On the vast, blue sea, dozens of pirate ships surged menacingly toward the Donquixote Pirates.
The two forces were on a direct collision course.
The lone Ark Maxim against a massive fleet—the disparity was clear at a glance.
"Young Master! Young Master, this is bad! There's—There's a huge number of pirate ships heading for us!" Bepo, who had been diligently studying navigation and the New World's weather patterns, was the first to spot the intimidating armada.
Hearing Bepo's panicked voice, the members of the Donquixote Pirates reacted in various ways. Most faces lit up with excitement; only a few showed any sign of alarm.
"Bepo, honestly," Baby 5 chided him. "You've been through so many brutal battles. Why are you still such a coward?"
At her words, Bepo hung his head in shame, apologizing profusely.
"It's alright, Bepo."
Doflamingo walked over to Bepo's side and ruffled his fluffy fur.
"Young Master!" Bepo's eyes sparkled with gratitude.
"Doffy, this is great news!" Enel exclaimed, his fighting spirit practically overflowing. "If this many suicidal idiots are coming for us, it's the perfect time to show the New World that the Donquixote Pirates are not to be trifled with!"
"I agree with Enel. It's time the pirates of the New World witnessed the true might of the Donquixote family," Diamante added, a dangerous smile playing on his lips as a cold glint flashed in his eyes.
Hearing Enel and Diamante, Law, Robin, Monet, and the others grew restless, each one cracking their knuckles in anticipation.
Seeing his crew so eager for a fight, Doflamingo had no intention of extinguishing their passion.
"Then let's give them a fight," Doflamingo declared with a confident smirk. "The Donquixote Pirates fear no one."
"FIGHT!"
"FIGHT!"
A thunderous battle cry erupted from the deck of the Ark.
Aboard the lead ship of the Whitebeard-allied fleet, Whitey Bay and the other captains had gathered. They heard the defiant roar from the distant Ark Maxim and broke into laughter.
"Big Sis, Doma, Makugai, Decalvan Brothers, it looks like the Donquixote Pirates are in a hurry to die," Squard sneered, a cruel light in his eyes.
"Ahaha, you said it!" Gray and Okessy chimed in, eager to make their presence felt.
"They saw the flag of the Whitebeard Pirates and didn't even run. They're actually charging us. I'll give them points for courage," Whitey Bay said with a cold smile as she began to issue orders. "Since they don't know their place, we have no reason to be polite. Men, ready the cannons! Show the Donquixote Pirates that rookies don't call the shots in the New World!"
"KILL THEM! SLAUGHTER THE DONQUIXOTE PIRATES!"
"LET THEM TASTE THE CRUELTY OF THE NEW WORLD!"
"CHARGE, BROTHERS!"
The battle cries from the grand fleet were far more overwhelming than those from the Donquixote Pirates. Outnumbered and outmatched in sheer volume, they were at a clear disadvantage.
Doflamingo stood at the bow with his top executives, calmly watching the great allied fleet of the Whitebeard Pirates bear down on them.
"Doffy, that's... the Whitebeard Pirates!" Diamante's sharp eyes were the first to identify the flag on the enemy ships.
At the mention of the Whitebeard Pirates, a flicker of doubt appeared on the faces of those aboard the Ark.
Doflamingo swept his gaze over his crew, his voice cold as he asked, "What's wrong? You're scared just because it's the Whitebeard Pirates coming to cause trouble?"
No one answered immediately. The atmosphere grew heavy.
Even Enel, who usually acted as if he feared nothing in heaven or on earth, hesitated upon seeing the flag. He was no longer the ignorant god he once was. Years of fighting and sailing alongside Doflamingo had taught him that he still had a long way to go. This was the crew of the World's Strongest Man, after all. The weight of that name was not lost on him.
"Young Master, I will stand with you!"
In that critical moment, it was Monet who stepped forward, her trust in Doflamingo absolute.
Once one person spoke, others were quick to follow.
"Doflamingo-san," Law said calmly. "So what if it's the Whitebeard Pirates? They can't be stronger than the World Government. I'll make sure they learn just how dangerous we are."
Diamante, Pica, Robin, and Ibes, who had been with Doflamingo the longest, knew he was getting angry. They immediately pushed aside their hesitation and voiced their resolve. The others saw this and quickly reaffirmed their loyalty as well.
"The Whitebeard Pirates? So what?" Doflamingo's voice boomed with authority. "They've come at us with killing intent, so we won't be polite. Let's give them a welcome they'll never forget!"
Though their initial hesitation had displeased him, their swift correction soothed his anger. He knew better than anyone that the name "Whitebeard" carried an intimidating weight that few could ignore.
Still, a fight against Whitebeard's subordinate crews now meant that their future relationship would be anything but amicable. While Doflamingo hadn't wanted to provoke the Whitebeard Pirates, he would not tolerate being attacked.
"Yahahahaha! Doffy's right! Who cares if they're the Whitebeard Pirates!" Enel's laughter grew colder, his voice turning sharp. He was clearly blaming them for his moment of weakness. "We'll make sure none of them return!"
"Let me be the one to give them a taste of what's to come!"
With that, Enel shot into the sky, taking the lead and flying directly toward the encircling fleet.
"Hey, Enel, you bastard! Wait for me! You're not stealing all the glory!" Diamante yelled, anxiously taking off in pursuit.
Doflamingo's face was a placid mask, his thoughts unreadable. But everyone knew he was in a foul mood, and no one dared to cross him. All eyes turned to the two figures leading the charge.
"Captain! Someone from the Donquixote Pirates is flying toward us!"
The allied fleet quickly spotted Enel and Diamante.
"What are you afraid of? Shoot them down," Whitey Bay commanded with unshakable composure.
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
Hundreds of cannonballs soared through the air toward the two men.
"You think this is enough to hurt us?" Enel scoffed at the enemy's attack.
"Let's give them a show, Enel," Diamante said, flying up beside him. "Doffy is angry."
"I know. It's all these bastards' fault! Allow me to arrange your funeral!"
"Evaporate, O Sea!" Enel hovered high above the fleet, his hands forming an indescribable gesture.
"Crescent Grave!" Diamante drew his longsword and unleashed a crescent-shaped slash of energy tens of meters long, sending it hurtling down toward the fleet on the sea below.
The first attacks from Enel and Diamante had been launched. Now, it was up to Whitey Bay, Squard, and the others to respond.