Thud!!
A thick and sturdy tail came crashing down, smashing the ground and creating a spider-web-like pit on it. Dante lightly stepped back, as if taking a leisurely stroll, and the tail missed its mark completely.
Then, Dante raised his hand and swung it horizontally, emitting a sharp and dazzling sword light!
Swish…
"Roar!!!"
A deep, bone-deep gash appeared at the tip of the tail, but Drake's tough scale armor prevented it from being severed. He let out a cry of pain and forcefully kicked with his strong lower limbs as he charged toward Dante with his massive and ferocious head.
"Mada Mada ("Not good enough")…"
Dante shook his head slowly and, just as the opponent was about to make contact with his body, he slightly sidestepped, miraculously evading the assault that was powerful enough to smash through steel with a mere hair's breadth of distance.
At the same time, he lifted his weapon and exerted his arm muscles with a sudden burst of force.
Buzz!
Busoshoku Haki, entwine!
Hardening!
The blade's edge suddenly turned black and purple, emitting a chilling killing intent. Taking advantage of this opportunity, Dante swung the blade down towards the neck that was within arm's reach.
Swish… Ding!
The clash of metal and iron resounded as sparks flew everywhere!
Suddenly, the massive head twisted to the left, and after the blade had penetrated ten centimeters into the body, it bit down on the sword with its teeth!
"I didn't expect this… I thought you were preparing to attack me while I had the chance…"
Dante said slowly before he released his sword and clenched his right fist, striking Drake's nose. The fist, entwined with Busoshoku Haki, was like a heavy hammer, capable of taking a person's life with a single blow!
And the nose was the most vulnerable and prominent facial feature for most creatures!
…
Some distance away from the G10 Marine Branch.
A Pirate Ship adorned with the Donquixote Family flag sailed across the sea. On the deck, a middle-aged man with a thin build and attire resembling that of a Native American chieftain looked at the sea with a serious expression on his face.
This man was Diamante, one of the Four Elite Officers of the Donquixote Family and the leader of the Diamonds Army. He also possessed the Ripple-Ripple Fruit ability.
Standing at the bow of the ship, he gazed at the sky after looking at the sea and a glint of coldness flickered in his eyes.
"Is the information confirmed?"
"Yes… it's confirmed!"
Next to Diamante, a nervous pirate from the Donquixote Family trembled on his legs as he gave his report.
"There are no traces of Zipper Thunder in any direction. The spy lurking on Drake's Battleship reported that Marine Vice Admiral Rowen did not appear on their ship… I…"
"What about the Den Den Mushi? Hurry and call the Young Master!"
"I can't get through!"
The pirate's voice quivered as he replied, "The navigator said the atmosphere on the Sky Island might not be suitable for Den Den Mushi to survive. They are probably all in forced hibernation, so they haven't woken up yet…"
"Ahhhh!!!"
Swoosh!
Before the words could fully escape his mouth, Diamante's soft cloak transformed in an instant, turning into hard steel and condensing into a sharp sword that pierced through the pirate's neck.
The expression on Diamante's face turned pitch black as he roared, "Full speed ahead to the G-10 Branch!"
"If anything happens to the Young Lord, all of you will be buried with him!"
"Yes!"
The pirates of the Donquixote Family were on the verge of tears as they glanced at each other, despair evident in their eyes.
From the very beginning, this plan had encountered unexpected circumstances!
…
Marine Headquarters, Fleet Admiral's office.
Sengoku, with his pet seagull perched on his shoulder, wore a troubled expression as he looked at the information from the New World in his hands.
"So, Drake was driven back by the Donquixote Family when he tried to submerge near the Sabaody Archipelago. And now their ships are heading towards the G10 Branch, intending to…" Sengoku paused for a moment and angrily slammed the information on the table.
"Assist the Marines in capturing Drake?!!"
"What the hell kind of joke is this?!"
Inside the office, everyone's faces were grim.
Assist the Marines?
If these words came from Kuma, others might have believed it to some extent, but coming from the Donquixote Family… Did they really think everyone was a fool?!!
"If Mozambia's report is almost certain…"
Marine Headquarters' Great Staff Officer Tsuru, who had attended the meeting as usual, crossed her arms and spoke with a serious tone, "Although he doesn't admit it himself, Vergo is indeed a high-ranking officer of the Donquixote Family. This time, Doflamingo came prepared, it is obvious that he is seeking revenge against the Marines!"
"Why did he pick a fight with Rowen then?"
Garp looked astonished on the side. The Donquixote Family was far away in the New World, and Mozambia, who reported Vergo, was also in the New World.
But it seemed that everything was fine on Mozambia's side, while the first half of the G10 Branch was about to be attacked.
Upon hearing this, both Tsuru and Sengoku looked at Garp with a gaze that seemed to say, "Are you clueless?" It made Garp's scalp tingle.
After a moment, Tsuru turned her head, ignoring Garp's fishy stare, and said to Sengoku.
"Now the crucial point is, since Doflamingo is using the guise of assisting the Marines, we, the Marines, have no reason to stop him from doing so. At the same time, considering that we have received this information, it is likely that they have already taken action. So, I'm worried…"
"Don't worry! That brat Rowen is strong, Doflamingo might not be able to do anything to him!"
Garp interrupted once again, and Sengoku's forehead creased in annoyance. Suddenly, he rushed forward and slammed his fist on Garp's face, sending Garp flying out of the office with a loud thud.
"Get out of here!"
Whether Doflamingo is a match for Rowen or not, nobody cared about that question.
The real focus was…
… "We've been manipulated!"
Sengoku slumped in his chair, rubbing his temples wearily.
It seems that Doflamingo calculated that the Marines would make Rowen take action due to Drake's betrayal, which is why he intercepted Drake at Sabaody.
Taking it a step further, Drake's betrayal was likely a scheme set up by the Donquixote Family.
And because Drake was forced to change his escape route, they notified Rowen, who has probably left the fortress to search for him, leaving the G10 Branch vulnerable.
And since Doflamingo dared to leak the information to the Marines, it's likely that they will soon receive a report of the destruction of the G10 Branch.
He wants the Marines to helplessly watch as the G10 Branch is destroyed under the pretext of "Assisting in capturing Drake"!
This is a naked conspiracy!
It serves to show the Marines that the reputation of the Donquixote Family is not something anyone can trample upon!
...
You can read ahead up to 40 chapters on my patreon and I've also activated (date to date) subscription model on my patreon https://www.patreon.com/darkshadow6395
Read my other works:-
Galactic Garbage Station
Endless Plunder In High School DxD
Illimitable Until Death
I am in Marvel With Unlimited Cards
Heroes of Marvel
One Piece Thundergod Marine