The Moby Dick.
On the deck, the pirates formed a wide circle. Inside stood Satan and the Great Whirlpool Spider, Squard.
"Squard, you're an old hand. Go easy on him."
"He insulted Pops. Teach him a hard lesson."
"That fool's gotten too full of himself. Teach him."
"Show him the might of the Whitebeard Pirates."
Shouts rose one after another.
Satan merely dug at his ear, utterly unconcerned.
"Brat, apologize and end this duel."
"This isn't a child's game," Marco barked.
"Marco, I know you've got high hopes for the kid," Vista advised. "But it's time he learned how cruel the world is. Otherwise, who knows what disaster he'll cause later."
"No one is allowed to insult Pops. Kneel and admit your mistake. I can overlook your offense," Squard snarled, his face twisted.
"So much anger. But do you truly respect Whitebeard? Then why will you betray him in the future and even lead to his death?" Satan absorbed Squard's rage, savoring the surge of attributes.
"What did he say?"
"Did I hear that wrong?"
"No, you didn't. Squard will betray Pops and bring about his death. But Squard respects Pops the most." Murmurs rippled through the crew.
Only Marco's eyes grew solemn. After a month with Satan, he knew the man never spoke without aim.
"Marco, you don't actually believe that kid, do you?" Vista coughed.
"Who knows," Marco shrugged. "But anyone who dares harm Pops or betray him, I'll never forgive."
Whitebeard frowned. At his age and after all he had seen, he knew the sea held every kind of strange person. Knowing what had yet to happen was not unheard of. Yet to stand on his ship and speak of death so casually—anyone else would be a madman or a fool. Satan said it as if it were only natural. Interesting kid.
"Utter nonsense. Like hell I'd betray Pops, much less cause his death," Squard roared. Only his blade would make the brat see reality.
"What if it involves Ace," Satan said lightly.
"Ace?" The pirates were startled. A flicker passed through Whitebeard's eyes, his smile vanishing as a faint pressure rolled off him.
"Pops," Marco called.
"It's fine. Let me see what kind of power the brat has," Whitebeard laughed, masking the momentary change.
"Draw your weapon." Squard leveled his long blade at Satan.
"To deal with you, why would I need a weapon," Satan grinned.
"Arrogant. I'll show you what happens when you anger me," Squard snapped.
"Arrogant? No, just confidence. If I used a weapon, I'd probably one-shot you," Satan said coolly.
"One-shot me?" Squard laughed from sheer rage. Fury burned to its peak. As the captain of the Great Whirlpool Spider Pirates under Whitebeard's banner, his name carried weight across the New World. For this brat to claim he'd one-shot him was a naked insult.
"Has the kid always been this cocky? Half a month ago he couldn't even pierce a Sea King's hide," Vista frowned.
"A month ago he couldn't even beat our nurse," Marco said with a laugh.
"Has he really improved that fast? Even so, Squard is an old-guard pirate whose strength can't be underestimated. Slaying Sea Kings is like killing ants to him. In half a month, no matter how fast the kid improved, could he match Squard? This is destined to be a farce," Jozu rumbled.
"Perhaps the kid will surprise me. There's no fear in his eyes. He's serious," Whitebeard said gravely. He found he couldn't see through Satan.
Squard advanced step by step. In the next instant his blade came down. The slash was like thunder, fast as lightning.
"Seize."