THE ‘REBIRTH’ OF MARCO

As we all know, Marco and the remainder of the WB pirates had an all out war against Blackbeard and his crew, known as the ‘Payback War’. Led by First Division Commander Marco, the remainder of the Whitebeard Pirates sought revenge for the events that led up to and caused the Battle of Marineford. They had brought in their full forces in order to engage the Blackbeard Pirates, who responded in kind. However, the Whitebeard Pirates suffered an overwhelming defeat.

This ‘rebirth’ of Marco that I will try to explain, is not an actual physical rebirth as a result of his phoenix powers, but rather a symbolic rebirth, to signal a new beginning for Marco.

The phoenix is a very popular mythical creature, prevalent in many different cultures and folklore. In particular, Japanese mythology, it is said that the phoenix was thought to only appear at the birth of a virtuous ruler/King, and was said to mark the beginning of a new era.

This could be likened to Marco once being the first commander under Whitebeard’s command. He served under Edward Newgate in what was known as the Whitebeard era. But this era ended with the war at Marineford.

It is said that at the end of one era, the phoenix returns to its celestial abode or ‘dies’ only to await its ‘rebirth’ at the dawn of a new era. As the story goes, the phoenix, near the end of its life, settles in to its nest which then burns ferociously, reducing the bird and its nest to ashes. And from those ashes, a fledgling phoenix rises – renewed and reborn.

From the beginning of the main storyline (chapter 1) to the present, if we were to follow the path of Marco’s life within that time, it is, simply put, been filled with death, tragedy, defeat and loss. From the time Thatch found the yami yami fruit which led to him being killed by Teach…..then losing Ace….then losing Whitebeard…..and finally being defeated in the payback war, and all the while not to mention Weevil being on the hunt for him and killing his allies. The only bright spot in an otherwise dark time; was his ability to protect Luffy and ensure that he didn’t die at Marineford…

The sequence of events over the last 2-3 years surrounding Marco symbolizes the ending of his ‘life’ as serving the past ruler of the era, Whitebeard, which has now ended. These events represents the ‘fire’ that consumed him before he awaits his ‘rebirth’ and the new era.

The minks and samurai are now embarking on a journey to seek out Marco, so that he may join the alliance to take down Kaido and reclaim Wano.

This, I believe, will be the beginning of Marco’s new life; his rebirth of sorts, to serve under the new era and the next rightful King…..Monkey D. Luffy!!