Doflamingo Is a Real Stand-Up Guy!

The raging vortex of flames slammed into a pitch-black wall that had risen from the ground.

Flames burst apart and fierce winds howled.

The spreading shockwave alone was enough to make the escapees behind Naito miserable.

"It's so hot! We're going to be roasted alive!"

"Whoa! We're going to be blown away!"

Clutching his newly acquired weapon, Salt couldn't help exclaiming, "Is this the power of a Mythical Zoan? It's incredible."

Miss Luna's strength had already surpassed his completely. She probably wasn't much weaker than Weevil, either.

"Was that Awakening?"

Anthony, meanwhile, was looking down.

An entire mountaintop below had turned into endless threads. They had wound upward and formed a wall, which had been coated in Haki to block the vortex of flames.

"Don't get carried away, woman!"

Doflamingo roared, "Billow White!"

Below, an entire mountain turned into countless threads. They converged into a raging white tide and suddenly swept toward Luna in the sky.

"This guy's a monster too!"

Anthony exclaimed from the bottom of his heart.

At the very least, he knew he wouldn't stand a chance against this Shichibukai.

The white sea of threads surged, about to swallow Luna's enormous body whole.

But at that very moment-

Flames!

Endless flames poured from the surface of Luna's body and from her mouth.

The concentrated flames covered the red dragon's body, forming an even larger dragon of fire!

"Oh?"

Naito couldn't help uttering a sound of surprise.

Did she teach herself Master Kaido's ultimate move?

The surging threads wrapped around the flames and immediately caught fire, unable to reach Luna's body at all.

Luna then twisted her body, sending the enormous fire dragon's tail smashing toward Doflamingo.

"Sixteen Holy Bullets: God Thread!"

Doflamingo gritted his teeth and swept both hands forward, unleashing his ultimate move.

Endless threads surged together, forming sixteen enormous spears.

He poured his Haki into them with all his might, turning the thread spears so black they shone.

The next instant, the spears pierced the air faster than sound could follow. Few of the onlookers could even see them before the enormous lances struck the fire dragon's tail.

At the moment of impact, delight flashed across Doflamingo's face.

This woman's Haki is weak!

She can't block my attack at all!

The thread spears pierced the body of flame and struck Luna's real tail.

Then-

"How is that possible?!"

Doflamingo practically shrieked.

He couldn't budge her at all!

Is this woman's body made of Seastone?

By now, the threads forming the lances had been engulfed in flames for too long. Even with Doflamingo's Haki protecting them, they began to crumble in the astonishing heat.

With nothing left to stop it, the enormous flaming tail came crashing down on Doflamingo with overwhelming force.

"Shield White!"

Doflamingo hurriedly formed another enormous shield of threads.

But what use was a hastily formed defense now?

The next instant, the flaming tail smashed straight through it.

All Doflamingo could see was fire swallowing everything before him.

Sizzle!

Like a fly struck by a flyswatter, Doflamingo was sent flying in a blur. His feathered coat burned, and his entire body was blackened.

"We won!"

Buckingham couldn't help cheering.

That was a Shichibukai!

A great pirate, one of only a handful in the entire world!

Had Miss Luna become this powerful just by eating a fruit?

"You should work on your Observation Haki, Buckingham."

Naito spoke mildly.

The black coating on Doflamingo's body quickly faded as he flew away.

Blood trickled from the corner of his mouth, and he bore some burn marks, but he was basically unhurt.

Good thing that woman can't even use Hardening with her Haki. Otherwise, that blow would have done a lot more than this!

Even so, there was nothing he could do against her!

That woman was a genuine monster!

Not to mention Byrnndi World and the other escapees behind her!

If I keep fighting, I'll die here!

Doflamingo hesitated no longer. He released threads to pull on the clouds and quickly fled into the distance.

"He ran away?"

Weevil blinked blankly, then grinned. "That guy's a coward!"

Just then, the flames behind the red dragon's head went out.

When it came to speed, she wouldn't lose either!

Now that she had her dragon scales for defense, there was no need to maintain her flaming form at all times.

"That's enough, Luna."

But Naito's calm voice came from behind her. "Leave him."

"Yes."

Without the slightest hesitation, Luna reignited the flames behind her head.

"My lord, are we just letting him go?"

Salt was a little puzzled.

"Are you questioning me?"

Naito turned his head slightly.

"No! I wouldn't dare. Your will is absolute!"

Salt hurriedly bowed his head in respect.

Naito paid him no mind, merely looking up at Doflamingo's retreating figure.

I'll leave Doflamingo for the Marine Naito to deal with when he gets the chance.

He's worth a major credit, after all.

Then I'll throw that guy into Impel Down. The next time I go there, I can ask the newspaper king whether he's interested in coming out of retirement.

The test had fully achieved its purpose. Luna's strength was already at the level of a Shichibukai, and thanks to her defenses, she could even be said to be invincible at that level.

"Let's go."

Naito spoke.

The Marine Guerrilla Unit wasn't far away.

"Yes!"

Chapter 31: Doflamingo Is a Real Stand-Up Guy!

Naito led everyone back to the port of Punk Hazard. After choosing a larger seagoing ship, they set sail.

"Master,"

At the bow, Luna asked softly, "Where are we going next?"

It wasn't just him; the escapees behind them also looked over with serious expressions.

After all, they still had no idea what this lord wanted to do.

"To the latter half of the New World."

Naito said calmly, "There's still an unclaimed area between the territories of the Beasts Pirates and the Whitebeard Pirates."

Red Hair had yet to become a new emperor. Although the Red Hair Pirates had already lent their flag to some islands, there were plenty of islands and countries in those waters that nobody cared about.

"Find a non-Affiliated Nation with a large enough population. My world needs more residents."

"Yes."

Luna nodded solemnly.

Buckingham looked thoughtful.

Does he simply want more subjects in that world, or does filling it with more residents serve some purpose for him in itself?

"My lord,"

Anthony spoke up cautiously. "Come to think of it, how should we address you?"

It felt a little strange to keep calling him "my lord."

"Address me?"

Naito was slightly taken aback.