Of everyone in the Whitebeard Pirates, Marco was probably the most worried.
He could tell Pops's health had deteriorated badly. At any other time, even if Pops had failed to dodge, a coating of Armament Haki would have kept the blade from piercing him. He might not even have been hurt.
No matter how close someone was to him, Pops should have sensed them with Observation Haki. That was the real problem.
Pops's body was growing worse by the day. The wounds he had suffered in battle and the side effects of the Tremor-Tremor Fruit were all catching up with him.
Whitebeard himself kept his eyes fixed on Squard.
"You know what you've done, don't you, Squard? To turn your sword on your own Pops... What a foolish son."
With that, Whitebeard swung one hand toward Squard.
Squard braced for death, but instead found himself against a broad chest stained with blood.
"Even if you're a foolish son, I still love you."
"Don't give me that. You were going to sacrifice our lives—"
Before Squard could finish, Whitebeard cut him off.
"Who was it that led your loyal heart into darkness?"
"Akainu told me that if I killed Whitebeard, the pirate crews under him would be saved."
At the name Akainu, Whitebeard understood. The Marines had certainly prepared this plan well.
"So that's what Akainu told you. I can see just how deeply you hate Roger.
"But Squard, how absurd is it to make a son pay for his father's debts? What has Ace ever done to you? You've shared good times and bad with him. You've fought side by side countless times.
"It doesn't matter whose child Ace is. We met on this vast sea, and that goes for more than just the two of you. Everyone under my