Just when Shiro was planning to abolish the pirate Squard, the wretched Admiral Borsalino suddenly appeared to cause trouble, directly engaging with Shiro. He forcibly moved the battlefield into the air, clearly intending to compete in speed.
It just so happened that Shiro also wanted to test his speed limit, so he didn't avoid the battle. As for Whitebeard and Squard on the Moby Dick, it was up to them to choose their course of action.
Besides, Shiro really couldn't understand why Borsalino, known for his laid-back attitude, always seemed a bit serious every time they crossed paths. Could it be that Borsalino's level of seriousness depends on his opponent's background? What a double standard!
"Yo, Shiro, how did you recover? You're stronger than before. Did you eat a Devil Fruit related to lightning element?" Admiral Borsalino used his flash-like speed, weaving through the space around Shiro.
Shiro didn't back down either. Even when lightning flashed around him, Borsalino couldn't completely outpace him, which surprised the most famous speedster in the Marine. After all, not long ago, Shiro was someone he, Aokiji, and Zephyr had hunted down! Back then, Shiro was hit squarely by his attack. Could it be that the attack was a blessing in disguise? Truly terrifying!
"Borsalino, stop talking nonsense. I haven't forgotten my original grudge!" Shiro sneered, remembering how he needed to return the favor that Borsalino had given him. But now was not the time. Although his mastery over the thunder element had advanced significantly, making his speed terrifying, it was still slightly inferior to Borsalino's light-based abilities.
Moreover, Shiro hadn't yet fully mastered the other abilities necessary to defeat an Admiral. And since Borsalino was clearly just toying around, Shiro didn't press the battle, instead keeping an eye on the situation on the Moby Dick below.
...
At this time, explosions echoed continuously on the battlefield. As the war raged on, the blood of countless pirates and Navy soldiers dyed the icy battlefield red, showing the true horror of the conflict. The battle had reached a point where both the Navy and the Whitebeard Fleet were suffering from low morale.
Amidst this chaos, Whitebeard Edward Newgate and Squard on the Moby Dick finally began to talk.
"Dad!" Squard was fully awake now. Shiro had knocked him out with a scabbard earlier, leaving him dizzy, but now that he had regained consciousness, the resentment in his heart only deepened. What was Shiro, anyway? And why had Dad agreed to give him half of the territory? Didn't the Whitebeard Pirates have their own share?
It seemed that what Admiral Akainu said... was true!
"Squard, are you all right?" Whitebeard turned to one of his 'sons', a hint of confusion in his weathered eyes. Shiro had warned him that Squard had colluded with Akainu and betrayed him, even planning to attack him. But that was impossible! He didn't believe it! No one in the Whitebeard Pirates, aside from Teach, would ever betray him, right?
"Well, I'm still alive." Squard's tone was dark. "I didn't see you earlier. How's the situation up front?"
Though Whitebeard didn't believe it, Shiro's warning had left him somewhat cautious. Squard's tone was clearly off.
"After some fighting, our pirate group has suffered heavy losses. We've lost many brothers!" Squard continued gloomily, his expression unnatural. "Sengoku the Buddha will not show mercy. He will deploy all the combat power he can muster against us, but with Shiro's help, we have relieved a lot of pressure."
"Does Dad know much about naval tactics?" Whitebeard's gaze shifted to the execution platform, where Fire Fist Ace was held. His eyes flickered with emotion.
"Sengoku, Garp, Roger, we're all old acquaintances. The Navy's attempt to encircle us is exactly what I want. I'm going to attack, and Shiro will help us. Let's save Ace!"
"Yeah, save Fire Fist Ace in one fell swoop. There are 43 New World Pirates under the Whitebeard Pirates. Each of us owes our lives to Dad. For the Whitebeard Pirates, even if we die in battle, it should be right!"
At this point, Squard's tone became even stranger as he drew the sword from his waist. Whitebeard glanced at Squard. He couldn't deny the truth in Shiro's warning. But... there must be many others thinking the same now. To save Ace, he had to risk so many lives. Some might even think he was colluding with Sengoku to take them all down, right?
A trace of sadness flashed in Whitebeard's eyes. "Squard, I'm sorry, but this is..."
"I understand this is a battle for the family. Pirate Whitebeard will never abandon his family. That's why we all came to this hellish battlefield with you! Am I right, Dad?"
"Just so. You are all my family!" The strongest man in the world smiled and deliberately staggered his position from Squard. If his 'sons' had doubts, he would prove his loyalty with action once more! He was Whitebeard!
Meanwhile, watching the situation unfold on the Moby Dick, Shiro smiled helplessly. As expected, the old man with the white beard was truly stubborn, but... also worthy of respect.
"Oh~ I can't stop it. I'm about to be attacked by terrifying Whitebeard!" Borsalino, who was fighting fiercely with Shiro, joked.
"Hahaha, how do you know I can't stop it, Borsalino?" Shiro smiled coldly, causing Admiral Borsalino's wretched smile to freeze.
At that moment, on the Moby Dick, Squard rushed at Whitebeard with his sword! Marco and a few other strong men from Whitebeard's crew noticed right away, but they were too far to intervene in time, so they could only shout warnings in desperation. Yet, Whitebeard remained unmoved.
"Dad, I'm sorry!" Squard's face was filled with anger. He had been blinded by Akainu's words, his heart full of resentment. No one could stop him now. Even if Shiro knew he had betrayed them, could he still stop him?
Swoosh— Hum—
Just as Squard stabbed at Whitebeard's back with his sword, a green seed that had been lying in wait at Squard's feet suddenly sprouted. In an instant, it grew into a towering tree, rivaling the size of the Navy Headquarters building! The World Tree, infused with magic, wind, thunder, and fire, had arrived! The giant tree shocked everyone present!
Thanks to Shiro's careful planning, Squard's sneak attack was thwarted on the spot. The World Tree's massive branches lifted Whitebeard into the sky, placing him just a stone's throw from the execution platform!
"Uncle Whitebeard, let's go! I, Shiro, will cover you!"
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