"So, that straw-hat brat is Ace's younger brother?"
With a scrutinizing gaze, Whitebeard looked toward Luffy, who was charging headfirst into the battlefield.
"Yes, Pops. He's Ace's brother. To save Ace, this guy somehow broke into Impel Down. He almost got killed by Magellan's poison."
"Oh? Is that so? Then make sure you protect him. Don't let him die."
"Yes, Pops."
Jinbei, of course, followed Whitebeard's orders unconditionally and dashed toward the battlefield to protect Luffy.
However, not long after Jinbei left, Captain Squard of the Great Whirlpool Spider Pirates suddenly appeared.
"What is it, Squard?"
Whitebeard was a bit surprised by his appearance. According to the plan, he should have been fighting on the frontlines.
"Pops… I have a question. Have you ever truly considered us your sons?"
Squard's question stunned Whitebeard—and even more shocking was what happened next: Squard suddenly thrust a blade toward Whitebeard's chest.
Just as the tip of the blade was about to pierce him, a figure appeared out of nowhere and kicked Squard's weapon away.
The events unfolding on the Moby Dick shocked everyone.
No one had expected one of Whitebeard's own to suddenly attack him. And even more unexpected was the emergence of a powerful individual hiding at Whitebeard's side. The explosive speed displayed just now wasn't something an ordinary person could pull off.
"You bastard! What do you think you're doing?!"
Marco, who had been on the frontlines, returned instantly and kicked Squard hard in the stomach, sending him flying over ten meters.
He then stood protectively by Whitebeard's side, eyes locked warily on the mysterious figure cloaked in a cape.
Not just Marco—Sengoku, Garp, and the three Marine Admirals also turned their eyes toward the mysterious powerhouse, minds racing to guess who it could be.
Especially Akainu—his eyes were full of killing intent. If that person hadn't interfered, Whitebeard might have actually been injured. An opportunity like that wouldn't come a second time.
Sengoku, however, was thinking even deeper. They had made extensive preparations for this war. Tens of thousands of agents had been deployed, and the CP organizations had cooperated in identifying and tracking all potentially involved individuals.
And yet, despite all their efforts, an unknown enemy had still slipped through the cracks. That made him extremely uneasy—who knew how many more wild cards might still be hiding?
"Don't worry—he's not the enemy."
"You, go back."
The first line was for Marco; the second was addressed to the cloaked man beside him.
After hearing Whitebeard's words, the cloaked man hesitated for a moment, then reluctantly turned and disappeared back into the ship.
Watching the figure retreat, Marco suddenly had a feeling the man looked familiar—as if he had seen him somewhere before.
But there was no time to dwell on it. If the man didn't want to reveal himself, he must have his reasons. And more importantly, the situation at hand required his focus.
"Squard! Do you have any idea what you're doing?! You dared raise a blade against Pops—do you have a death wish?!"
Marco grew increasingly furious, raising his fist for another blow.
"Marco!"
Whitebeard called out, stopping him mid-swing.
Marco's fist froze in the air. No matter how angry he was, his loyalty to Whitebeard was absolute. If Whitebeard ordered him to stop, he would.
"Damn it!"
Marco punched the air furiously, then backed off to stand guard by Whitebeard. Though he couldn't strike, the chill in his gaze toward Squard was unmistakable.
"Squard… when did I ever treat you as anything less than my son?"
Whitebeard truly didn't understand. Squard had always been obedient—what had driven him to do something like this? Clearly, something must have happened behind the scenes.
"Why?! You still dare deny it? If it weren't for Akainu telling me, I'd still be in the dark! You made a deal with the Marines—sacrificing us so they'd let Ace go!"
Whitebeard fell silent—not because the accusation was true, but because he couldn't believe one of his sons could be this foolish.
Under Squard's despairing gaze, Whitebeard gently reached out and pulled him into an embrace—not with force, just a light, fatherly hug.
Feeling the warmth of Whitebeard's body, Squard froze, his whole frame stiffening in confusion.
"You idiot. If you really believe that, there's nothing I can do. Everyone makes their own choices—even I can't control that. But anyone who dares sow discord among my sons… had better be ready to face my wrath."
With that, Whitebeard released him and leaped down from the Moby Dick.
Because of Akainu's manipulation, Whitebeard could no longer remain a bystander. This moment marked his official entry into the war.
"AAARGHHH!!"
At that moment, Squard finally came to his senses. No matter how foolish he was, he now understood: Whitebeard had said nothing, but his actions made everything clear. He had been deceived—by that damned Akainu!
"I'm sorry, Pops! I'm so sorry!!"
In a frenzy, Squard charged into the battlefield.
He hated Akainu—but he hated himself even more. Hated himself for believing that bastard's lies. Hated himself for pointing a blade at Whitebeard.
He poured all of his fury into fighting the Marines. His sword slashed wildly, ignoring danger, focused only on cutting down his enemies.
With Whitebeard's entry, the battlefield dynamic shifted.
Countless Marines surged toward Whitebeard like a tidal wave, launching attacks regardless of the cost. Even the three Admirals were drawn to him.
But the captains of the Whitebeard Pirates weren't weaklings.
Admiral Kizaru was once again intercepted by Marco, the First Division Commander.
Admiral Aokiji was blocked by Jozu, the Third Division Commander.
Only Admiral Akainu managed to break through and face Whitebeard directly.
No words were exchanged. The moment they met, both launched full-force attacks.
Each of Akainu's strikes carried the explosive force of a volcanic eruption—but before Whitebeard, it meant nothing.
With a Devil Fruit capable of destroying the world, Whitebeard generated shockwaves so powerful that no magma could get within ten meters of him.
Such overwhelming might left even Akainu feeling strained. There was no denying it: Whitebeard had truly earned his title as the world's strongest man.
Thanks to Whitebeard's intervention, the pressure on Luffy and his allies lessened considerably. Seizing the moment, and with cover from the other division commanders, Luffy quickly closed the distance between himself and the execution platform.