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Hawkeye and Flower Sword clashed more than two hundred times without either gaining the upper hand. Finally, both stepped back.
Hawkeye spoke first."Flower Sword, this doesn't seem like the best time for a duel. Let's call it here."
Flower Sword chuckled."Yeah… that's probably the smartest choice for both of us."
Elsewhere, Smoker was facing off against the Pirate Empress when he suddenly received the Navy's retreat order. He withdrew without hesitation.
The Empress watched him leave and whispered a prayer."Luffy… hurry, go save your brother."
On the battlefield, Whitebeard stood at the bow of his ship, commanding his forces. A figure suddenly appeared behind him—Captain Squard of the Great Whirlpool Spider Pirates, one of Whitebeard's allied commanders, who had been out of contact until now.
"Pops!!!"
Whitebeard turned in surprise."Squard? You're alive?"
"Barely… but I made it."
"I couldn't reach you. What's happening out there? How are our allies holding up?"
Squard's expression darkened."The allied crews have taken heavy losses. I cut through the shortcut to get here."
He lowered his voice."Pops… haven't you noticed Sengoku's strategy yet?"
Whitebeard looked out over the battlefield, his voice steady."Sengoku and I have been crossing blades for decades. I know his tricks better than anyone."
A shadow passed over Squard's face."…I see."
Marco spotted him standing behind Whitebeard and frowned."What the hell's he doing here?"
Whitebeard didn't notice the shift in Squard's expression. He kept walking forward… and in the next instant, Squard drew his blade and drove it straight through Whitebeard's chest.
Blood sprayed across the deck.
The battlefield froze. Pirates and Marines alike stared in disbelief.
Squard slowly pulled his sword free, crimson dripping down the blade.
Marco ignited in blue flames, his fury blazing as he shot to Whitebeard's side."Squard!!!"
The sheer force of Marco's aura slammed Squard to the deck, pressing his head down."Why?! Why would you do this?!"
Squard's face twisted in pain."Shut… shut up! You forced me into this!"
Marco's voice broke with rage."Do you even realize what you've done?!"
Whitebeard staggered, blood pouring from his wound, and sank to one knee.
"Pops, stop pushing yourself! You'll—" Marco began, but Whitebeard silenced him with a raised hand.
Squard screamed like a madman."End this farce already, Whitebeard! You sold us out, didn't you? You and the Navy struck a deal! As long as Ace and your main crew survive, the rest of us—the forty-three captains—are expendable! Isn't that right?!"
His voice shook with rage and grief."Ace… he's Roger's son. The son of the bastard who slaughtered all my comrades! And you never told me… you let me fight beside him, befriend him! You betrayed me long before today!"
The other allied pirates shouted desperately."Tell us it's not true, Pops! Say it!!!"
But Squard's words were poisoned with the memory of his earlier encounter.
Earlier—
Akainu's molten voice echoed in Squard's ears."This war was arranged long before you arrived. Whitebeard has already traded your heads for Ace's life."
"Shut up! Like I'd ever believe your crap!" Squard had roared, slashing his blade down.
But Akainu's magma flared, and the scorching blast hurled Squard against a wall. He spat blood, clutching his chest.
Akainu's tone turned sly."Still don't get it? Open your eyes. From now on, only the allied captains will be targeted. The Navy won't lay a finger on Whitebeard's true crew."
Now, back in the present, Squard pointed a trembling finger at Whitebeard."See?! The Navy's gunning for us, not you! We're already doomed!"
Outside the bay, Pacifistas unleashed golden beams, mowing down the allied pirates.
"We're cornered! There's no way out!"
Squard spread his arms, eyes shut tight, ready for death."One strike was enough. I'm prepared. Kill me if you want!"
Marco seized him by the collar, nearly shaking him apart."You idiot! You were tricked, Squard! Why didn't you trust Pops?!"
"You think I'm blind, Marco? You're the First Division Commander—you expect me to believe you knew nothing about the deal?!"
Whitebeard, still bleeding, finally spoke."It's true… Ace is Roger's son."
Gasps rippled through the crew.
"They played you, Squard. They knew you'd falter over that truth. Their strategy… was cleverer than ours."
Up on the execution platform, Sengoku's eyes narrowed."Now, Aokiji. Don't hesitate."
Aokiji's body froze the air as he vanished in an instant.
At the same time, Sengoku triggered the great encirclement wall, sealing the bay.
Crocodile snarled, shaking with fury."That fool… Whitebeard, taken down by one of his own men? Pathetic! Disgraceful! I'll never lose to a man that weak!"
Marco's eyes burned as the truth sank in.So that's it… Pops' body's been failing since before the battle. That IV he ripped out… he was hiding how bad it really was.
Whitebeard clenched his massive fist, glaring down at Squard."You know what you've done, boy? You dared raise your blade against your old man? Foolish… ungrateful son!"
His colossal hand shot forward. Squard trembled, eyes squeezed shut, bracing for death.
But instead of crushing him, Whitebeard wrapped him in a bear-like embrace.
"…Even so," his deep voice rumbled, "you're still my son. And I will always love you."
Elsewhere—In the Vision of the Future
"Are you stupid, Squard? You actually believed Akainu's lies? Pops would never cut a deal with the Navy!" Marco roared, grabbing him by the collar.
Squard, pale and sweating, stammered, "I-I don't know why I'd do something like that in the future… but I swear, it won't happen. I'll never betray Pops!"
Whitebeard stepped forward, his voice calm but resolute."Enough. Don't tear each other apart. You're all my sons. I'll never trade a single one of you away. Remember this well, Squard—if you ever dare repeat that mistake, I'll be the first to punish you."
Squard wiped the cold sweat from his brow."Damn that Akainu… he'll pay for this."
Ace stood silently nearby, his fists clenched."Because of me… Pops gets hurt again. Why does it always come back to me? Why was I so stupid in the future…?"
"..."
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