A cook, vice-captain of the Rocks Pirates?

"We're a group of foodies passing by. We saw you were starving, so we just gave you a handy bite."

"foodie?"

Marco was taken aback by the answer, and then his stomach rumbled loudly, reminding him of how delicious the bowl of porridge he had just eaten was.

"Gulalalalala, little devil, don't be nervous."

Newgate’s loud voice rang out, carrying a reassuring power.

"We are the Whitebeard Pirates. We saved you because we felt a connection with you. We meant no harm."

Whitebeard Pirates!

Marco's pupils shrank suddenly.

Of course he had heard of this name. It was a powerful pirate crew that had recently risen to fame in the New World and was even giving the Navy a headache!

Rumor has it that their captain, Whitebeard, possesses the power to destroy the world, and that every member of their crew is a monster.

He was actually saved by this legendary group of pirates?

Marco's feelings were complicated; he was grateful to them for saving his life, but also wary of their identities.

"Thank you... for saving me."

Marco stood up, bowed to everyone, and spoke sincerely.

“My name is Marco, and I’m a medical apprentice on a small island…”

"A medical apprentice?"

Newgate raised an eyebrow; this identity surprised him somewhat.

Just then, Renn came over with a plate of sliced ​​pineapple and placed it in front of Marco.

The golden flesh exudes an enticing sweet aroma.

Marco's eyes widened instantly; he stared at the plate of pineapples, his mouth practically watering.

"Eat up, get some vitamins."

"Raine said calmly."

Marco, no longer caring about his guard, picked up a piece of pineapple and stuffed it into his mouth, his mouth full of juice, a happy expression on his face.

"Delicious! YOI!"

Seeing his completely unguarded state, everyone couldn't help but laugh.

This little brat with the pineapple head doesn't seem to have any bad intentions.

"Alright, kid."

Newgate watched him finish eating and then asked, "Where do you live? We can give you a ride home when it's on our way."

Marco paused, put down the pineapple in his hand, and the smile on his face disappeared, replaced by a trace of sadness.

"My home... is gone."

Marco's voice lowered.

“Our island was attacked by a group of pirates. They burned down our village, stole everything, and even killed my teacher… I barely escaped with my life on the line.”

As he said this, his fists clenched involuntarily, and flames of anger and resentment ignited in his eyes.

"I'm too weak... If I were stronger, I could protect them..."

The atmosphere on the deck instantly became heavy.

Looking at the boy before him, Newgate seemed to see his past self, the one who craved power and wanted to protect his family.

He paused for a moment, then spoke to Marco with an unprecedentedly solemn tone.

"Kid."

Newgate's voice wasn't loud, but it was filled with undeniable power.

"Since you're already homeless, why don't you... become my son?"

Chapter 103 Phoenix

"To...to be your son?"

Marco was completely stunned by Newgate's earth-shattering words. His mouth dropped open, the pineapple in his hand fell to the ground, and his blue eyes were filled with disbelief.

what is this?

A slap in the face and a sweet date?

No, they just pulled you out of the sea and now they want to adopt you as their son?

The style of the story changed so fast that he felt his brain couldn't keep up with the pace of these pirates.

The atmosphere on the deck thus became somewhat subtle.

Gatz looked at Marco with envy, thinking that being the son of Whitebeard was an incredible honor; the kid was really lucky.

Dorum was silently calculating in his mind how much the consumption of food and fresh water would increase with each additional person on board, whether the ship's load would be exceeded, and whether the ballast would need to be readjusted.

Silver remained expressionless, but his gaze swept back and forth between Newgate and Marco, as if assessing the impact of this decision on the team's future.

"Guralalalala! What? You don't want to?"

Newgate couldn't help but burst into laughter at Marco's dumbfounded expression.

"I...I didn't mean that..."

Marco snapped out of his daze and quickly waved his hand, feeling his face burning.

"It's just...it's too sudden, and we've only just met, I..."

The length of time the meeting lasts is not important.

Newgate interrupted him, a rare gentleness appearing in his hawk-like eyes.

“I see the same thing in your eyes as I do: a longing for family, a pursuit of power, and… a heart that refuses to give in.”

"The people on this ship are all my family."

Newgate's gaze swept over every crew member present, his voice becoming deep and powerful.

"We drink together, eat meat together, fight together, and pursue our dreams together on this vast sea. We may not be relatives, but we are closer than relatives."

“I can see you’re a good boy, Marco. Rather than letting you drift alone on this cruel sea, why not stay and become one of us?”

Newgate's words were like a warm torrent, crashing against Marco's lonely and confused heart.

family……

This word was both familiar and unfamiliar to him.

Since his hometown was destroyed and his teacher was murdered, he has become a wandering ghost. The only belief that keeps him alive is to become stronger and then avenge his teacher and the villagers.

He never imagined that he would have a place he could call home again.

Marco looked at the man before him, known as Whitebeard. His mountain-like physique exuded a reassuring aura of power, and his deep eyes held no trace of hypocrisy or scheming, only sincerity and appreciation.

He glanced around at the people: the seemingly simple-minded giant, the taciturn but sharp-eyed gunman, the shipwright with a worried expression but focused gaze, and that…

The young chef, whose eyes were unusually calm, gave him a bowl of porridge and a plate of pineapple.

Although this group of people have very different styles and all seem to be intimidating, there seems to be a unique bond between them called family.

Marco's resolve wavered.

Just then, a piercing alarm suddenly came from the lookout tower.

"Captain! Ship spotted at three o'clock! It's a pirate ship! The flag is... Blood Axe Baro!"

Silver's voice shattered the warmth on the deck.

"Bloodaxe Barrow?"

Gatz raised an eyebrow, a look of disgust on his face.

"It's those scum again! I chased them away on Spring Island last time, and they still dare to show their faces?"

Upon hearing this, a cold glint flashed in Newgate's eyes.

"How many of them are there?"

"Three ships, it looks like they're trying to surround us."

Silver answered calmly.

"Gulalalalala, it seems the lesson from last time wasn't learned enough."

Newgate stood up, stretched his limbs, and his terrifying aura made the entire Moby Dick tremble.

"Men, get ready to get moving and show these clueless bastards what happens when they interrupt our family gathering."

However, before they could make a move, Marco suddenly stepped forward.

He looked at the three pirate ships approaching in the distance, and a flame of revenge ignited in his eyes.

"Wait a moment!"

Marco's voice trembled slightly, but it was filled with deep-seated hatred.

"That flag...it's them! It's those bastards from Bloodaxe Barrow! They're the ones who destroyed my homeland!"

This unexpected coincidence left everyone stunned.

"What did you say?!"

Gatz's eyes widened instantly.

"That's right! I would never be wrong!"

Marco stared intently at the flag bearing the image of crossed blood axes, his body trembling slightly with rage.

"Let me go! Please let me go!"

Marco turned to look at Newgate, his eyes filled with pleading and determination.

"This is my revenge, please let me settle it with my own hands!"

Newgate looked at the boy before him; his blue eyes burned with an indomitable flame, and his awareness and courage filled him with immense admiration.

"it is good."

Newgate didn't hesitate; he nodded and gave an approving smile.

"Gats, Silver, you two keep an eye on him, don't let him die."

"Yes! Captain!"

"Thank you!"

A flicker of gratitude crossed Marco's eyes. He turned around, looked at the approaching enemy ship, and took a deep breath.

A strange, intense energy surged from his body.

The next second, to everyone's astonishment, a cluster of blue-green flames, seemingly alive, suddenly ignited on Marco's body!

The flames weren't scorching; instead, they carried a warm, healing aura.

The blue flames instantly enveloped Marco's entire body, and his body began to change. His bones crackled and popped, and a pair of huge wings made of blue flames stretched out from his back!

"This...this is...a Devil Fruit?!"

A look of shock appeared in Gatz's eyes.

A glint of light flashed in Raine's eyes; he sensed an incredibly pure life energy emanating from the blue flames.

"It's a mythical beast, the legendary phoenix!"

With a clear, melodious cry, Marco's figure vanished completely, replaced by a gigantic, magnificent bird engulfed in blue flames!

Marco, in his phoenix form, spread his wings and soared into the sky, transforming into a streak of blue light as he charged headlong toward his enemy!

The phoenix streaked across the sky, its azure flames leaving a brilliant yet resolute trail against the azure backdrop.

On the deck of the Moby Dick, everyone was speechless with shock at the sudden scene.

"Mythical Beast... Phoenix..."