Chapter 258: The One Who Appears
Doflamingo knew exactly what Axel was planning.
He did not expose it. Instead, he followed Axel's words and continued, "Who knows? Maybe there are people in this world who are very interested in killing the companions they spend every day with."
"Then that interest is truly unique," Axel said.
Marco's emotions finally burst.
"That's... bullshit!"
The other pirates under Doflamingo's control cursed even more viciously.
Only a ghost would have the kind of interest Doflamingo described.
Doflamingo did not care.
On the contrary, he found it extremely delightful.
The more they cursed, the more indignant they became, the more it proved from another perspective that the pain he had brought them was deep.
And did that not perfectly fit the definition of his game?
To prevent anyone from continuing to ruin it, Doflamingo shouted to the side, "Trebol!"
A mass of viscous liquid flowed out from the building.
Then it pushed the structure aside, and Trebol slowly walked out.
"Young Master, I'm here. Hehehehe..."
"I'm leaving Sugar to you."
Doflamingo's voice was calm.
"Take her down first. I can handle things here."
Trebol caught Sugar and gave Axel a hostile look.
Then he dove back into the ruins. Thick mucus sealed the gaps behind him, and he disappeared to some unknown place.
Axel did not stop them throughout the entire process.
Not because he did not want to, but because he could not.
Doflamingo was watching him like a hawk, waiting for him to reveal an opening during a forced attack.
For experts, a single opening could decide victory or defeat.
Although Axel had Reflection protecting him and was not easily breached, taking a direct hit from Doflamingo while distracted would still be difficult to endure.
It might even decide the outcome.
What irritated Axel even more was that his usually reliable Calculation Power perception had failed to notice Trebol's presence.
He had been too focused on his own emotional fluctuations.
Otherwise, he could have prepared a plan beforehand.
No matter how he looked at it, this was undoubtedly the worst-case scenario.
Sugar's departure meant that the shackles forcing him into battle with Marco had now been firmly locked.
Marco also wanted to question Sugar's departure.
But before he could speak, Doflamingo said, "Don't worry. I will keep my promise, as long as you kill this brat."
"I hope so," Marco said.
Doflamingo spoke leisurely. "Continue quickly. Your match will not stop until one side is dead."
Marco nodded in silence.
This was a condition that left him helpless, yet forced him to compromise.
Truthfully, Marco no longer felt such an urgent need to capture Axel.
With Doflamingo's threat standing between them, his resentment toward Axel had lessened.
Moreover, Axel had not harmed his crew members just now. Because of that, Marco could not help feeling a little goodwill toward him.
That thought naturally surfaced.
Unfortunately, he still had to do as Doflamingo demanded.
The priority now was rescuing Jozu and his crew.
"Hurry up."
Doflamingo's tone was light, almost casual.
"Or I'll have to continue the game."
In his mouth, it sounded as though he held objects instead of human lives.
Marco thought silently.
What would Pops do if he were here?
He would probably use forceful means.
Whitebeard never accepted threats from others.
More importantly, Pops had the strength and methods to ensure the safety of his crew.
Marco, however, did not have that confidence.
In the end, Marco chose the safer path.
Although this went against Pops' usual style, if it was for the sake of family, he believed Pops would forgive him.
Axel also knew that the coming battle was not something he could bluff his way through.
Now was definitely not the time to worry about his ability problems.
Marco stepped forward and swept toward him.
Just as he was about to reach Axel, faint footsteps came from not far away.
The sound was not loud.
Yet no one present could ignore it.
Because the person making those footsteps did not allow them to ignore him.
"What a pain."
A man yawned.
His tall frame appeared somewhat lazy as he stepped onto the cracked battlefield.
Rubble crunched beneath his feet.
Doflamingo's face darkened.
The smile on his face slowly faded, replaced by solemnity.
He stared at the person before him in disbelief and spoke each syllable with astonishment.
"Ao... ki... ji...!"
That was right.
The person Doflamingo named was indeed one of the Three Admirals.
Aokiji.
An Admiral was hailed as the highest combat power of the Marines, almost standing at the peak of this world.
Even against Whitebeard, an Admiral would definitely possess the strength to fight.
And among everyone present, absolutely no one could defeat Aokiji.
That was why Doflamingo was shocked.
Or rather, why he was unwilling to believe it.
Aokiji's arrival meant the end.
At the very least, Doflamingo could no longer do anything to Axel.
And the situation with the Whitebeard Pirates was no longer something he could control.
It was equivalent to losing his men for nothing this time, then being forced to swallow the bitter fruit in silence.
"Ah... could you all please stop here?"
Aokiji scratched his head, looking somewhat lazy.
Aside from his unusual height, he did not reveal the slightest aura of a powerhouse.
Seeing the newcomer, Axel breathed a quiet sigh of relief.
Since Aokiji had said so, this matter was basically settled.
Doflamingo's face was gloomy, and his unwillingness was obvious.
"And if I say no?"
"Although it would be a hassle, if the fighting continues, I'll step in and stop it."
It sounded like an ordinary sentence.
Yet no one dared ignore the weight behind it.
Doflamingo looked at Aokiji.
Then he laughed and finally spread his hands with a shrug.
"Well, there's no helping it, then."
His smile returned slightly.
"Although it would have been interesting if things continued, I'll stop this time."
Doflamingo did not wail or explain like an ordinary person might have in this situation.
In the end, this trouble had been caused by Axel, a Marine Rear Admiral, yet almost all the bitter consequences were being borne by him.
That imbalance was enough to make anyone feel terrible.
Doflamingo was no different.
But what use was wailing or explaining?
Fairness had never existed in this world.
The strong dominated the weak.
The weak were exploited by the strong.
Was that not normal?
Since he was weaker than Aokiji and clearly could not take revenge now, why do something so embarrassing?
He was Doflamingo.
The head of the Donquixote Family.
"An Admiral...?"
Marco's expression carried lingering fear.
Even the other pirates felt dread.
Although their Pops, Whitebeard, had a reputation and seniority far above an Admiral, and would not fear one if he were present, the problem was that he was not here.
The relationship between pirates and Marines was undoubtedly like that of cat and mouse.
Except it was not the charming kind.
It was the kind where one side ate the other.
Almost all pirates, when facing the Marines from a weaker position, would feel a natural fear.
It was similar to the instinctive dread students had toward teachers.
And an Admiral was the very peak among those teachers.
Equivalent to the Dean of Students from the Academic Affairs Office.
The kind who would actually discipline you.
Marco steadied his gaze and spoke.
"Before we stop, make Doflamingo release Jozu first."
.....
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