Meanwhile, on the Moby Dick and the high platform, Whitebeard and Ortolan, who were watching the battlefield, suddenly changed their expressions.
"Hoshigaki..."
"Skuard!"
Newgate truly hadn't expected that the chubby Marine Admiral would be so powerful, killing Skuard in a single exchange!
As a result, Skuard became the first Great Pirate to die in this war.
Newgate was surprised because Skuard was really amazing. In the original story, during the Summit War, Newgate had even considered handing over command of the independent captains to Skuard.
Such a skilled fighter was caught off guard and beheaded by Hoshigaki. Newgate was both shocked and furious!
Ortolan was equally furious. While others might not recognize Teach, that cunning old fox, Ortolan certainly wouldn't fail to recognize him.
Although Teach is not well-known within the Whitebeard Pirates and has little fame on the seas, he has followed Whitebeard for so many years, yet the Marines has never even issued him a bounty, which shows how low-key he is.
Although Teach deliberately tried to keep a low profile, his strength was indeed formidable. Before consuming the Dark-Dark Fruit, he was no ordinary opponent.
In the original story, he fought Red-Hair head-on Shanks, despite Shanks's carelessness, still managed to leave that iconic scar on Shanks' face.
It's clear that even before Teach ate the Dark-Dark Fruit, he was definitely a formidable character.
However, he was too low-key, so no one on the sea knew his strength. Hoshigaki was the same; at that moment, he was just regarded as an ordinary combatant of the Whitebeard Pirates who had no reputation.
That's why he was injured by Teach's attack!
Hoshigaki was struck by Teach's blow and sent flying, rolling on the ground more than a dozen times, blood splattering all the way. The laceration on his waist and abdomen was extremely severe, and his intestines were about to flow out of the wound.
He clutched his wound, the cigar in his mouth fell to the ground, cold sweat poured down his forehead, and he was clearly incapacitated.
The Soru Momonga, no longer caring about White Bay, swiftly stepped in front of Hoshigaki, its Gryphon radiating a chilling killing intent.
Teach, who was originally planning to pursue and kill Hoshigaki, became cautious and refrained from acting impulsively after noticing the Momonga's fierce gaze. Instead, he joined forces with White Bay, blocking the Momonga's flanks from both sides.
"I'm sorry, I'm a step too late..." Teach said, a hint of sadness flashing in his eyes.
White Bay's expression was also furious upon hearing this, but she didn't blame Teach. Instead, she comforted him, "It's not your fault. Before this war began, everyone was prepared to die here. It's just that Skuard went first..."
Teach's sadness wasn't feigned; it was genuine.
As a long-time member of Whitebeard's crew, he had known Skuard for a long time. Moreover, the atmosphere in the Whitebeard Pirates was very good. Whether they were officers or ordinary combatants, they all called each other brothers and regarded each other as family.
Before the appearance of the Dark-Dark Fruit, Teach deliberately kept a low profile and didn't show his face, but that didn't mean he had no feelings for the Whitebeard Pirates. In the original story, Teach even once thought that "if I really can't find the Dark-Dark Fruit, it would be nice to live a peaceful life in the Whitebeard Pirates."
From the high platform, Ortolan saw Hoshigaki wounded, with Momonga protecting him while also dealing with Teach and White Bay's situation, and he was also a little anxious.
He knew that, given the need to protect the Hoshigaki, the Momonga had absolutely no chance against Teach and White Bay!
After a moment of contemplation, Ortolan stood up, a flash of electricity crackling in his hair, as if he were about to make a move.
At that very moment, Newgate, who had been steadily aboard the Moby Dick, took a step forward.
For a moment, their eyes turned to each other!
At that moment, although the two were thousands of meters apart, they restrained each other.
Newgate didn't dare to move, and neither did Ortolan!
Ortolan stared intently at Whitebeard, several thoughts flashing through his mind in an instant. After a moment, he spoke, "Hina, open the internal passage!"
Hina, looking equally serious, quickly opened the internal passage and placed the Den Den Mushi next to Ortolan.
While keeping an eye on Whitebeard, Ortolan instructed the Den Den Den Mushi: "Doflamingo, immediately take over the fight between Smoker and Jozu. Smoker, immediately go to Momonga's side and rendezvous with Momonga. While protecting Hoshigaki Kabuto, deal with White Bay and that unknown pirate... Now I'll emphasize again, that guy's name is Teach, Marshall D. Teach. Although he's not famous, his strength in the Whitebeard Pirates is among the best. Don't underestimate him!"
He was genuinely annoyed at this moment; he had completely forgotten to remind everyone about this during the meeting earlier!
On the other end of the Den Den Mushi, Doflamingo and Smoker Square quickly responded.
At this moment, the Marines's combat advantage was once again demonstrated. At the level of high-level combat power, the Marines, along with the Shichibukai, had a greater advantage than the Whitebeard Pirates!
It's important to know that at this point, Issho hadn't truly entered the battlefield yet. Before Whitebeard himself joined the fray and fought Ortolan, Issho had to keep a close eye on Whitebeard, wary of him suddenly unleashing a massive tsunami or something.
Not long after Ortolan gave the order, the situation on the battlefield changed. Doflamingo intervened in the battle between Smoker and Jozu, while Smoker quickly left the area and rushed towards the location of Momonga and Hoshigaki, turning many pirates into dust along the way.
Newgate naturally witnessed this scene as well. He frowned deeply, pondered for a moment, and then said in a deep voice, "Bakin, it's time to prove you right. Let Weevil go to the battlefield. I want that Marine Admiral buried with Skuard!"
Having known Newgate for many years, Bakin Stussy naturally knew that although Newgate did not show any particular anger at this moment, a raging fire was definitely burning in his heart.
Therefore, Bakin didn't dare to delay and immediately ordered Weevil beside her, "Go, hurry up, Weevil, your father is out of breath. Go help those two and kill these Marines!"
Weevil is a simpleton, and his current appearance is exactly the same as the image of the man in Ortolan's memory. There is no transformation of a young man at all. Perhaps his existence is related to cloning technology?
Upon hearing his mother's orders, Weevil, Cloud-Cutting Sword a long sword similar to Newgate's Murakumogiri, angrily shouted, "How dare they provoke Dad! I'll kill them!"
As soon as he finished speaking, this guy, with his two thin legs that were completely disproportionate to his fat upper body, jumped off the Moby Dick and charged wildly towards the location where Teach and White Bay were.
Ortolan's attention was now drawn to that guy. He had been curious all along how Weevil was going to demonstrate his strength.
Now, he has the answer.
If it's not some kind of genetic modification technology, then this guy is undoubtedly a Devil Fruit user, and most likely Paramecia Devil Fruit user with the Impact-Impact Fruit!
At this moment, on the battlefield of Weevil, it can be said that no one can stop him. With a swing of his greatsword, a powerful impact bursts out, blasting away the Marines in front of him!
Seeing this, Ortolan instinctively opened his mouth and commanded, "Moria..."
Before he could even utter his name, he restrained his thoughts. It would be best if Moria stayed in the central war zone, responsible for clearing out some ruthless people of average level who rushed in, and coordinating with the other combat forces to play a supporting role.
It's better not to let him go into the front line of the battle. After all, his strength is indeed a bit awkward. If he goes up there and gets blown up, even if he's knocked unconscious, it will still cause a big fuss.
If he faints, all of Ortolan's businesses around the world, including engineering projects, mines, and farms, will come to a standstill. That loss is no joke!
"I'll go, Admiral!" Yixiao seemed to see through Ortolan's predicament and said in a deep voice.