A sword shimmering with killing intent slashed down at the most heavily injured of the group—Trebol.
"Armament Haki: Hardening!" "Jio-Ken!"
Lao G instantly released his grip on Trebol. Imbuing both hands with Armament Haki, he unleashed a Jio-Ken strike, intercepting Snack's blade.
Seeing his sword blocked, Snack immediately lashed out with a kick at Lao G.
"'Back Pain Stance!'"
Lao G bent over sharply at the waist, dodging Snack's sweeping kick.
"'Undying Warrior's Anguish!'"
With the prerequisite for his stance met, Lao G immediately launched a furious assault against Snack.
Snack swung his sword, countering Lao G's fists, but Lao G's attacks were too unorthodox, aimed exclusively at the body's joints. For a moment, Snack found himself unable to break free from the entanglement.
"Th-That's Lao G?" Machvise stared, stunned to see Lao G shining so brightly, truly showcasing his power.
"Lao G can't keep this up for long," Trebol said, not sharing Machvise's surprise. "Even if he can block him for a moment, he can't block him forever."
"Baby 5, get out of here, now!" Trebol turned and ordered Baby 5.
"But!" Baby 5 hesitated.
"No buts! You're the one who killed Mont-d'Or. Snack must hate you to the bone. If you stay, you'll just be a burden to us. He won't necessarily kill us. Just go!" Trebol urged.
"Baby 5, go!" Jora panted, looking up at her and pleading.
"I understand."
With that, Baby 5 turned and ran toward Doflamingo's position without looking back. That was the only place her hope resided.
Trebol and the others felt a wave of relief as they watched Baby 5 leave. Just as Trebol had thought, Baby 5 was the one Snack hated most. He had originally only wanted to kill her, but after hearing their conversation, he felt as if he'd been insulted—as if they thought he didn't even have the guts to kill them.
"Get out of my way! Scalding Oil!"
The temperature of Snack's sword skyrocketed. He slashed directly at Lao G's fists. Although Armament Haki blocked the cut, the terrifying heat was unbearable for Lao G.
Thud!
A swift kick sent Lao G's body flying several meters, landing hard and kicking up a cloud of dust.
Seeing Lao G defeated, the other three threw caution to the wind and charged at Snack.
"Come on, then! You really think I wouldn't kill you? I'll make Doflamingo taste the bitterness of losing his family, and after I finish you, I'll go slaughter him too!" Snack sneered, the killing intent in his heart swelling.
"You want to kill the Young Master? You're not even worthy to polish his shoes! Let's see what you've got!" Jora scoffed at Snack's words.
"Behehehe! Doffy is destined to be the King! You're not even close!" Trebol forced a laugh despite his injuries, voicing the absolute conviction in his heart.
"The Young Master will absolutely succeed!" Machvise added.
"The one who will become Pirate King is Mama! You bastards... every last one of you, just die!" Snack roared in rebuttal. He couldn't stand their willingness to die and loudly vented his frustration.
The three immediately entangled Snack in a desperate fight, the situation becoming a chaotic blur.
Bam!
Snack kicked Machvise away, just as Lao G, who had been sent flying earlier, rejoined the fray.
"Victory belongs to the Donquixote Pirates! The Young Master is the strongest!"
Carrying this unshakeable faith, Lao G released the final brilliance of his life, unleashing the full extent of his Jio-Ken.
"Lao G!" the other three cried out.
Machvise, who had just been kicked, ignored his own pain and charged back toward Snack. The five of them crashed together in a desperate brawl, vowing to fight to the death. No one would leave this spot alive.
When Baby 5 finally reached the place where Doflamingo was fighting, the spectators on the sidelines noticed her arrival.
"Did something happen to Snack?" Katakuri wondered, though he doubted a little girl could do any real harm to him. Still, if he captured Baby 5, they would know everything.
Katakuri gave Cracker a look. Cracker immediately understood. He had been holding back for long enough; it was time to let loose.
"Biscuit Soldier."
A soldier formed from Cracker's ability charged toward the approaching Baby 5.
Monet and the others, who had not yet joined the fight, also spotted Baby 5. Although they couldn't see Trebol or the others, they couldn't see Snack either. The ever-perceptive Law immediately understood what it meant.
Clang!
Kyros made his move. He couldn't ask for a better opponent.
The Biscuit Soldier's sword collided with Kyros's blade. The two powerful forces clashed, ringing out with a sharp, metallic sound.
Unlike the perilous exchange between Smoothie and Diamante nearby, the clash between the Biscuit Soldier and Kyros was a head-on collision of raging bulls—a pure contest of strength.
"Roll: Pretzel! Let's see you block this!"
Having his Biscuit Soldier blocked by Kyros was a blow to Cracker's pride, and his face twisted in anger.
Kyros remained silent, simply swinging the sword in his hand with all his might. This sword was his partner, his companion through countless battles, his hope for revenge and for saving his daughter. He couldn't fall here.
Klang!
The immense, overwhelming power surged through Kyros's body. Cracker was simply too strong; Kyros was not his match.
The powerful impact injured Kyros instantly, forcing him to spit out a large mouthful of fresh blood.
The Biscuit Soldier moved in for the kill, its cold, gleaming sword driving toward Kyros's body.
"Room."
Bang!
The sword struck nothing but dirt. With Law's help, Kyros had already been moved out of danger. In the same instant, Baby 5 appeared at Monet's side.
Katakuri was inwardly surprised, and his wariness toward Law increased severalfold.
Cracker's Biscuit Soldier had lost its target, and his expression darkened even further.
Clap, clap, clap.
Cracker clapped his hands, and dozens of Biscuit Soldiers rapidly appeared, moving to encircle Monet and her group.
Katakuri didn't stop him. Since they had provoked the Big Mom Pirates, they wouldn't be leaving here alive. Whether it was Doflamingo or the Donquixote Pirates, the one who would become Pirate King was Mama. This was the heartfelt belief of all of Big Mom's children.
But, Laozi Doflamingo was here to smash that belief to pieces. A crazy old hag wants to be Pirate King? Get the hell out of here!
The Biscuit Soldiers swarmed in, completely surrounding Monet's group.
"What do we do, Law?" Monet asked.
"At this point," Law said calmly, "it's time to show the Big Mom Pirates the might of the Donquixote Pirates. We're not just some random thugs they can push around."
"Ufufufu, I've been dying to take them on!" Monet laughed, her beautiful eyes fixed on Doflamingo, who was still fighting high in the sky.
"Leave it to me! You biscuit puppets!" Baby 5 declared, showing no fear at all.
Kyros silently gripped his sword, waiting for the order to attack.
"You dare laugh at my Biscuit Soldiers?! Die!" Cracker roared.
"Watch me twist the heads off your stupid biscuit soldiers!"
Baby 5 immediately transformed, launching herself like a missile and blasting toward the encircling soldiers.
The great battle erupted. No one could escape this destiny.
Morgans was ecstatic. "Big News! Big News!" he shouted over and over.
Stussy quietly watched Doflamingo. That was where the entire battle would be decided.