The Tide Turns Against Them

It was obvious that Sengoku had noticed Squard's movements as well. He unconsciously clenched his fists. Even if Ace escaped this time, eliminating Whitebeard would still count as a victory for the Marines.

"Old man..." Squard lowered his head and slowly approached Whitebeard.

"What is it, Squard?" Whitebeard seemed completely unaware of what was about to happen.

Squard had gotten close enough to Whitebeard. He suddenly raised his head and lunged at him, the dagger in his hand aimed at Whitebeard. "Why? Why didn't you tell me that Ace is Roger's son?!" Enraged, Squard no longer cared about the gap in strength between himself and Whitebeard, nor did he care that the man before him was the old man he had respected so deeply. Anger had completely clouded Squard's mind.

"Negative Hollow!" A clear voice rang out, and a ghost instantly passed through Squard's body.

"I'm sorry. I'm guilty. Trash like me would be better off not existing in this world, wouldn't it?" Squard dropped to one knee, looking utterly despondent.

"B-big guy, Perona saved your life!" Perona floated in spirit form at the same height as Whitebeard, but Whitebeard seemed to ignore her completely.

"Squard, do you think I had you all come here to save Ace because he's Roger's son?" Whitebeard's tone was somewhat helpless, without a trace of sorrow. He seemed like a father looking at a son throwing a tantrum. "You foolish sons. I came to save him only because he is my son. And didn't you come to save him because he is your brother?" Whitebeard looked toward Sengoku. "Sengoku, Sengoku, you played this hand beautifully." Whitebeard stepped off the ship and onto land. "But now you've completely pissed me off!" He casually seized a Pacifista and split it in two with a single slash.