Facing the pincer attack from Jack and King, Doflamingo immediately understood that continuing the fight would lead nowhere. Just before landing, he activated his ability again and propelled himself into the distance without hesitation.
Jack failed to intercept him and was instantly enraged. He roared toward the sky,
"King Senpai, do not let Doflamingo escape!"
King gave a brief nod. His wings spread wide as he surged forward in pursuit, cutting through the air with frightening speed. Below, Jack reverted to his massive mammoth form and charged across the ground, shaking the island with every step.
Doflamingo glanced back at the rapidly closing King. Raising his hand calmly, he manipulated the terrain, causing two massive chunks of earth to rise and collide directly toward his pursuer.
The flames behind King's neck flickered violently. Relying on his Lunarian durability, he endured the first impact before unleashing a blazing counterattack. A massive fire surged forward, carving a path through the debris as he shot through without slowing down.
By now, they had reached the edge of Dressrosa. Doflamingo remained composed. He knew that in pure physical combat, he could not match King. However, once the battle reached a prolonged state, his ability allowed him to dominate the environment.
Even with King's superiority in aerial combat, dealing with Doflamingo's relentless large scale attacks proved troublesome.
If it had been Queen instead of King, Doflamingo would have found this far easier. With his ability, he would have held absolute control from the beginning.
Maintaining a rhythm of attack and retreat, Doflamingo finally moved beyond the island and out over the open sea. He extended his hand, brushing the surface of the water before rising higher into the sky.
Moments later, King followed. His body was now covered in dust and debris, his usually imposing presence slightly disheveled.
If not for the constant need to defend against Doflamingo's attacks, he would have already switched to his speed form and ended the chase long ago.
Far behind, Jack continued charging across the island, unable to keep up with the battle unfolding in the sky.
Doflamingo turned toward King and let out a low laugh.
"Fufufufu... Flame Disaster King, your reputation is well earned."
King's patience was wearing thin. He snorted coldly and rose higher into the sky before diving sharply downward.
"Bow King!"
Doflamingo's smile deepened. With a simple wave of his hand, the calm sea below erupted into chaos. Massive water spouts surged upward, twisting violently as they rushed toward King.
At the shoreline, Jack finally arrived, only to freeze at the sight before him.
King's pupils shrank. He forcefully halted his descent. Even with his Lunarian resilience, being engulfed in such a vast amount of seawater would be fatal due to the weakness shared by all Devil Fruit users.
Only then did he realize the truth.
Doflamingo had led him here on purpose.
The sea was his battlefield.
The flames behind King's neck flared intensely. With no room to evade, he gripped his sword tightly. The blade turned crimson as he unleashed a massive fiery dragon.
"Guardian Fire Dragon King!"
Fire and seawater collided violently. Steam exploded outward, raising the temperature of the entire area.
Doflamingo formed a dense barrier of seawater around himself. Then, mimicking King's earlier technique, he shaped the surrounding water into dragon forms that coiled protectively around him.
King retaliated with a barrage of flaming projectiles, but each one was swallowed by the surging seawater. Doflamingo spread his arms, and the water dragons shot forward in unison.
King had no choice but to fold his wings and weave through the air, narrowly avoiding the relentless assault.
On the shore, Jack could only watch helplessly. Whether sea or sky, he had no way to intervene. Frustration consumed him as he roared and stomped in place.
Unfortunately for him, that roar drew Doflamingo's attention.
To Doflamingo, dealing with Jack required minimal effort.
He lifted a finger.
Three water dragons split from the main formation and surged toward the shore.
Jack braced himself. As a Fish-Man, he possessed some resistance to seawater, allowing him to endure the attacks. Even as he was battered across the ground, he remained conscious and capable of fighting.
In the sky, King continued releasing flames, evaporating incoming attacks. However, the seawater was endless under Doflamingo's control. The number of water dragons only continued to increase.
The sheer efficiency of his awakened ability was overwhelming. Despite controlling such a massive volume of seawater, Doflamingo showed no signs of fatigue.
At this moment, he resembled a conductor orchestrating a grand performance. The sea itself responded to his every movement, shifting and transforming at his command.
Even King began to feel the pressure.
He released another wave of flames, clearing the space around him. Then suddenly, the fire behind his neck vanished.
His speed form activated.
In an instant, he became a dark streak slicing through the sky. The water dragons failed to keep up as he closed the distance.
With a single slash, he split the seawater barrier apart, exposing Doflamingo within.
Before the barrier could reform, King appeared directly in front of him, sword raised for a decisive strike.
Yet Doflamingo did not resist.
He simply spread his arms and grinned.
King hesitated.
His blade stopped just short of its target.
"Doflamingo... what are you planning?"
Doflamingo raised his hand casually and pointed to the distance.
King followed his gaze.
His expression changed instantly.
Far out at sea, Jack was trapped inside a massive sphere of seawater, suspended just above the surface.
King turned sharply, fury burning in his eyes.
"Release him!"
Doflamingo gently pushed aside the sword pointed at him, his smile widening.
"Fufufufu... be careful with that blade. If I get injured and lose control, Jack will sink straight to the bottom of the sea. Finding him will not be easy."
"You are asking to die!"
King swung his sword in anger, but in speed form, his power was reduced. Doflamingo easily blocked the strike with arms coated in Armament Haki.
With a subtle thought, the water sphere holding Jack sank halfway into the sea.
King froze.
After a brief silence, he spoke through clenched teeth.
"What do you want?"