Seeing one of the strongest members of the Donquixote Family felled in a single blow, the entire room was gripped with shock. Doflamingo's men, usually fearless and loyal, now stood with widened eyes and pale faces, realizing the true power of the Four Emperors.
Doflamingo, however, kept his composure, though he could feel the weight of Kaido's terrifying presence bearing down on him. He had known the reputation of the Four Emperors for years, but experiencing their power firsthand was another matter entirely. He could sense his subordinates' fear as they recoiled from the Beasts Pirates, who were watching them with mocking smirks.
Suddenly, Kaido, who had seemed half-drunk and half-awake moments ago, turned his bleary eyes toward Doflamingo. "Joker," he growled, his voice rough, "did you bring what I asked for?"
Doflamingo felt a chill run down his spine. So, this was the real reason for the display of power, he thought, quickly scanning Kaido's face for signs of sincerity. Kaido's hand rested heavily on the table as he rubbed his head, his expression hidden, adding to Doflamingo's uncertainty. Was Kaido truly drunk, or was this all an act?
"Lord Kaido," Doflamingo said, keeping his voice steady, "forgive me. In such a short time, I've only been able to collect ten Devil Fruits and thirty-five artificial fruits. However, I'm offering you treasures and gold valued at over 10 billion Berries in addition, as a show of my sincerity."
Kaido shook his head slowly, a look of irritation flashing across his face as he steadied himself. He seemed pained, yet Doflamingo sensed a dangerous clarity in his gaze. Kaido tilted his head, meeting Doflamingo's eyes with a dark expression. "So you're telling me… you couldn't meet my demands?"
Doflamingo felt a bead of sweat trickle down his temple, but he held his ground. "Lord Kaido, please understand," he said, struggling to sound calm. "It's not a matter of willingness. Collecting such a quantity of Devil Fruits on such short notice—no one could have done it."
But Kaido had no patience for excuses. Without another word, he grabbed his enormous mace/Kanabo, Hassaikai, and slammed it down onto the ground, shaking the entire platform. "Joker! If it weren't for our arms dealings, I would have crushed you long ago." His eyes flashed dangerously. "I don't care what your reasons are. You will repay me for Jack and the hundreds of men I lost!"
Doflamingo's pulse raced as Kaido's words hit him like thunder. He felt trapped, unable to escape Kaido's merciless gaze. Kaido lifted a single finger, his voice cold and unyielding. "You have one day. If you don't have what I want by tomorrow, I'll take it myself. And I'll take everything, from your life to this entire kingdom!"
Doflamingo's face went ashen. His usual smugness was replaced by a fury and desperation he could barely control. As Kaido's crew laughed mockingly at his predicament, he felt his pride crumble. He knew well enough that, to pirates like the Beasts Pirates, words meant nothing. Power was all that mattered, and Kaido's crew had no intention of bargaining or showing mercy.
So, this was the plan all along, Doflamingo thought bitterly. Kaido never wanted my compensation. He only wanted to bleed me dry.
The mocking glances from Kaido's men only fueled his rage. His fists clenched tightly, his jaw set as his mind raced. If Kaido wants my head, then I won't go down quietly. If he won't let me live in peace, I'll make sure he feels my wrath!
Finally, Doflamingo spoke, his voice low but defiant. "Kaido… you're pushing me too far. If I go down, you'll lose a valuable ally and resource. That won't end well for either of us."
Kaido's response was a cold chuckle. He leaned forward, looking down at Doflamingo with a sneer. "Don't flatter yourself, Joker. You're nothing more than a pawn. The real power behind your little arms operation is the World Government." He let out a mocking laugh. "If you disappear, they'll just replace you. In fact, they need me far more than they need you. I supply them with seastone in amounts no one else can match. So don't think you're irreplaceable."
Doflamingo's face contorted with rage as he realized the truth of Kaido's words. Kaido's mention of the World Government was no bluff; Doflamingo knew that they wouldn't risk a conflict with a powerhouse like Kaido over his life. In this moment, he understood fully how expendable he was.
Without warning, Doflamingo's rage exploded. "Kaido!" he roared, leaping to his feet, his right hand extending as nearly transparent threads wrapped together to form a powerful whip.
"Five Color Strings!" he cried, lashing out with all his strength, his pride refusing to let Kaido's insults go unchallenged.
Kaido's expression barely changed. A hint of disdain flickered in his eyes as he raised his Kanebo, Hassaikai, which crackled with blue lightning. His eyes gleamed red as he watched Doflamingo's attack approach. "That's all you've got? Pathetic. Thunder Bagua!"
With terrifying speed, Kaido swung his club, a surge of electricity enveloping the weapon as it connected with Doflamingo's threads, scattering them like cobwebs. Doflamingo's eyes widened in shock, realizing too late that he was defenseless.
Kaido's club struck him squarely in the face with a force that sent him flying backward, his body hurtling through the air like a ragdoll. He crashed through several layers of trees and landed thousands of meters away, unconscious before he even hit the ground.
The entire Donquixote Family stared in stunned silence, unable to believe what they had just witnessed. Their once-untouchable leader, thrown aside like a toy, lay out of sight, the echoes of Kaido's blow still hanging in the air.
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