Diamante felt an overwhelming, unstoppable force surge from the sword in his hands.
The speed and power of the strike were unlike anything he had ever encountered.
Even against Pica—when the stone giant had struck—he had never felt such raw impact.
Being slashed and sent flying, Diamante's eyes widened in disbelief.
When did the East Blue spawn a monster like this?!
Bang!
Diamante crashed onto the deck, his crimson cloak and clothes hardening into steel, carving a deep groove along the wooden surface before smashing against the ship's railing.
Crack.
The fissures spread across the railing.
The pirates who had been cheering moments ago froze like ducks with their throats pinched, utterly silent.
Everyone stared dumbfounded at the airborne Diamante.
This was Diamante—the undefeated champion gladiator of Dressrosa!
"Is that all?"
Don swung his sword, Hono, slicing through the air with a high-pitched whistle.
Diamante, rising to his feet, stiffened at the sound of Don's voice, his face contorting with rage.
But before he could fully stand, the railing he had collided with splintered and fell into the sea behind him.
Diamante clutched his sword tightly, glaring at Don.
After that brief clash, he no longer dared underestimate his opponent.
Though he did not rely solely on strength, Diamante's vast combat experience taught him that when an ability surpasses human limits, it grants an overwhelming advantage in battle.
He could not confront this head-on.
Don casually moved to the other side of the gladiator platform, beckoning Diamante with a finger.
All the pirates saw it.
Diamante's face flushed red.
Even a fool could see the disrespect in that gesture.
But battles weren't won by arrogance alone.
Diamante stepped onto the platform, gripping his sword with both hands, eyes locked on Don.
Before he could continue his threats, Don suddenly stepped forward, closing the distance.
Clang!
Diamante had mastered Armament Haki, but he was no swordsman.
He relied too heavily on his Devil Fruit powers.
Raising his sword to block Don's incoming strike, he was forced to retreat almost immediately.
His Devil Fruit-infused sword became soft, twisting like a piece of cloth into the shape of a long-horned bullhead fish—a fighting fish from Dressrosa.
Bang!
Diamante thrust both hands forward like swinging a war hammer.
Don met it head-on with Hono.
Boom!
Even with his weapon, the collision left Diamante's hands numb.
"You've fallen for it, Snake Sword!"
Diamante bellowed. The sword, now in the shape of a fighting fish, split into a soft, serpent-like blade that slithered at Don with cunning precision.
With Observation Haki active, Don easily blocked each strike, the clash of steel ringing out: Clang! Clang! Clang!
Don's expression remained calm, though a hint of disappointment lingered.
He had expected more from Diamante, but the Devil Fruit seemed more like a party trick than a true weapon.
True, Diamante was far from a top-ranking officer in the Donquixote Family.
Don shook his head slightly and then flicked Hono upward. A sword slash shot forward, heading straight for Diamante.
Seeing the strike, Diamante spun his red cloak into steel.
Bang!
The slash hit the steel cloak with a deafening clang.
"Ha! I'm a flag-bearer! You'll never break through this steel!"
Diamante began to gloat—but then noticed Don suddenly in front of him, Hono raised high, slashing downwards.
"No use! No use! No use!"
Diamante tensed, trying to block with his steel cloak.
But this strike was sharper than before.
The steel-red cloak split as easily as cloth under Don's blade, slicing through flesh with a wet tearing sound.
Deep, diagonal gashes ran from Diamante's left shoulder to his right hip, blood spraying across the deck.
The tall warrior fell back, staring skyward.
"Bastard!"
The pirates, shocked by the turn of events, erupted in rage, swinging swords and guns at Don.
In just a few blinks, not a single one remained standing.
The stench of blood filled the air.
Diamante, still alive thanks to his strong physique, glared at Don.
"Any last words?"
Don approached, towering over the bloodied Diamante.
"Master, please save me!"
Diamante suddenly shouted.
Don's eyes flicked to the Den Den Mushi at his ear.
"Pirate Hunter Don. Leave now, and I'll pretend none of this ever happened."
Doflamingo's voice came through.
Diamante had contacted him during the attack.
"Not a bad proposal," Don said—but his tone shifted.
"I refuse."
With a stroke of his sword, Diamante's groans were silenced.
"Damn you!"
Doflamingo's furious roar echoed through the Den Den Mushi.
"I don't trust someone like you. Release him, and he could become my enemy next time. Best to end this now!"
Don crouched, picking up the Den Den Mushi.
"And next time, don't send underlings. They're your family, right? Sending them is suicide. If you want it done, come yourself. Or I'll visit Dressrosa soon."
"Hehe… what a lawless bastard!"
Even enraged, Doflamingo laughed darkly through the Den Den Mushi.
"Your laugh is awful. Anything else? If not, I'm taking this head to the Marines for the bounty."
Don's tone was teasing.
"Don't worry, I'll be heading to the West Blue. Oh, and I'll make sure to ruin your business in the North Blue once I'm done there."
Silence on the other end.
The call ended after a long pause.
Don tucked the now-sleeping Den Den Mushi into his chest, then bent down to lift Diamante's head.
Startup capital had arrived once more.
END OF CHAPTER
patreon.com/MrBehringer
Fireborne Legends
🔹 Rising Bounty – Read up to 15 chapters ahead
🔸 Legendary Bounty – Command up to 35 chapters ahead