"Bastard, how dare you curse Pops."
"Unforgivable."
"Don't think you can do whatever you want just because you're on our crew."
"I want a one-on-one."
"I'm going to teach that clueless brat a lesson."
The pirates were furious.
Satan had dared to curse the man they loved most.
Some things could not be tolerated.
No matter how their anger burned, Satan remained indifferent, a faint smile on his lips.
The stench of wrath was the wellspring of the Seven Sins.
In one sweep Satan gained another one hundred and thirty points of Wrath.
If this continued, he would soon break through the first thousand and reach the initial stage of Wrath.
Then he would gain a second secret technique.
Satan looked forward to the surprise he would receive when the Wrath value of the Seven Deadly Sins leveled up.
His calm only stoked the crew's fury.
The guy was too dismissive.
Too arrogant.
"Quiet, all of you.
"All men must die. I am old.
"This era no longer has a ship that can carry me. Death is nothing to fear.
"Satan only spoke the truth."
Whitebeard's shout cut through the uproar.
His words held utter frankness in the face of life and death.
"Pops."
Grief flickered across the pirates' faces.
"Don't you dare look so heartbroken. I'm not dead yet.
"Besides, I've roamed the seas my whole life, and I have family at my side. That alone makes it worth it."
A small smile tugged at Whitebeard's mouth, memories glinting in his eyes.
Then his gaze turned cold.
"Satan, what does my death have to do with the disbanding of the Whitebeard Pirates."
"There are two reasons the Whitebeard Pirates will disband," Satan said evenly.
"What two reasons," the pirates asked, ears pricking up. This concerned the life and death of the crew.
"First, deterrence.
"The Whitebeard Pirates are a name that shakes the New World. Whitebeard suppresses an entire era.
"Strongest man on the sea. The name Whitebeard is the signboard of this crew.
"The three characters for Whitebeard terrify the world.
"But if you die, the Whitebeard Pirates become an empty name. No one can inherit that title.
"When Whitebeard becomes an empty name, disbanding follows naturally."
Faces darkened around the deck. It was as Satan said. The name Whitebeard held the crew together. Their division commanders were not weak, but their renown did not approach the officers under Kaido or Big Mom.
"And the second reason," Whitebeard asked, already believing Satan a little.
"Traitors.
"Because of a traitor, a terrible price will be paid.
"The balance of the sea will be broken. Because of a traitor, someone will rise above the Whitebeard Pirates.
"I have seen what has yet to be. Every place where the Whitebeard flag flies will be scorched earth.
"A man cloaked in darkness will become a new emperor."
Satan was speaking of Blackbeard.
The one who would steal Whitebeard's power. He did not mind giving Whitebeard a warning.
"Who is this person.
"Is it Squard," Marco asked, eyes cold as he recalled Satan's earlier exchange with Squard.
"That guy doesn't have the qualifications.
"At most he only pushes Whitebeard to the edge of the abyss," Satan shrugged.
Squard was nothing but a fool who would be used by Akainu.
"No. I will never betray Pops.
"I would never cause his death."
On the deck, Squard woke from his faint and shook his head at what he heard.
"Is that so.
"Then I have a question.
"If one day a crewmate is captured by pirates, will you save them," Satan asked.
"Save them. The Whitebeard Pirates never abandon comrades, never abandon family," the crew roared as one.
"Then what if that comrade is kin to Roger.
"Will you save them," Satan asked again.
"Roger.
"No way there would be family of Roger on our ship," the pirates denied without hesitation.
"I am asking if.
"Answer me. Will you save them," Satan said sternly.
"Save."
"Save."
"Do not save."
The discordant answer rang out at last.
"Squard."
Jozu turned toward the different voice. It was Squard.
"Roger annihilated my crew and killed all my brothers.
"This hatred cannot share the same sky," Squard said, face twisting.
"So that is why you would betray us," Marco murmured in understanding.
Because there truly was a relative of Roger in the Whitebeard Pirates.
Ace.
But how did Satan know.
"Would you really betray the Whitebeard Pirates over your hatred for Roger," Jozu growled, eyes hard.
No one doubted Satan's words now.
Even if they were only shadows of the yet-to-be, they would never allow anything that could lead to Pops' death to exist.
In that instant the pirates closed in on Squard, killing intent laid bare.
"Stand down, all of you.
"Will you turn your blades on each other.
"Do not forget. You are all my sons," Whitebeard roared.
"But he will push Pops into the abyss," Marco said.
"It has not happened.
"All I know is that right now, everyone here is my son, and will remain so.
"Even if one betrays me, as your Pops, why can I not forgive him.
"We are a family."
Whitebeard's mighty frame trembled once, and the pirates were moved at once.
"Pops…"
They fell to their knees.
Only Satan wore a complicated expression.
Whitebeard was a man of boundless righteousness. Even before the deed, even if true betrayal came, he still had the breadth of chest to forgive.
Seeking flowers, comments, monthly tickets, and tips.
As for why I explain abilities.
Because of Seven Sins, Arrogance.
Arrogance is pride, ignoring any enemy, caring nothing for any opponent.
If you think this is bad, I will stop explaining in the future.
If you think it is good, I will keep writing it this way.