Chapter 43:Interlude

Magic Valley Town

"Pfft!"

"Stop it, both of you! Bellamy! Satchis!"

The Hyena Pirates watched in panic as Bellamy and Satchis fought, both seriously injured.

"I... I can't control myself!"

Satchis cried out in desperation.

"You did this, Doflamingo!"

Bellamy's voice echoed with despair.

In the shadows, Doflamingo continued to move his fingers, a sinister smile on his face.

"Why? I've been loyal to you."

"Just one failure and you cast me aside? Give me another chance!"

Bellamy pleaded desperately with Doflamingo.

"Thank you for your loyalty. But I have no use for failures."

Doflamingo's smile faded, his gaze through sunglasses dark and cold as he turned away from Bellamy.

In a swift motion, Doflamingo flicked his fingers despite Bellamy's cries of protest.

"Pfft!"

The sickening sound of blades piercing flesh reverberated, the scent of blood filling the air.

"You've caused me so much trouble."

Veins bulged on Doflamingo's forehead, his expression darkening.

A mere underling had drawn him the attention of someone with such Conqueror's Haki, Putting Everything at risk.

"Let's see who survives in this new era! Fufufufu!"

"Portgas D. Ace!"

Doflamingo spread his arms, releasing a chilling laugh.

"Boom!"

His Conqueror's Haki swept through Magic Valley Town, rendering everyone unconscious.

After unleashing his Haki, Doflamingo vanished in an instant, utilizing his String-String Fruit ability.

He knew he might now be a target before even Kaido.

Target.

The word gnawed at him, his face darkening further.

Yet facing Conqueror's Haki of that magnitude, he harbored no confidence.

"Damn it!"

Doflamingo cursed inwardly, disappearing into the night.

New World, Uninhabited Island

An uninhabited island in the New World was currently hosting a pirate gathering.

At the heart of the festivities, two renowned figures engaged in a drinking contest.

There sat Captain Red Hair Shanks of the Red Hair Pirates, one of the Four Emperors, and Mihawk, renowned as the world's greatest swordsman.

"Oh? You're saying this newcomer's Conqueror's Haki can already manifest damage?" Shanks was visibly surprised by Mihawk's revelation.

"Conqueror's Haki with offensive capabilities? No wonder he managed to take down Crocodile. Mastering such power at such a young age truly marks him as an extraordinary newcomer," remarked Beckman, exhaling a cloud of smoke.

" His Conqueror's Haki was indeed impressive," Mihawk concurred, taking a sip of his wine.

"He interrupted all of Mariejois through a phone bug and openly challenged Kaido in the Holy Land? They call him the Flame Emperor for a reason. Hahaha," Shanks chuckled heartily.

"Ace simply happened to encounter Doflamingo's men and made Kaido his primary target, he possesses more Haki than even you, Shanks," Beckman remarked, eyeing Shanks seriously.

"If we cross paths with him, we might just find ourselves on his hit list as well," he added thoughtfully.

"Hahaha, now that's getting interesting," Shanks laughed at the prospect.

With that, he downed the remainder of his wine in one go.

"If we do end up being marked for crusade, then let's welcome it!" Shanks declared, his commanding Haki reverberating across the uninhabited island.

"Hey, boss, maybe don't unleash random Haki like that. You've knocked out the newcomers," Beckman interjected, watching Shanks with a wry smile as he took a long drag on his cigarette.

The potential challenge posed by Ace only served to heighten Shanks' excitement.