"I understand. You guys come back first... I've already sent Pica, Gladius, Baby-5, and Buffalo to handle the rest. They can't escape Dressrosa territory. I'll head over there soon..."
Click...
Doflamingo hung up the phone, his expression shifting between anger and uncertainty. A moment later, his arrogant and chilling laughter echoed through the palace once more.
"Hahaha, I've missed you terribly since we parted ways, Luo Chen Marineford. No need to leave so soon. Let me, the host of Dressrosa, properly entertain you and show you what true passion and hospitality in Dressrosa really means!"
After saying that, he picked up the feather cloak from the table, draped it over his shoulders, and headed toward the side of Dressrosa, toward the direction where Luo Chen and his group were docked with the Isel.
Ta-da-ta-da...
On the other side, the three, having escaped the gladiators' pursuit in the bullring, felt less pressured and slowed down. George even resumed his original pace, running alongside them.
"Hey, I still don't understand how you two got that thing. Wasn't it also placed in the arena for people to fight over during the finals? How did it end up in your hands? I remember there's still some time before the finals!!"
Luo Chen remembered the treasure box they had just brought back, and while running, he pointed to the thing in George's arms and asked the two of them about it.
"Haha, Captain, you're right. There's still some time before the finals, but we've pretty much decided who's who. Phil and I have advanced to the finals, and now we'll only be facing those three who were just chasing us."
But none of that really mattered. Ultimately, that was all we wanted. Thankfully, Brother Phil sneaked in and brought it out unnoticed, but they still managed to find us. We had no choice but to run!
George ran while carrying the treasure box containing the Devil Fruit, replying to him in a very irritating tone. If he weren't his companion, Luo Chen would have been tempted to punch him in the face. Was this something that could be obtained so easily? Little did they know that Doflamingo had deliberately set a series of traps to ensnare them, but they simply didn't take the bait.
"Well, in that case, let's hurry back to the ship. I wonder if Catherine and the others have returned yet. But what worries me most is Doflamingo. Now that he knows about our landing, the location of the Isel is unlikely to be hidden from him. If Catherine and her group return to the ship first, and he happens to be there too, then things will be really serious!"
As Luo Chen spoke, a worried expression appeared on his face. He recalled the scene in the original work where Nami and the others from the Straw Hat crew were on the ship when they were attacked by Doflamingo. He was very concerned about their safety and wished he could set off and rush back immediately.
"That's true. Let's hurry up and leave. I'm also very worried about Miss Catherine and the others' safety..."
Phil nodded and continued.
"Walk..."
After saying that, the three quickened their pace and hurried towards the forest.
Meanwhile, at the mooring point outside the forest, Catherine and her party had already returned to the ship, but they were now facing attacks from several powerful enemies.
"It's useless, no one can resist art... the Art of Shattering!!"
Artist Joy pushed his palm forward, and a pink cloud shot out from under his palm, flying towards Lulith.
"Damn it, who are you people? You haven't revealed your purpose, you just keep attacking us... Butterfly Dance: Wing Flap!!"
Wow...
Lulith transformed into a half-orc, butterfly-like form. With a flap of her wings, a Hurricane roared out, scattering her cloud of art.
"Whispering sound..."
Joy scoffed at this, then charged at Lulith again.
Ta-da-ta-da...
Bullets rained down from the sky.
Clang clang clang!!
At the other end of the clamp, Monbuma swung an iron bar, deflecting the bullets fired by Buffalo and Baby5 from high above.
"Hmph, not bad, you have some skill, but... Buffalo!!"
Swoosh...
Baby5, standing on Buffalo's back, snorted and then reminded Buffalo to push off with his back foot, propelling himself into the air in a flash.
rustling...
Baby5 transformed into a scythe in mid-air and hovered as it descended.
"Knew..."
Swoosh...
Buffalo's neck, wrists, and ankles spun rapidly as he lunged forward, grabbing the scythe handle that had materialized from Baby5's falling body.
"It's coming..."
Whoosh whoosh whoosh...
After saying that, he grabbed the handle and started spinning it at high speed.
"What... what tricks are you trying to pull now... Come on, I'm not afraid of you!!"
Swish swish swish... Clang!!
After twirling the steel rod in his palm several times, Monbuma gripped it tightly, pointed the tip at the two men, and spoke with a strong fighting spirit emanating from his body.
"Hmph, let me show you our combined technique... Whirlwind... Scythe!!"
After Buffalo finished speaking, the scythe on his Extreme Speed spinning hand was aimed at Monbuma on the ship, and then he swung it out forcefully.
Swoosh...
A scythe, imbued with the force of high-speed rotation, slashed down from the sky.
boom...
The scythe that baby5 transformed into sliced through the air before them, slashing down with a fierce, whistling airflow.
"Come on, I'm a member of the Luo Chen Pirates. I won't let you damage a single blade of grass or tree on this ship..."
When I was learning staff techniques from my master, he told me that on this vast ocean, using a staff is ultimately a minor art, unlike swordsmanship, which allows for various levels of understanding and advancement. If one wants to improve, one can only win by speed; if one strike isn't enough, then strike again. When dozens, even hundreds or thousands of strikes are combined into one, even a master swordsman cannot match it in a single blow.
"Let me show you my strike, a combination of thirty blows... the Wind-Cleaving Staff Technique... First Form: Ten Winds Wild Dance!!"
At that moment, Monbuma's wrist moved with Extreme Speed, and dozens of staff shadows almost merged into one in Buffalo's eyes. Then the staff grew larger and larger, eventually reaching a height of ten meters and as thick as a bowl, to meet the scythe blade slashing down from the sky.
call out...
boom...
The attack was like a cannonball exploding, producing a deafening roar. Turbulent air currents swirled and churned, causing the Isel beneath Monbuma and the others to toss and turn in the Impact. This nearly caused Lulith and the others, who were fighting alongside them, to lose their footing and fall off the ship, abruptly interrupting their battle.
"Not bad... you actually managed to block our attack, but it's all in vain. Under the young master's control, you can only become his pawns to be manipulated at his mercy... Die... Storm Strafing!!"
Ta-da-ta-da...
A human face appeared on the scythe blade. She had a cigarette in her mouth and spoke to Mong Monbuma in a low voice. After speaking, she pushed off with her legs and jumped back. Then her upper body transformed into a machine gun, aiming at Monbuma. The muzzle spat out tongues of fire, and bullets shot out from the muzzle.
Monbuma immediately moved to the side and simultaneously spun his long staff to defend.
Bang bang bang...
The bullets either bounced off and landed on the deck or missed and hit the ship, instantly leaving behind a trail of spent Monbuma casings and a series of potholes as thick as bowls.
"Hey, hey, hey, don't attack us on our ship! This is one of our cherished... partners!!"
Swoosh...
As she spoke, Monbuma raised her long staff and leaped into the air, swinging it down at baby5.
Upon seeing this, Baby5 immediately transformed back into its original form, its arms transforming into two hooks and sickles, which it crossed upwards to block Monbuma's attack.
boom...
The force of Monbuma's descent from above was incredibly powerful, directly pressing down on Baby5 so she couldn't get up. Her fair and slender thighs were instantly bent under the pressure, and even the wooden planks made of a special material with a hardness and toughness comparable to steel under her feet began to bend and creak under the weight.