"I'm sorry, Young Master Doflamingo, I may not be able to live up to your expectations. Father, Mother, Lami, Sister, everyone… I'm sorry," Law squeezed his eyes shut, tears inevitably escaping from the corners. He peacefully awaited his fate, quietly anticipating his own death. Though he felt a deep unwillingness, he had been very happy during this recent period.
"Cien Fleur: Delphinium!" The composed Robin didn't panic like the others, calmly unleashing her ability.
Countless arms instantly appeared before Law, forming a pillar of hands that blocked Benn Beckman's shot.
"It was blocked?" Benn Beckman said with a hint of regret.
"Law, are you okay?!" Baby 5's concerned call brought Law back to reality.
"I… I'm not dead," Law opened his eyes, his voice laced with lingering fear.
"You almost died just now!" Buffalo exclaimed urgently.
"This is the first time I've seen this guy Law cry! He must have been scared stiff!" Baby 5 said teasingly, looking at Law's sorry state.
"You!" Law irritably wiped the tears from the corners of his eyes and shot Baby 5 an angry glare. This time, however, Baby 5 wasn't intimidated, glaring back defiantly.
Ultimately, it was Law who backed down. After all, he was the one who had lost face this time. Just then, Pica quickly came over and berated Law for a while, making Law feel even more ashamed. It was too embarrassing; he had failed his family's expectations. If Robin hadn't helped him, he probably would be dead by now! Law's heart felt incredibly heavy now. Being a pirate… it truly wasn't a game. People really died!
Pica had intended to say more, but Ibes stopped him. Law walked over to Robin, thanked her, and then rejoined Pica. This brush with death had made him understand what it meant to be a pirate, and his own weakness. Mere slogans and boasts were not enough to gain a foothold on these seas! Law's eyes, now blazing with determination, fixed on the Red Hair Pirates, as if the harrowing experience moments ago had never happened. However, the fury simmering in his gaze betrayed his true feelings. His eyes met Benn Beckman's, who also stood at the bow of his ship. Their gazes clashed, a silent confrontation.
"Room! Thinking of running? Leave something behind before you go!" Law said, his voice cold.
Benn Beckman quickly drew his gun and fired, trying to disrupt Law's actions. This time, however, Pica had wised up and directly shielded Law, blocking the bullet for him.
"Takt!"
Benn Beckman frowned, a sense of foreboding washing over him. Sure enough, just as he had anticipated, their ship suddenly appeared in mid-air. Law had initially wanted to move their ship onto land, but he had overestimated his current strength. Ultimately, he settled for the next best thing: throwing them into the air, hoping they would crash and die. Even if it didn't injure them, it would at least destroy their ship.
The crew members on the Red Hair Pirates' ship were helpless. The two ships were too far apart. Apart from Benn Beckman and Yasopp, they lacked effective long-range combat methods. Moreover, now suspended in mid-air, if the Red Force fell from such a height, it was almost certain to be wrecked.
"All hands, prepare for battle! No more retreating! Kill them!" Benn Beckman quickly issued the order. Knowing escape was impossible, he no longer struggled, resolved to fight to the death. It was either them or him.
"Should have done this from the start, First Mate!"
"It's time these damn bastards paid the price!"
The pirates on the Red Force showed no signs of panic. Instead, they looked at the people on the Ark Maxim with excitement, each one like a hungry wolf, eager to devour the "lambs" of the Donquixote Pirates.
Elsewhere, Uncle Crocus on Laboon's head also noticed the commotion. He issued a command to Laboon, telling him to go rescue them. After all, they had caused this trouble; he couldn't let the Red Hair Pirates be destroyed just like that.
Woooo~
Laboon cried out, then its body quickly dived. Diamante swiftly used Moon Walk to hover in mid-air. Crocus, likewise, used Moon Walk to remain suspended.
"Old man, you're quite good at hiding your strength!" Diamante said. He ignored the beast Laboon. Now, his eyes were only on Crocus. He had to defeat him, to achieve his own legend.
"You're not too bad yourself," Crocus said to Diamante.
"Go to hell, old man!" Diamante charged, sword in hand, towards Crocus. The two engaged in a fierce battle in mid-air.
Laboon, having received its orders, quickly appeared beneath where the Red Force was falling. A massive pillar of water erupted from the sea, directly halting the descent of the Red Force's hull.
"Nicely done!" Lucky Roux exclaimed with some excitement. After all, the ship was saved. They could now fight or retreat, no need to fight to a complete standstill.
Everyone looked at the whale with satisfaction, openly praising it.
"Damn beast! Room: Shambles! Die!" Law, displeased by this turn of events, unleashed several invisible slashes towards Laboon, determined to cut it into pieces.
"Too naive! Don't underestimate us!" The people on the Red Hair Pirates' ship were all experts. Law's little tricks were still a bit lacking against them. Lucky Roux quickly blocked the slashes for Laboon.
"Law, you've already done well. Now, leave it to us! You little ones, take care of yourselves first. We're about to go all out next, and we won't be able to look after you. Don't get yourselves killed!" Enel, who had returned to the Ark Maxim at some point, stood before everyone, looked at the younger members, and said gravely.
"Die? We certainly know that! But I've already steeled my resolve. I absolutely won't be like before!" Law declared to Enel.
"Yahahaha! Very good! Pica, Gladius, Monet, Ibes, Robin, prepare for battle!" Enel said with a laugh.
"Been waiting for this!" Gladius said eagerly.
Pica said nothing, merely glaring at the enemy, his killing intent boiling. Robin, Monet, and Ibes also had murderous glints in their eyes, their fighting spirit soaring as they stared down the enemy.
"Kill!"
"Kill!"
The battle cries erupted from both sides simultaneously. The pirate ships drew closer, and individuals charged towards their chosen opponents. Besides Benn Beckman, Yasopp, and Lucky Roux, the Red Hair Pirates had four other executives. Enel naturally faced the strongest, First Mate Benn Beckman. Pica took on Yasopp. Lucky Roux was matched against Gladius. The other executives were divided among the three women – Monet, Ibes, and Robin. The last remaining executive was surrounded by "the three little ones." As for Bepo, the enemy dismissed him as a pet and showed no interest. Bepo, however, didn't think so. He too joined the battle, his martial arts skills sweeping away all obstacles.
The two sides were engaged in a chaotic melee, the situation momentarily deadlocked. It was impossible to determine a victor yet, only waiting for someone to fall into a disadvantage, at which point the stalemate would be broken.
In the area where Doflamingo and Red Hair were fighting, Doflamingo once again sent Red Hair flying with a punch. His Observation Haki also picked up on the fierce battle between the two pirate crews; the scene was quite lively.
"Fuffuffuffuffu! This place would make a fine graveyard for you, Red Hair!" Doflamingo said with a laugh.
"If you truly have the ability, then take me down first!" Red Hair retorted, wiping the blood from the corner of his mouth with his sword hand, his expression grave.
"Whether I have the ability or not, you'll see!" Doflamingo shot towards Red Hair. But before Red Hair could make a move, he suddenly found the pressure on his body increase severalfold. Even his famed sword Gryphon felt as if it were being drawn by some attraction.
What's going on? Doflamingo, what did you do? Red Hair struggled to block Doflamingo's punch. Red Hair didn't understand the principle of electromagnetism; Doflamingo had long since altered the magnetic field around himself, using electromagnetic force to oppress Red Hair.
Doflamingo had no obligation to educate his enemy on physics. Naturally, he would press his advantage while Red Hair was vulnerable. Can't go on like this. I'm still no match for Doflamingo. If this continues, my entire crew will be wiped out sooner or later. I must leave! Red Hair unleashed a powerful slash, sending Doflamingo flying back.
Taking advantage of the moment Doflamingo was repelled, Red Hair quickly made for the Red Force. Doflamingo, nullifying the force of the slash, sneered and said, "Trying to run, Red Hair? Don't you think it's too late?"
Red Hair sensed the voice behind him but didn't delay, heading straight for the Red Force without looking back. Behind the fleeing Red Hair, the situation rapidly changed. Even the sky darkened, and rumbles of thunder echoed, causing the members of both pirate crews, still locked in fierce combat, to involuntarily look up. Some of the more timid ones were so frightened they fell to their knees.
"Captain! Be careful!" Someone shouted, alerting Red Hair.
Red Hair also glanced back and saw a colossal giant standing between heaven and earth, like an ancient Thunder God, exuding an imposing aura without being angry. Lightning constantly flickered around it; just touching it would mean death. Such majestic heavenly might, terrifying to behold!
"Two Hundred Million Volt: Amaru!"
"Red Hair, stay right where you are! None of you will escape!"