Undisguised killing intent radiated towards the half-kneeling Red Hair. Shanks, however, showed no fear, quickly standing up and pointing Gryphon at Doflamingo.
"Then you can just try!" Red Hair responded dominantly, unafraid.
The two once again engaged in battle, charging towards each other. Doflamingo now intended to execute Red Hair. Since they couldn't get along, there was no need for more words. Even if he couldn't kill Red Hair today, he would ensure Shanks suffered serious injuries, absolutely not letting him off comfortably.
"One Hundred Million Volt Thunder Dragon!" Doflamingo began to unleash his lightning abilities. A lifelike thunder dragon surged towards Red Hair, vowing to submerge him beneath the lightning.
Shanks didn't panic, gripping Gryphon tightly. Sharp sword energy flew towards the thunder dragon, intending to sever it. Taking advantage of the momentary distraction as Red Hair dealt with the thunder dragon, Doflamingo smirked maliciously. He clapped his hands together, aiming at the members of the Red Hair Pirates on their distant ship.
"Electromagnetic Cannon: Thunder Roar!" Doflamingo barked.
Shanks, having just cut down the thunder dragon, saw this and knew it was bad. He prepared to quickly support his teammates, wanting to block Doflamingo's attack. However, Doflamingo wouldn't let him have his way, instantly teleporting to Shanks's side and kicking him away. Red Hair, sent flying through the air, could only watch helplessly as Doflamingo's electromagnetic cannon shot towards his crew. However, he wasn't overly worried, because he trusted his crew members just as they trusted him.
The members of the Red Hair Pirates were startled by the sudden attack, but they didn't panic too much. In their view, the opponent clearly couldn't handle their captain and was now attacking them to distract Red Hair, hoping to make him rush around. Most members of the Red Hair Pirates, believing they had seen through Doflamingo's intentions, thought this way.
"What a dangerous aura!"
"A very strong move!"
"I wonder if I can take it? Let me try!" Lucky Roux, munching on a chicken leg, said, stepping forward to take on the challenge.
Although Lucky Roux was obese, his strength was definitely not lacking. He propelled his massive body towards the rapidly approaching electromagnetic cannon, intending to block Doflamingo's attack with his corpulent frame. The turn of events with the Red Hair Pirates certainly didn't escape the notice of those on the Ark. Seeing Lucky Roux attempt to block Doflamingo's electromagnetic cannon with his flesh and blood, they couldn't help but sneer and mock.
"What an arrogant fatty! Does he think the Young Master's electromagnetic cannon is so easy to block?" Baby 5 scoffed.
"Yeah, yeah!" Buffalo chimed in.
"Let's just wait and see," Law said, surprisingly.
As Lucky Roux flew before the electromagnetic cannon, he finally sensed that this move was even more formidable than he had imagined. Without much thought, he directly met the cannon with his belly, which was coated in Armament Haki and thick layers of fat. In mid-air, the portly man grinned and flashed a smile at the Donquixote Pirates. Since their captain was being shameless, they had to return the favor.
"He actually blocked it! Damn fatty pig! That blubber of his is actually useful!" Baby 5, seeing Lucky Roux's smile, was also furious, muttering curses.
The others paid no attention to Baby 5's complaints because the enemy's attack was about to reach them. The electromagnetic cannon, blocked by Lucky Roux, hadn't completely dissipated; instead, Lucky Roux had redirected it towards the Donquixote Pirates.
"Returning it to you!" Lucky Roux said with a laugh. His belly was a bit numb and hot, but it was nothing serious.
Landing back on his ship, Lucky Roux was greeted by Yasopp, who asked if he was alright. But Lucky Roux just laughed and said, "I'm fine! With all this blubber on me, the enemy's attack was just tickling me!"
"That's good then. But your belly looks like it's on fire! Are you really okay?" Yasopp asked again.
"Really fine! I just need to eat a few more chicken legs to recover. However, the enemy's strength is indeed unfathomable," Lucky Roux reassured Yasopp, then looked gravely at Doflamingo, who was still battling their captain.
"Alright, men, listen up! Prepare to retreat now! Yasopp, you cover our rear and stop the enemy from pursuing!" Benn Beckman suddenly issued an order.
Although the Red Hair Pirates were somewhat puzzled by Benn Beckman's words, they still obeyed their first mate's command. The Red Hair Pirates were just that united, and their discipline was impeccable.
"Alright!" Yasopp replied loudly, his sniper rifle already aiming at the Donquixote Pirates.
On the Donquixote Pirates' side, seeing the electromagnetic cannon flying towards them, no one showed any fear. With Doflamingo currently absent, Enel, as the strongest person there, naturally stepped up, directly unleashing a "Cloud Stream Burst" to deal with the cannon.
"Damn bastards! Lord Enel, they're trying to escape!" One of the crewmen sharply spotted the Red Hair Pirates' movements. But just as he finished speaking, he was shot dead by one of Yasopp's bullets.
"Damn you! You've angered me!" Enel, seeing his subordinate killed beside him, was filled with an unknown rage. Although the life of one subordinate meant little to him, what he cared about more was that he hadn't reacted in time just now, allowing the enemy sniper to find an opening. This was an utter humiliation. How could Enel, who valued his pride so highly, tolerate such a thing?
The others, seeing their crewmate die, also looked grim. Death itself wasn't a big deal; since they had set out to sea and become pirates, they had long since cast aside thoughts of life and death. However, a meaningless death was not what they wanted.
"Alright, men! Prepare for battle! Don't let a single Red Hair Pirate escape! I think Doffy would want the same!" Enel also issued an order, then, without hesitation, flew towards the Red Hair Pirates and initiated combat.
"I've been itching to get at them! How dare they kill our people! Taste my cannons!" Baby 5 was also furious. Her body quickly transformed, and a barrage of massive cannonballs shot towards the Red Force, intending to sink them.
"In your dreams, little missy! Sorry, but you'd better just die!" Yasopp, through his sniper scope, had spotted Baby 5. He was also shocked by the Donquixote Pirates' extravagance; even such a little girl had eaten a Devil Fruit. Indeed, they couldn't be spared. Bang! A sniper bullet flew towards Baby 5's forehead, aiming to kill her.
"How could I let you harm my family so easily?" Enel, flying in the air, his Observation Haki active, naturally saw this and directly intercepted the bullet in mid-flight.
"Damn it!" Yasopp cursed angrily.
"Trying to run? Did you ask my permission? Cloud Stream Rain!" Enel flew above the Red Force, continuously bombarding it from below.
"Damn it! The Donquixote Pirates have so many ability users!" an executive – bald, with no eyebrows, a scar on his left cheek, wearing a blue shirt and pants, with a monkey on his back – exclaimed in frustration. The monkey on his back shrieked in agreement. However, his actions were not slow, quickly blocking Enel's attack.
"What's the big deal? It's just some clouds," the executive muttered.
"Got some skills, huh! However, the wind is formless, and the clouds are intangible. My clouds… they explode!" Enel said excitedly.
"What?!" The members of the Red Hair Pirates exclaimed in shock, immediately followed by a series of explosions, creating a fireworks show on the deck of the Red Force.
The Red Force was in an uproar, but those on the Ark Maxim weren't idle either. After all, what could be a more righteous cause than revenge? Even Robin and Ibes looked at the Red Hair Pirates with righteous indignation, wanting to retaliate.
"Law, it's up to you!" Pica said to Law. Pica couldn't use his powers effectively at sea. He had discussed it with Law earlier, asking him to use his ability to move the Red Force onto land. This would allow Pica to unleash his full capabilities. Anyone who dared to kill a member of the Donquixote Pirates, no matter who they were, would pay the price.
"I know! But our ship is too far from theirs. I don't have that much power right now," Law nodded firmly.
"Get us closer! I'm going to mince those bastards!" Pica shrieked in his high-pitched voice. However, everyone was already fired up with anger and paid no mind to Pica's comical voice.
"Yes, sir!"
On Laboon's back, the two combatants began a new round of fighting. Crocus, seeing his juniors fall into such a dangerous situation, knew he had failed Red Hair. He no longer concealed his killing intent, wanting to quickly finish off Diamante and go help them.
"Old man, finally can't hold back anymore? I've been waiting for you for a long time!" Diamante said with some excitement, his rapier thrusting sharply towards Crocus. The atmosphere between them instantly tensed, filled with a murderous aura.
Aboard the Red Force, after a feast of fireworks, the hull was somewhat damaged, but the members of the Red Hair Pirates had no serious injuries, mostly just looking a bit disheveled.
"Damn it! What treacherous bastards!" After all, who would have thought clouds could explode? Anyone seeing clouds would probably ignore them!
"You lot!" Enel was somewhat dissatisfied with his own attack; the explosions just now hadn't taken out a single person, which made him lose some face.
Benn Beckman paid no attention to Enel's words. Instead, he looked at the Ark Maxim approaching them. He had seen Law's abilities before and had been wary ever since. For the enemy to approach them so recklessly, they must be prepared. He couldn't fall into their trap. Moreover, their own captain was currently struggling to hold his own; they had to leave this troubled place quickly.
Seeing through Pica's intentions, Benn Beckman quickly ordered everyone to retreat. He spat out the cigarette he had been holding and drew the pistol from his waist, aiming at the boy named Law. Being merciful to the enemy is being cruel to oneself. Benn Beckman, having weathered so many storms over the years, wouldn't make such a low-level mistake. So what if he was a child? He still had to be killed.
On the Ark Maxim, Law's brow furrowed; he sensed a deadly crisis.
"Go to hell!" Benn Beckman said ruthlessly. Enel, unfortunately, was being kept busy by Yasopp and had no chance to intervene.
"Damn it!" Enel cursed furiously. Now, they could only rely on themselves.
"Law!" Pica, beside him, also noticed, but he was too slow to block it. He could only watch helplessly as the bullet flew towards Law's forehead.
"Law!" Those around Law watched this unfold in horror, shouting out, but they were also powerless to help.
Damn it! Am I going to die just like this? Law felt a wave of despair, watching the bullet fly towards him. Under the threat of death, Law even forgot to use his Devil Fruit ability. After all, he was just a half-grown boy; one couldn't expect him to do better.