing sidelong glances from his men, who shook their heads repeatedly.

"It's so ugly!"

Blackbeard got up, patted his belly, and said, "Marco, why are you being so fierce!"

Marco, having landed a successful blow, did not press his advantage but instead glanced at the battlefield below.

Seeing that the others were not at a disadvantage, he felt much more at ease.

"Dark acupoints!"

Marco felt his body sway and involuntarily began to slide forward.

Looking at the black-bearded man again, I saw a sinister smile creeping onto his lips.

Marco struggled slightly, only to find that his body was no longer as flexible as before.

On a whim, he abandoned his resistance and instead accelerated, charging towards Blackbeard once more.

"Crane claws!"

"Bang!" Another loud noise rang out as Marco's claws struck the black-bearded man's chest.