Babysitting Whitebeard’s Crew:How I Accidentally Became a Teen Emperor

The sun hung low over the eastern cliff, casting warm hues onto the secluded studio tucked away from the bustling base camp of the Whitebeard Pirates. Marco stepped into the quiet space, his eyes widening in wonder at the organized chaos of papers, books, and sketches scattered across the room. 

"No wonder Lucas has rarely shown his face over the years…" Marco muttered to himself, taking in the sight. "He's been holed up here, drawing comics." 

Rumours about Lucas had swirled through the crew for years. Some thought he didn't exist, while others spun wild tales about him being an undercover spy for another pirate crew—or even the Marines. But standing in the very heart of Lucas's creative sanctuary, Marco knew now that all the speculation was nonsense. 

Behind him, Jozu's voice broke the silence. "Marco, stop gawking. Since you couldn't master the 'Eight Inner Gates' from The Legend of Might Guy, you'd better look for something else. Who knows? There might be an even stronger ability waiting for you!" 

Marco smirked at Jozu's enthusiasm. "Alright, alright. Let's see what's here." 

He moved toward the bookshelf, running his fingers across the spines of the comic books. The titles were as varied as they were intriguing: Zanpakutō no Senbonzakura, Gray Fullbuster of Fairy Tail... but none held his attention. He let out a small sigh, mumbling, "These don't feel right." 

Just as he was about to move on, his eyes landed on a title that stopped him in his tracks: High School DxD: Pure Blood Devil God Phoenix. 

"Phoenix…" Marco whispered, his interest piqued. The word resonated deeply with him as someone who had eaten the Tori Tori no Mi, Model: Phoenix. Without hesitation, he grabbed the comic and flipped it open. 

Hours passed unnoticed. 

Immersed in the story, Marco felt as though he were part of the Devil God Phoenix's legendary lineage. The comic's protagonist, Archduke Phoenix, was not just a mythical bird but a member of the Devil God Phoenix bloodline, which later became the Phenex bloodline—one of the seventy-two pillars of the devils. 

"Even the flames of the Phoenix can be used to attack?" Marco muttered, his voice tinged with disbelief. "Undead Karma Fire? Tears of the Phoenix? Blood of the Phoenix? These abilities… they're on another level entirely!" 

Every page deepened his awe. The more he read, the more he realized how far his own abilities fell short. He had spent years perfecting the Phoenix's self-healing capabilities, using his flames as a defensive shield. But the comic showed him what true mastery looked like—flames that could heal others, obliterate enemies, and even grant immortality. 

By the time he reached the last page, Marco leaned back, stunned.

Suddenly, a strange sensation washed over him. 

The comic book slipped from his hands as an unfamiliar voice echoed in his mind: 

"In shadows deep, where whispers dwell, 

I seek the devils, in their silent hell."

"Phenex, the descendants of the Devil God Phoenix, even the thinnest bloodline, carry the glory of the Phoenix! Return to the ancestors, heir of the Phoenix!" 

Marco froze as an invisible force gripped him. His entire body felt aflame, but it wasn't the comforting warmth of his usual Phoenix form. This was intense, searing, and all-consuming. 

"Ahh!" he cried out, clutching his chest. "How… how can flames hurt me?!" 

Memories—no, visions—flashed before his eyes. He saw the rise of the Devil God Phoenix bloodline, their battles, their triumphs, and their fall to being mere devils called Phenex. The images felt both foreign and familiar as if they had always been buried deep within him. 

The voice returned, its tone commanding yet gentle: 

"Heir of the Phoenix! I, the ancient devil god Archduke Phoenix, officially activate your bloodline. Fight for the glory of the Phoenix family!" 

It was gone as quickly as the voice appeared, leaving Marco trembling in its wake. 

The pain subsided, replaced by a strange warmth coursing through his veins. Marco pressed a hand to his chest, feeling the rapid thrum of his heartbeat. But there was something else—a new energy, powerful and ancient, flowing through him. 

"This… this is the blood of the Phoenix…" he whispered, his voice barely audible. 

He looked down at his hands, which now glowed faintly with an ethereal flame. It wasn't just self-healing anymore. This was something far greater. Something that connected him to a lineage he never knew existed. 

As the realization settled in, Marco clenched his fists, his eyes blazing with determination. "Archduke Phoenix… I'll honour this power and use it to protect my family—the Whitebeard Pirates." 

He turned to see Jozu waiting, a curious expression on his face. Marco gave him a faint smile. "Jozu… I think I've just levelled up."