Chapter 77: You Trying to Blow the World to Hell?

"So what if I am!?"

Doflamingo's blonde hair was nearly torn from his scalp, and the searing pain only brought out his feral rage. Bloodshot eyes blazed with unrelenting hostility.

His right hand clawed upward like a talon. With a sharp flick, razor-thin threads sliced through the ground with a hiss, streaking toward Byrnndi World's crotch!

But Byrnndi World just sneered. Without dodging, he dropped his weight and raised one knee. His calf, wrapped in jet-black Armament Haki, slammed straight into the invisible threads midair.

Sparks burst violently.

Without a hint of hesitation, Byrnndi World charged forward like an arrow loosed from a bow. His massive, blackened fist crashed brutally into Doflamingo's throat.

"Gah!"

Doflamingo's throat crumpled under the impact. Blood spurted from his mouth, two broken teeth spinning into the air.

"Damn it! I'm Doflamingo!!"

His voice was raw, throat seared with pain. Yet his eyes still burned with fury, defiant and wild, filled with an inexplicable wrath.

Veins bulged along his bent fingers as he whipped his arm out.

The five forked wires of Goshikito shot out at point-blank range, aiming straight for Byrnndi World's throat.

"Fulbright!!"

This brat's reflexes… not bad!

Byrnndi World's eyes narrowed. A flicker of sinister red flashed deep in his pupils.

Almost by instinct, he tilted his head slightly. The transparent thread—sharp enough to pierce steel—barely grazed his cheek, carving a shallow cut from cheek to neck.

Doflamingo froze for a split second.

And in that instant, the burly figure before him vanished!

"You're interesting, kid. You've got what it takes to be king of the North Blue underworld."

A booming, savage laugh echoed behind him. The sharp whistle of something cutting through air closed in fast.

Boom!!

Crackle—snap—

A fist like a falling meteor smashed into Doflamingo's chest, sending out a wave of bone-cracking echoes that made even Trebol and the others wince.

Byrnndi World roared.

BOOM!!

With a second eruption of Armament Haki, a storm of unstoppable force exploded onto Doflamingo's body. Gouts of blood erupted across his skin, dying his fine white shirt a deep crimson.

The ground beneath them shattered within a hundred-meter radius, fracturing with a deafening roar. The Donquixote Family base collapsed under the force of the blow!

Amid the swirling dust, Doflamingo groaned. His pupils trembled, shrinking in shock. Legs gave out, and he dropped to his knees, completely limp.

Clutching his abdomen, he gasped for breath like a fish out of water.

A darkness like never before clouded his vision.

The difference in strength… was crushing. This guy was terrifyingly powerful—so strong it was hopeless!

"…Alright, that was enough fun."

Byrnndi World glanced lazily at the shattered ruins. He picked up an unbroken bottle of wine from the debris of a shattered table.

He popped the cork, took two long swigs, wiped his mouth with the back of his hand, and grinned.

"Kid… you've probably heard the name Byrnndi World. I came here to talk business."

"Business? This is your idea of business?"

Doflamingo gasped for breath, finally lifting his pale face.

He wiped the blood from his lips, eyes locked coldly on the fearsome pirate before him.

"Barorororo! What did you expect? I'm a pirate! Not one of you spoiled blond brats playing house!"

Byrnndi World roared with laughter.

"What, did you think I'd knock politely, shake hands, and chat over tea?"

"Listen up, kid… I'll be straight with you. Since your Donquixote Family controls the North Blue's underground arms smuggling network, I'll cut to the chase."

He pressed a hand to the bloodied bandages on his chest. A cruel grin slowly spread across his face.

"I need weapons. A whole lot of them. And… I want a cannon—something bigger than the world's ever seen!"

A giant cannon!?

Doflamingo's pupils shrank.

Details about this madman raced through his mind.

"World Destroyer" Byrnndi World. Latest bounty: 400 million Berries. A legendary pirate. User of the Moa Moa no Mi.

With his Devil Fruit powers, he could multiply the size and speed of any object dozens or even hundreds of times. Even a basic flintlock could unleash devastating power in his hands—greater than a Marine warship's heavy artillery!

He'd blown up town after town, ship after ship, destroying everything in his path with terrifying ease.

And now… he wanted to build the largest cannon in history?

A cannon of that size… if enhanced by the Moa Moa no Mi…

It could wipe an entire island off the map in seconds!

"Are you planning to blow up Marineford? Or Mary Geoise?"

Staring at Byrnndi World's twisted grin, Doflamingo felt a chill creep up his spine.

"That's none of your business, brat."

Byrnndi World snorted coldly.

"You just focus on building it. As for the rest, I suggest you stay out of it."

Doflamingo raised his eyebrows, just about to respond.

BANG!

Byrnndi World slammed a boot onto his head, crushing his face into the ground.

The floor shattered instantly, cracks spiderwebbing outward.

Doflamingo's eyes flooded with blood as he clenched his teeth.

"You understand, don't you, kid…"

Byrnndi World sneered, grinding his boot down harder, smashing the floor further.

"Of course, I know how business works. You won't be doing this for free."

"Your life—that's your payment."

He scoffed.

"You have three days."

As soon as the words fell, the pressure lifted from Doflamingo's skull.

He jolted up.

Byrnndi World was gone.

All that remained was the ruined Donquixote estate…

…and the blood dripping into his eyes from his own forehead.

"Damn it!!"

Doflamingo froze for a long moment before roaring like a wild beast.

His hands clawed into the earth, face contorted with fury.

Thick veins twisted across his forehead like worms, grotesque and bulging.

"Doffy…"

Trebol and the others, dragging their battered bodies, approached cautiously.

Seeing Doflamingo's unstable expression, none of them dared breathe loudly.

"Fufufufu…"

Suddenly, Doflamingo burst into crazed laughter.

His body shook, eyes streaming with tears as he laughed uncontrollably.

"Interesting! This is getting interesting!!"

He slowly pulled a Den Den Mushi from his coat, its reflection dancing coldly in his sunglasses.

A military-grade Den Den Mushi.

He thought he'd never use it in his life.

He was wrong.

"Brru brru… brru brru…"

Its harsh call echoed through the wreckage.

Sunlight poured through the broken ceiling. Dust swirled around the bloodied, golden-haired Celestial Dragon.

"Brru!"

"…It's me."

A low voice answered.

Doflamingo knelt there silently for a long time.

"Godfather… Byrnndi World came to see me," he said quietly, head bowed.

(40 Chapters Ahead)

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