Soaring through the sky, Doflamingo felt a dull ache in his chest. The blood that occasionally trickled from the corner of his mouth was a clear indicator of his poor condition.
Back on Gabrra Island, seeing Doflamingo make a clean getaway, Whitebeard decided against giving chase. For one, he couldn't match the man's speed. For another, Doflamingo had given his word that his sons would be safe, and with that guarantee, Whitebeard had lost his will to fight. All he wanted was to gather his children and go home.
However, just because Whitebeard wanted to leave didn't mean his two old rivals would allow it. They had both suffered a minor loss at Doflamingo's hands, and if word got out that they let him escape, what would the world think of them? Besides, opportunities like this were rare; they had to at least have a proper, satisfying battle.
"Men, set sail! We're heading back!" Whitebeard ordered, his gaze shifting away from Doflamingo's fading silhouette as he addressed his crew.
"Worororo... Whitebeard, thinking of leaving so soon?"
A colossal, sky-blotting figure burst from the black, electrified water and into the air, drawing everyone's attention.
"Is Kaido injured, too?"
Marco and the others noticed the wounds on Kaido's body. Though he acted nonchalant, they could clearly see burn marks on his scales, even if they were healing quickly. His flight also seemed a bit sluggish, likely due to the lingering paralysis from the lightning.
"What, did the brat rough you up? Now you want to take it out on me?" Whitebeard shot back sarcastically.
"Whitebeard!" Kaido's voice was stern, betraying the turmoil boiling beneath his surface. He couldn't believe that a moment of carelessness had resulted in him getting injured. Of all the people there, he should have been the most resistant to Doflamingo's attacks, yet his massive body had made him the largest target.
"Getting angry?"
Whitebeard found the sight of the enraged Kaido somewhat amusing.
As all eyes were on Whitebeard and Kaido, a series of sonic waves began to emanate from the dark, churning water, each one more powerful than the last.
Those familiar with Big Mom knew what this was: her soul-rending shriek. It was a sound so powerful it could not only rupture eardrums and impair movement but also cause physical damage to inanimate objects.
"Mama's okay!"
Hearing that familiar monstrous roar, Big Mom's children breathed a collective sigh of relief. Doflamingo's last attack had left them shaken, and they had feared the worst for their mother.
"Is that you, Linlin?"
Kaido glanced toward the black water. He saw Big Mom emerge, with Prometheus draped over her head, a battered Zeus in one hand, and Napoleon in the other. Her skin was flushed red as the liquid lightning dripped from her body. She threw her head back and let out a heaven-shaking scream, venting her frustration.
Whitebeard frowned at the sound. Her shriek wasn't something an ordinary person could withstand, and his sons were still nearby.
"Air Quake!"
Whitebeard took action, sending a slash toward Big Mom to stop her tantrum.
"Boro Breath!"
Kaido also attacked Big Mom without a shred of mercy.
"Napoleon, Prometheus!"
"Yes, Mama!"
"Heavenly Fire!"
"Emperor Sword: Shattering Blade!"
Big Mom didn't hold back, striking at both Kaido and Whitebeard in retaliation.
"Tornado!"
After his Boro Breath, Kaido sent a Tornado attack at Whitebeard, showing no favoritism in his rage.
Naturally, Whitebeard returned the favor.
And so, the three-way brawl began in earnest. The already devastated Gabrra Island was in for more punishment. It seemed that Whitebeard, Kaido, and Big Mom wouldn't be satisfied until the island was completely sunk into the sea.
The two pirate crews watching from a distance retreated as far as they could, terrified of being caught in the crossfire. After all, this was a battle between the three strongest people on the seas, and the power of their attacks was on another level entirely.
Long after Doflamingo's departure, the three Emperors fought for another three days and three nights before reluctantly separating to lick their wounds. For a brief time, the seas knew a rare moment of peace.
Looking back, it seemed Doflamingo was the ultimate beneficiary of the conflict. Though he hadn't won, the battle had pushed his abilities to a new height.
As he flew swiftly over the ocean, a sudden sense of crisis washed over him.
"Great Eruption!"
So, it's the Marines and their self-proclaimed justice, is it?
"God's Judgment!"
Doflamingo met Akainu's Great Eruption head-on, their attacks clashing without either gaining an advantage.
"Ararara, isn't this Donquixote Doflamingo? We've been waiting for you for a while now," Aokiji called out lazily from another warship, greeting the man in the sky.
"Aokiji, Akainu."
Doflamingo's eyes narrowed at the sight of them. If he weren't so seriously injured, he wouldn't necessarily be afraid of these two. But as it was, he was not only wounded but also missing an arm. While it didn't drastically affect his fighting ability, facing two Admirals in this state was a serious threat.
The only option was to run. Flexibility was the key to long-term survival. The last thing he wanted was to be captured by the Marines.
"Fuffuffu, Aokiji, long time no see. And my, my, isn't this Admiral Akainu? What brings you here?" Doflamingo feigned pleasantries.
"Donquixote Doflamingo, you've caused quite a stir. The entire New World has been turned upside down because of you," Aokiji said, giving him a long, meaningful look.
"How can you blame me for that? I've been a model citizen. It's everyone else who keeps picking fights. If you want to arrest someone, go arrest them!" Doflamingo retorted.
"Donquixote Doflamingo, you're nothing but a pirate. Prepare to die! Dog Bite Red Lotus!" Akainu had no patience for banter. This was his first time meeting Doflamingo, but his deep-seated hatred for pirates wouldn't allow him to tolerate one acting so arrogantly in his presence. In his mind, pirates should cower before him and meekly accept his judgment.
Seeing this, Aokiji sighed helplessly, but his expression turned serious. No matter what, Doflamingo had to be captured today. They could both clearly see the terrible state he was in. There would never be a better opportunity.
"Tsk tsk, resorting to lethal force at the drop of a hat. Is this what the Marines call justice?" Doflamingo taunted, effortlessly dodging Akainu's attack.
"It is not for a pirate to question the justice of the Marines!" Akainu transformed into a magma hound and lunged at him.
"Hmph! Justice. How self-important. Get lost, Akainu!" Doflamingo sneered.
"Dark Hound!"
"Thunder Rush!"
Their attacks exploded in mid-air. Scalding magma and searing lightning met, neither able to overcome the other.
BOOM!
The tension between them was palpable. Akainu pressed his attack, giving Doflamingo no room to breathe.
They clashed again. Magma dripped from Akainu's fist into the sea below, sending up clouds of steam. Doflamingo's lightning, however, vanished into the water without a sound.
"Take this!"
Doflamingo teleported behind Akainu and struck him squarely in the back.
Caught off guard, Akainu had no time to dodge and was sent reeling from the blow.
"Farewell, I'm done playing with you."
Doflamingo prepared to retreat. He'd had his skirmish with Akainu; there was no need to get bogged down.
However, Aokiji, who had been watching from the side, wasn't about to let him go.
"Fire!"
At the commander's order, the warship's cannons fired, attempting to cut off Doflamingo's escape.
"Tch!"
Doflamingo clicked his tongue in annoyance at the incoming cannonballs. He never understood what purpose they served, though he supposed they were effective against ordinary people.
"Ice Block: Pheasant Beak! Where do you think you're going, Doflamingo? There's no way out."
Aokiji used Geppo to appear in the air, blocking Doflamingo's path with his attack.
"I say, Admiral Aokiji, could you let me pass? I have some business to attend to. My lovely family is waiting for me!" Doflamingo said cheekily after dodging the icy bird.
"Ararara, it's my duty, Donquixote Doflamingo. For you, there is no escape today," Aokiji replied, his tone lazy but his words firm, ignoring the taunt.
"Is that so? I'm so scared."
"Surrender, Donquixote Doflamingo. Forget about a family reunion. Why don't you come have a sit-down with me in Impel Down instead?" Akainu's voice boomed again, loud and domineering.
With two Admirals flanking him, it seemed Doflamingo was trapped. A fight was inevitable.