High above the chaotic battlefield, Souta Kiryuu and several women stood on the living cloud, Homies, watching the destruction unfold below.
Barrett had already vanished into the city's maze-like streets, tracking his prey deep into the underground factory. Meanwhile, the colossal Island Titan, Pizarro, clashed violently with Pica, the reborn Stone Giant, their blows echoing through the land like thunder.
Elsewhere, Law, together with Kyros and his daughter Rebecca, were closing in on Diamante, the highest-ranking officer of the Donquixote family's Square Army.
On another front, Bartolomeo found himself blocked by Gladius, the family's explosive specialist. The two were locked in a furious standoff — defense against detonation — each refusing to yield.
Gladius' Bomu Bomu no Mi ability wasn't like the usual chemical explosions that filled the air with smoke and fire; his explosions were physical — like balloons bursting with immense kinetic force. Each time his arm swelled and exploded, the shockwave forced Bartolomeo to reinforce his barrier just to withstand the impact.
Worse yet, Gladius could touch the ground and turn it into a massive bomb, the terrain bulging like inflating balloons before erupting violently. For a moment, even a seasoned Barrier Fruit user like Bartolomeo couldn't gain the upper hand.
In the sky, Buffalo, spinning with his Turn-Turn Fruit powers, was being hunted by Lafitte, the eerie, white-winged bird-man. A deadly aerial chase unfolded across the clouds.
Not far away, Baby 5 couldn't stand watching her childhood companion die at Lafitte's hands. She dove into the fight, trying to persuade the simple-minded Buffalo to surrender and join Souta Kiryuu's crew. If he did, she, Law, and Buffalo would once again reunite the trio from their old days together.
Down below, Burgess, the Fighting Champion, and Edra, the Soundwave user, clashed with Senor Pink, the strange swimmer who could dive through solid ground and walls.
The two brawlers grew increasingly furious as Pink's unpredictable diving attacks tore up the streets, collapsing buildings and leaving massive craters in his wake.
"Murururu! You old hag!"
A voice roared from above — Karinte, the Lunar Huntress and a Nine-Tailed Fox Zoan user, her killing intent flaring as her golden eyes locked onto Jora, the Art-Art Fruit user.
"You dare call yourself beautiful in front of me? And call me ugly?!"
Karinte Detomi snarled, transforming into her half-human, half-fox form, her nine tails whipping violently behind her. Even though Souta Kiryuu had ordered that no enemy Devil Fruit user be killed, she intended to make an exception — this woman would pay dearly for her words.
"Jora! Watch out!"
"G Strike!"
From the side, Lao G charged in, arms forming the shape of a 'G', smashing down with terrifying power.
"Burp— old man, you're strong!"
"Fiery Sake Bombs!"
Jot, the Drunken Brawler, hiccupped as he lunged toward Lao G, spewing a barrage of flaming sake orbs from his mouth. Wielding his gourd wrapped in Armament Haki, he charged head-on, eager to prove his worth before Souta Kiryuu.
Meanwhile, Van Augur and Doc Q had set their sights on another Donquixote officer — Machvise, wielder of the Ton-Ton Fruit. Unlike the Kilo-Kilo Fruit, this Paramecia allowed Machvise to adjust his body weight up to ten thousand tons, granting him crushing power from the skies.
Spotting the airborne target, Van Augur calmly raised his rifle and fired. At the same time, Doc Q released bursts of poisonous gas and disease spores, adding a lethal edge to the attack.
Not far away, Shiryu of the Rain stood over the bloodied half-fishman Dellinger, utterly unimpressed.
"This brat made the most noise… and he's this weak?"
One clean strike had already left Dellinger half-dead. To Shiryu, it confirmed what he suspected — aside from Doflamingo himself, none of these so-called elites were worth his blade.
No wonder Souta Kiryuu hadn't even bothered to join the battle personally.
Elsewhere, Bonney and Perona, the mischievous girls of the crew, had joined the hunt as well — two little witches tearing through ranks of soldiers and squad captains, leaving chaos and laughter in their wake.
Meanwhile, fierce fighting erupted deep beneath Dressrosa — in the underground harbor.
Enel had somehow found his way below, coming face-to-face with Kuma, Moria, Bege, and Violet, who were blocking the escape routes.
"Damn you, Violet! You traitor!"
Doflamingo's expression twisted in fury as he glared at the second princess of the Riku family.
He should've wiped them all out — King Riku, Violet, and Rebecca — when he had the chance.
"Heeheehee! Doflamingo, there's nowhere left for you to run!"
Moria's manic laughter echoed through the cavern. He and Kuma had already been confident they could bring Doflamingo down — but now, with Enel joining the fray, his defeat was all but certain.
"Ahahaha! The factory's still packed with treasures!"
Bege laughed greedily. Souta Kiryuu had led them here once before — this was the same underground port where they had captured Kiborkun the Exploder and looted a massive shipment.
And now they'd returned for round two — this time, to take down Doflamingo himself.
"Lord Souta! We've found Doflamingo and Sugar inside the underground factory. Please bring Monet and join us below!"
Violet called through the Den-Den Mushi without hesitation. Doflamingo's threats no longer scared her — not when Souta Kiryuu himself stood against him.
After Enel's arrival, Kuma had fought Doflamingo for several minutes before yielding the duel to the impatient thunder god, choosing instead to hold the perimeter and prevent Doflamingo's escape.
Lightning and explosions tore through the cavern as Enel unleashed his rage, his thunderous laughter shaking the entire factory.
Trebol, the Slime Commander of the Donquixote family and user of the Sticky-Sticky Fruit, tried to flee with Sugar in tow — but was intercepted by the sinister Moria.
"Not today," Moria sneered, his shadow clones spreading across the floor. "No one leaves here alive."
Meanwhile, Bege and his ability users began sweeping through the underground facility, raiding every hidden vault and smuggling den, looting all valuable goods in Doflamingo's dark empire.
If they were going to take down the broker king of the underworld, they'd make sure to strip him bare.
Above, Souta Kiryuu listened to Violet's report through the Den-Den Mushi. Without hesitation, he turned to Bruno, the Door-Door Fruit user.
"Open the path."
A moment later, a swirling green portal opened on the living cloud, and Souta Kiryuu, Boa Hancock, Robin, and Monet stepped through — vanishing from the skies of Dressrosa.
The invasion of Dressrosa by Souta's crew spread like wildfire across the world.
Upon hearing the news, Vice Admiral Vergo, a hidden Donquixote agent, immediately led the entire G-5 Marine Division toward Dressrosa under the guise of a naval rescue mission.
At Marineford and the Holy Land of Mariejois, chaos spread among the elite. The Five Elders and Fleet Admiral Sengoku held an emergency meeting.
They still hadn't given up on their ultimate goal — killing Souta Kiryuu.
"Issac, report your position," one of the Elders ordered coldly. "Souta Kiryuu has appeared in Dressrosa. Proceed there immediately. If possible, rescue or eliminate Doflamingo. He cannot be allowed to fall into Souta's hands — destroy both him and Dressrosa if necessary."
Doflamingo's secrets ran too deep. To the Five Elders, it was far better for him to die than to be captured and dissected by Souta Kiryuu and Vegapunk.