[Witnessing Luffy accompanied by numerous Whitebeard Pirates Division captains]
[Drawing nearer and nearer to Ace's execution platform, the distance dwindling with each passing moment.]
[Yet, in this critical juncture, Kizaru appeared.]
[As a high-ranking officer, let alone Luffy, it would prove arduous for many Whitebeard Pirates captains to traverse there.]
[Thus, Kizaru delivered a light kick, effortlessly propelling Luffy backward in an instant!]
[Fortunately, Jinbei acted swiftly, managing to catch Luffy in time; otherwise, the impact would have sent him crashing to the ground, gravely wounded.]
[At that precise moment, the World Government unexpectedly issued orders for all naval forces to withdraw and execute the encirclement strategy!]
[It was then that the navy's scheme came to light.]
[Indeed, they had never intended to engage the Whitebeard Pirates directly from the outset!]
[Their true aim was to entice all members of the Whitebeard Pirates deep into the heartland of Marineford.]
[Then, they directly surrounded them and attempted to capture them in a jar!]
[Use this to eliminate them all within this encirclement!]
[Soon, all the entrances and exits to Marineford were sealed off.]
[Every member of the Whitebeard Pirates found themselves ensnared in the middle, akin to lambs ready for slaughter.]
[Yet, Whitebeard paid no heed to this predicament!]
[From the moment he set foot here, he never entertained the notion of leaving alive!]
[However, saving Ace was imperative, no matter the cost!]
[Then, a startling event unfolded.]
[One of the Whitebeard Pirates' high-ranking members drew his blade and plunged it into Whitebeard's chest without warning!]
[The sharp edge pierced his flesh directly, blood spilling forth in an instant.]
[This sight sent shockwaves through everyone!!!]
"Hm?!"
Shanks furrowed his brow at the sight!
He recognized this member, a vital figure within the Whitebeard Pirates.
He held Whitebeard's trust deeply, so why would he attempt such a treacherous act?
And with such determination?
Not only Shanks, but every member of the Red-Haired Pirates was bewildered by this turn of events!
Could he be an undercover agent of the Navy, embedded within the Whitebeard Pirates?
Perhaps... but if so, the Navy's machinations run deeper than imagined!
"To uncover the truth, we must delve deeper."
[Indeed, this is the Navy's intricate stratagem!]
[Even before the battle commenced, Akainu had manipulated this cadre of the Whitebeard Pirates.]
[Thus, such a scene unfolds...]
[Surprisingly, Whitebeard didn't react with anger to the betrayal from within his own ranks.]
[Instead, he embraced the offender warmly, enveloping them in his powerful embrace.]
[In that moment, the betrayer felt a pang of remorse.]
[Tears welled in their eyes as they realized the gravity of their actions.]
[What they had done was unforgivable.]
[Though Whitebeard bore a wound from the treachery, it was not severe.]
[His ire wasn't directed solely at his own kin, but at the entirety of the navy...]
[With a mighty swing of his colossal blade, he leaped from the pirate vessel, wordlessly plunging into the fray.]
[The sight of him descending onto the front lines sent shockwaves through Sengoku and the navy forces.]
["The strongest man alive...is about to make his move!!!"]
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