Marco! The Keeper of Whitebeard's Last Memento

The Guardians wait near the shore of a certain island, eyeing its crumbling structures. Blackback grows restless as Nekomamushi heads off alone to find Marco, and Roddy points out that bringing their ruler near would frighten the locals. Tucked behind a waterfall sits a peaceful little village where Marco practices medicine, and he uses his phoenix flames to treat a pet sphinx named Tama. Marco formerly led the First Division under the Whitebeard banner, serving a captain who regarded each crewmate as a son.

Marco recalls the Marineford war, when Squard betrayed Whitebeard out of grief and manipulation but was instantly forgiven once Whitebeard grasped what Akainu had stoked in him. After Ace was rescued, Whitebeard stayed behind so his crew could flee and asked Ace if his fathering had been worthy, a question Ace answered through tears in the affirmative. Blackbeard, never accepted as family after killing Thatch, ultimately ended Whitebeard's life and stole the Gura Gura no Mi to pair with his own Yami Yami power. Marco led the survivors against him in the Payback War and lost, leaving him to guard this island. He explains that Edward Weevil and Buckin will likely come hunting nonexistent treasure, which is why he cannot leave with Nekomamushi, and he reacts with shock when told the alliance intends to topple Kaidou.

A young Whitebeard, uninterested in his crewmates' loot, once told them his true wish was a family. The poverty-stricken island where he grew up never joined the World Government and suffered raids, yet Whitebeard funneled his winnings back to its people for the rest of his life, treating it as his greatest prize. This installment opens the Wano Country Arc and Saga. Anime-original additions include plesiosaur-like creatures swimming past Sphinx, two suited minks exploring its deserted quarter, extra glimpses of Whitebeard's childhood, Payback War scenes, and Nekomamushi telling Marco about the plan against Kaidou. A continuity slip shows Jozu with both arms during the Payback War flashback despite losing one at Marineford.