The original line is a bit different in a way that doesn’t come across in English, and this has led to an interesting fan theory I read about on some Japanese forums.
Basically, the idea that Daz and Crocodile knew each other on a personal basis outside of Baroque Works! :O
The original line is: ‘anta wa ore-tachi no bosu?!’
Odd thing is that first word, ‘anta’. As many anime fans know there are different ways to say 'you’ in Japanese. Anata being a good all-purpose form… There’s also very rude ones like 'kisama’ that end up being translated as 'bastard’ or something.
'Anta’ is the casual form of anata and it can be insulting… or imply familiarity. It’s a word you’d really only use to someone you were close with! And Daz stillalways calls him 'anta’ so it wasn’t a one-off thing. So we can assume he’s not saying it to be rude!
It would certainly explain a lot if Daz and Croc had past ties, eh?
One of the reasons I’m so stoked to seeing Marco again is because now he has the chance to redeem himself - and the Whitebeard Pirates.
In hindsight, Marineford was the absolute failure of the Whitebeard Pirates. Don’t get me wrong, it was a risky situation. But think about it: they came with a huge fleet, preparation, and most importantly: a plan.
On the other hand, Luffy, basically a child, invaded Impel Down, escaped, fell from the sky with the most unlikely alliance, and ultimately was the one who freed Ace.
Of course he would’ve never managed that without the backup from Whitebeard himself, but he did much more than anyone could have expected. Just a few days ago, Luffy could barely manage a Pacifista and ran for his life from Kizaru and Kuma, so imagine against all the Admirals and Warlords.
During Marineford, Luffy not only gave his best, but lost many years from his lifespan. They all witnessed how careless he was, his driving force. Whitebeard even said he really liked this kind of reckless kid.
Back to Marco, he has been with the Whitebeard crew for a long time, arguably the most loyal member and recognized as the right hand. Just before the dissolution and his death, Whitebeard commanded his men to protect Luffy at all cost. Marco himself said that Luffy was the remaining will of Ace and if he died it would be a disgrace to the Whitebeard Pirates.
In the end, Luffy survived and so did Marco. In my mind, Whitebeard order did not fade away: Marco believes he must protect Luffy until the end, when he becomes the Pirate King. That too was Ace’s will.
Not only, but Marco needs to see Blackbeard’s defeat, which will ultimately fall on Luffy to accomplish. Marco knows he cannot defeat Blackbeard and there is nothing he can do about it. What he can do, and is doing, is help Luffy on his quest and hopefully defeat their nemesis.
Stretching a bit further, Marco now has a sort of moral debt with Shanks, someone that deeply cares for Luffy. In my mind, Marco’s aid is not only for Ace and Whitebeard, but for Shanks as well.
In conclusion, Marco carries Whitebeard’s will. And his last will was: Protect Luffy.
I can imagine Marco saying “Look, Ace, I’m helping your brother. He achieved his dreams. You don’t have to worry.”
That’s it, Wano, give me all the Marco you can provide me.
