Lord of the Stars of the Grand Line

Meanwhile, Marco had already flown down from the thorns, half-kneeling on the ground, looking up angrily at the smug crocodile in mid-air.

At the same time, he forcibly activated the Phoenix's regeneration ability, with blue flames constantly sweeping across his injured body, repairing the wounds.

Just as Luo Feng had predicted, Crocodile's strength had indeed increased once again!

The reason is simple: Whitebeard was completely defeated by Luo Feng, which effectively eliminated his inner demons and obsessions.

Although Crocodile's mental state had recovered, Whitebeard was still alive, so it was impossible to completely eradicate the inner demons. All that could be done was to minimize their influence.

Now that Whitebeard is dead, right before his eyes, and killed by his captain, Locke, Crocodile's mind is completely free of obstacles!

It was precisely because of this that his strength achieved an astonishing breakthrough once again!

Chapter 217 The Aura of Whitebeard, and the Shock of the Crowd!

This is terrifying. You have to understand, how long has it been since everyone collectively broke through?

It wasn't even a month. Before leaving the Boin Archipelago, Crocodile's strength had barely broken through to the level of a Yonko commander, comparable to Katakuri.

It's only been less than a month, and I've only eliminated the mental barriers. I haven't even undergone any deeper or more special training, yet my strength has already taken another small step forward!

If he were to encounter Katakuri, the leader of the Three Sweet Commanders, at this moment, with both of them at their peak, he wouldn't necessarily be able to completely overwhelm him, but at least winning wouldn't be a problem. He could certainly do it by giving it his all!

Of course, even so, Crocodile would still have a hard time defeating Marco, who is considered strong even among the Yonko's first mates.

After all, one had just solidified his position as the vice-president of the royal family, while the other had been working on this situation for many years. They were at the same level, but their strength should not be equal. However, it was Marco who made a mistake!

For no other reason than that Akainu should receive half the credit for this achievement.

It's worth noting that Marco had previously fought Akainu for a long time and was seriously injured...

Even with the abilities of the phoenix, it would be difficult to cure in a short time under the current circumstances.

Little did they know that as Marco flew toward Luo Feng and the others, his wounds were still burning with scalding magma, which was constantly eroding his immortal flames!

In comparison, Crocodile is much better.

Although he also suffered serious injuries in the battle with Whitebeard, he eventually withdrew from the battlefield and returned to the Skyfall to recuperate.

With Luo's help in treating him, and with his inner demons completely eliminated, his injuries had healed by more than half, making him much better off than the seriously injured Marco.

Furthermore, Marco was focused on getting to Luo Feng's side to rescue Whitebeard's body. In his haste, he couldn't concentrate fully on the battle, so it was inevitable that he would suffer losses.

Because of this, and the combination of many factors, this battle between the Yonko's vice-presidents was so surprising. Marco suffered an unbelievable defeat, while Crocodile stole the show!

After completely eliminating the remaining mental obstacles, Crocodile not only increased his strength but also became completely convinced of Luo Feng's abilities...

This time, he was completely won over!

Despite spending so much time together, Luo Feng's strength and various amazing methods had long since won Crocodile's complete respect.

However, due to his inner demons and the fact that Luo Feng had not yet fulfilled his promise to him, Crocodile was never fully integrated into the team.

However, after Whitebeard's death not long ago and Crocodile's killing by his own hands, Crocodile's state of mind also underwent a huge change!

He no longer harbored any ulterior motives, completely considering himself a member of the Godfall Pirates and fully integrating into the team.

This explains why Crocodile seemed like a completely different person aboard the Meteorite high in the sky. He was in an exceptionally good mood and even joked with Law and the others, which was quite rare for him.

This was completely different from how they used to interact, a total drastic change that left the usually aloof and indifferent Luo completely bewildered. He had no idea what was wrong with this "sixth brother," and was practically ready to give him some medicine on the spot...

And the same goes for their attitude towards Luo Feng!

When facing Marco, he addressed him as "Captain" repeatedly, treating him as his backbone and not allowing him to disturb or disrespect Luo Feng, truly fulfilling his duties as the captain's second-in-command!

All of this is a positive change, at least for the Godfall Pirates.

"Damn you, Crocodile, I really underestimated you. I didn't expect... cough, your strength has improved so quickly!"

Just then, Marco wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth and stood up.

Under the healing power of the Undying Flame, the blood hole that had been pierced by the desert thorns had completely healed. Apart from the blood that had seeped from the corner of his mouth, there was no trace of injury.

The Phoenix Fruit's regenerative abilities are truly astonishing!

However, this comes at a price. It consumes a great deal of the user's stamina, just like Law's ROOM. If the user's stamina is insufficient, they will be exhausted after only a few uses and will be unable to use it again.

Furthermore, there is a limit to the injuries that can be healed. Marco cannot immediately neutralize attacks of the same magnitude as Akainu's; it takes a certain amount of time.

After a brief recovery, Marco turned around and signaled to the captains and pirates in the distance that there was no need to worry. Then, the Phoenix Wings reappeared, and he flew into the air, staring intently at Crocodile, ready to attack again!

"Hahaha, Marco, your mouth really stinks. You keep calling me a bastard. It's really unpleasant to hear."

"That old bastard is dead. If you have no one to discipline you, I don't mind taking on that role!"

Given Crocodile's current state, he was bound to be sarcastic and his words were undoubtedly even more venomous, causing Marco's face to darken instantly!

The two sides were evenly matched, and it looked like they were about to start fighting again!

But at that moment, a vast and peculiar energy appeared out of nowhere on the battlefield, and everyone felt the astonishing fluctuations...

"What's this?"

"That familiar scent... could it be..."

Upon sensing this aura at the naval base, both Garp and Sengoku shuddered, exchanging a sharp glance, their expressions becoming extremely serious.

"Yeah, that aura... Could that old guy be alive again?!" Sengoku frowned, staring intently in a certain direction, unwilling to look away, afraid of missing something.

The old man these two were referring to was undoubtedly Whitebeard!

Although this is too absurd, it is simply a fantasy. Whitebeard clearly died here. Everyone saw that he had stopped breathing. How could he possibly be resurrected?

However, Sengoku and Garp were extremely familiar with the aura of this old rival with whom they had shared most of their lives; it was undoubtedly Whitebeard's aura!

"Hey, hey, hey, no way, this is such an absurd thing..."

"Oh dear, this is terrible. Things seem to have gotten even more complicated. This is really a headache."

The two generals not far away also changed color at this moment, staring into the distance. Even Kizaru, who was usually indifferent to everything, was like this, which shows that no one could calm down!

"Impossible! How could such a thing happen? It must be the work of those arrogant and greedy brats!"

"Marshal, what are you waiting for? The most important thing is to capture them and execute them on the spot!"

At the harbor, Akainu bombarded the Whitebeard Pirates, forcing them to retreat, while glancing in this direction. His words remained ruthless and merciless, as he wanted to quickly execute the members of the Godfall Pirates and eliminate Luo Feng, this potential threat!

The same was true for this group of remnants; while desperately resisting the general's attacks, a glimmer of hope also arose in their hearts...

Although it was a slim chance, almost impossible, they were still willing to believe in the miracle that Whitebeard was still alive!

On the other side, Marco was in the same boat. The familiar fluctuation suddenly appeared, forcing him to abruptly withdraw his attack. He stood dumbfounded in mid-air, staring at the scene in disbelief...

In an instant, all eyes in the room focused on one place—Yuan—

Right in the center, surrounded by the Godfall Pirates, beneath that black curtain!

Chapter 218 The Tremor-Tremor Fruit has been successfully retrieved! The entire audience was stunned!

Without a doubt, the fluctuations originated from this point and then spread throughout the entire market!

Beneath the black curtain lay the remains of Whitebeard, and Vivi was also present there.

The remaining members of the Godfall Pirates, except for Crocodile who was confronting Marco, were all on the outer perimeter of the black cloth, each guarding a position and surrounding it.

"Looks like it was a success."

Sensing this familiar aura, Luo Feng smiled, ignoring the countless surprised gazes, and turned around to walk slowly towards the place shrouded in black cloth.

'Tap, tap, tap...'

The vast battlefield was now completely silent, so quiet that even the faintest breath could not be heard.

Only Luo Feng's clear footsteps rang out, like a bewitching sound, stirring everyone's heartstrings.

Whether it was the Navy or the remnants of Whitebeard's crew, everyone was waiting for an outcome—an unrealistic, almost impossible outcome!

The same was true of the outside world; reporters, the public, and pirates alike remained silent, just like Marineford itself.

The reporters had already raised their cameras high, waiting to capture the moment when the black cloth was lifted—a moment that could potentially upend the entire ocean…

Although the outside world could not sense the presence, they were able to deduce some possibilities from the reactions of the people inside and the already puzzling black curtain.

Finally, under everyone's watchful eyes, Luo Feng walked to the front of the black cloth, reached out his hand, and gently placed it on it—

The next moment, Luo Feng waved his hand, and the black curtain fluttered, revealing the scene inside!

Everyone's eyes widened immediately, straining to see what they didn't want to see, or perhaps they wanted to see something...

However, to everyone's surprise, nothing strange or amazing happened after the black cloth was removed.

Whitebeard was still Whitebeard, still looking the same, standing there with only one leg supporting his crippled body.

Life had long since died out, and even the body had gone cold. Nothing unexpected had happened; it was still the same as before, the one that Luo Feng had covered up.

The only one who was different was the girl with a mask and long, light blue hair who had gone in earlier; there was nothing particularly special about her either…

"Ugh……"

"What's going on? Why are you making it so mysterious? I thought something big was about to happen."

"Who says otherwise? You made us so nervous, and then it all turned out to be such a blunder."

"Nonsense, pshaw, nothing at all!"

A commotion erupted outside, and unsurprisingly, the onlookers were disappointed. After all, it's human nature to enjoy a spectacle as long as it doesn't concern them.

The reporters were even more disappointed; when it came to disappointment, they were probably more disappointed than the Whitebeard Pirates.

After all, this group of people is like a swarm of flies, hoping that something incredible will happen, the bigger the better, so as to satisfy their 'performance'.

On the battlefield, the Whitebeard Pirates were in the same boat. Seeing that their father was ultimately powerless to turn the tide and that the reversal they had hoped for did not occur, they all sighed and were disheartened.

Marco was the same. When he saw that familiar body, which had become completely cold, his expression darkened, and he covered his forehead with one hand and sobbed incessantly. For a moment, even his desire to fight disappeared.

The navy, on the other hand, is completely the opposite.

Seeing this, Sengoku, Garp, and the others all breathed a sigh of relief, as did the three admirals. Akainu simply snorted coldly. As the most 'pragmatic' member of the Navy, he never believed in such superstitious things.

"Dead is dead, what are all these miracles? Only a bunch of trashy pirates like you would have so many unrealistic fantasies every day!"

At this time, Akainu once again began to mock and belittle the pirates, as if he were the one who had personally killed Whitebeard.

Upon hearing this, the remnants of Whitebeard's crew were naturally furious, but there was nothing they could do...

They're not even in the same league, the difference is so huge that you just can't beat them. It's a miracle you even survived!

Ignoring the fluctuating and polarized reactions of the crowd at the Bay Square, Luo Feng walked straight up to Weiwei.