Pirates: I Can Repel Everything

"Captain, I really like this white bear! You have to make him our companion. Hororororo..."

With so many people staring at him, Bepo grew embarrassed. He lowered his head, blushing like a shy little girl.

"Who are you?"

Luo surveyed his surroundings, on high alert and ready to move at any moment.

Honey Queen's eyes lit up at the sight of Bepo's adorable reaction. She smiled. "What an interesting white bear. He's so cute."

Perona fluttered through the air, her little face brimming with excitement.

"I love him, I love him! He's so cute! I have to make him my pet."

Pato joined in, grinning. "Now I'll have a playmate. We can go fishing together, hee-hee~~"

Chris spoke up then, his voice calm.

"The people who can save you."

"Come with us, and you can survive this. You might even get a chance to avenge yourself."

"Well? Think it over."

Burgess shrugged and burst out laughing. "What's there to think about? Of course he'll join us."

"If he doesn't, his enemies will be here soon, and they'll probably kill him. Weehahahaha..."

Doc Q glanced at Burgess and made a suggestion. "Once he joins, we can start the Division Commander Challenge. Then you'll be the First Division Commander."

Lafitte twirled his cane and said politely, "You enjoy watching people fight so much, but I've never seen you step up yourself."

"I think you're the one best suited to be First Division Commander."

Luo fell silent as he listened to them.

The situation was dire. He had to find a way out.

He might be able to escape on his own. But with Bepo slowing him down, the outcome was obvious.

He simply didn't have the stamina!

Doflamingo would catch up with them for sure.

That made the decision easy...

(Bosses, Luo is a major player, so he gets a little more page time. That's understandable. The fight starts next chapter, and Chris will finally show what he can do (*￣︶￣).)

The Hunt Begins

"Do you know who's after me?"

Luo stared coldly at Chris and sneered. "Ever heard of Doflamingo? He's one of the Shichibukai."

"You think you can take him? Don't make me laugh."

Everyone froze at his words.

They hadn't expected his pursuer to be someone so formidable.

One of the Shichibukai! What a terrifying opponent!

"Isn't that exactly what Chris is after?"

Belo Betty exhaled a stream of smoke and said evenly, "What a coincidence. An opponent showed up already."

Honey Queen shook her head, her delicate brows knitting as she objected.

"Not this one. Have you forgotten? Chris planned to go after Crocodile."

"Knowing Chris, there's no way he'd change a plan he made in advance."

Burgess looked at Chris, threw both arms up, and laughed.

"Captain, how about changing the plan? Take down Doflamingo right now, and we'll be Shichibukai! Weehahahaha..."

Lafitte planted his cane before him and said with gentlemanly composure, "The captain mentioned that the strongest of the Shichibukai is the Great Swordsman Dracule Mihawk."

"As for Doflamingo, he's either second or third."

"After all, he has Conqueror's Haki!"

Doc Q looked between the two of them with an eerie smile. "Why don't we ask the captain to stay out of it and let you two fight him first? Wouldn't that be fun?"

Chris stood with his hands in his pockets, looking at Luo. "Then let's make a bet."

"If I save you, you come with me from now on. If I can't, forget I said anything."

Bepo's eyes lit up. Excited, he urged Luo on.

"Captain, let's agree! Doflamingo's really strong."

Luo said nothing. He watched Chris and the others coldly, weighing his options.

Just then, a wild laugh rang out.

"Fufufufufu..."

Doflamingo strode up with his usual swagger and said brazenly, "So many brats on this island. What a lively place."

"It's been ages since I killed anyone. Today, I'll get my fill."

Doflamingo looked at Luo and grinned. "My dear Luo, you must be delighted to have so many people die alongside you. Fufufufufu..."

Honey Queen regarded the flamboyant figure with curiosity on her pretty face.

"So that's one of the Shichibukai? He certainly looks domineering."

Belo Betty blew out a puff of smoke. "A pirate recognized by the World Government, all right. Arrogant as they come."

Perona tilted her little head, looking thoroughly intrigued.

"He walks funny! This princess has never seen anyone strut like that before. He's so cocky!"

Burgess shrugged. "So that's a Shichibukai. Even the way he walks says he's the boss."

Lafitte twirled his cane and smiled faintly. "He's strong. No wonder he ranks among the very best of the Shichibukai."

Luo nodded then and said coldly, "Fine. I'll take your bet."

"If you really are that strong, I'll join you."

"Mm-hmm~~"

Bepo was overjoyed to hear his captain say it, and a broad smile spread across his face.

Chris glanced at Luo and spoke calmly.

"Let me tell you one thing up front."

"If you try to sneak away while I'm fighting Doflamingo..."

"And I catch you, I'll kill you!"

With that, he walked forward and stopped before Doflamingo.

Luo frowned at Chris's words, suddenly torn.

He had intended to use Chris as a distraction and slip away while the two fought.

But Chris had seen right through him. That complicated things.

"I'd advise you not to run."

Baccarat smoothed her hair and smiled. "Chris always means what he says. If you run, you really will be in trouble."

"Even if we plead for you, Chris won't listen."

Honey Queen nodded in agreement.

"Baccarat's right. You'd better not even think about it, or you'll be in real danger."

Belo Betty took a drag on her cigarette. "From the moment we landed on this island, you were destined to become our companion."

Doc Q looked at Burgess and Lafitte with a mysterious smile.

"Aren't you two going to help? This is a great opportunity."

"You don't get the chance to fight a Shichibukai every day. Usually you can't even find one."

Burgess glared at him. "Quit talking nonsense."

"That's no ordinary Shichibukai. You want us to go up there and get killed, you bastard?"

Lafitte adjusted his top hat and replied politely.

"I'd like to test Doflamingo's strength, but staying alive comes first. Better not to do anything reckless."

A light breeze swept through. Leaves rustled, and the flowers and grass swayed gently.

Doflamingo kept his hands in his pockets and grinned. "Brat, what's your name?"

"You've caught my interest. Join my family, and you might even become an officer."

"The Donquixote Family is the largest family in the world. Joining it is the highest honor."

Doflamingo laughed and went on, "Well? You must be dying to join, right? Fufufufufu..."

(Bosses, as for Doflamingo's ranking among the Shichibukai, I'd put him second. He should be a little stronger than Tyrant Kuma, since he has Conqueror's Haki. What do you think? (*￣︶￣).)

A Clash with Doflamingo

"You've got the wrong idea, Doflamingo."

Chris folded his arms, his expression calm. "But we will become partners someday. That much is true."

"Oh..."

Doflamingo looked intrigued and grinned.

"Brat, you say you want to work with me? Let's hear it."

"I love a good partnership. Fufufufufu~~"

Chris's face remained impassive. "Before long, I'll become a Shichibukai. Then we'll form an organization."

"The Seven Warlords Alliance!"

Doflamingo covered his face and burst into wild laughter.

"Fufufufufu..."

"Brat, that was so good you actually made me laugh."

Then Doflamingo's eyes turned cold. Veins bulged on his face as he snarled, "A brat like you thinks he can become a Shichibukai? Don't make me laugh."

"Partners? You think you're worthy of working with me? What a joke."

Burgess bristled at Doflamingo's arrogance and shouted.

"Captain, this bastard's too full of himself! Let's fight!"

"If he won't listen, beat some sense into him."

Lafitte twirled his cane and smiled faintly. "He is a powerful Shichibukai, after all. If you want to discuss a partnership, you'll have to show him what you can do."

Perona flew back and forth overhead, her little face scrunched up in displeasure.

"What's-his-name really gets on my nerves."

Honey Queen smiled and supplied the answer. "His name is Doflamingo."

Baccarat looked at everyone and offered a gentle smile. "This fight can't be avoided. We should all move back so we don't get caught in it."

"They're both powerful monsters. Standing too close really would be dangerous."

With that, Belo Betty turned and walked away from the battlefield.

Bepo looked at Luo anxiously. "Captain, what do we do?"

"Move back."