Whitebeard--
In his first clash with Maud, he had not only failed to gain the upper hand, but had also been slashed several times by Maud.
It was an unbelievable sight, yet it had truly happened.
"Dad!!!"
"How is this possible..."
On the plaza, the pirates closest to Whitebeard could barely hide their shock. They simply couldn't believe their eyes.
Before this, they had already witnessed Maud's strength firsthand.
Even so, they hadn't believed Maud could injure Dad in their first exchange.
"Dad's body really is..."
The image of Dad vomiting a large mouthful of blood after shattering the island flashed through their minds.
Plagued by illness and constantly using the Tremor-Tremor Fruit's power, he had placed a severe burden on his body.
That was probably the only explanation for what had just happened.
Otherwise, they absolutely couldn't accept the reality that Dad had been injured by Maud in their first exchange.
"We have to go back and help Dad!"
Because Whitebeard had been injured, the pirates who had already charged toward the Marines' defensive line began to hesitate.
They realized that Dad's physical condition was extremely poor, and naturally didn't want to see him surrounded and attacked by Akainu and Maud.
Jingudo, commander of the 11th Division, who had previously called out for them to follow Dad's orders, was also somewhat hesitant at this moment.
Their group was closest to Dad, so they could rush to his aid immediately.
But Dad had also issued a strict order for them to break through the defensive line the Marines had established.
Just as they found themselves caught between advancing and retreating, the situation on the battlefield changed again.
"A slash that can avoid weapons... The Shadow-Shadow Fruit has become quite a troublesome ability in your hands."
Whitebeard stared expressionlessly at Maud,