"Kaido, the demand for weapons on my side has been very high recently."
Doflamingo leaned back on the sofa, looking up at the ceiling while holding the Den Den Mushi to communicate directly with Kaido.
Although Viola confirmed that Reddy had not come to find him, he did not dare to take the risk.
Any big shot who faces external targeting but fails to respond would lose face.
As a big shot himself, he understood this principle.
Therefore, after concluding the Donquixote Family's top executive meeting, he immediately contacted Kaido, hoping to use their weapons dealer relationship to raise the banner of the Beasts Pirates for support.
"Nani!"
Doflamingo suddenly sat up straight, his expression turning extremely grim. "Kaido, you say there won't be many weapons exported recently?"
Not long after, the call ended.
Doflamingo's face darkened.
Dressrosa was known as the country of love, passion, and toys, but it was also an important hub for underground weapons trade.
After seizing Dressrosa, he had turned it into a famous tourist destination to cover up black market transactions.
Among these, weapons from the Beasts Pirates made up the bulk.
But now, Kaido personally told him that weapons exports would be temporarily suspended.
This directly left him dumbfounded.
His business partner Caesar had already been imprisoned in Impel Down, and now weapons trade was temporarily halted.
His relationship with the Beasts Pirates... was gone.
"Bastard!"
Baby 5 stormed in angrily, her right arm transforming into a gun barrel aimed at Doflamingo. "Was it you who killed..."
Before she could finish, she suddenly felt as if the Young Master had become a different person, exuding a bone-chilling coldness, and instinctively lost her anger.
"Young Master..."
This was the first time Baby 5 had seen Doflamingo like this.
Doflamingo spoke slowly. "Baby 5, please don't disturb me while I'm thinking, okay?"
"O... okay."
A trace of confusion flashed in Baby 5's eyes as she quickly nodded.
"Can you tell me what you're thinking about?"
The sudden voice made Doflamingo jump like a cat whose tail had been stepped on. He leaped up onto the sofa, staring nervously in the direction of the voice.
"Dr. Reddy!"
Doflamingo's forehead bulged with veins, his lips curling upward as he prepared for defense or even attack.
During the battle in East Blue, he had fled before the fight ended.
Because he knew that even with two Emperors, Admiral Akainu, and monster Vice Admiral Aokiji joining forces, they could not defeat Reddy's clone army.
But now that he had to face Reddy alone, he would fight desperately like a cornered beast.
"D... Dr. Reddy!"
Baby 5 stumbled back in shock.
She was indeed very arrogant and looked down on everyone.
But for a man who could defeat two Emperors and Admiral Akainu, she felt it was better to be a little afraid.
"Long time no see, Baby 5."
Reddy raised his right hand, smiling warmly as he greeted Baby 5, then turned his gaze to Doflamingo's face.
"Dr. Reddy, where are your clones?"
Doflamingo only saw Reddy alone, with no other clones in sight. A bold idea uncontrollably surfaced in his mind.
Capture him!
Victory will be mine!
Doflamingo trembled at this thought.
Not from fear, but from realizing that he might be the chosen one, blessed with incredible luck.
A mere scientist, without the protection of his clones, posed no threat.
His fingers twitched slightly.
A transparent string silently shot from his fingertips.
Doflamingo stared intently at Reddy, waiting for the Parasite String to latch onto any part of his body.
Once successful, he could control Reddy's life and death.
Perfect!
The Parasite String moved incredibly fast, almost instantly reaching Reddy.
"Hmm?"
Doflamingo was on the verge of suppressing his inner excitement when he noticed the string stopping less than a centimeter away from Reddy.
"Trying to use Parasite String on me?"
Reddy's smile remained unchanged, his expression clearly saying "I knew you'd use this move" as he exposed Doflamingo's sneak attack.
Doflamingo's heart sank.
Since his debut, he had always been extremely cautious.
After developing the Parasite String, he had used it many times, but each time it ended perfectly, with almost no one knowing of its existence.
But now, Reddy had seen through it... Was there a traitor?
"As expected of the man who defeated the Marines and became an Emperor of the Sea,"
Doflamingo forced himself to stay calm, trying to retract the Parasite String since it had been discovered. There was no point in hiding it further.
Yet, to his shock, the string seemed fixed in midair.
"Looking for him?"
Reddy snapped his fingers.
A figure gradually materialized in front of him.
When Doflamingo saw Shadow gripping the Parasite String, his pupils constricted sharply.
"Young Master!"
Baby 5 finally regained her senses and quickly transformed both arms into gun barrels, aiming at Reddy.
The next second.
Doflamingo and Baby 5's vision blurred as Reddy disappeared.
"Sorry about this."
Reddy gripped Baby 5's throat with one hand, lifting her into the air.
Baby 5 felt her breath cut off, her hands desperately clawing at the pale hand choking her.
But she never expected Reddy's strength to be so overwhelming.
His right hand was like an iron vise, impossible to break free from.
Reddy showed no mercy, tightening his grip.
Baby 5's eyes rolled back, and she soon lost consciousness, her arms and legs going limp.
"You..."
Doflamingo hadn't expected Reddy's combat ability to be so formidable.
The speed and strength he had just displayed were easily on par with a Marine Vice Admiral.
"Wondering why I haven't attacked you yet?"
Reddy casually tossed Baby 5 behind him before turning back to face Doflamingo with a smile.
Before his words faded, a portal opened in the air.
The unconscious Baby 5 flew into it and was caught before she could hit the ground, immediately shackled with Seastone cuffs.
The portal then vanished.
Doflamingo's face darkened as he silently stared at Reddy.
"Going after them one by one is too much trouble."
After the success on Fish-Man Island, Reddy preferred luring the Donquixote Family's executives to him rather than hunting them down individually.
...
"Mero Mero!"
Hancock unleashed a Slave Arrow, petrifying a large group of Donquixote Family members.
Meanwhile, Jinbe knocked out the last small fry with a single punch.
Jinbe turned and saw Hancock had already turned dozens of Donquixote Family members to stone. He chuckled. "At least I didn't slow things down."
Hancock flicked her hair, ignoring him.
Jinbe smiled awkwardly, not daring to ask why he had offended the Pirate Empress.
Soon, Diamante arrived at the palace entrance with his men.
"First Son of the Sea, Jinbe... Pirate Empress Boa Hancock!"
Diamante first spotted Jinbe, then immediately noticed the icy-faced Hancock, cold sweat instantly breaking out on his forehead.
Facing two Warlords made him uneasy, and he could only hope Doflamingo would arrive soon for backup.
Jinbe strode forward, speaking as he walked. "Don't count on Doflamingo. He's too busy to save you now."
Hancock disliked Jinbe's habit of talking before fighting. She turned her head toward the palace, her heart already flying inside.
But just then, a shrill voice suddenly rang out.
"An opening... I'll take the Pirate Empress down!"