Squard used the other blade at his waist as a crutch, propping himself up to stand.
The knife didn't strike true, but being deceived by outsiders and raising a blade against his own old man became a thorn in his heart.
After the war atop the summit ended, he felt he had no face to stay in the Whitebeard Pirates, so after the funeral of Whitebeard, he took his crew to this island.
Yet today, someone still came looking for him: a bizarre-looking person claiming to be Whitebeard's biological son, who started fighting him as soon as they met.
He had no retort about not being loyal to Whitebeard, but he couldn't accept the man's claim. His old man valued family so much; if he really had a biological son, how could he ignore him for so many years?
Moreover, the guy had been missing for years, only appearing once Whitebeard was dead. To Squard, this was just a blatant fraud.
The opponent's strength was formidable, but Squard was not afraid. Whitebeard's death was a settled fact, but he wouldn't allow Whitebeard's reputation to be sullied.
However, Weevil's reaction was completely unexpected by Squard. He didn't continue attacking but looked anxiously at a woman beside him.
"Mama, mama! I'm Whitebeard's son, right? My mustache is white too, so why do these guys say only Whitebeard Pirates members are Whitebeard's sons? Is my dad not Whitebeard?!"
"Of course, my son, you are definitely Whitebeard's biological son. The Whitebeard Pirates were just your father's little game.
You are the one who has inherited his bloodline, and I am the woman he loved most in life."
A small but elegantly dressed woman gave Weevil a firm answer; she was Buckingham Stussy, a former member of the Rocks Pirates, a researcher for MADS, and the mother of Edward Weevil.
"But... but... he's already the seventh! They all say that..."
After some time following the war atop the summit, Buckingham Stussy took Edward Weevil and targeted Whitebeard's inheritance, launching her campaign. During the process, many affiliated pirate groups of the original Whitebeard Pirates were destroyed.
Squard's Great Vortex Spider Pirates were the seventh target, as Buckingham didn't know where Whitebeard's inheritance was, leading her to commence purging the remaining parties step by step.
"Get your spirits up, my treasure!"
Seeing Weevil falling into a low mood, Buckingham started tapping his leg with her cane.
"It hurts, mom, don't hit me..."
"I'm doing it to perk you up! Look at this!"
"A mirror?"
"No, it's Whitebeard's Wanted Poster!"
Following Whitebeard's death, his Wanted Poster was naturally removed by the World Government, but the previously issued Wanted Poster continued to circulate globally, even becoming a collectible for many.
"Geez, I thought it was a mirror."
"You look so alike; how could you not be a biological father and son? My foolish child, it's that guy deceiving you!"
"Sorry, mom, I actually doubted you..."
"It's alright. I won't blame you because I love you, my sweetheart. Now go completely defeat that guy and reclaim your father's inheritance! Those impostors do not deserve your father's legacy; it belongs to us!"
"Yes!"
Weevil's eyes turned fierce, dragging his large sword to charge at Squard once more, breaking out immense power under Buckingham's encouragement.
The blade Squard held was snapped upon contact by Weevil, leaving him stomped beneath Weevil's foot.
Just as he was about to behead Squard, Buckingham called out to halt Weevil.
"Wait, son!"
"Mom, why are you stopping me? I want to avenge dad! And Kaidou, who killed dad—I want revenge on him too!"
Weevil spoke with deep agitation, even shedding tears.
"Silly son, revenge is out of fashion now; you won't get a Belly from it. Instead, it will bring trouble. Finding Marco and the other remnants one by one, then inheriting the vast inheritance your father Newgate left behind, is what we should be doing.
What matters is money, money!"
"Oh, I understand now, mom."
From feeling moved just a moment before, Weevil immediately abandoned thoughts of revenge. Despite his physical strength, Buckingham's words were gospel to Weevil.
Weevil was not mentally sound; to him, his mother's words were always correct.
"Alright, Squard, can you tell me where my beloved Newgate's inheritance is now?"
"Pah! A scoundrel like you dares claim to be old man's kin? Old man... never cared for treasure; his greatest treasure was family! If you truly had that kind of bond, how wouldn't you know such a thing!"
Squard spat blood towards Buckingham, who displayed a hint of impatience on her aged face.
The previous six pirate crews had also said thus; seeing such an attitude, her patience dwindled.
"Once again, Weevil, dispose of them and then go find the next target."
"Yes, mom!"
Hearing that, Weevil raised his large sword, but at that moment, they heard the sound of something slicing through the air.
"Shining Charge!"
A diamond man came rushing from the side, his Diamondized shoulder blocking the blade aimed at Squard, and then knocking Weevil away.
During the war atop the summit, Yamato kept Kuzan entertained, allowing Jozu to save his arm.
"Jozu... you..."
"It's not just me, but others too. Those who tarnish old man's reputation are our enemies."
With Blackbeard dead, and the Blackbeard Pirates dismantled by a Hakai attack, the whereabouts of the members remained unknown, sparing the Whitebeard Pirates' remnants from a devastating blow, thus freeing up more effort to aid others.
Thus, upon discovering threats to the Whitebeard Pirates, they mobilized.
"Buckingham, I heard you were looking for us, no need to bother anymore, we've arrived."
Marco landed from above with his wings, channeling a Cyan Flame to heal the wounds on Squard.
"Enjomo!"
With the searing flame rose, forming a massive wall of fire, Buckingham and Weevil's escape was thoroughly blocked.
Whitebeard's territory needed guarding; they had to protect the few holdings left, which was why only three captains came, Ace being the third alongside Marco and Jozu.
"Fraudulently flaunting under old man's banner, ready to face the consequences?"