CHAPTER 25
c25 – Doflamingo!
After sending Pizza away, Carl breathed a sigh of relief.
From Pizza, Carl also understood why the Masked Man's reputation had spread in such a short period of time.
It was all because of the slave traders' panic and retaliation.
After being crushed twice by Carl during attempted slave auctions, the frightened traffickers began frantically spreading exaggerated rumors about him.
They claimed he was a masked lunatic who attacked "hardworking merchants" and warned all underground brokers to avoid anyone in black with a wrapped face like a plague victim.
As long as someone even vaguely resembled the description—they were to take a detour without question.
Slowly, word of these rumors reached the ears of slaves throughout the archipelago and to them, the mystery only made the Masked Man more heroic.
Coupled with today's public killing of a Celestial Dragon, the Masked Man's infamy was no longer confined to a small corner of the Sabaody Archipelago.
His legend would soon sweep across all bubbles of Sabaody.
"I'm speechless I didn't expect those slave traders to become my unwilling publicity agents.
But unfortunately, this identity can't be used anymore not after slaying a Tenryuubito in public.
Even if I wanted to wear the mask again—I'll have to lie low for a few days and wait for the heat to cool down."
But Carl didn't want to be a hero, no matter what the outside world said.
His motives were simple he only wanted to stop the slave traffickers from enjoying their evil business.
He had no grand plan to rescue every slave.because Carl knew, deep down, that his current strength wasn't enough to shake that entire system.
So all he could do now was silently apologize in his heart to the many slaves still waiting for salvation.
At the same time in the courtyard of the Marine compound a flamboyant figure in a pink feathered coat landed silently in front of Pizza, descending from the sky using strings.
"Who are you? This is a Marine base what are you doing here?"
"Fufufufufu... I'm Donquixote Doflamingo, one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea.
I've come to collect the body of the Celestial Dragon that was killed here.
If you know what's good for you—you'll move aside. Otherwise, don't blame me for what happens next."
"Impossible! Even if I've been relieved of duty I am still the commanding officer here until formally replaced.
No matter who you are as long as there's no direct order from Fleet Admiral Sengoku you will not leave this base with a Tenryuubito's body!"
"All Marines prepare to engage!
Aim your rifles at Doflamingo and stand ready to open fire at my command!"
"Yes, sir!"
"Fufufufufu... how amusing.
If that's your answer.then don't blame the dead."
Inside the main hall of the Marine base, the towering figure of Doflamingo over two meters tall grinned wildly, then crossed his fingers.
In a heartbeat
All the blood in the room burst outward like it had been pulled by strings!
Each Marine collapsed with ten new lacerations slashed deep into their bodies.
Only Pizza had managed to react with Armament Haki in time barely resisting the fatal damage with a hardened defense.
But even then six or seven bloody marks streaked across his uniform.
"You bastard... I didn't expect you to be this strong!"
"But even so I will not let pirates do as they please on Marine ground!"
"Doflamingo prepare to die!!!"
Pizza, already bleeding and struggling to breathe, summoned all his remaining strength for one final counterattack.
In a flash he blitzed toward Doflamingo, coating his fists with full Armament Haki and throwing a desperate punch aimed at the warlord's smug face.
"Hey, hey, hey... how noisy.
Trash should know when to shut up."
Though Doflamingo grinned—his voice dripped with contempt.
He lazily raised one hand.
In that moment—thin, glinting threads of nearly invisible string sliced through the air.
With a flick
they launched like whips straight at Pizza.
Pizza's naked eyes couldn't see the threads—but his Observation Haki screamed danger, warning him that death was imminent if he didn't move!
But his body, bloodied and midair, refused to respond in time to dodge the razor-thin wires.
So he had no choice but to clench his teeth and shut his eyes, bracing for death.
But at that moment
With the metallic clang of steel-on-steel ringing in his ears, Pizza felt a sudden force shove him backward through the air!
When his eyes opened again, he realized he'd been flung into the interior of the base hall.
Carl had saved him again!
Originally, Carl had just wanted to rest after his earlier incident, but the sudden bursts of Haki and sound of clashing forces in the yard piqued his curiosity.
Peeking through the shattered doorway, Carl had seen Pizza on the verge of being slaughtered by one of the most dangerous Warlords of the Sea.
If he hadn't acted right then.Pizza would've been killed!
"Carl... you're here..." Pizza coughed weakly, leaning on the wall.
"Yeah, I'm here. Don't worry rest now. I heard enough to understand what's going on."
"Even though I hate the Celestial Dragons too this time, for your sake I won't let him succeed!"
Pizza nodded in gratitude, gripping Carl's shoulder with shaky fingers.
"Thanks... brother..."
Shnk!
Suddenly, a high-speed projectile whistled through the air from behind—something sharp and deadly!
Carl spun around instantly, his blade flashing to parry it—it was one of Doflamingo's sharpened strings, fired like a bullet.
Carl deflected it cleanly his eyes locking with the infamous warlord.
"Donquixote Doflamingo—Warlord of the Sealaunching a sneak attack?
Not exactly dignified behavior for someone of your title!"
"Fufufufufu! Oh? You two were so busy chatting, I thought I'd remind you I'm still here.
What? Has the Navy become so arrogant these days? This is hilarious!"
Doflamingo sneered then casually raised his fingers and crossed them again.
In an instant, Carl's Observation Haki lit up like wildfire danger approached from all sides!
Razor-sharp threads! Above, below, behind every angle, closing in like a web!
"There's no way to dodge this... then I'll cut through everything!"
Carl smirked his blades Withered Tree and Sakura Ten blurring through the air as he spun in place!
Steel clashed with thread every string sliced apart mid-flight.
Carl didn't hesitate—he exploded forward and appeared in front of Doflamingo in a flash, both swords arcing toward the Warlord's neck!
Clang!
Doflamingo blocked it—his arms hardened with Armament Haki, though the force made his body tremble slightly.
"Withered Tree and Sakura Ten... so it really is you. You're the Navy's rising star Carl, the 'Naval Nova.'"
"Hah... I didn't realize I was famous enough for a Warlord like you to know my name. I'm honored!"
Carl chuckled but seamlessly shifted into another combo strike.
Doflamingo didn't press the clash he parried and leapt back several meters with ease, laughing again.
"Fufufufufu! I assumed that senile old man Sengoku would've tossed someone like you into the New World by now.
Didn't think he'd keep you bottled up in Sabaody what a waste!
How about it? Come work under me. Join the Donquixote Family.
A talent like you I'll treat you like a prince!"
Doflamingo had clearly tested Carl's strength and found him to be on par with high-level opponents.
A warrior like Carl, still stationed at Sabaody and not yet corrupted by the Navy's politics, intrigued even someone like Doflamingo.
But Carl didn't even blink.
Air spiraled around him.his swords hovered mid-air, levitating as Haki surged through his body. He took to the sky with a burst of Moonwalk.
"Sorry I already have a dream. I'm going to be a Marine who changes this rotten system from within!"
"Your offer means nothing to me."
"And as a Shichibukai you've violated your pact by attacking Marine personnel unprovoked.
Under Article 7 of the Warlord Treaty I now have authority to issue a formal arrest!"
"Donquixote Doflamingo you are under arrest! Surrender peacefully!"
"Fufufufufufu... so serious, Naval Nova!
Fine then... show me!
Show me what kind of power Sengoku's prized star really has!!"
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