Aboard the ship, Ace saw what happened and let out a heart-wrenching howl. He broke free of Marco's grip and lunged toward the plaza, only to be blocked by a sudden surge of Marines. He swung his fists wildly, knocking down one Marine after another, his eyes bloodshot.
"Get out of my way, you dogs! I'm going to save Pops!"
Marco hurried after him and grabbed him again.
"Ace, don't do this. Pops is already... already gone."
"No, he isn't! He won't die! He's the strongest man in the world! He won't die!"
Yet Ace's tears kept falling like beads from a broken string.
Jozu sprang to his feet, his diamond armor gleaming once more, and charged at the Marines.
"I'll avenge Pops! Mu Chen, I'll kill you!"
"Jozu, don't be rash!"
Vista and the others hurried after him, clashing with the Marines.
The members of the Whitebeard Pirates attacked the Marines like madmen, their eyes filled with grief and rage.
In the plaza, Mu Chen looked at Whitebeard's corpse and fell silent for a moment before looking at Whitebeard again.
This lot really was a headache. Marco couldn't possibly hold them back alone. Fortunately, Mu Chen still had another card to play. After all, Shanks had yet to appear.
Not far away, Kaido was retreating when he saw what happened and abruptly stopped.
His hand trembled slightly around his spiked club. Disbelief flashed through his blood-red eyes, then gave way to respect.
"You old bastard, you really died. You win. You've got more guts than me!"
He turned and roared at the Beasts Pirates.
"Retreat!"
There was a barely perceptible rasp in his voice.
Charlotte Linlin stood on Zeus, hovering in midair. At the sight of Whitebeard's corpse, she suddenly fell silent.
She violently thrust Napoleon into the clouds