Doflamingo, feeling utterly stifled, reluctantly gave out his transponder snail number.
After the two had settled their agreement, Doflamingo released his ability. Orochimaru, on the other hand, stared at the gradually disappearing bed with a look of reluctance, secretly regretting that he hadn't enjoyed it enough.
When the two reappeared, what greeted their eyes was Roger, impaled by Great Vortex Spider Squard—yes, it was Roger.
Originally, Akainu had successfully turned Squard, but who would have thought that Roger had actually been resurrected?
In Squard's heart, he only hated Roger, but Roger was dead, so when Akainu tried to turn him, his first reaction was to believe him.
He truly believed that Old Man was going to sacrifice them to pave the way for Ace.
But with Roger's resurrection, Squard's reason also returned.
Roger is alive, so what's the point of cultivating the next Pirate King? And what about sacrificing them? As long as Roger stands there, he's a natural focal point! His hate value is maxed out; who would even notice nobodies like them?
Who is Ace? He is his most cherished beloved family and friends! Who doesn't have a trash biological father?
Whitebeard is his beloved Old Man!
As for Roger, hmph, a doll! This is his retribution!
Although reason had returned, revenge still had to be taken!
A stab to vent his anger, but now is a crucial battle, he can't cause trouble for Old Man.
And so, Orochimaru witnessed that scene. As for why Squard was able to stab Roger,
It's because an Edo Tensei body has no pain, and he didn't recognize Squard. After all, he had been dead for 20 years, and 20 years ago he couldn't remember such a person, let alone after being dead for so long.
As for Observation Haki? Unnecessary... He's already dead anyway; he's just here to make up the numbers. In that dead kid's words, he just needs to stand there and attract aggro.
And he himself only cared about Garp and Sengoku.
As for sensing malice? The entire field is full of malice towards him, isn't it?
Roger, complaining inwardly, looked down at the long blade piercing through his chest.
"Hey... whoever you are, although I don't know what grudge we have, have you stabbed enough? This body of mine, if nothing goes wrong, should be more expensive than you."
Orochimaru finally reacted when he heard this! He said he always felt something was off!
The cost, the cost! Although living people cannot be reused, they are zero cost!
However, never mind... After all, he's Ace's father, so give him some face.
After stabbing Roger, Squard's heart was surprisingly at peace. Looking back, the years spent with the Whitebeard Pirates were the happiest time of his life.
He knew very well in his heart that from the day he embarked on the path of becoming a Pirate, he had already prepared himself to die at any moment. Losing to Roger was simply a matter of his own skill being inferior.
It's just that Roger left too early; he didn't even have time to do anything for his fallen Companions.
Fortunately, he hadn't yet caused irreparable harm to Whitebeard Old Man. He couldn't imagine the endless regret he would fall into if he had truly harmed Old Man.
Squard slowly pulled out the blade, then threw it to the ground with a clang, knelt, covered his face with his hands, and tears streamed down his cheeks like a broken dam.
He told Whitebeard and the others about Akainu's conspiracy, but the regret in his heart still surged like a tide. After all, he had truly harbored the thought of assassinating Whitebeard at the time.
"Just a little... just a little more... if Roger hadn't been resurrected... I really would have hurt Old Man," he said, sobbing.
Whitebeard walked over and gently patted Squard's shoulder.
"You truly are a Foolish son... I overlooked your feelings. No matter whose son Ace is, we met on this vast ocean.
You and Ace are both my sons, Squard. It's not just Ace who is special; all of you are my family."
Squard was so moved that he cried profusely.
Whitebeard looked at Squard with affection; he was his son too.
"Squard, the past is past. Roger has become an inflatable doll.
See? Isn't he a great tool for venting? Even if he dies again later, it doesn't change the fact that he's a doll.
If you like, after the war, Old Man will custom-make you a similar one, but you'll have to pay for it yourself (^_^).
You can stab him as much as you want."
Perhaps the emotions long suppressed in his heart were finally released, or perhaps he was too relaxed, he suddenly wanted to be playful.
"Never mind, Old Man, I'm not interested in a nose-hair doll like Roger. But Old Man, you can't lie.
Orochimaru is special to you, isn't he? But he doesn't seem to want to acknowledge you as his Old Man."
Whitebeard paused, then, indignant and embarrassed, slapped Squard hard, sending him flying into the ice.
"So annoying! How old are you, still getting jealous of a child! Get out of my sight!"
!!!!! =͟͟͞͞(๑ò◊óﾉ)ﾉ The more than forty Captains of the Whitebeard Pirates watched Squard get slapped into the ice, and immediately erupted into an uproar.
"Squard!!! Old Man! You still say you're not playing favorites!" They cried out in wronged shouts, raising their swords in dissatisfied protest.
Akainu's scheme was exposed, and he clenched his fist in anger, his heart filled with rage. It was Orochimaru again! Every time he came to ruin his good deeds. This time, he could have dealt a heavy blow to the Whitebeard Pirates, but it was ruined again.
But it doesn't matter, he thought, that Whitebeard Old Man's body was already broken and he didn't have many days left to live. However, he didn't know that Whitebeard's body had almost fully recovered with Orochimaru's help. Whitebeard wasn't making a move simply because he was worried that large-scale attacks would accidentally harm his sons.
On the other side, Crocodile was still looking for an opportunity to strike at Whitebeard, but every time he made a move, he would feel Orochimaru's sharp gaze, like a sharp blade at his throat, leaving him unable to move.
Orochimaru even specifically came over to warn him: "If you want to kill him, kill him later. I went through a lot of trouble to heal him. Oh... no, actually, even if I let you kill him, you wouldn't be able to, so don't waste time playing at assassination." Crocodile was practically fuming.
Seriously! Did he owe him something?! He only ever threatened him!! That damn snake!! Ah ah ah ah ah ah,
One day! He would do that snake 100 times!! Make that broken mouth of his never speak again!
Crocodile furiously attacked the Marine on the opposite side, venting his stifled emotions.
Doflamingo watched Crocodile, who had fallen into a state of frenzied attack, with confusion.
Why did Sand Crocodile look so familiar in this state?
And when did he get mixed up with the Whitebeard Pirates? Wasn't he the one who hated Whitebeard the most?
He had rejected his previous suggestion to deal with Whitebeard together. There must be something fishy going on here.
If Orochimaru had heard that, he would definitely nod in agreement. Yes, I am the "fishy business."
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