169. Marco

The battle with Perospero and Daifuku went on for two hours.

Dali and Flare found it hard to keep up at the beginning, but as time passed their reaction speed and senses adjusted to the battle and slowly they tied with Daifuku and Perospero.

A week of training and strengthening did raise their strength tremendously, but without actual battle their potential won't be dug out.

Leo knew that and that was exactly what he did. He chose a perfect target for them who was not only strong but also experienced in battle.

Dali and Flare were panting and their bodies were filled with wounds, but they were superficial and hardly affected their battle capacity.

During the battle their use of kenbunshoku haki and busoshoku haki got smoother. Their mastery didn't increase but they had better control over it.

While their battle was going on Violet cleaned up the entire crew. The port was a mess, blood dyed the ground and bodies littered everywhere.

Finishing her job she kept her eyes on Daifuku and Perospero.

Amidst their battle with Dali and Flare, both of them could feel a pair of eyes locked onto them.

This is bad.

Perospero was panicking inside. He never imagined he would come across marines here, much less strong characters like these two. Even Daifuku was having a hard time taking care of his opponent.

Bang!

The halberd wielding genie struck a docked ship and sliced it in half.

Dali dodged in time and rushed at Daifuku. His body was reaching it's limit but his eyes were bright and full of battle intent.

Now!

Suddenly his opponent Daifuku felt his scalp go numb. Tremendous sense of danger welled up inside him.

The halberd wielding genie also sensed the danger and struck it's halberd behind Daifuku.

Clanggg!!

The halberd collided with a bullet. The genie lost it's balance for a moment and the halberd flew out it's hand.

Daifuku was stunned. He quickly used busoshoku haki and crossed his arms across his chest.

"Too late!"

Dali flashed before him and jabbed his sword.

Daifuku's hastily made defence couldn't hold up against Dali's excellent sword maneuver. His sword pierced through Daifuku's chest and lodged itself there.

Puff!!

Daifuku spurted blood and fell back. The genie failed to keep it's body intact after he took a serious blow and dispersed into smoke.

"Daifuku!"

Perospero was startled when he saw Daifuku getting injured and yelled. He lost focus for a moment and that was all Flare needed.

He used one of the marines Rokushiki, Tekkai and rushed past the candy walls and traps. A sword ray condensed above his blade as slashed out.

Perospero was experienced in battle and struck his candy cane on the ground. Waves of candy emerged from the cane and created a candy wall.

Boom!

Flare's sword struck the candy wall and crumbled a part of it.

Before Perospero could sigh in relief the candy wall crumble. An object shot in his direction with incredible speed.

What?!

He couldn't react fast enough and was struck by it. His shoulder was blown apart and he was thrown back.

Bleh!

Spurting out blood Perospero did his best not to lose consciousness. He hatefully looked in Violet's direction.

It was her who struck just now.

Flare didn't waste a moment and flashed before Perospero.

Losing an arm and still reeling from the effects of Violet's sniping Perospero failed to react in time.

Flare slashed down and cut through Perospero's chest.

How can I...

Shock and unwillingness filed Perospero's eyes. He never imagined he would fall here and that too at the hands of a nobody marine.

At the same time Perospero fell, Dali also finished his fight. He cut Daifuku's throat and killed him.

When their opponents fell Dali and Flare sat down immediately. They were breathing heavily and didn't have the enough strength to even lift a finger.

Leo nodded from the distance and said, "Get the crew, and...

He was half way through his words when he felt a presence fall down from the sky.

It was a bird burning with blue flames. The bird landed infront of them.

Violet immediately raised her gun and aimed at it.

Leo stopped her and waited.

The blue flame bird morphed into a man with sparse hair and wearing an open shirt. He had a tattoo on his chest.

"Whitebeard First Division Commander, Phoenix, Marco!"

Violet involuntarily yelled.

Leo was also surprised by Marco's arrival. He said to Violet, "You go ahead, I will catch up later."

Violet wanted to say something but ultimately decided not to and left.

Marco waited for her to leave and said, "So, you are going after Big Mom?"

Leo shrugged, "Hey, she is crazy and wants to kill me. It's fair if I kill a few of her men, right?"

Marco laughed, "I guess it's fair."

Leo asked, "I am surprised, why are you here?"

Marco pointed to the town and said, "Someone I know lives here. Big Mom gathers ingredients from all over the world, if they are in a good mood they might pay, if not, they will just kill and rob. He was worried and contacted me, so here I am."

Leo wasn't surprised by his words and said, "You know, you guys aren't like pirates. You pay your bills at a restaurant, you apologize when in the wrong and you will help your friends. I find it very hard to believe that you are pirates."

Marco grinned, "Pirates seek freedom and treasures. We just follow that creed."

Leo replied, "Yes. But your kind also kills and loot."

Marco shrugged, "That's either idiots who are drunk with power and greed or those who hold no moral bottom line. Don't tell me there ain't any bad sheeps in the navy?"

Leo didn't immediately reply and stared at him for a while before smiling, "You are right. As long as one has a bottom line, it doesn't matter whether one is a pirate or a marine."

Marco also laughed and asked, "Since you are here, wanna grab a drink. My friend owns a pub as well."

"Alright."