The one who fired the shot was still Maud.
That shot went straight for Doflamingo's heart.
barring any accidents, with Mr. Issho's suppressive support, the shot should have pierced Doflamingo's heart.
By then, Maud could have summoned Hunter's Notebook and written down Doflamingo's name before his life force completely faded.
However, this lead bullet, which might have brought enormous gains, merely pierced Doflamingo's shoulder blade.
The reason was...
Before the bullet arrived, Doflamingo had done the opposite of what was expected. He had deliberately relaxed his strength, allowing Mr. Issho's gravity to force his body into a crouch.
That change in posture caused the bullet that should have struck his heart to hit his shoulder blade at the last moment.
It could be said that, under such crushing suppression, Doflamingo had pushed his reactions to the limit and made the only choice that could minimize the damage. With a little more luck, he might even have avoided injury altogether.
The shot had come extremely suddenly.
A spray of blood burst from Doflamingo's shoulder blade and splashed into the air.
Mr. Issho frowned slightly, withdrawing part of his power and giving Doflamingo a sliver of hope.
Doflamingo was no fool either. He took advantage of that opening to break free from his stalemate with Mr. Issho.
Unable to figure out Mr. Issho's motives or actions, and having been struck by a hidden shot, he had no mood to investigate further.
After escaping, Doflamingo retreated rapidly without hesitation, first putting some distance between them.
Then Doflamingo's gaze passed over Mr. Issho and locked onto Maud in the distance, who was slowly lowering his flintlock.
"Fufufu..."
That laugh, filled with extreme malice, echoed across the open ground.
Without any harsh words, a single look was enough to make his attitude toward Maud clear.