"Has Kaido made a move?"
Hearing this, Bai Yu immediately set aside his usual playful demeanor.
So soon?!
Bai Yu frowned inwardly, his mind racing.
Still, after a brief moment of thought, a likely scenario clicked into place.
There was a high chance that Doflamingo had already contacted Kaido and informed him of the situation.
Otherwise, no matter how far Kaido's influence spread, the news of Bai Yu's movements wouldn't have leaked this quickly.
What puzzled Bai Yu, however, was why Doflamingo would do such a thing. Didn't he make it clear that Kaido shouldn't get involved?
This didn't quite align with Doflamingo's arrogant and calculating nature.
"The specifics are still unclear," Garp's voice replied, steady as ever.
"But what's certain is that Kaido has locked his eyes on you."
"I figured as much," Bai Yu said calmly.
"But one thing's for sure—Kaido won't come here himself."
Kaido was deeply rooted in Wano Country, and the island where Bai Yu currently resided was a significant distance away. Given the scale of power Kaido represents as one of the Four Emperors, it was impossible for him to act personally over something like this without major provocation.
Logically speaking, the likelihood of Kaido showing up in person was negligible.
His forces, though... That was another matter entirely.
"I've still got urgent business to handle here."
"If the situation becomes too volatile, we may have to abort this operation."
"Considering the atrocities committed at Punk Hazard, the headquarters won't let Doflamingo walk free."
Garp shifted the topic, his tone slightly more persuasive now.
Back then, the Navy Headquarters tolerated their temporary alliance with Doflamingo for political and strategic reasons—using pirates to fight pirates, letting monsters devour monsters. They often turned a blind eye to some of Doflamingo's darker activities.
But Punk Hazard was on another level entirely.
With illegal experiments, human trafficking, artificial Devil Fruits, and Caesar Clown's monstrosities surfacing—Doflamingo's actions could no longer be ignored.
Removing his Shichibukai title and issuing a warrant for his arrest was only a matter of time.
Even so, Bai Yu had no intention of retreating now.
Whatever justice the Navy might eventually carry out, it was still uncertain. Doflamingo wasn't just a Warlord—he was a former Celestial Dragon.
No one could say for certain how that kind of influence would play out behind closed doors.
Bai Yu wouldn't risk letting current opportunities slip away in hopes of an uncertain future verdict.
"I get it, old man. Don't worry," Bai Yu replied with a rare moment of seriousness.
"If it really comes down to it, and I can't win…" he chuckled, "I'll just run."
Not wanting to be lectured further, Bai Yu promptly hung up the Den Den Mushi.
Smoker, who had been silently listening at his side, wore a grim expression.
"If even a Yonko has taken interest in this… are you sure you still want to go through with this without contacting headquarters for backup?" Smoker asked, clearly worried.
"There's no need," Bai Yu replied confidently.
"As long as Doflamingo shows himself, I won't let him escape this time."
Call for reinforcements?
That would just bring in the Admirals or other high-ranking officers… and they'd likely try to claim the victory and credit for themselves.
For Bai Yu, fighting against powerful enemies wasn't just a mission—it was a path to sharpen himself and grow.
The stronger the foe, the more swings he gained from his mysterious system.
Letting someone else take down Doflamingo? That was out of the question.
"I understand," Smoker nodded, sensing Bai Yu's resolve.
He said nothing further.
Time passed.
Night fell.
Whoosh!
In the thick darkness, a nearly invisible thread shot silently through the air toward Caesar, who was still hanging upside down.
Its target? The Seastone handcuffs that kept Caesar bound.
Clang!
Just as the thread was about to hit, Bai Yu—who had been resting with his eyes closed—suddenly opened them.
In an instant, he sprang up, drew his sword, and slashed.
The blade, Sakuragi, cut clean through the thread in mid-air with precision.
Smoker, alerted by the sudden sound, immediately stood and scanned the surroundings, battle-ready.
"No need to hide now," Bai Yu called out calmly.
"You're already here, aren't you?"
"Fufufufufu..."
A familiar laugh echoed from the shadows of the jungle.
Whoosh!
A figure stepped out from the dark—a flamboyant coat billowing behind him.
Doflamingo.
Upon seeing him, Smoker activated his powers and moved to retrieve Caesar, dragging him away from potential danger.
"Still cutting my threads like it's nothing, huh?" Bai Yu said with a casual shrug.
At that, Doflamingo's face darkened.
His sharp eyes flicked to Caesar behind Smoker, then narrowed at Bai Yu.
"It seems there's no handing Caesar over unless I go through you," he said coldly.
He'd clearly realized Bai Yu wasn't just here for Caesar—he was here for him.
"Exactly," Bai Yu responded without hesitation.
He lifted Sakuragi, pointing the blade directly at Doflamingo.
"If you want him, beat me."
"If you lose, leave your life behind."
"Fufufufu!"
Doflamingo burst into laughter, his signature chuckle echoing in the air.
"Just because you beat me once, you think you can boast like this?"
"I don't fall for the same trick twice!"
He was more prepared now. He'd seen Bai Yu's techniques once before—there wouldn't be a repeat of the same humiliation.
"Then come and prove it," Bai Yu grinned.
Azure Dragon Sword Intent—Release!
Whoosh!
At his command, the blade in Bai Yu's hand burst into a tangible light blue-white flame, shaped like a coiled dragon of light.
Armament Haki—Activate!
Hum!
Black energy surged along Sakuragi's blade—sleek, dense, and deadly. The black blade shimmered ominously in the night.
Dragon Power—Awaken!
In the next breath, Bai Yu's arms gleamed as dragon scales formed over them, glinting like steel, radiating raw might.
Thunder Sprint—Engaged!
Zzzt!
Lightning danced around Bai Yu's legs, sparking violently.
His speed skyrocketed as electric power coursed through him.
There was no need for hesitation. No time for probing.
They had fought before—this time, Bai Yu went all out from the start!
Unbeknownst to Doflamingo, Bai Yu was no longer the same as he had been during their last encounter—his strength had multiplied manyfold.
On the other side—
Smack!
Doflamingo slammed his palm into the ground.
His String-String Fruit entered its awakened state.
Shing! Shing! Shing!
In the blink of an eye, the terrain around him twisted and transformed, morphing into countless thin white strings spreading outward like a web.
Smoker, seeing the impending clash, wisely retreated with Caesar in tow.
The battlefield was set.
Two titans, clashing once more.
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