Marco

Marco (マルコ) is a minor character featured in Part VII: Steel Ball Run. His survival is the source of Gyro Zepelli's determination during the race.

History
Marco is introduced as a young boy born into a long line of servants who served under Napoleonic aristocrats. At the age of 9, he had been ordered to serve under a baron called Rippi and his sole job would be to clean his hats and shoes. Before setting out, Marco's father told him that "the job would bring him happiness as long as he stayed humble and earnest".

Taking these words to heart, Marco would get up early every morning and shine the shoes and brushed the hats for the baron and his guests. Sadly, the Baron is revealed to have been planning a revolt against the king of the country and he and his family were put on trial and sentenced to execution. Evidence suggested the assassination had been planned within the estate, and police automatically assumed Marco had been apart of it, which resulted in his arrest as well. He was sentenced to be executed via beheading, but was temporarily saved after Gyro Zeppeli fought against the court's decision. Afterwards, Gyro vows to travel to America to win the Steel Ball Run and force the king to grant an amnesty and free the boy.

Steel Ball Run
Though Gyro is ultimately unable to win the race, the people of the Naples eventually revolt against the king several years later. Having succeeded, the monarchy had been abolished and the kingdom became a republic's dependent province. Marco, who had been imprisoned until the abolishment of the monarchy, was granted amnesty and set free, but as fate would have it, he would later die of a cold.