Chapter 53.2: Against Marco!!

On the Whitebeard Pirates' fleet, which had already charged into the harbor.

"They've abandoned their ships and landed! Smart move. If they're on Beehive Island, we'd have some concerns. But if they're on the ships, we'd have already greeted them with cannon fire by now."

McGuy lowered his telescope and sneered, "They're even giving up their landing positions, trying to have a fair fight with us? They're digging their own graves!"

"Notify A.O. and Karma! Prepare to land! Coordinate with Marco and wipe them out!"

One ship after another charged forward without hesitation, heading directly toward the docks.

Ian looked at the pirate ships that were slowing down, preparing to dock and land.

"Oh, it's always better when everyone gathers together." 

"Hurry up and land, get into position." 

"What are you still looking around for?" 

The voice shifted from distant to near in an instant. The blue Phoenix changed shape as it swooped in. 

This kid is really strong! 

Izou and the others probably wouldn't be able to beat him. Luckily, I came here myself! 

Marco's Human-beast form was also quite unique. His body and head remained unchanged from his human form, but his arms transformed into wings of flame, his legs into bird talons, and his backside trailed a long plume of tail feathers. 

"Stop fooling around. This ends now," 

Like a falling meteor, Marco soared forward, leaving behind a sonic boom cloud. His speed was so great that the sound couldn't even keep up with him. 

"Crane Talon!" 

A quick and clean strike—a flying kick. 

Ian didn't hesitate at all. "Blaze Cannon!" 

Scorching golden flames shot out of Ian's mouth in a blazing beam. 

With the power of Life Return boosting it, what was originally just a phenomenon turned into thick, magma-like flames. 

Marco was instantly swallowed up by the flames. 

The next moment, the blue Phoenix burst out from above the flame pillar. 

"That hurts, you bastard!" 

In just an instant, this guy's head and body were almost burned to a crisp. 

"Who are you trying to fool? It's like it didn't affect you at all." 

Did he not even bother defending? Ian wondered. Well, it's true this guy doesn't need to defend himself. 

In the blink of an eye, the burn marks on Marco's body vanished completely, and he was back to normal. 

"Blue Flame Swallow!" 

Marco swung his right wing abruptly, sending a large mass of azure fire crashing toward Ian. 

This is the power of the Phoenix Fruit. 

Even if his brain were shattered, his head chopped off, or his heart pierced, this ability could fully recover him from all those injuries! 

"Winged Dragon's Wing Strike!" 

Ian flapped his wings, unleashing blade-like flames laced with Haki, slashing through the incoming blue fireball.

The blue flames didn't possess heat, but Marco could still shape them into solid forms, giving the flames immense striking power.

While confronting Marco, Ian lowered his head.

"Yamato, Jack, prepare for battle. Maria, Ulti, and Page One are your responsibility—just look out for them."

"Of course!"

Yamato laughed heartily.

Rather, he was already raring to go.

"Yes, Big Bro Ian!"

Jack gripped his dual swords tightly, trembling with excitement.

"I understand."

Black Maria nodded gently.

However, Ulti said, "Don't worry about us, Maria! Go help Big Bro Ian!"

Black Maria was taken aback. This girl...

"We'll see."

Black Maria looked up. "It might be easier than expected."

Ian had never let them down.

Several of the Whitebeard Pirates' ships had already docked, and pirates were now leaping off the decks, swimming through the water toward the shore.

"Are you still planning to resist at this point?"

Marco soared into the air and dove toward Ian with lightning speed.

"Resist? Surrendering right away would be too embarrassing. Let's keep this fight going."

Ian flapped his wings, flames jetting out from his joints to increase his speed. As he easily evaded Marco's strike, he raised his hands high. "Blazing Flames of the Winged Dragon!"

The flames from his left and right hands merged, forming a massive fireball that he hurled directly at Marco.

"Phoenix Brand!"

Marco crossed his claws and then pushed forward.

The blue flames, interwoven with an invisible wave of Haki, crashed fiercely into Ian's fireball.

In the sky, a giant sphere of intertwined gold and blue flames burst forth, radiating like a miniature sun. The brilliant light exploded outward, accompanied by a gust of wind and a surge of heat that swept across the battlefield in an instant.

"Hah!"

The next second, the fireball shattered. Marco shot upward, his right knee bent, and aimed a flying knee strike at Ian.

"Winged Dragon's Iron Fist!"

Ian swung his fist to counter.

With a thunderous clash, black lightning crackled.

Ian was sent flying back.

This guy's Armament Haki is insanely strong! Could it be... an advanced level of external release?

The defensive power had grown stronger since childhood, but it still couldn't withstand his attacks—his fists were almost swollen from the impact.

He would need to enter his Sphere Mode to block the attacks, but that form sacrificed mobility, making him an easy target for someone as agile as Marco.

Yet, at the same time, Marco was equally taken aback as he found himself being pushed back.

This brat's strength is unreal!

His Armament Haki is weak—that much is obvious, as it's only at a basic level of coating. But his sheer physical power? It's insane!

He can even use it to hold off my attacks.

Using the corner of his eye, Ian glanced down below.

The first wave of pirates crossing the sea had already made landfall.

Several ships had docked at the port, and pirates were pouring off the decks like raindrops.

Just a little longer.

Ian thought to himself, waiting for them all to disembark.

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