Paramount War Fifteen

"It... it was Akainu. He said that if I assassinated you, he would spare the pirate crews under our command."

Squard answered after a heavy pause.

Even he could no longer say what he was thinking. His mind was a complete mess. One moment, he saw himself fighting side by side with Ace; the next, he saw his former companions being killed by Roger.

But that conflict was an internal matter of the Whitebeard Pirates and had nothing whatsoever to do with the Marines. As for Akainu, who had led him to raise his hand against Whitebeard, he had no intention of concealing anything for him.

"Akainu, huh."

Whitebeard muttered calmly. He rose to his feet, and when his eyes opened again, boundless might poured from him.

"Squard, my son!"

"Since you cannot yet let go of the hatred in your heart, wait here for now."

"Once I rescue Ace, we will discuss matters within our family!"

"Now, let me see whether that brat Akainu, who claimed I abandoned my own son, has the right to say such words!"

He took two steps forward, freely unleashing his boundless Haki across the entire battlefield.

The naginata in his hand struck the deck, and wave after wave of visible white air blasts spread in every direction.

Before the eyes of the entire world, Whitebeard turned slightly and glanced at the two Cipher Pol agents whom he had sent flying with a punch earlier and who had now transformed into animal forms. He then instructed the grim-faced Marco beside him, "Marco, protect my benefactor."

His tone was resolute, but before Marco could respond, Ryan spoke first. "I appreciate the thought, but my other subordinates have already arrived. Leave these two to them."

Whitebeard was slightly surprised, but seeing Ryan's calm expression, he said