Nothing suggests he was at any point being the one dominated. In fact, he was consistently shown being superior to them.
Yeah, he kind of a was an emperor candidate. And why is Katakuri up there? Katakuri's legend is mainly reserved among his crew. Also, Marco was literally the captain of the whitebeard pirates after Marineford, and he was considered one of the few groups that could possibly stop Blackbeard.
Marco is a huge deal, much more so than the calamities at least(especially considering that while Big Mum destroyed Queen effortlessly, Marco was actually kind of a hassle).
That's why he's the one who is hella exhausted they aren't even minding him much except only King
Both can do other side quest
Once again you don't understand how bounty works
Marco never made his own fame before or under WB's leadership! :
Marco has no legend
Marco isn't a crazy bastard like Calamities
Marco doesn't threaten civilians
Marco has accomplished nothing in NW except Ls. Nobody speak of Marco's insane feats.
His presence /threat level was never compared to WB.
Marco solely benefits from being WB's lackey while being a phoenix
Freaking Katakuri has a legend, threat above Linlin in luffy and capone eyes...
But only 1b, barely above Jack
Luffy did lots of stuff yet had a bounty below dudes who are more cruel.
I wouldn't be shocked if Benn, yassoo and roo have lesser bounties than King and Queen too
They never said they had the highest bounties among YCs but rather that the whole main crew (excluding Shanks ) has the highest average * bounty.
Dudes like King or Queen or Jack will always be viewed as bigger threats as they have no morals
They just attack like madmen for fun or if they don't get answers.
Sabo threatens WG yet bounty barely above 600M
Among veteran pirates :
King and Queen have 300M over Katakuri like how Kaido has 300 M over Linlin.
Marco case wouldn't work since he never started piracy as original member and wasn't top 2 the first 7-12 years of his piracy
The difference between Marco and king or kata is that Marco starter piracy as apprentice, then was rookie.
wB top 3/4 over the years :
33-30 years ago: Rakuyo, Whitebay and Vista
30-26 years ago: Oden, Vista and Rakuyo
25-22 years ago : Vista, Rakuyo and Marco
22-? : Vista, Marco and Jozu
Somewhere inbetween : Marco and Jozu become top 2 above Vista.
4-2 years ago: Marco, Jozu, Ace /vista
He started being showj to be as core top member 22 years ago... when he was 23
While
King and Queen have been Kaido's top 2 for 28-33 years (well if since we don't see kaido having any other top pirates before them) ! They've been crazy since then.
Katakuri has been top 3 for 33 years. Top 1 for 26+ years.
He was top 3 with Perospero and Streussen
Cracker takes over Streussen probably 20-25 years ago.
(smoothie gets to be top 3 only 12-6 years ago i bet since she's 35. She couldn't be SC 15+ years ago)
Benn and Yassop had their fames before joining shanks.
Benn been Shanks top 1 for 24 years since then.