Doflamingo, having been ignored time and time again, finally made the decisive move expected of him.
His opponent had come with killing intent. There was no chance he would surrender without a fight.
More importantly, the one standing before him was neither Ash nor White Lion Sali. It was merely a brat who had been operating under Sali's command for the past few years. How could he, the dignified Heavenly Yaksha, lower his head so easily?
The so-called title of Ten Demon Saints meant nothing to him, especially when they had the arrogance to send someone like Law to face him.
Did they truly understand who they were challenging?
"Wild White Wave!"
As Jella floated high above, clearly intending to watch the battle unfold, Doflamingo unleashed his full Devil Fruit Awakening without hesitation.
The surrounding terrain was instantly assimilated. The ground transformed into countless fine threads, rising and crashing forward in massive waves aimed directly at Law and his group.
"Three-Sword Style: Three Thousand Worlds!"
Three Blades struck first. His swords spun with ferocious momentum, generating a violent wind that tore through the thread waves ahead of them.
Daz Bones followed immediately, crossing his arms before unleashing a Cross Slash that severed the waves closing in from behind.
Pekin and Shachi acted without delay. Having consumed the Earth Element Star Lord Devil Fruit and the Fire Element Star Lord Devil Fruit respectively, they unleashed their elemental powers at the very start of the battle.
As Three Blades and Daz Bones carved open a path, Pekin slammed his hands onto the ground. Two massive earthen walls surged upward on either side, blocking the incoming threads from multiple directions.
Shachi moved just as decisively. Flames surged along his arms as he swept them forward, incinerating the shredded threads into nothing but ash.
Johnny and Joseph, inspired by the news that Dicken had risen to the rank of Master Swordsman and was now challenging Hawkeye, had both chosen the Wind Element Star Lord Devil Fruit. Yet instead of attacking, they folded their arms, observing the battlefield.
Their posture was impressive, like Sword Saints overlooking a battlefield, but their lack of urgency was glaring.
While the others focused on defense, Law saw only one thing, Doflamingo.
The moment Three Blades opened a path, Law charged forward without hesitation.
Behind him, Bepo leapt into the air, shouting, "Go, Captain!"
Above them, Jella watched the group's coordination and shook his head.
Three Blades and Daz Bones had handled themselves well, but the rest showed a shocking lack of combat awareness. Eight against one, yet most of them chose to defend and observe.
The situation had effectively turned into a one-on-one battle again.
This was nothing like when they had once fought Kaido together.
Did these rookies truly believe that learning both types of Haki and gaining powerful Devil Fruits made them capable of underestimating someone like Doflamingo?
They would regret this.
And they did.
In the next instant, the earthen walls Pekin had raised were assimilated into Doflamingo's threads. Before anyone could react, the transformed walls twisted and slammed back into the group with devastating force.
Meanwhile, Law had already reached Doflamingo. But before he could fully draw Kikoku, threads lashed out from every direction, forcing him onto the defensive.
These threads were far more dangerous than the Wild White Wave. Each individual strand possessed the cutting power to slice through steel and buildings alike.
Law deflected the attacks continuously, but the distance between him and Doflamingo only grew.
Despite the rage burning inside him, he forced himself to focus.
"ROOM: Slaughterhouse!"
His Ope-Ope no Mi activated instantly. The threads targeting him were displaced, appearing behind Doflamingo instead.
Though they could not harm Doflamingo, the sudden disruption caused him to pause briefly.
Law seized the opportunity. Activating his ability again, he vanished and reappeared behind Doflamingo. Kikoku extended instantly, piercing through his back.
For a brief moment, it seemed successful.
Then came the laugh.
"Fufufufufufu… You've grown stronger, brat. But after everything I've endured, did you really think I would remain the same?"
The figure pierced by Kikoku unraveled into threads, scattering across the ground.
Law's expression changed immediately.
Without hesitation, he activated Slaughterhouse again, shifting his position just as countless threads shredded the space he had occupied.
But before he could recover, his chest convulsed.
A single thread had pierced straight through him.
"When…?"
Blood spilled from his mouth as disbelief filled his eyes.
"Fufufufufufu… Do you even understand what Devil Fruit Awakening means?"
Doflamingo stepped forward, his gait loose and confident, his expression filled with cruel amusement.
"What do you think you're standing on? It's all my threads!"
Just as he prepared to finish Law, forming his fingers into a pistol shape and firing a barrage of String Bullets, he suddenly reacted.
Without turning fully, he slashed backward with his other hand.
At that moment, the rubble that had buried Three Blades and the others exploded outward.
Bepo emerged in his half-beast transformation, shielding the group beneath him.
Though covered in blood, the Mink stood tall, his imposing form radiating raw strength.
Even Jella, watching from above, found his impression of the usually timid bear shifting.
Still, appearance alone did not equal skill.
As Bepo cleared the debris, he failed to notice that Doflamingo had already sensed their movements.
The attack came instantly.
Threads struck the moment they emerged.
Blood sprayed as four deep wounds opened across Bepo's chest.
Pekin attempted to raise another defensive wall, but his arm was severed before it could fully form.
Shachi barely avoided a fatal strike, but a large chunk of flesh was torn from his shoulder.
Only Daz Bones and Three Blades reacted in time, using their blades and abilities to block the remaining attacks.
On the battlefield, Law lay motionless, his condition unknown. Bepo and the others were wounded, their formation broken.
Doflamingo looked over them, his lips curling into a twisted grin. Hands in his pockets, he leaned forward slightly.
"Fufufufufufu… a bunch of trash."