The sounds of gunfire, battle cries, weeping, and pleas for help rose from all corners of Puerco Island, transforming it into a living hell.
It is only in times of war that one sees people's truest selves. Status, wealth, power—none of it mattered more than one's own life.
Countless innocent residents and pirates caught in the crossfire rushed desperately towards the island's edge, trying to flee the war-torn land. But alas, fate had decreed they would not escape.
Even if they could, the Marines wouldn't allow it. This place was to be the final stage for Doflamingo and his crew; anyone who knew what transpired here would be dealt with.
Before their departure, Fleet Admiral Sengoku had impressed upon all personnel the gravity of this mission. Besides, Puerco was a lawless island, and its people were not as innocent as they appeared. They, too, deserved what was coming.
This time, dealing with everything at once was a matter of killing two birds with one stone.
On the island, Kizaru and Aokiji watched the fires of war spread, both wondering where Doflamingo was. Why hadn't he appeared yet? Had he sent his subordinates to their deaths?
The man in question was, at that moment, happily reaping a harvest of heads on the eastern side of Puerco. There were no strong opponents here. The moment he arrived, Doflamingo unleashed his Conqueror's Haki, knocking them all unconscious. He followed this with a wide-range electrical bombardment, eliminating the Marines before they could even send a signal.
No one could stand against him for even a single exchange. Doflamingo dispatched them all with ease, strolling through the fallen Marine bodies as if he were on a shopping trip.
Sensing the commotion on the main island, Doflamingo knew the battle there was fierce. Without delay, he headed back.
To the north of Puerco, a bizarre scene had unfolded. All the Marines were dead, their hands clutching their own throats, mouths agape, eyes rolled back into their heads. Their cause of death was identical.
Enel had infiltrated the area silently, swiftly injecting clouds into each Marine's mouth and nose, blocking their respiratory passages and causing them to suffocate.
A stream of clouds coalesced into Enel's form, standing over the corpse-strewn ground. He kicked one of the fallen Marines to confirm he was dead, then prepared to leave.
This battle hadn't even been an appetizer. The action on Puerco Island was far more exciting, and Enel had long been anticipating a clash with true powerhouses.
Wasting no more time, Enel rode the clouds, heading to rendezvous with Doflamingo on Puerco.
Just as Doflamingo and Enel were making their way back, the warship carrying the Seven Warlords successfully docked.
One by one, figures whose names were famous across the seas stepped onto the soil of Puerco Island.
"Kishishishi, we're finally here? What a lively party!" Gecko Moria looked at the chaos on the island with excitement. This time, he would surely get his wish and obtain the corpse of a powerful fighter.
"Doflamingo... let me see what you're capable of. How did you manage to kill Red-Haired Shanks?" Hawkeye Mihawk carried his Black Blade, Yoru, on his back, his sharp eyes piercing through the fog of war.
Bartholomew Kuma, as usual, was quiet and dutiful, saying nothing.
"Hey, lead the way. Let's hurry up and deal with Doflamingo. I'm a busy man," the sand crocodile, Crocodile, ordered the Marines impatiently, a cigar clamped in his mouth and a golden hook on his left hand.
He hadn't planned on coming, but Sengoku had contacted him personally, threatening that if he didn't participate, his status as a Warlord would be revoked.
In truth, Crocodile didn't care much for the title, but he had received information that it would grant him significant advantages for his plans. He couldn't easily discard it, so he had reluctantly come to take part.
Being threatened had, of course, enraged him. His opinion of the Marines was already low, and this only soured his mood towards the common soldiers even more.
"What a group of filthy men," the Pirate Empress, Boa Hancock, the only woman among the Warlords, said with utter disdain.
"So beautiful!" The Marines were captivated by the Empress's beauty, their eyes turning into hearts as they faithfully simpered over her.
Hancock had no interest whatsoever in ambushing Doflamingo. She wanted nothing to do with the World Government's schemes, but for the safety of Amazon Lily, she had been forced to compromise. She had boarded this pirate ship against her will, ready to wade into these muddy waters.
The other Warlords were immune to her beauty. In their eyes, only strength mattered; beauty was merely a bonus. If the Empress had no power, she wouldn't even have the right to stand beside them.
This world was a realistic one. Beauty was the cheapest commodity; with strength, you could have anything.
Mihawk wasted no more time. He had come for Doflamingo.
While the others were still dawdling, he took the lead and headed towards the heart of the battle.
"Kishishishi, in such a hurry, Hawkeye?" Gecko Moria watched Mihawk leave without a word and quickly gave chase.
Kuma followed immediately after. The two remaining Warlords, both there against their will, followed at a much more leisurely pace. Though they had come, how much effort they would exert was another matter entirely. They had no intention of doing the World Government's dirty work.
Where Pica's towering giant stood, the ground was a scene of devastation. Rubble, ice shards, deep craters, collapsed buildings, and strewn corpses all testified to the ferocity of the battle.
"How brutal! So many bodies!" Gecko Moria took in the scene at a glance. He couldn't be more pleased with the number of corpses. If there were one or two strong ones among them, it would be even better.
Mihawk's sharp eyes scanned the area, searching for any sign of Doflamingo, but found none.
Kuma was unfazed by the sight. People died in war.
Hancock frowned at the scene. She was no longer a little girl and was mentally prepared for such things.
Crocodile was the most relaxed of all, looking as if none of this had anything to do with him.
Diamante, having just cut down a Marine, noticed the arrival of the Warlords. As a swordsman, he was highly sensitive to the presence of another.
Mihawk? That aura... a true master. "Half-Moon Requiem!" Diamante looked at Mihawk with feverish excitement. As a swordsman, he naturally wanted to be the best, and after Doflamingo had helped awaken his swordsman's spirit, that desire had only grown stronger.
"Hm?" Mihawk sensed the swordsman's aura, but his focus was on Doflamingo. He paid Diamante no mind.
It was Diamante who took the initiative to attack. This piqued Mihawk's interest slightly. Since Doflamingo hadn't appeared yet, he might as well test the waters of the Donquixote Pirates.
Shing! With a single motion, Mihawk drew his Black Blade, Yoru, and sent a slash toward Diamante.
Compared to Mihawk's attack, Diamante's was like a child's scribble next to a masterpiece. There was no comparison. Before the eyes of all, Diamante's slash was instantly shattered by Mihawk's, and the remaining force continued on toward him.
"As expected, you're strong. This makes it interesting!" Diamante wasn't discouraged by the vast gap between them. Instead, he channeled all his strength to defend himself.
"Interesting," Mihawk said, a flicker of interest in his eyes as he watched Diamante block his attack.
Diamante had no intention of stopping. He brandished his rapier and charged toward Mihawk.
Mihawk's eyes sharpened. He swung his Black Blade to meet his opponent's attack.
CLANG!
The two blades met with a crisp, clear sound.
"Mihawk, I've wanted to fight you for a long time. Let me see the gap between us!" Diamante said excitedly.
"Where is Doflamingo?" Mihawk had no time for small talk with Diamante. He cut straight to the point.
"Doffy? He will appear when the time is right," Diamante replied patiently, unbothered by Mihawk's dismissive attitude.
"In that case, I will defeat you first. Then, Doflamingo will have no choice but to show himself. He wouldn't ignore the life of his subordinate, would he?" Mihawk said, his words a calm threat.
"Hahaha, then you'll have to defeat me first!" Diamante laughed, but his grip on his rapier tightened.
Mihawk looked at Diamante with a hint of disdain. Their states were completely different. Mihawk was relaxed, as if he and his sword were one. Though his body was at ease, he could unleash immense power at any moment.
Mihawk had reached a state of natural perfection. In comparison, Diamante was far behind. As a swordsman, if you couldn't relax, how could you control the sword in your hand? Diamante's death grip on his weapon betrayed the pressure he was under.
An ordinary-looking slash flew toward Diamante.
Diamante dared not be arrogant. He coated his blade with Armament Haki and met the Black Blade head-on.
CLANG!
The immense force from Yoru was too much for Diamante to handle. He was sent flying backward, using the momentum to dissipate the impact.
"So strong!" Diamante flexed his slightly numb arm, his face showing no fear. Even his grip on his sword had loosened, reaching a state of relaxation.
"You have some aptitude," Mihawk noted with a hint of approval upon seeing Diamante's change. "In that case, I shall send you on your way with this, the world's strongest black blade."
"Then I must see it for myself! Bring it on!"
Both swordsmen gathered their power, preparing for the next strike.
Who would emerge victorious was still unknown.