Chapter 256: Doflamingo's Lie
Axel had used the moment he snatched Sugar earlier to send a message.
By controlling the vibrations of his voice, he made sure only Doflamingo could hear it.
The message was simple.
Use Sugar to deal with the enemies below first.
There was no doubt that even if Doflamingo could defeat Marco, Jozu below was still a problem.
So when Axel proposed cooperation, Doflamingo set aside his resentment for the moment and agreed to the plan.
However, agreeing did not mean Doflamingo would give up the chance to strike Axel down.
The trouble this child had brought him was even greater than Marco's.
The reason the Donquixote Family was powerful, aside from Doflamingo's own strength and wealth, was because it had a group of powerful officers.
But because of Axel, among the four Top Officers, Trebol of Clubs, Vergo of Hearts, Pica of Spades, and Diamante of Diamonds, only Trebol remained.
Even if the family's overall strength had not been reduced by half, it had still fallen by at least thirty percent.
Many areas were now left unattended.
"Fufufu... I never said I would only attack that guy."
Doflamingo grinned.
"In my eyes, you are also an enemy."
His fingers moved lightly.
"Isn't eliminating an enemy what any normal person would do?"
Axel shook his head.
"No, normal people don't do that."
He paused, then looked at Doflamingo again.
"Would a normal person always think about killing others...? But then again, you're a pirate, so you're not exactly normal."
Marco seemed to realize something.
Although he did not understand what the so called plan was, he understood one point.
"So when you hooked your finger earlier, you were sending a message to that girl?"
His gaze sharpened.
"Turn Jozu back right now, or I'll make you regret it."
"Regret?"
Doflamingo opened his mouth in a wide grin, baring his teeth with mock surprise.
"When facing an enemy who wants to kill you, is there anything more delightful than reducing their numbers?"
Axel wagged his finger.
"I don't think so. Most normal people might think the way you described, but I think you're more addicted to playing with your enemies than killing them."
Doflamingo laughed.
He pressed one arm against his neck and stretched his body, his face twisting slightly.
"I really am curious why you know me so well."
His smile grew colder.
"But can you please me?"
"With your life."
Axel froze.
A chill rose behind his back.
"I don't have that masochistic trait, and I definitely can't appreciate that kind of hobby."
He took a small step back.
"You'd better find someone else. Sorry, but I'll be taking my leave."
At this point in the battle, Marco found it difficult to divide his attention toward Axel, while Doflamingo still had to stay wary of Marco.
Jozu had been turned into a defensive toy by Sugar and had lost his combat effectiveness.
No one could stop Axel now.
"Oh, Marco."
Axel suddenly spoke.
"I'll tell you some good news."
His gaze shifted toward Sugar.
"When an Ability User loses consciousness or dies, the people turned into toys return to normal."
After Axel finished speaking, Marco's eyes lit up, and his attention immediately focused on Sugar.
For him, nothing was more important than his comrades.
Compared to capturing Axel or attacking Doflamingo, rescuing Jozu was now the top priority.
But then, Doflamingo laughed again.
"Do you really think this brat's words are believable?"
Marco's expression changed slightly.
"What do you mean?"
Although he could not fully trust Axel's words, a normal Paramecia ability losing its effect under the circumstances Axel described was entirely possible.
"If I said that if you killed Sugar now, he would die as well, what would you choose?"
Marco's face immediately turned solemn.
He did not speak.
He only continued listening.
"Sugar."
Doflamingo spoke lightly.
"Give the order."
"Cough, cough, cough..."
Sugar coughed several times, her head still spinning.
She forced herself to pull her spirit together, refusing to let herself lose consciousness.
Although her ability was strange, it had the fatal weakness Axel had mentioned.
If she lost consciousness or died, the ability would fail.
If she fell into a coma now, that would undoubtedly count as losing consciousness, and the Young Master's lie would be exposed.
So she could only force herself to stay awake.
"From this moment on, attack that child."
Sugar's voice was weak, but clear.
"If I die, commit suicide as well."
It was a simple command, but it made Marco's heart tighten.
Sure enough, after Sugar gave the order, the gorilla shaped toy matching Jozu's physique began to move.
Its direction was clearly toward Axel.
Step by step, it approached in an attacking posture.
Marco's eyes darkened as he stood in front of Axel.
Jozu's current toy body absolutely could not withstand Axel's attacks.
Under these circumstances, what would happen if that body were destroyed?
He had to consider the worst possibility.
"Conditions?"
Doflamingo smiled.
"What?"
"I'm asking what the conditions are to turn Jozu back to normal."
"Kill this brat."
Doflamingo's voice was extremely flat and cold.
Axel stared at Doflamingo in a daze.
No wonder he had agreed to the plan earlier.
So this was the trick he had hidden up his sleeve.
This counterattack was enough to blind Axel's titanium alloy eyes.
Even if what Doflamingo said was a lie, would Marco really gamble recklessly with his comrade's life?
Even if Doflamingo had misspoken, even if Marco believed it was a lie, he would likely still choose this path.
"If you restore Jozu to normal this time, I can let bygones be bygones and lead the other crew members to retreat."
The battle had already lasted long enough.
The other members of the Whitebeard Pirates would arrive at the battlefield soon.
Although their individual combat strength could not compare to Marco or Jozu, once they gathered together, they would still be a formidable force.
"Let me go?"
Doflamingo whispered.
"That truly is an honor."
There was no trace of honor in his tone.
Only sarcasm.
"Quickly now. Start."
He smiled.
"I can't wait to watch this play."
Although Marco was infuriated by Doflamingo's attitude, he chose to endure for the sake of his comrade's life.
"That's how it is."
Marco turned his gaze toward Axel.
"Can you give up your life?"
"Of course not."
Axel answered helplessly.
"But don't you think Doflamingo is lying?"
"How could an Ability User continue interfering with others after death?"
He pointed toward Sugar.
"Besides, with your speed, you could easily take Sugar to the sea in a short time. If anything goes wrong, you can just pull her out again."
"And you can also restrict the toy's movements to prevent it from committing suicide, can't you?"
"Everything you said is correct."
Marco's voice was calm.
"But what would you do if you were faced with this choice?"
"The same as you."
Axel smiled bitterly.
"If the answer turns out to be wrong, then I'd execute the plan I just mentioned."
"That is the most certain way to ensure a comrade's life."
If Axel were Marco, and he had confidence in his own strength, he would absolutely choose to kill the target first.
Then, if Doflamingo went back on his word, he would kill the Ability User Sugar afterward.
There was no doubt.
That was the safest way to guarantee his comrade's survival.
.....
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