Abel sidestepped, narrowly avoiding Rekdu's desperate lunge.
With a thunderous boom, Rekdu plummeted into the soft earth, disappearing into the quagmire.
Abel was stunned. Was Rekdu faking his attack? Or was this a deliberate attempt to lure him into the treacherous terrain?
He hesitated, wary of falling into a trap. The quagmire was a dangerous environment, offering little advantage in a fight.
"Looks like our 'great swordsman' has been outsmarted," Doflamingo chuckled from above.
"Baby-5, Buffalo, flush him out. Then let Abel finish the job."
"Yes, Young Master!"
The Don Quixote Family launched their aerial assault. Bombs rained down, churning the quagmire into a chaotic mess.
Buffalo, soaring through the air, spotted Rekdu. "There he is!"
Baby-5, a whirlwind of motion, unleashed a barrage of grenades.
Rekdu, battered and bruised, was caught in the explosions.
Seizing the opportunity, Abel charged.
"Shura… Aurora Slash!"
The emerald energy sliced through the air, impacting Rekdu with devastating force.
Wounded and disoriented, Rekdu could only roar in frustration.
He attempted to retaliate, but Abel was relentless.
"Gustaves Yan Shuangying!"
Abel unleashed a flurry of bullets, peppering Rekdu with lead.
Rekdu, his defenses weakened, could only endure the barrage.
Finally, Abel ran out of ammunition. He holstered his guns and drew his dagger.
Rekdu, battered and bloody, lay sprawled on the ground. He was still breathing, but barely.
"Dead?" Abel questioned, kicking the prone figure.
Receiving no response, Abel decided to finish the job. "Too much trouble to drag him back. I'll just take his head."
He raised his dagger, ready to deliver the final blow.
Meanwhile, within the cave…
Law watched the carnage unfold with growing frustration. He yearned to join the fight, to prove his worth.
Corazon, sensing his agitation, maintained a firm grip on his shoulder. Law understood. Corazon was protecting him, ensuring his safety.
"I'll fight alongside Abel one day," Law vowed, his eyes burning with determination. "I won't be held back any longer."
Corazon remained silent, but his gaze held a mixture of concern and encouragement.
The battle raged on outside. The Crocodile Pirates, though outnumbered and outgunned, fought with desperate courage.
Benn, the gunner, proved a formidable opponent, his explosive attacks wreaking havoc among the Don Quixote Family.
The once-festive cave had become a battleground, a grim testament to the ruthless nature of the pirate world.
Abel returned to Doflamingo with the spoils, his expression a picture of quiet satisfaction.
"Good job,"
Doflamingo praised, "You didn't disappoint me."
"It was a team effort," Abel modestly replied.
"The Crocodile Pirates were nearly wiped out by Baby-5 and Buffalo before I arrived. I merely finished them off."
Doflamingo chuckled. "Humility is a virtue, but don't underestimate your own contributions. You displayed remarkable skill."
"I'm just following orders," Abel insisted, maintaining a low profile.
Doflamingo nodded, seemingly pleased with Abel's demeanor. "As promised, you'll receive a generous reward. What do you desire?"
Abel surprised Doflamingo with his answer.
"Berries. Lots of them."
Doflamingo raised an eyebrow. "Such a simple request. I'm curious, why do you need so many Berries?"
Abel shrugged. "I don't like owing people money."
"Who do you owe money to?" Doflamingo inquired, intrigued.
Abel rattled off a list: "I borrowed a significant sum from Baby-5 for some… shopping.
I promised to buy Buffalo ice cream. And I owe Mr. Pick a few packs of cigarettes…"
Doflamingo burst out laughing. "I see."
He realized Abel was more concerned with personal debts than accumulating wealth for power. This made him even more intrigued.
"From now on,"
Doflamingo declared, "the Family will provide you with a monthly
stipend.
And you're free to select a portion of the spoils as a reward. Take as much as you can carry."
Doflamingo was generous, but also cunning.
He knew the spoils were a finite resource. Abel, burdened by his own debts, would likely prioritize immediate gratification over long-term ambitions.
Seeing the envious glances from Baby-5 and Buffalo, Doflamingo extended the offer to them as well.
"You two can also select your share of the spoils."
The two executives cheered, eager to claim their rewards.
Abel, however, had other plans. He entered the cave, his eyes scanning the treasure trove. Gold, silver, jewels – the spoils of piracy were scattered throughout the cavern.
But Abel was drawn to a series of black boxes stacked neatly against the wall. These, he knew, contained stacks of 1,000-berry bills.
Each box held roughly 10 million Berries, a substantial weight.
He carefully selected two sacks, filling them with jewelry and other valuables.
Then, he turned his attention to the boxes of Berries.
He could carry a considerable amount, but he had to be strategic. He carefully selected a few boxes, testing their weight. He could manage this much, but any more would be pushing his limits.
As he prepared to leave, he couldn't help but feel a surge of excitement. This was a significant haul, a substantial down payment on his debt.
He emerged from the cave, his shoulders burdened but his spirits high.
Doflamingo watched him with a curious glint in his eyes. He had underestimated this young swordsman. Abel, driven by his own unique motivations, was proving to be a valuable asset.
And so, Abel, the young swordsman with a penchant for spending, embarked on a new chapter in his life, his pockets brimming with Berries and his future uncertain.