Seeing each of these formidable figures appear, exuding overwhelming power, the Flying Sky Pirates' officers exchanged glances, their eyes wide with shock.
It seemed the Gray Nation's strength was far beyond what they had anticipated.
Not to mention their captain, Rosinante, even the members present of the Flying Sky Pirates were not to be underestimated.
With that in mind, the officers couldn't help but feel a hint of worry, their expressions turning cautious as they looked at each other.
"Jack, you're still so impatient, jumping straight from mid-air! You forced us to rush down at top speed!" Raelmann complained after landing.
"You were too slow. If we hadn't rushed down, we wouldn't have caught these people here in time. Otherwise, we'd have to chase them down everywhere later—what a hassle! The '460' squad could have just finished them all at once!" Jack replied calmly.
"Well, that's true. Taking out all the squad captains and officers here at once would definitely save a lot of trouble," Hemmie commented.
"Hehehe, so these are the Flying Sky Pirates' squad captains and officers? Honestly, they don't look like much!" Moria sneered.
"Today, I'll crush all of you!" Bratt shouted.
"This is our first showing for the Gray Nation. We can't embarrass ourselves!" the Oni Warrior said to his companions, the Blade Master and the Killer.
"Of course! Today, my treasures will taste the blood of Flying Sky Pirates' squad captains—just thinking about it excites me!" The Killer raised a small sickle, licking it with a grotesque grin.
"Hmph!" Denissa glanced at the Flying Sky Pirates with disdain.
"The first drop of blood today is mine!" Suddenly, a voice rang out from behind Kaen.
Kaen's face contorted in disbelief. Before he could react, a sharp dagger had pierced from his back, emerging through his chest, staining his clothes red.
"Hohoho! Truly worthy of being the underground world's number one assassin, Dark Thorn! Even Kaen, the heavy sword wielder with a bounty of 720 million Berries, could not dodge your assassination. Your skill has indeed reached perfection!" Doflamingo said cheerfully.
The sudden chain of events left the Flying Sky Pirates stunned.
Especially with Second Squad Captain Kaen being assassinated, shock spread among them.
"Bastard!" Kaen roared in anger, ignoring the dagger in his back as he swung his massive sword at Dark Thorn behind him.
"Swish!" Dark Thorn leapt back swiftly, withdrawing the dagger, blood trailing from it.
"You alright?" Cantell hurried to Kaen's side.
"Still alive!" Kaen replied, his face pale.
"Strange… this strike should have pierced your heart!" Dark Thorn frowned.
Assassins relied on one-hit kills, and as the underground's number one, Dark Thorn's dagger had been aimed precisely at Kaen's heart. For an ordinary person, a strike like that would be fatal, regardless of their strength.
"Heh, haven't you heard? Some people's hearts are naturally different," Kaen said coolly.
"I see… thanks for letting me know. Next time, I'll pierce your heart accurately!" Dark Thorn said.
"Bastard! No next time—I was careless just now! Next, I'll tear you apart!" Kaen gripped his chest.
Cantell quickly tore open some cloth to bandage Kaen, knowing they couldn't afford to lose such a high-level fighter in the midst of battle.
"Bastard! I'll take you all down!" Bolly's cold gaze swept forward.
The battle was about to erupt!
At that moment, a figure descended from the sky, wings spread like an angel, landing gracefully.
"Three Thousand Sealed Cloud Realm!" Shaxia shouted.
Mist-like clouds and rivers of cloud swirled, sealing the palace.
A world formed of cloud rivers and clouds appeared—not only blocking physically but also obscuring vision. Its maze-like paths made it nearly impossible for ordinary people to escape quickly.
"I've temporarily sealed the area. No one can enter or leave. Let's finish them all here!" Shaxia declared.
"Hohoho, unexpected indeed! Who would have thought that Rosinante's maid is a Gray Nation Cloud-Cloud Fruit user?" Doflamingo laughed.
"Hehe, Doflamingo, don't underestimate Shaxia. She used to be Pica's divine aide and now leads the captain's battle maid corps. Her status isn't inferior to Bins, she's a formidable combat maid!" Hemmie explained.
"Hohoho, even the Marines wouldn't expect the Gray Nation's Cloud-Cloud Fruit ability, capable of infinitely enhancing thunder powers, to belong to Rosinante's maid!" Doflamingo chuckled.
"Sealed… this isn't something that can be broken through easily!" Cantell observed the misty clouds.
"Devil Fruit ability, huh? Kill the user and the ability ends!" Kaen said.
"We've been underestimated because we've been inactive for a while. That's why staying put isn't an option!" Mokuzu said.
"Enough talk. Use full power! Take them all down quickly—the reinforcements outside are waiting!" Shibou commanded.
Both pirate crews charged toward each other.
"Ah… I didn't expect the Gray Nation's targets to be the Flying Sky Pirates. Quite surprising, though understandable… it's worth such a show of force," said a man in a yellow-striped suit, appearing with his unique, nonchalant expression.
No doubt—this was none other than Borsalino.
"Hmm? So this is the Cloud-Cloud Fruit user? Surprising… should I take the chance to eliminate her? What a dilemma…" Borsalino mused, his face thoughtful.
"I suggest you'd better not do anything at all!"
From a large tree not far from Borsalino, a figure sat, speaking calmly.