In the Sky Screen video, Squard slowly spoke a name, shocking everyone who heard it.
[Pirate 1: Did I hear that correctly? It was actually that person?]
[Marine 1: What exactly is going on?]
[Doflamingo: Fufufufu, I see. This war is getting more and more interesting.]
[Edward Newgate: Gurararara, so this was your Marines' strategy. Pity it got exposed by the Sky Screen.]
[Sakazuki: So what? Even without this tactic, we Marines have other methods. You pirates, bring it on.]
[Crocodile: It seems the mastermind couldn't help but make an appearance.]
Just as Crocodile finished speaking, the scene on the Sky Screen shifted, showing another sequence of events.
〖The timeline shifted back. Just as Squard was preparing to invade and support the Whitebeard Pirates, a person suddenly appeared before him.
The newcomer was none other than one of the Marine Admirals, Sakazuki.
He approached Squard and began to tempt him with words.
"The Whitebeard you see as family is not as noble as you imagine. Those who don't know the truth call him a legendary pirate, the strongest man in the world.
But everything he's doing now is ultimately just to protect himself. To save the members of the Whitebeard Pirates and Ace, he secretly made a deal with the Marines, betraying his own comrades.
The Whitebeard you imagine simply doesn't exist. In this war, he is actually the one who should be punished the most.
If you choose to help him, then all the pirates under your command will die here. But if you assist me, I can guarantee your survival. All you need to do is assassinate Whitebeard."
After Sakazuki finished speaking, his words were earnest and sincere. Squard was already unsettled by learning that Ace was the son of the Pirate King Roger.
Now, influenced by Sakazuki's words, he was persuaded and took action, stabbing Whitebeard.〗
[Pirate 1: I never thought it was really Sakazuki who convinced Squard to assassinate Whitebeard. I didn't quite believe it before.]
[Wang Zhi: Hahahaha, you Marines are sometimes more despicable than pirates, always using underhanded tactics.]
[Captain John: Exactly! And it's not just Sakazuki; even Sengoku earlier. They promised a public execution of Fire Fist Ace, but to hide the Marines' bloody side, they cut the Den Den Mushi signal, only letting the civilians know the final outcome without showing them the process. This is their usual method.]
[Marine 1: I really don't understand. In the video, the Marines' strength is comparable to the pirates', maybe even slightly superior. Why would Admiral Akainu do such a thing?]
[Marine 2: Admiral Akainu must have his reasons. Perhaps it was to reduce Marine casualties and avoid unnecessary sacrifices?]
[Marine 3: Right! And Admiral Akainu didn't actually say much. It was that Squard guy who was too stupid. He chose to believe the Admiral over his own father. That's why this happened.]
[Marine 4: But even so, making a son assassinate his father... that's just too...]
[Marine 5: We don't need to talk about chivalry with pirates! Besides, this is war. We should use every method to achieve victory. I support Admiral Akainu.]
On the Sky Screen, opinions on Akainu's actions were divided.
Supporters and opponents argued, creating a lively debate.
Just then, it shifted back to Whitebeard.
〖After learning from Squard who had deceived him, Whitebeard stood up again, clenched his fists, and struck out to the sides.
"I thought I had seen through your Marines' tactics. I never expected to be played for a fool, Sengoku. You're still sharp as ever. But you actually said I would sell out my sons' lives?"
As Whitebeard spoke, he exerted force violently.
An invisible shockwave seemed to emanate from him, shattering the ice walls previously created by Aokiji.
Then Whitebeard looked at the surrounding pirates and shouted: "Who you want to believe, what you want to believe that should be decided by you yourselves, as pirates! Don't just listen to what others say. I hope you realize this."
After Whitebeard's words, the pirates around him shouted loudly.
"Damn it! So it was the Marines' conspiracy after all! I actually hesitated earlier. I shouldn't have!"
"Right! I kinda believed Squard's words too. I actually doubted Pops. What was I thinking?"
"Good thing I always stood by Pops' side."
"Pops! We all believe in you! Lead us forward!"
Hearing the cries of support, Whitebeard leaped down from the ship's bow.
"Sons! If you are prepared to lose your lives, then follow me!"
"Let's go! Follow Pops! Save Ace!"
The pirates' morale soared. Seeing this, Sengoku's eyes narrowed, and he began commanding the Marines.
"All Marines, attention! Prepare to engage the Whitebeard Pirates!"〗
[Diamond Jozu: Go, Pops! Show those Marines what for!]
[Marco the Phoenix: I hope Pops is okay... but his injury is worrying.]
[The Ice Witch: Don't worry. After all, he is Whitebeard.]
[Golden Lion Shiki: Gehahahaha, Whitebeard! You've finally entered the fray! I've been looking forward to your fight for a long time.]
[Kaido: Urororororo, I'm curious too. I wonder how much of your strength remains, Whitebeard.]
[Big Mom Charlotte Linlin: Mamamama, I'm getting more and more excited about what happens next.]
[Pirate 1: Whitebeard is finally on the field! The legendary strongest man is finally going to make his move!]
[Pirate 2: God knows how long I've waited for this moment! I'm about to see it! I'm so excited, hahahaha!]
[Civilian 1: Whitebeard is entering the battle! Can the Marines hold up?]
[Civilian 2: They should be able to, right? After all, Whitebeard was just stabbed.]
[Civilian 3: But he seems completely unaffected! I can't see any trace of an injury at all.]