Battlefield

"This is..."

Everyone was stunned; this was different from the instructions they had heard.

The Donquixote Family's leaders clearly stated that if they saw any members of Las Noches, they would be richly rewarded simply for bringing them to the palace.

"I told you, I'm very angry right now."

On Lucci's shoulder, Hadley's sharp beak opened and closed, emitting strange sounds.

"I'll go see if there's anything I can help with. Come find me when you've taken care of it."

He spent his entire life leaning on a cane, tapping the ground as he groped his way out, just like an ordinary blind old man.

"Um...we're here on orders from the Donquixote Family, you can't..."

Some of the more self-important underlings invoked Doflamingo's name, whether to warn the other party or to comfort themselves, it's unclear.

"Unfortunately, that guy is probably in deep trouble himself."

Their captain had said that ensuring Doflamingo's survival was the priority; his other subordinates and officers were not a concern.

With a wave of his hand, Lucci Qi had already passed the crowd.

Before anyone could react, he had already pulled a handkerchief from his pocket, wiped his hands, and then casually tossed it away.

"Thump!"

Only then did the people behind him kneel down.

Their bodies bore bloody holes and deep fist marks, and in a short time, the entire army was wiped out.

"This country is quite lively; hopefully, it will make me more happy."

Lucci walked away with elegant steps and a calm demeanor.

After some time, on the other side.

"What's wrong, Princess Violet?"

Many of the Donquixote Family's executives have been defeated, and the Straw Hat Pirates have achieved a partial victory.

But the mature woman beside them suddenly turned serious, prompting others to hurriedly ask her what was wrong.

"Has something else happened on our side?"

Zoro frowned.

I just heard from her that Luo was suspected to have died in battle, and now her expression has become even more somber, which probably isn't good news.

"The legendary force belonging to the Sea Emperor, the executives of Las Noches, have arrived! And they're heading in Doflamingo's direction!"

Violet's face turned ashen; her Glint-Glint Fruit ability granted her vision as if she could see a thousand miles.

Just now, after seeing Luo lying on the ground, unable to get up, take a burst of bullets, she couldn't bear to watch any longer and looked away.

But in that casual glance, he spotted a man dressed in white with a pigeon perched on his shoulder!

As a former member of the Donquixote Family, she could never mistake a member of that powerful force.

More importantly, she had heard that Doflamingo, that bastard, seemed to have some dealings with the "Black Winged Great Demon" of Las Noches!

"You're kidding, right? How could such an important person possibly be here! And at a time like this!"

Many people around her wondered if Violet might have been too nervous and misread the image.

After all, when victory is so close, no one wants to encounter any unstable factors.

Who did you see?

Zoro just wanted to determine as quickly as possible whether the newcomers were stronger than them.

"It's 'the One Who Defies Justice,' the former CP9 genius Rob Lucci!"

Violet replied, her gaze following the man's trail.

"A man who's always getting back at you? That's a bit of a problem."

Zoro said this, but he felt a little relieved.

At the very least, we know who the visitors are, which may help us avoid a pointless fight.

Even at their worst, the difference in their strength is probably not that great.

"Eh~ Should we become enemies with that guy? Maybe not! Aren't Luffy and Cifer friends? Maybe that guy's just here for a stroll..."

Usopp's eyes nearly popped out of their sockets, as if recalling the despair he felt on Enies Lobby.

He immediately began to speak, saying things to comfort everyone, and also to comfort himself.

"Before that 'Black Winged Great Demon' became Shichibukai, Doflamingo had already made contact with him and even gave him a lot of benefits."

Instead of going along with what he said, Violet gave him this even more chilling news.

"I think I should add something: there is probably more than one person from Las Noches."

She had barely finished speaking when Zoro suddenly spoke up, leaving everyone somewhat stunned.

"A very formidable guy is heading our way!"

He had already drawn two swords from his waist, covered them with Armament Haki, and a solemn expression appeared on his face.

Even without being deliberately unleashed, the opponent's overwhelming power clearly indicated that they were no ordinary person.

But he's not that Marine Admiral, Zoro can't think of any other possibility besides a member of Las Noches.

"Is it an enemy?!"

Beside Zoro, Kin'emon also drew his long sword, ready to fight.

"You all seem to be quite hostile towards me. Please rest assured, I have no intention of attacking you."

Accompanied by the sound of wooden clogs clattering on the ground, a lifetime came into their sight.

Walking slowly with a cane, he looked like an ordinary person to everyone else.

"Oh? Not here to fight? Are you here to ask for directions?"

Zoro's expression clearly showed disbelief.

"Huh? How did you know I wanted to ask for directions?"

A look of surprise crossed Yisheng's face. He had just walked around and found that there seemed to be nothing he could help with. He was just about to ask someone where the nearest casino was.

Then, sensing that a group of people had gathered here, including some with considerable strength, he headed over, only to find that his intentions had been seen through.

"What?! You've really found the right person!"

Zoro sheathed his twin swords and smiled, as he had always been very confident in his sense of direction.

"Wait... the 'Birdcage' is moving!"

Violet had just breathed a sigh of relief, exclaimed again, because she could see that Doflamingo's threads were tightening!

"It seems that I will not be able to get what I want."

He realized something was wrong throughout his life and couldn't help but sigh.

"We need to find a way to stop this. If we let it continue like this, no one will be able to escape!"

After Zoro spoke, everyone responded enthusiastically, and they all decided to work with him to come up with a solution.

"I will go with you to see for myself, and offer my meager strength to this suffering country."

What I really wanted was to take action and defeat that guy, then the Birdcage would naturally disappear.

However, given my current position, it is not appropriate for me to take action against Doflamingo.

"The Birdcage... can't be put away?!"

On the palace, Mingo, who was fighting with the Straw Hat Kid, noticed something amiss.

No matter how hard I tried, the line on the Birdcage seemed fixed in place and I couldn't move it an inch.

"Hahaha~ Looks like your plan is going to fail, Mingo!"

Luffy was panting heavily, but he still managed to raise the corners of his mouth.

"Seriously... can't one or two of them go as planned?"

Mingo rubbed his temples. He could roughly guess that it was Black Python and some other member of Las Noches who were holding back the Birdcage.

However, he didn't care too much. After all, the members of Las Noches were not his companions; they were just there as a backup plan to save his life.

"In that case, I'll kill you first, you brat!"

The lines, imbued with Armament Haki, sent Luffy flying dozens of meters away.

"Enter the West Zone - Bounce-Man!"

"Doflamingo!"

Enveloped in mist, half his body covered in Armament Haki, and his body swollen to the point of almost losing his balance, Luffy flew out of the ruins and slammed his powerful fist into his opponent.

"What a ridiculous shape this is..."

"I don't have time to play house with you kids!"

Mingo's powerful Conqueror's Haki aura intensified, and the ground transformed into waves that surged toward Luffy.