"As expected of the Chief of Staff," Oboro thought to himself after separating from Doflamingo.
Vice Admiral Tsuru had indeed deduced his intentions with remarkable precision.
The Hell Pirates hadn't encountered any marine forces before departing Twin Capes, which meant that if battle erupted, their most logical escape route would be retracing their original path. Marine forces had already established positions in the surrounding waters, forming an intricate net of surveillance. Before spotting the warships, any rational person would assume that Twin Capes, the waters beneath the towering Red Line, represented safe passage, potentially allowing the Seven Warlords to find opportunities to circle around and intercept fleeing targets.
The Warlords certainly wouldn't coordinate their movements as a unified group; instead, each would likely guard a specific zone within the operational area.
After all, even a relatively small region like Twin Capes encompassed vast expanses of ocean.
Tsuru's strategy aimed for complete containment.
For Oboro, attempting detours or prolonged concealment would waste precious time. He needed to exit the Grand Line as rapidly as possible.
Tsuru understood this tactical reality perfectly.
However, Doflamingo's appearance stemmed partly from their mutual interests, and he was deliberately providing advance warning. Furthermore, Dover had fought him previously and possessed intimate knowledge of his capabilities. If Oboro intended to escape, aerial flight would prove the safest method, making Dover's search strategy relatively straightforward.
Flying at altitude provided the optimal means of avoiding combat. Regardless of how powerful any Shichibukai might be, they could simply maintain low profiles near the surface, avoiding established sea routes. Normally, encountering any Warlord would necessitate fierce battle, forcing the enemy to report their location and intelligence to marine headquarters. But Joker had deliberately stepped aside, allowing the Hell Pirates to approach the Red Line undetected.
Of course, even without Dover's assistance, Oboro and his companions could have escaped safely. They were flying at sufficient altitude that detection through conventional senses, including Observation Haki, would prove extremely difficult at such distances.
Furthermore, they had the cover of darkness on their side.
However, among the Seven Warlords of the Sea, one individual represented a notable exception: Dracule "Hawk Eyes" Mihawk, the world's greatest swordsman.
This was precisely the opponent Doflamingo had just warned him against.
Oboro harbored no doubt that among the Warlords, Hawkeye was unquestionably the strongest. His swordsmanship transcended mortal comprehension, his skill level far exceeding the typical Shichibukai range. Furthermore, regarding Haki mastery, this man had frequently clashed with Red-Haired Shanks, whose spiritual pressure possessed terrifying range and intensity.
Therefore, even at their current altitude, Oboro suspected he might not escape Hawkeye's detection.
However, at extreme distances during aerial combat, he held decisive advantages.
At minimum, Mihawk couldn't achieve sustained flight.
With Oboro's current strength, he could reasonably suppress a Shichibukai like Doflamingo, but against Hawkeye, his chances remained slim.
Moreover, he had Dom and the others to protect.
Never assume that flight guaranteed safety. In the pirate world, even meteors could be "pulled down" through supernatural powers, and shattering stars with single sword strikes represented standard achievements for the most formidable masters. Besides, numerous individuals in this world possessed flight capabilities or could at least maintain aerial positioning.
"But witnessing his swordsmanship firsthand... that could prove valuable," Oboro smiled.
Beneath the cascading rapids of Reverse Mountain, the sea surface rippled from the thundering waterfall, causing a small vessel to sway gently from side to side.
Yet this boat, barely large enough for two or three people to stand comfortably, showed no danger of capsizing despite the turbulent conditions.
The craft's overall design was distinctly unusual.
The mast formed a pristine white cross, while two white candles burned on either side of the hull, their flickering flames casting an eerie green luminescence.
A man sat upright in a chair positioned beneath the cross.
The chair appeared to be the vessel's sole furnishing at first glance.
He wore a black trench coat with gothic styling, short boots, a burgundy shirt, and a wide-brimmed hat trimmed with white fur. His eyes, calm and piercing, stared forward while his hands rested folded upon his crossed knees, as if patiently awaiting something.
The splashing water and whistling sea breeze caused the candle flames to dance constantly, yet showed no signs of extinguishing them.
This individual was none other than Dracule Mihawk, also known as Hawkeye, the universally acknowledged world's greatest swordsman.
After an extended silence, Hawkeye's distinctive yellow eyes shifted slightly upward, scanning the deep night sky as he made a soft sound of acknowledgment.
"Hmm?"
His gaze tracked the movement of his pupils, as if his vision could pierce the darkness and perceive something beyond normal sight.
"They actually came this way... and more than one person."
Hawkeye slowly rose to his feet.
"It seems the Marine's analysis of him remains incomplete. The fact that he can reach this location suggests his fruit ability to manipulate airflow has been developed to an advanced level, enabling sustained flight over considerable distances. The absence of any intelligence reports here also indicates that no one else has detected the target's movements."
"Hmph."
With a resigned sigh, Hawkeye drew the black blade from his back.
Since he represented the World Government in this operation, he couldn't allow the God Slayer to slip past right under his nose.
Otherwise, he'd be left without adequate explanation for his superiors.
Gripping the hilt, he allowed the massive blade to hang naturally at his side.
Hawkeye's narrowing pupils fixed on a specific point in the night sky above. Then, with a fluid motion of his arm, the small boat beneath him erupted with tremendous force, instantly crushing the sea surface across a hundred-meter radius and causing the water level to plummet dramatically.
An incredibly brilliant, piercing slash soared into the sky, seemingly ripping through the black veil of night itself.
Above the clouds, Oboro led his companions through the thin air when he suddenly detected a terrifying aura emanating from the sea below.
He immediately recognized it as Hawkeye's presence.
"Here it comes!"
Even before the blade's light reached his position, Oboro's skin prickled with anticipatory danger.
His expression darkened with focused intensity.
With a wave of his hand, he manipulated air currents to push Dom and the others far from the incoming attack's trajectory.
"What incredible eyesight! You can actually see clearly in these conditions?" Oboro's eyelids twitched with grudging admiration.
He truly lived up to his epithet of 'Hawk Eyes.'
The drifting clouds nearby were suddenly shattered by the overwhelming might of the ascending slash, dissipating into nothingness.
Not only Oboro, but Dom and the others also witnessed the rainbow-colored slashing light that pierced through the air toward them, a cutting force that defied rational description.
The power, speed, range, and sheer magnitude were absolutely astounding!
This single strike felt capable of effortlessly severing a towering mountain in half, let alone mere human targets.
Oboro's arm suddenly radiated with concentrated Haki. Looking down from his aerial position, he extended his jet-black palm while simultaneously activating his Devil Fruit ability, forming a massive hand of compressed air that grasped toward the incoming slash. However, upon contact, his energy-condensed construct shattered against the blade's light, forcing the slashing attack to collide directly with Oboro's physical palm.
The moment the cutting force approached, radiating pressure swept through the entire sky like a devastating gust of wind. Behind them, Dom and Yuri also employed their Haki defensively to brace against the residual impact.
Dolan and his companions found themselves in far worse circumstances.
Although Oboro absorbed the primary attack from the front, the residual power alone carved countless bloody wounds across their bodies. Fortunately, none proved particularly deep, merely superficial injuries.
But the demonstration remained terrifying enough.
Because this represented only the overflow energy.
Nearly all the destructive force had been absorbed by Oboro alone.
Looking ahead, Oboro stood firm in the air, his outstretched palm grinding against the enemy's slashing attack, remaining completely unmoved.
Finally, after several tense seconds, the sharp aura of the cutting force exploded and dissipated into nothingness.
Although Oboro's Haki-covered arm appeared intact, his entire sleeve had been completely shredded and torn away.
"Here comes another one!"
Dolan cried out in panic.
From the dark sea surface below, another dazzling light rose skyward, even more terrifying than the previous slash.
Oboro's aura also intensified with fierce determination.
"You really don't give me any time to catch my breath," he muttered, pressing down the brim of his hat with one hand while gazing down at the sea below.