The golden sunshine illuminated the streets, and with summer gradually drawing to an end, the heat had begun to fade. Pirates everywhere were abuzz, deeply immersed in discussions about the fierce battle between Marco and Katakuri.
The excitement in the air was palpable, but what truly set the New World ablaze with chatter was the clash that followed: Marco versus Kaido. A camera phone bug had managed to capture this moment, sending shockwaves throughout the world. Every pirate-dense island across the New World echoed with talk of the monumental fight.
Tread.
A man in a white robe and hat walked calmly down the street. Perched on his shoulder was a small parrot, dressed in a white suit, completing the stranger's distinctive appearance.
"Who is that person?" someone murmured as the figure strode by.
The man's presence instantly captured the attention of the pirates on both sides of the street.
"Shh."
A hushed voice followed. "Just now, news from the dock said this guy killed dozens in seconds without even being seen. They were all dead before anyone could react."
"Shhh."
Several pirates gasped quietly, their expressions tense.
Everyone knew that the pirates who lurked around the docks weren't weaklings. For dozens to be slaughtered so effortlessly was beyond comprehension.
"That man's a killing god," one pirate muttered in awe.
But Rob Lucci—the man in white—paid no mind to the whispers. His cold eyes were locked on the road ahead.
Suddenly, a loud cry rang out, "Marco! Marco is coming!"
"What?! The Immortal Phoenix Marco?!"
"Where is he?!"
The moment that name spread, it ignited a wave of excitement. Pirates immediately surged forward to catch a glimpse.
Rob Lucci's expression darkened as he followed the crowd quietly. He found it irritating how these pirates revered Marco, a reputation he considered far too inflated.
Soon enough, they spotted a man at the center of attention—a figure dressed like Marco, wearing a short-sleeved shirt and cropped pants. Surrounded by cheering pirates, the man paraded himself down the street with a swaggering gait.
"I, Marco, with a bounty exceeding 1.5 billion berries!" the impostor boasted in a loud, arrogant voice. "Out of my way! Don't you see that Marco is walking here?!"
Though it was immediately clear to Rob Lucci that this was not the real Marco, many pirates were deceived. Most had only ever seen Marco's likeness through bounty posters or footage from camera phone bugs. The impostor's resemblance to Marco—though superficial—was enough to fool the crowd.
At the impostor's words, the pirates scrambled to make way for him.
Fake Marco basked in their admiration. He raised his chin and declared with grandeur, "I am recruiting powerful pirates to join me! Follow me to the seas, and we'll crush the Four Emperors, conquer the New World, complete the Grand Line, and become the Pirate King!"
The street was now packed with pirates, leaving no space to move. The impostor's words stirred excitement, and the air buzzed with cheers and fervor.
"Wait... doesn't he seem a little off?" someone murmured quietly.
But the doubting voice was drowned out by the crowd's enthusiasm.
Fake Marco continued, "To join, you'll need to prove your strength! First priority goes to Devil Fruit users. Regular crew members pay 100,000 berries, cadre members 500,000 berries, senior cadre members one million berries, and anyone wanting to be my vice-captain must pay ten million berries!"
"Space is limited! First-come, first-served! But your strength must be acknowledged by me—money alone won't earn you a spot."
The outrageous terms didn't deter the pirates. The very idea of becoming Marco's crew and one day toppling the Four Emperors was too enticing to resist.
"Do as I say! Show me your power!" Fake Marco ordered, adopting a haughty tone.
A burly pirate stepped forward. With a powerful stomp, the street beneath him cracked, leaving behind a deep footprint.
"Impressive! You'll fit right in. What role do you want?" Fake Marco asked with delight.
The strong pirate scratched his head awkwardly. "I… I don't have any money," he admitted.
"No money?" Fake Marco's expression instantly soured. "Get him out of my sight!"
The other pirates, eager to curry favor, rushed to seize the burly man and threw him to the side without hesitation.
One by one, pirates showed off their abilities and handed over their payments. Each addition to Fake Marco's crew heightened the excitement in the crowd.
They were no longer ordinary pirates—they were future crewmates of the Pirate King! The thought filled them with pride.
Stomp!
The crowd's frenzy was cut short as Rob Lucci approached, the brim of his hat lowered.
"You here to join Marco's crew?" Fake Marco asked with a sly grin, sensing that this man might possess extraordinary strength.
"You're Marco?" Lucci asked, his tone cold and devoid of emotion.
"Of course I am!" Fake Marco boasted, puffing out his chest. "I'm the Immortal Phoenix Marco! The one who punched out Jack the Drought, kicked Katakuri across the battlefield, and stomped Kaido underfoot! That's me!"
He tilted his head arrogantly, peering down at Lucci. "So, are you here to become my subordinate?"
"No," Lucci replied flatly. "I'm here to kill you."
The impostor flinched momentarily at the icy words but quickly regained his composure. With a wave of his hand, he barked, "Did you hear that? This fool wants to kill me! Whoever takes him down will become my vice-captain!"
The offer of such a high rank sent the pirates into a frenzy. They charged at Lucci, eager for the opportunity to earn favor with their so-called captain.
"Pitiful," Lucci muttered.
In the blink of an eye, Lucci unleashed Rokushiki's Rankyaku, a slicing air blade that spanned tens of meters.
Shhhhk!
The pirates charging at him fell in an instant, their bodies crumpling to the ground.
In the next moment, Lucci's figure blurred. He reappeared directly in front of the stunned Fake Marco, his index finger pressed firmly against the impostor's forehead.
Thud.
In front of the impostor's forehead, a small, gaping hole spurted blood relentlessly. His lifeless body collapsed without resistance.
"Marco was killed in seconds!!!"
"Oh my God!!"
A wave of shock swept through the street as pirates shouted in disbelief.
"Marco was killed in seconds!"
The news traveled like wildfire, rippling across the entire island. The mere idea of Marco—the Immortal Phoenix—being taken down in an instant was beyond comprehension, and the crowd was gripped by fear.
Panic erupted. Pirates turned pale, their faces drained of color.
"How... how could Marco be killed so easily?!"
"A monster like Marco didn't even have a chance to fight back?"
"This guy… this is terrifying!"
The pirates scattered in every direction, scrambling to distance themselves from Rob Lucci. The main road, once filled with noisy onlookers, emptied in mere moments. The entire street fell eerily silent, save for the sound of rushing footsteps as everyone fled.
Not a single soul dared to stand in Lucci's presence.
Tread. Tread.
Amid the hush, Rob Lucci calmly wiped a speck of blood from his hand and continued walking as if nothing had happened. His every step echoed along the empty street.
Then, at the far end of the road, a figure appeared—a young man in a sun hat, strolling leisurely with a glass of iced juice in hand.
Whoosh!
All eyes instantly locked onto the carefree young man.
The pirates, huddled in fear on the outskirts, gasped in disbelief.
"Hey! Are you crazy? Do you want to die?!" one pirate whispered urgently, his voice barely audible over the tension in the air.
"That guy just now... he killed Marco in seconds!"
"If you want to live, get out of the way before it's too late!"