Little Oz Jr., facing ten giants at once, successfully held them back. His massive frame also served as the perfect shield, absorbing most of the Navy's cannon fire and opening a relatively safe passage for the endless stream of pirates pouring in behind him.
Then, he stopped.
He simply stood there, taking the barrage of cannon blasts head-on, no longer charging like a wild beast toward the execution platform.
On the Moby Dick's bow, Whitebeard gripped his Murakumo Giri, a trace of confusion in his eyes.
"Gurararara… something's off."
His deep voice rumbled.
"Why isn't Oz charging anymore? With that kid's temper, he should've gone completely berserk by now, pushing through everything to reach Ace."
"Before the battle started, I couldn't talk him down no matter what."
'So what changed?'
"Gurararara… did he suddenly turn over a new leaf?"
Standing beside him, Lucian Thorn calmly swept his gaze over the battlefield, as if everything was already within his grasp.
'That was me.'
Whitebeard turned to look at him, his towering presence radiating immense pressure.
"Oh?"
Lucian's eyes never left the battlefield. His tone was indifferent, as if discussing something utterly mundane.
"I had a chat with him beforehand."
"I just asked him one question."
'If you charge in and die, but Ace is saved, do you really think Ace would be happy?'
Whitebeard's gaze shifted slightly.
Lucian continued, "He wouldn't be happy. He'd spend the rest of his life buried in guilt, blaming himself for a life he could never repay."
"I used that to convince him."
"Originally, I wanted him not to come at all—but thinking about it, the guy's built like a fortress. He can't stop a real powerhouse, but soaking up some cannon fire? He's perfect for that."
Gurarararara!
Whitebeard laughed heartily, the sound shaking the ship beneath their feet.
"Well done, Lucian!"
His laughter echoed across the roaring battlefield.
But just as the two conversed, a figure silently appeared behind them.
Lucian caught the movement from the corner of his eye.
"They're here."
'It was bound to happen eventually.'
At that moment, a figure emerged from the stairwell at the front deck.
It was "Maelstrom Spider" Squard.
Whitebeard noticed the presence behind him as well. Turning around and seeing who it was, he greeted the man with a warm smile.
"Squard? What brings you here? Shouldn't your battlefield be at the front?"
Squard lowered his head, unable to meet Whitebeard's gaze.
"Old man…"
His voice was dry and cracked.
"I have something… I want to ask you."
"Oh?" Whitebeard looked at him with mild curiosity. "What is it, my son? Speak freely."
Squard, head still bowed, walked slowly—step by step—until he was directly behind Whitebeard.
Each step felt like walking on blades.
That broad, dependable back—always sheltering his sons—now stood exposed and defenseless before him.
Whitebeard made no move to defend himself.
That was the absolute trust only family could share.
Then Squard's hand silently moved to the hilt at his waist.
His body trembled slightly.
He raised his head, eyes flashing with despair, pain, fury, and a hint of madness born from betrayal.
But Akainu's words echoed in his ears like a curse.
"Whitebeard already made a deal with Sengoku!"
"He sold out all you New World captains!"
"Only he, his main crew, and Ace get to live!"
"Your family—your crew—they all died because of Roger!
Ace is Roger's son!
Are you really going to throw your life away for your enemy's child?!"
The fire of hatred drowned out everything else.
Squard's eyes went wild with rage and desperation.
'Screw this so-called family!'
'It was all a lie!'
Sching—!
A sharp metallic whisper.
The longsword he had carried for years was drawn in one swift motion.
Its blade gleamed with cold killing intent—aimed directly at Whitebeard's exposed back.
'Die—Whitebeard!'
The tip of the blade came within a fraction of piercing that broad, defenseless back.
And then—
A shadow moved.
Fast as a bolt of black lightning!
CLANG!!!
A deafening metallic crash rang out!
Squard felt a massive, irresistible force slam into his blade!
His sword was ripped from his grasp, spinning through the air before clattering into the deck far away.
He looked up in shock.
Lucian Thorn was standing before him. No one even noticed when he moved.
His usually calm face was now masked in ice.
"Squard... are you trying to die?"
Before Squard could respond—
Lucian's body surged forward, delivering a brutal reverse elbow strike!
WHAM!
The blow landed squarely on Squard's jaw with thunderous force.
His vision went black as he stumbled backward.
But Lucian gave him no time to fall.
He grabbed Squard's collar and slammed him down onto the deck with immense force!
CRACK!
The deck groaned beneath the impact, splitting slightly under the weight.
It all happened in one smooth, seamless motion.
From disarming him to knocking him down and pinning him—it took less than three seconds.
Only when Squard's sword clattered loudly on the deck did the others finally notice.
Silence fell over the battlefield.
The thunder of cannons, the roars of pirates, the shouts of Marines—all faded in an instant.
Everyone who saw it froze in place.
Across the battlefield, pirates in mid-combat paused and turned to look toward the Moby Dick.
'That… that was Captain Squard?'
'Did he just draw his sword on Pops?'
'What was he trying to do?'
'Did Captain Lucian… stop him?'
'What the hell is going on?!'
Up in the sky, Marco was still locked in combat with Kizaru. His usual laid-back smile vanished as he saw the scene below—his eyes wide with shock.
Jozu halted mid-charge, his diamondized body frozen in place like a sculpture.
Vista, Izo, Blamenco…
All the commanders—all the sons—were stunned.
Their minds went blank, unable to process what had just happened.
'Squard… pulled a blade on Pops?'
'He tried to stab Pops in the back?'
It was a nightmare worse than defeat.
Whitebeard slowly—very slowly—turned around.
The smile was gone from his face.
He stared at Squard, pinned to the deck by Lucian, blood trailing from his mouth, yet his eyes still burned with hatred and madness.
There was no anger in Whitebeard's eyes.
Only a deep, oceanic sorrow.
And disbelief.
"Squard…"
His voice was hoarse and low, each word squeezed from the depths of his chest.
"Give me one reason."
"Why would you betray me?"