Diamante knelt on the ground, covered in dust and grime, supporting himself with his Western Sword as he gasped for breath, completely exposed to Lorne's view.
Lorne slowly descended from midair, his feet making a faint sound as they landed on the rocks that had been slashed to pieces.
He looked down at the Donquixote Family's top executive, his gaze impassive.
"It's over."
Lorne flexed his right leg, a trace of disappointment in his voice. "I thought a Shichibukai's top executive would give me a little more fun."
"Damn... damn monster!"
Diamante gritted his teeth, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth.
More than a dozen wounds deep enough to expose bone sent searing pain through his body, and the fear in his heart nearly swallowed him whole.
"How is this possible... my 'Army Flag' was countered so easily... this guy's Observation Haki..."
"No, I can't die here! Young Master is still waiting for me to bring back news of the Ancient Zoan fruit... I have to buy time! I have to!"
Diamante's mind raced.
He knew that, in terms of strength, he had already been utterly defeated.
This young Marine's physical techniques, Haki, and recovery were all monstrously powerful.
Especially that absurd recovery ability and the bizarre way he grew fiercer the longer he fought-they were simply unheard of.
Meanwhile, high above a stretch of sea in the New World.
A figure tore through the clouds at tremendous speed, threads from his hands connecting to the clouds as he freely "flew" through the sky.
It was none other than Donquixote Doflamingo, the "Heavenly Yaksha," one of the Shichibukai.
His signature pink feather coat snapped in the gale, and his trademark glasses sat on his face.
"Fufufufu, Diamante should have succeeded by now. An Ancient Zoan fruit. It