One Piece: Starting from Awakening the Cosmo at Marineford

Before Marco could even feel happy, he felt a tightness in his ankle.

"Ha ha ha ha! Marco, you can't escape!"

The black-bearded man laughed wildly, and his other fist slammed into Marco's stomach.

Blackbeard's physical skills were indeed top-notch; with just one punch, blood was already seeping from Marco's mouth.

Marco stood up, wiped his mouth, and felt the blue flames burning on his body, healing his injuries.

The black-bearded man chuckled, "Marco, your ability is really troublesome. I must say, I didn't get my father's Tremor-Tremor Fruit ability, but if I could take yours, it seems like a pretty good option."

As a Logia-type Devil Fruit, the Dark-Dark Fruit has the disadvantage of not being able to transform into an element, but it also increases the pain and damage one suffers by many times.

Marco's phoenix ability, however, makes him immune to pain and injury, allowing him to heal rapidly.

It can be said that the Phoenix Fruit can perfectly make up for this drawback of the Dark-Dark Fruit.

Although Blackbeard's martial arts skills were strong, the pain he experienced was real.

In a battle against a top-tier fighter, even a moment's distraction due to pain could lead to a complete reversal of the battle's outcome.

Blackbeard said this as a joke, but after thinking about it, he realized it was indeed a very clever arrangement.

Furthermore, Jozu's Glint-Glint Fruit ability would also be very suitable for Burgess.

"Heh heh..." The black-bearded man chuckled sinisterly and cruelly. "Marco, this battle is no longer just a simple matter of settling things down. If you lose, I'll take not only your territory, but also your power!"

Marco said, "Teach, it's too early to say that!"

Marco transformed into a blue phoenix and charged at Blackbeard once more.

A chaotic battle has broken out on the island, and people are dying all the time.

To avoid being threatened by the aftershocks of the battle, the pirates who had come to watch the spectacle crowded together on the ship's side and the shore.

Only a vacuum zone was formed around Aaron.

Aaron watched with great interest. Such a scene, being there in person, was much more real and enjoyable than watching a movie in a theater.

Blackbeard and Marco are evenly matched for the time being, and Jozu, with one arm, is also unable to gain any advantage against Burgess.

Vista the Flower Sword and Shiryu the Rain Sword are both renowned swordsmen, and it will be difficult to determine who is better in a short time.

Marco's side had more captains than Blackbeard's officers, but Blackbeard's side had a vicious wolf named San Juan, who, relying on his massive size, single-handedly entangled three captains.

Among the remaining captains, Marco also has a slight advantage.

"Boss," Finbdi asked, "who do you think will win this fight?"

What do you think?

Fombey stroked his chin: "The numbers on both sides are roughly equal, and they're evenly matched in all aspects. It's hard to say. Lark, what's your opinion?"

Lark said, "It's true, just like you said, they're evenly matched and it won't be clear who wins in a short time. I think the key to victory lies with Blackbeard Teach and Marco."

In this world, the strong are respected, and the advantage of top-tier combat power can be amplified to the whole, influencing the course of normal warfare.

During the Marineford War, once Whitebeard died, the entire Whitebeard Pirates immediately became easy prey.

If it weren't for Shanks' arrival, at least half of the Whitebeard Pirates would have been left behind, becoming food for Marineford.

It doesn't matter who wins between Joz and Burgess, nor does it matter who wins between Vista and Shiliu.

The outcome of the battle between Marco and Blackbeard will be the key to determining the entire situation.

Marco did not follow Aaron's advice to team up with Joz and Vista to fight Blackbeard.

In his view, even a decisive battle should be fought fairly and squarely.

He also felt that he might not necessarily lose to Blackbeard.

The first to determine a winner was Joz and Burgess.

Although Jozu lost an arm and his strength has declined, he is still a veteran powerhouse.

Burgess was arrogant and overconfident, and he was unable to restrain Jozu's Glint-Glint Fruit ability. In addition, he chose to use his own body to clash head-on with Jozu's diamond-transformed body. After several brutal collisions, Burgess's internal organs even shifted.

"Marco, I'm here to help you!"

"Shining - Savage Charge!"

Ignoring Marco's attempts to stop him, Joz charged towards Blackbeard.

"Wait! Hidden pressure points!"

Blackbeard made a stop gesture with his right hand while using the power of the Dark-Dark Fruit.

"Bang!"

Joz bumped into the black-bearded man.

Even though Blackbeard had neutralized the power of the Glint-Glint Fruit, Jozu's massive nearly 6-meter-tall body, combined with a running start, still sent Blackbeard flying, leaving him dazed and confused.

Marco didn't mince words: "Thanks, Joz."

Joz said, "Marco, this battle is our final battle, our last chance to avenge Dad! Teach's strength and influence are growing, and since Dad left, we've become less united. We were able to gather so many people this time, but it will be difficult next time."

Marco was a little surprised that Joz could see this.

Although he was reluctant to admit it, it was indeed as he said: when the tree falls, the monkeys scatter. This time, besides the dozen or so captains who had already been killed by Whitebeard II, there were seven or eight others who didn't even show up.

Marco said, "I know. I can hold on a little longer. You go help the others take out Blackbeard's subordinates, and then we'll gather our forces and deal with Blackbeard Teach!"

Joz said, "Then be careful!"

Joz surveyed the battlefield and headed straight for the now gigantic San Juan Wolf.

"Hey! Jozu, you bumped into me and you're just going to leave without even apologizing?"

The man with the black beard dusted himself off, but didn't wipe the blood from the corner of his mouth.

With an additional bloodstain, the black-bearded man's face became even more eerie and terrifying, exuding a mysterious charm.

Joz narrowed his eyes, the diamonds on his body sparkling brilliantly.

Blackbeard moved with astonishing speed. With a grab of his right hand, he lifted Joz by the shoulder, raising him half a foot before slamming him to the ground.

A sudden, earth-shaking tremor ensued, and Joz coughed up a mouthful of blood.

Marco was moved: "Joz!"

Blackbeard, that guy, used to be a kind and gentle man on the ship, but now he's so vicious.

In addition to hiding his personality, he also concealed his true strength.

Just that one shove was enough to injure Joz, and quite seriously at that.

Marco suddenly remembered what Shanks had said when he boarded the ship.

"Only the three scars on my left eye still ache faintly after all these years."

These three scars were left by Blackbeard Teach.

At that time, Teach was not a Devil Fruit user yet, but he was able to leave such a deep impression on Shanks just by his physical skills.

Marco frowned and muttered, "This is a bit troublesome."