Chapter 26: Persuasion
The sound of ping-pong-pong pong-pong pong-pong pong-pong pong-pong pong-pong pong-pong pong-pong-pong-pong constantly resounded in mid-air.
Carl held Withered Tree and Sakura Ten, both blades fully coated in Busoshoku Haki (Armament Haki), engaging in a fierce aerial clash with Donquixote Doflamingo.
Using the power of the Float-Float Fruit (Fuwa Fuwa no Mi), Carl was able to manipulate his position and reduce drag on his blades in mid-air, allowing for near-zero resistance when swinging.
In this way, he maximized his attack speed with every strike—turning Withered Tree and Sakura Ten into precision instruments of destruction.
What was more important was that he used the Fuwa Fuwa no Mi to generate blade-like air slashes compressed sword shockwaves similar to flying slash attacks though they lacked Armament Haki reinforcement.
Even so, each swing carried double threat potential: a primary Haki-imbued slash and a follow-up ranged wave attack.
Even if an opponent blocked the first strike, the second would arrive in the next heartbeat.
His opponents had to expend more Haki or stamina to parry every layered assault.
And if someone underestimated him unless they were on the level of Garp, Kaido, or Shanks—Carl's sword style would quickly teach them regret.
But Doflamingo wasn't average not even close.
As one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea, and a former Celestial Dragon, Doflamingo possessed power on par with high-level Marines.
Even most Vice Admirals wouldn't stand a chance against him.
Facing Carl's relentless assault, Doflamingo parried with effortless precision, using Ito Ito no Mi (String-String Fruit) threads to block and redirect slashes midair, while keeping that same twisted grin on his face.
"Humhahahaha! Is this all the 'Naval Nova' has to offer?
I heard you're the one who brought down the Golden Lion looks like those rumors were overblown!"
"The rumors are true I did kill Golden Lion Shiki, but that was luck, not strength.
However this 'insignificant power' of mine is still enough to beat down a washed-up Shichibukai like you!"
Carl replied coldly, his eyes sharp with disdain.
The jab clearly hit a nerve—Doflamingo's smile twitched.
His expression darkened for a brief moment but he quickly swallowed his anger, keeping his posture smooth and calculating.
For all his madness, Doflamingo was no hothead—he wouldn't fall into Carl's verbal traps.
He remained composed a predator watching his prey.
Their fight wouldn't be settled by words but by force.
"Humhahahaha... if that's your limit—then DIE!"
"Overheat!"
Doflamingo's form vanished in a blink, using his Sky Walk technique to blitz through the air.
He swung his arm, unleashing a colossal burning cord dozens of threads fused together and spinning like a drill charged with tension and ready to tear through steel.
But Carl didn't flinch.
He crossed his twin swords, and around him a violent gale began to spiral an artificial storm conjured through sword pressure and Devil Fruit manipulation!
"Underestimating others... comes at a cost!"
"Lion Fang Cyclone Slash—Chikeya!"
His storm-wrapped blades collided head-on with Doflamingo's burning thread attack.
The two forces smashed together in midair with a deafening explosion compressed wind pressure clashed with vibrating thread tension.
The impact shattered stone, splintered the central tower, and sent shockwaves tearing through the entire naval compound.
Their clash leveled the courtyard reducing the headquarters of the 16th Marine Branch to rubble.
The navy here is completely unable to get involved, even if it is Pizza, he can only hide in the safe area behind to avoid being affected by the fighting between the two of them.
After a while.
The surrounding smoke and shattered debris began to dissipate.
The clash between Carl and Doflamingo had temporarily ended.
Neither of them appeared injured as they floated midair using Geppo and Devil Fruit propulsion.
The devastating blow just now resulted in a draw neither had gained the upper hand.
"Hey, hey, to think a swordsman like you, combining Busoshoku Haki with the power of the Float-Float Fruit can push me this far.
You remind me of that infamous scene when Golden Lion Shiki invaded Marineford with his flying fleet decades ago.
To avoid a second Golden Lion rising from the navy's side, I guess I'd better kill you before you grow wings!"
Doflamingo lived by the law of the jungle only the strong survive.
He never allowed future threats to remain unchecked.
Though his arrogance led him to scorn most pirates and Marines, Carl's potential couldn't be ignored.
And the fact that Carl had inherited the Fuwa Fuwa no Mi, the same Paramecia-type Devil Fruit once wielded by Golden Lion, made him even more dangerous.
Doflamingo had never personally fought Shiki, but he knew the man's exploits.splitting Marineford in half, flying islands into battle, and forcing Garp and Sengoku into joint combat.
To avoid facing a similar nightmare, he had to eliminate this rising star now!
"Doflamingo, you're one of the Seven Warlords, aren't you afraid of having your Shichibukai privileges revoked for attacking a Marine officer?"
Carl spoke calmly, completely unshaken by Doflamingo's threats.
Given his current strength, he believed it was impossible for Doflamingo to take him down easily.
"Hey, even if I kill a Marine rookie like you, what can Sengoku do?
I've got more leverage than you think, brat!"
With a smug smile, Doflamingo raised his hands, threads quietly beginning to form in the air.
But Carl's next statement halted his movements entirely his confident smile twisted into surprise and then visible alarm.
"Yes, you're protected by the Five Elders.
You were once a Celestial Dragon yourself and you know a secret that even the current Tenryuubito fear.
That's the only reason you walk so arrogantly."
Carl tilted his head and smiled, teeth gleaming like a wolf's.
"Am I wrong, Heavenly Yaksha?"
"You bastard... how much do you really know?!"
For the first time, Doflamingo's composure cracked.
He hadn't expected this much from Carl.
His former status as a Celestial Dragon was semi-public among higher-ranking Marines and Yonko Commanders.
But the secret he used to blackmail the Five Elders his knowledge of the "national treasure" held within Mary Geoise—was only known by CP-0's top brass and the Gorosei themselves!
Carl's words caused cold sweat to form on his neck this was beyond coincidence.
"You don't need to wonder how I know.
You only need to understand that what I know… exceeds what you think I know."
Carl's voice was casual, but the threat behind it was very real.
"So if you don't turn back now, I might just reveal one of your other little secrets like the production of artificial Devil Fruits, for instance."
"You...!"
Doflamingo gritted his teeth.
He wanted to kill Carl then and there, but something made him hesitate.
The secret of SMILE—the artificial Zoan project he co-developed with Caesar Clown for Kaido's army was known to fewer than ten people.
If Carl truly knew of it and leaked it to the Navy or the World Government, he'd face retaliation not only from them but from Kaido himself.
The consequences could be catastrophic.
"You may leave now, Doflamingo unless you want to gamble on how many more secrets I know?"
"Hey, hey… I didn't expect you to be such a pain.
But that's fine.
You'll step into the New World someday, and when you do we'll meet again."
"I'll be waiting in the New World, Doflamingo.
I don't intend to stay in the shallows forever."
"Humhhhhhhhhh!!!"
With a twisted laugh, Doflamingo took to the skies, threads swirling as he propelled himself away using Sky Path his unique flight ability created with the String-String Fruit.
Since Carl now held leverage over him, making a move here was no longer worth the risk.
And even for a manipulator like Doflamingo, attacking a potential admiral candidate on Marine territory could backfire massively.
He might've gained temporary satisfaction but the long-term cost wasn't worth it.
The only regret in his heart was failing to retrieve the body of the slain Celestial Dragon.
Without it, his blackmail against the Five Elders would hit a dead end.
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