The attempted killing of Edward Newgate, Whitebeard, by his own subordinate shocked nearly everyone in the war.
Especially after the Squard stabbed Whitebeard, the latter not only refrained from blaming or killing him—he chose to forgive.
Whitebeard even shattered the enormous ice walls on both sides of Marineford, creating an escape route for his crew.
This reaffirmed to every pirate present—including Squard—that their father, Whitebeard, would never betray his family.
"My sons, as pirates, it's up to you to decide what you believe in. If you still wish to follow me, then risk your lives alongside me!"
Whitebeard roared, ignoring the wound in his arm, and leapt from the Moby Dick. Countless pirates raised their weapons and followed.
The strongest of the Four Emperors—Whitebeard Edward Newgate—had officially joined the battle!
"Prepare for combat! The strongest man in the world is moving!!"
On the execution platform, Fleet Admiral Sengoku felt the pressure double. He roared a warning to the panicked Marines.
If not for duty, if not for the justice burning in his heart—even he, Sengoku the Buddha—would never want to face Whitebeard head-on!
At this point, Marine morale had already been shaken by Victor's interference. Now, with Whitebeard himself charging into battle, their spirits sank even further.
It was no exaggeration—this war was slipping out of Sengoku's control. Not just because of Whitebeard's strength, but also because of Victor.
No wonder Magellan had regarded Victor so seriously. This man truly was a calamity.
Sengoku clenched his teeth. After this war, the Navy would never allow Victor to roam free.
A massive bounty must be placed on his head. And Boa Hancock—the Pirate Empress—would be stripped of her title as a Warlord of the Sea.
For now, however, Victor alone was enough of a headache. The Empress could wait.
Victor… where did you crawl out from, you damn brat? You monster…
Sengoku cursed in his heart.
At that moment, Victor was still locked in combat with Kizaru. No matter how fast Victor was, the Admiral of Light was always just a fraction faster—just enough to keep him from breaking away.
Yet, Kizaru clearly wasn't fighting to kill. His lazy flash kicks posed no real threat.
Victor grew frustrated. He even noticed the admiral seemed distracted more than once.
What the hell is this guy's deal? He's neither a hero nor a bastard… what's his angle?
Boom!
While Victor wrestled with Kizaru, Whitebeard hurled a giant Marine vice admiral aside as if he were paper. The man's massive body couldn't withstand even a single blow.
Then Whitebeard tore open the air with both hands.
The island trembled violently, splitting the ocean plates apart. Entire structures crumbled beneath the shockwaves until Admirals Aokiji and Akainu combined forces to block the destruction.
This was the terrifying might of the world's strongest man.
Thanks to Victor's interference earlier, Whitebeard had only suffered an arm injury rather than a mortal blow, leaving his combat power largely intact—and without triggering his old illness.
Still, even with Whitebeard rampaging, Kizaru refused to relent. Victor remained locked down.
As a result, the one who had gotten closest to the execution platform was none other than Straw Hat Luffy—though standing in his way were Admirals Aokiji and Akainu.
And true to his nature, Luffy chose to fight them head-on.
He grabbed a massive seawater-soaked log and tried to bulldoze his way through both admirals to save Ace.
The outcome was inevitable. Aokiji froze him solid and flung him aside.
Fortunately, it was Aokiji and not Akainu—otherwise, Victor doubted Luffy would've survived.
Though he failed, the will and courage Luffy displayed stirred hearts.
"Ohhh~ Straw Hat boy is scary too. When did this ocean start breeding little monsters like you and Victor~?"
"Kizaru, stop running your mouth. You scare everyone you fight, but I've yet to see you take a single hit yourself."
Victor shot back bitterly. He had to shake Kizaru off soon. His diamond-hard body wasn't enough to outlast an admiral of light.
"Ever seen anyone punch through light? And I don't get hit because I'm always serious."
Akainu in the distance: Bullshit serious!
"Kizaru brat, you think no one can touch you!?"
"Oh my, Whitebeard~"
Kizaru's words cut short as the space around him twisted violently. His body froze mid-motion.
From afar, Whitebeard had distorted the atmosphere with his quake powers, trapping Kizaru without him noticing.
By the time Kizaru broke free, Marco was already upon him, talons blazing.
"Victor, kid! Go! Save Ace!!"
Whitebeard bellowed as his massive bisento cleaved another line of Marines.
In that instant, Victor vanished.
"Ah la la… fast…"
Below the platform, Aokiji and Akainu watched. They didn't move. They knew—even if they hated to admit it—that in speed alone, Victor outpaced them.
Besides, even if Victor reached the platform, saving Fire Fist Ace was impossible.
After all, the Navy had more than just three admirals.
But to their surprise, Victor didn't head for the execution platform. He appeared instead beside Straw Hat Luffy.
Victor wasn't stupid. He had long since noticed Garp stationed on the platform. Charging up now would only earn him a one-punch knockout.
The old Marine hero's true strength was a mystery, but without question, it was monstrous.
Professionals do professional things.
If you want to beat the grandfather, let the grandson handle it.
To make Luffy's job easier, Victor had even asked Ivankov to have Raiden carve a staircase of thunder leading straight up to the platform.
"Victor?! You're okay! That's great!"
"Luffy, no time to waste. Come with me to beat up your grandpa—bah, I mean, to save Ace!"
Without waiting for his answer, Victor grabbed Luffy and vanished again.
"Stop Victor and Straw Hat!!"
Sengoku roared in fury. He already understood Victor's plan.
He trusted Garp—but he also knew how deeply conflicted the old man must be. After all… Ace was like a grandson to him.
And Straw Hat Luffy was his real grandson.