Sengoku's cold gaze lingered on the Moby Dick.
"Hmph, what a piece of trash. I never expected someone like Squard to actually attempt assassinating Whitebeard. Still, I didn't anticipate that you would see through my scheme, Whitebeard."
He had intended the betrayal to demoralize the Whitebeard Pirates, but instead, it only strengthened their resolve.
"Forget it," Sengoku said with a faint, confident smile. "Our advantage is still overwhelming. Ultimate victory belongs to the Marines."
He turned to his subordinates and ordered, "Activate the surrounding wall immediately."
"Yes."
Squard collapsed to his knees, tears streaming down his face, a mixture of regret and guilt overwhelming him.
"W-what have I done! I'm sorry, Pops! I'm sorry, Ace…"
Whitebeard's stern voice cut through his despair.
"Enough, Squard. Didn't I just tell you I'm fine? And did you really think you could hurt me? You were merely tricked by the Marines."
A determined fire ignited in Squard's eyes. He rose to his feet, gripping his long sword tightly.
"I understand, Pops. I will take down those despicable Marines and rescue Ace."
With that, Squard charged into battle, desperate to atone for his mistake.
Whitebeard took a step to follow but was interrupted by heavy footsteps behind him. Little Oars approached, his massive body bearing dozens of bloody wounds.
"Pops…" he said respectfully.
Whitebeard looked at him gravely, recognizing the danger the human weapons posed.
"Little Oars, I understand. You want to save Ace, but your next task is crucial. Stay by my side for now."
"Yes, Pops…" Little Oars nodded, obeying even though his heart burned to fight.
Meanwhile, the Marines had begun retreating from the ice surface to the plaza, easing the Whitebeard Pirates' advance.
Sengoku's expression turned anxious.
"Why hasn't the surrounding wall been raised yet?"
"The ice layer is too thick," a Marine reported honestly.
Sengoku's lips tightened.
"We need to buy more time. Giant Race unit, hold back the Whitebeard Pirates."
"Yes, Admiral."
Eight Giant Vice Admirals advanced, attempting to block the pirates' path.
Marco swooped in from outside Crescent Bay, bypassing the three Marine Vice Admirals he had been confronting. He landed beside Whitebeard.
"Pops…"
"Marco, you're back!" Whitebeard's smile was brief but genuine. "If you hadn't uncovered the Marine's plan, we might have been led around like pawns."
"What should we do next?" Marco asked, urgency lacing his words.
Whitebeard's lips curved confidently.
"Since we know their plan, we'll turn it against them. Once the surrounding wall activates, the Marines' artillery advantage will be neutralized. That moment, when they are most relaxed, is the best time for a counterattack."
"I understand." Marco nodded, confident in Little Oars' ability to disrupt the wall. Even if the wall couldn't be destroyed, they could use Little Oars' immense strength as a ladder to reach the plaza.
As the Giant Vice Admirals attempted to obstruct them, Little Oars stepped forward, placing himself between Whitebeard and the nearest opponent.
"Don't come near Pops, Marine!" he roared, swinging his massive sword.
The Giant Vice Admiral's attacks were ineffective against him, and his saber clattered to the ground.
Seizing the opportunity, Marco flew into the air, grabbing the abandoned saber.
"Little Oars, hold him down," he instructed.
Understanding immediately, Little Oars pressed the injured Vice Admiral to the ground. With a decisive motion, Marco drove the saber through his neck.
'Killed a Marine Vice Admiral, rewarded 100 attribute points.'
Little Oars wanted to press on, but felt Whitebeard's weight on his right shoulder—he had jumped from the Moby Dick.
"Pops…"
"Stay here for now, Little Oars. There will be a time for you to act," Whitebeard instructed.
Marco landed beside him.
"Pops, I've understood your plan. You intend to break through to the plaza in one go, during the activation of their surrounding wall, and then rescue Ace quickly."
"Exactly," Whitebeard replied.
"I'll handle saving Ace," Marco said confidently. "But I'll need you to help block the Admiral, especially Kizaru. That guy's speed is insane."
Whitebeard nodded.
On the execution platform, Sengoku's unease grew. Whitebeard was acting differently—perhaps he had a counterplan. But once the surrounding wall activated, victory should still belong to the Marines.
"Has the surrounding wall still not been activated?" Sengoku shouted, urgency creeping into his tone.
The Marines below hesitated, unsure how to respond.
Frustrated, he barked, "Stop all town electricity and divert it to the surrounding wall! We must raise it immediately!"
"Yes, Fleet Admiral!"
_____
Send support on patreon
Patreon.com/Zphyr