In the tense atmosphere, an indescribable mood was spreading.
Some pirates began to grow suspicious, unwilling to trust their supposed brothers from other fleets. Simultaneously, a wave of anger surged within the Whitebeard Pirates.
On the other side, the navy, which should have seized the opportunity to annihilate the pirates, instead began retreating toward the Marine Headquarters. Under the leadership of officers, they disappeared into the base beneath the headquarters.
On the Moby Dick, Marco clenched his fists in frustration, gritting his teeth. Following Whitebeard's orders, he stayed put.
Holding Cong Yunqie, Whitebeard approached Skuyard. He casually stabbed the weapon into the deck beside him and extended his hands toward Skuyard.
Bang!
The awaiting-death Skuyard was suddenly pulled into Whitebeard's embrace. Despite the mortal wound inflicted by this man, Whitebeard opened his heart to him without hesitation.
"Skuyard, you fool!"
Whitebeard's booming voice jolted Skuyard from his stupor. Staring at him, Whitebeard declared, "Ace is my son. Even if it costs me my life, I will save him!"
"But you are also my son! If this were about you, I would lay down my life without hesitation to save you!"
"How could I, Whitebeard, abandon my children or let one die to save another?"
"You are all my family!"
With a thunderous roar, Whitebeard released one hand, gripping Cong Yunqie tightly. A radiant white glow emanated from the blade.
"Ha!"
The immense white glow shot from the blade, completely breaking through the pirates' escape route.
Casually setting Cong Yunqie aside, Whitebeard ignored his bleeding wound and embraced Skuyard tightly.
"I had hoped that after becoming brothers with Ace, you would let go of past grievances."
"It's my fault as your father for not properly addressing this, for letting a rift form between you and your brothers. I've failed as a father."
Looking at the tearful Skuyard, Whitebeard solemnly said, "This is on me. I have not been a good father."
"Father!"
Clinging to Whitebeard, Skuyard wept bitterly. Through blurred vision, he reached for Whitebeard's chest wound inflicted by his own hand.
"Father, I'm sorry. I couldn't let go of the past, even though Ace is such a good guy."
"I was foolish, manipulated by the navy into committing this mistake."
Kneeling, Skuyard repeatedly bowed his head to Whitebeard.
"Father, I've made a grave mistake, one I cannot undo."
He turned to look at Ace, who was watching him intently.
"Since I've hurt Father and created a rift among our brothers who should have been united in saving Ace..."
"Let me pave the way!"
Raising his head, Skuyard shouted, "Brothers! Father did no wrong; the only fool here is me, your unworthy brother!"
"I foolishly believed the words of outsiders, causing immense harm to my family!"
Struggling to his feet, Skuyard gave Whitebeard one last look before turning toward the battlefield.
One by one, his crewmates bowed to Whitebeard before resolutely following their captain into battle.
"Kurararara."
Laughing lightly, Whitebeard watched Skuyard and his crew with a satisfied smile.
"Foolish son, but still my son nonetheless."
Lifting Cong Yunqie, Whitebeard's body swayed briefly before leaping off the ship.
Boom!
Amidst a cloud of dust, Whitebeard landed beside Skuyard.
"Father?!"
Turning to see Whitebeard, Skuyard was stunned.
"Father, let me clear the way! I promise to open the path for everyone!"
Thump.
Placing a hand on Skuyard's shoulder, Whitebeard laughed. "Foolish son! Since when does a father let his son clear the way while he follows behind?"
"It's because of this that I love you all so much."
Taking a large step forward, Whitebeard raised his arm high.
"Follow me if you're ready to lay down your lives!"
Swinging Cong Yunqie, Whitebeard laughed heartily.
"As a father, I must protect my family, my children!"
His muscles bulged as he tightly gripped Cong Yunqie, a concentrated white glow forming on the blade.
Looking ahead at the now-empty battlefield and the platform where Sengoku and others stood, Whitebeard raised Cong Yunqie high.
"Sengoku, I don't know what your plan is..."
"But give me Ace back!"
"Grandpa Whitebeard!"
Just as Whitebeard was about to unleash his power, Klee's tiny figure appeared in front of him.
"Hmm?!"
The overwhelming force was abruptly halted. Blood trickled from his chest as Whitebeard smiled at the approaching Klee.
Putting on a stern expression, he gently pulled Klee behind him.
"Klee, do you realize how dangerous that was? If I hadn't controlled my power, something terrible could have happened!"
"This is a battlefield, not a place for someone like you."
"But Klee was worried about Grandpa Whitebeard."
Tilting her head, Klee's big eyes were full of concern.
Raising her tiny hand, Klee floated in golden light, carefully pressing it against Whitebeard's bleeding wound. She glanced back angrily at the others watching her.
"Uncles, you're all big dummies for letting Grandpa Whitebeard go somewhere so dangerous!"
"And you've been so bad! Hmph!"
Turning her head, Klee shook her little fist and said loudly, "Klee is very angry. You're all bad kids and should be locked up by Captain Jean to write reflection essays!"
The Whitebeard Pirates' captains exchanged helpless smiles. Though unfamiliar with this new granddaughter their father had recently adopted, they recognized her as family. As such, they accepted her as their little niece.
Hearing Klee's innocent words, they struggled to find a response. Could they tell her that many of them became pirates because they had no other choice?
For those who had come this far, there was no turning back.
"Kurararara, little Klee, don't be angry."
Patting Klee, who sat on his shoulder, Whitebeard smiled. "They're only acting this way because of me. After we save Ace, would you like to come home with Grandpa?"
"Grandpa will make these foolish sons admit their mistakes and write reflection essays."
"Really?"
Klee's big eyes sparkled as she asked seriously, "Grandpa Whitebeard, will you really make them apologize and stop being bad?"
"Yes."
Nodding with a smile, Whitebeard looked up at Hiroshi and his companions watching from the platform.
"With such strong allies, the navy is bound to make a big move next."
"I'm old and can't protect my children much longer."
"So I must use the time I have left to plan for their future, to ensure they survive the coming changes, not perish under the navy's purge."
"It's okay, Grandpa Whitebeard."
Happily patting her chest, Klee waved to Hiroshi above.
"That's my family, Brother Hiroshi, and the others are Klee's good friends."
"If the uncles apologize properly, Klee will make everyone forgive them."
"Oh, and..."
Sticking out her tongue, Klee quickly rummaged through her little backpack. After a moment, she pulled out a small package emitting a blue glow.
"Grandpa Whitebeard, this is for you."
Handing over the glowing jerky, Klee beamed. "This will make Grandpa Whitebeard super strong!"
"Grandpa Whitebeard, eat it quickly!"