Chapter 175 – A Good Show
"Don't worry, Squard." Ace looked at him with a sinister smile. "If I want that bastard Teach to show himself, I'll need your cooperation."
"Me?" Squard froze, then quickly patted his chest. "Brother Ace, just tell me what you need."
"I want you to pretend that Akainu successfully instigated you… and then stab Father in the chest." Ace's voice was low, his eyes sharp.
"What?!" Squard's face went pale. He immediately waved his hands. "Impossible! How could I ever swing a blade at Pops? Absolutely not! I can't do such a thing!"
"Relax," Ace said, putting an arm around his shoulder and whispering in his ear. "I'm not asking you to really hurt him. It's just acting. I've got a comrade whose Devil Fruit ability can make your blade look like it pierced Pops' chest—without actually harming him."
Ace's eyes narrowed. "That coward Teach is definitely watching this war from the shadows. But he won't dare show his face as long as Pops is unscathed. We need to make him believe Pops is gravely injured. Only then will that bastard crawl out."
"Hahh…" Squard let out a long breath of relief. "So it's just acting. I thought you really wanted me to stab Dad. You nearly scared me to death."
Ace grinned slyly. "Come on, Squard—don't tell me you're not even a little excited. When else will you ever have the chance to stab the 'Strongest Man in the World'?"
"Hoho…" Squard chuckled awkwardly, then suddenly froze as he felt a chilling pressure from behind him. Goosebumps ran down his spine.
Turning stiffly, he quickly said with righteous conviction, "Brother Ace, what nonsense are you spouting? I would never feel excitement over stabbing Pops! If it weren't for the purpose of luring out that bastard Teach, I'd never even dream of raising a blade against the man I respect most in my life!"
The suffocating gaze behind him softened noticeably.
Ace blinked, stunned by Squard's flawless performance, then gave him a discreet thumbs-up. Brother, you've got talent. A bright future awaits.
Squard winked back smugly. Little brother, if you think you can outplay me, you've got a long way to go.
"Enough fooling around." Whitebeard's deep voice cut through the air. He fixed both men with a stern gaze. "Hurry it up. I can't wait to use that bastard Teach's blood to honor Thatch's soul."
"Yes, Pops!" Ace's smile faded, his expression turning serious. He leaned closer. "When the time comes, I'll have Law activate his power. Just follow my eyes and act accordingly."
Whitebeard gave a firm nod. Squard bowed his head. "Pops… though it's only an act, forgive the disrespect I'm about to commit."
"Bah, stop fussing. Just do it," Whitebeard said gruffly.
"Hahaha! Look at him, he's shaking already." From the side, Jewelry Bonney, who had been drinking and eating without restraint, burst out laughing.
"Shut your mouth, woman, and keep eating!" Squard barked angrily.
"Alright, let's begin!" Ace called. He stepped back into the cabin and whispered seriously, "Pops, Squard—get ready."
"Bring it on!" the two replied in unison.
"Law, now!" Ace ordered.
"ROOM!"
From inside the cabin, Trafalgar Law's voice rang out as his Ope Ope no Mi power expanded, covering Whitebeard and Squard in an invisible sphere.
"Do it, Squard!" Ace's low voice urged.
"Pops… forgive me!" Squard whispered, then drew his blade in a flash and thrust it straight into Whitebeard's chest.
"UNCLE!!" Ace roared with feigned fury, his voice echoing across the battlefield.
The shocking scene was instantly visible to everyone present.
"Pops!!" Tens of thousands of Whitebeard Pirates cried out in horror, their voices trembling.
"He was actually stabbed… Whitebeard himself!" At the ruins of the execution platform, Sengoku's face twisted in surprise. Although the plot had been orchestrated between him and Akainu, he had never truly expected Whitebeard to be stabbed by his own subordinate. It was a bonus beyond expectation.
"Even you can't escape the erosion of time, Whitebeard…" Akainu sneered coldly from the bay, satisfaction glinting in his eyes.
"Squard, you bastard! What have you done?!" Ace shouted furiously, rushing forward. With a heavy punch, he sent Squard flying back into the cabin.
Staggering, Squard's mind spun in confusion. What the hell? This wasn't part of the plan!
Ace's voice reached him through the chaos. "Relax. Mission accomplished. Stay hidden in the cabin from now on."
Then Ace yanked Squard's sword from Whitebeard's chest. "Uncle, are you alright?" he asked in a low voice.
"Bah, it's just an act. What do you think?" Whitebeard grumbled, then deliberately coughed and staggered, clutching his chest. To make the performance convincing, he even left behind a shallow wound where the blade had pierced.
From afar, it looked like the mighty Whitebeard had truly been dealt a fatal blow.
And with that, the curtain on their "good show" had been raised.
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