King slowly withdrew his sword and retreated, his expression dark.
He had to admit it, he had underestimated Doflamingo. This battle was far more troublesome than expected.
If things continued like this over the sea, even he could not guarantee victory.
Just as the standoff reached a tense balance, a sharp sound broke the silence.
"Buruburu buru..."
The Den Den Mushi in King's pocket began to ring.
King frowned slightly, his gaze still locked onto Doflamingo. Without lowering his guard, he reached into his pocket, took out the Den Den Mushi, and answered the call.
Kaido's voice echoed through it.
"King, what is the situation? Have you captured Doflamingo?"
Doflamingo crossed his arms, his face carrying a smug expression that irritated King even further.
"Fufufu... Lord Kaido, it seems I have disappointed you. As you can see, I am doing quite well."
"What? King, explain this. What are you and Jack doing?"
King's expression darkened. He shot Doflamingo a cold glance before briefly explaining the situation.
There was a moment of silence.
Then Kaido spoke again, his voice calm, yet carrying a terrifying weight.
"Doflamingo, who gave you the confidence to oppose me? Release Jack and come to Onigashima to see me. Otherwise, you and Dressrosa will cease to exist."
King knew that tone well.
Kaido was furious.
Doflamingo sneered.
"Go see you? Are you worthy? In front of that Lord, what are you?"
The Den Den Mushi in King's hand narrowed its eyes, its expression turning cold.
"So you really do have someone backing you. Good. I would like to see if your support is strong enough."
Just as Doflamingo was about to reply, another Den Den Mushi began to ring from his own pocket.
"Buruburu buru..."
He raised an eyebrow, then took it out.
The moment he saw it, his expression changed slightly.
It was the Den Den Mushi connected to Sengoku.
He had taken it from Rosinante during the incident on Swallow Island, and since then, it had never rung.
After a brief pause, Doflamingo answered it in front of King.
The voice that came through made his entire body tremble.
"Doff?"
Doflamingo's lips moved slightly as he spoke, his voice unsteady.
"Lloyd... Saint Lloyd?"
"Hey, do not stutter when saying my name, especially the first part."
King's pupils shrank slightly when he heard that name.
Saint Lloyd.
Admiral Black Dragon.
So that was the connection.
King lowered his voice and spoke toward the Den Den Mushi in his hand.
"Mr. Kaido, the person backing Doflamingo has appeared."
Doflamingo completely ignored King. He held the Den Den Mushi carefully, his tone turning respectful.
"Saint Lloyd, I was too excited earlier. I apologize for the disrespect."
"Relax, I was joking. Are you still in Dressrosa?"
Doflamingo nodded immediately, the Den Den Mushi mimicking his movement perfectly.
"Yes, Saint Lloyd. This Den Den Mushi should belong to Fleet Admiral Sengoku. Did he give it to you?"
"Yes. I am currently handling matters related to the Shichibukai. Before I left Marine Headquarters, Sengoku handed me this and asked me to retrieve Rosinante from you."
Doflamingo hesitated for a moment before speaking.
"Saint Lloyd, please do not misunderstand. I have no intention of opposing the Marines. Rosinante is my biological brother, I..."
"I know. There is no need to explain. Spend time with your brother. I will not take him away."
On the other end, Lloyd sat inside the cabin of a sleek, high speed boat drifting through a dark stretch of sea. His posture was relaxed, one leg lightly tapping, a faint trace of mockery in his expression.
After speaking, he shook his head slightly.
"These younger brothers are always troublesome."
After a brief pause, Lloyd continued calmly,
"Doff, do not leave for now. Once I finish handling my current matter, I will come to Dressrosa to see you."
Doflamingo's face lit up with undisguised joy.
However, before he could respond, the Den Den Mushi in King's hand suddenly shouted.
"Black Dragon. So you are the one backing him. No wonder he dares to act so arrogantly."
Lloyd frowned slightly.
"Who is that? Doff, what are you doing right now?"
He had only met Kaido once during the God Valley incident and was not familiar with his voice.
Doflamingo glanced at King with clear displeasure before briefly explaining the situation.
After listening, Lloyd spoke in a calm, indifferent tone.
"Doff, turn the Den Den Mushi around."
Doflamingo obeyed immediately, turning it to face King, or more precisely, the Den Den Mushi in King's hand.
"Kaido, I have been busy dealing with Roger these past years. It seems I neglected you."
"Black Dragon, this is no longer Roger's era. Do not overestimate yourself."
Lloyd narrowed his eyes. A cold glint flashed across his golden pupils.
"Good. You sound confident. I would like to see if your strength matches that confidence."
Kaido laughed loudly.
"Are you threatening me?"
Lloyd did not respond.
He had already lost interest in continuing the conversation.
His voice turned cold.
"Doff, sink Jack into the sea."
Doflamingo did not hesitate.
With a simple motion, the massive water sphere surrounding Jack plunged into the sea. At the same time, a wave surged forward, dragging Jack further away.
King's eyes widened in shock.
"Doflamingo!"
Kaido immediately understood what had happened. His voice turned icy.
"Black Dragon, are you declaring war on the Beasts Pirates on behalf of the Marines?"
"War? You alone are not worth that. The Beasts Pirates have no need to exist anymore."
Kaido let out a low laugh filled with fury.
"Good. Very good."
King spoke urgently.
"Boss Kaido, Jack has fallen into the sea. I need to gather forces immediately to rescue him."
Kaido suppressed his anger. Jack was one of his trusted subordinates.
"Go."
After a brief pause, he added coldly,
"Black Dragon, I will be waiting for the Marines."
However, Lloyd had already hung up.
Inside the cabin, he slowly stood up.
Ahead of him, through the thick fog, the outline of a massive pirate ship began to emerge.
===
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