The air on the Moby Dick's deck seemed to freeze.
Standing beside Whitebeard, Marco's pupils contracted sharply. His throat tightened, and his voice barely squeezed through his teeth. "Oden... lost?"
The "Ice Witch," Whitey Bay, stood by the rail, her fingertips digging deep into the wood.
Her gaze was locked on the figure pinned in an X by two swords on the distant deserted island. She gasped as though someone had seized her by the throat.
"You've got to be kidding..." Her voice trembled as images flashed through her mind of Oden laughing wildly as he fought Whitebeard in Wano Country.
"That monster of a samurai... how could he..."
Jozu's expression was terrifyingly grim. He slammed a fist into the rail, shattering the thick planks. "That Marine!"
Vista's hands were already on his swords. His usually smiling eyes were now cold as ice. "Pops, we..."
On the deserted island, Gern stood with his foot on Oden's face. Rain dripped from his hair, mingling with blood as it seeped into the soil.
He met Whitebeard's gaze without flinching. Dark purple arcs of Conqueror's Haki had yet to fully fade from the edge of the Black Blade: Eight Desolations.
"Whitebeard." His voice was hoarse but icy. "You want to take him back? Fine."
Gern slowly lifted his foot, only to stamp down the next instant-bang! The stomp drove Oden's head into the scorched earth, sending mud splashing.
Everyone aboard the Moby Dick stopped breathing.
"Pops, give the order!"
"Pops!!" Thatch stared at the foot planted on Oden's face and drew his long sword with a sharp scrape.
"That bastard... he's provoking every one of us!"
"Quiet!!!" Whitebeard silenced his sons with a roar.
All the while, he watched Gern quietly, paying particular attention to his practically ruined right shoulder.
The sea wind