Chapter 46

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Chapter 46: Yamato vs Doflamingo, String-String Fruit Awakening

The agreement was made, and backing out of this gamble was not an option. Doflamingo trailed behind Yamato, stepping outside with a silent vow to bolster his own confidence. Despite her being Kaido's daughter and much younger, he believed himself superior in strength and battle experience.

He also possessed the Conqueror's Haki and had awakened his fruit's powers. To him, she was just an inexperienced youngster. As the underground world's king, JOKER, he had ruled the seas for forty years. There was no justification for defeat in this battle unless Kaido had indeed cultivated formidable subordinates. Then, a loss would not be shameful.

They arrived at the sunflower field. Yamato, with her mace in hand, flexed her wrist. She chewed on pink bubblegum, casually blowing bubbles, seemingly unaffected by the impending fight. Doflamingo's forehead creased in annoyance at the sight but looked to Kaido, who nodded, signaling readiness. Feeling the disdain from Yamato, Doflamingo's eyes narrowed. He conjured invisible silk threads from his hands, secreting them and adhering them stealthily all around.

Yamato was blowing a bubble when she noticed the delicate threads trying to bind her. She raised her eyebrows, amused by the attempt. Her limbs instantly hardened with Armament Haki where the threads made contact, severing them effortlessly. Doflamingo wasn't particularly surprised or disappointed. He sprung forward, his boots clicking against the ground, as sharp thin lines extended from his fingertips like beastly claws. He lunged at Yamato, employing his "Five Color Strings" attack.

The pink bubble burst with a pop, sticking to Yamato's face. Unperturbed, Yamato reached out, her powerful Armament Haki radiating from her grasp, and aimed for the threads. The "Five Color Strings" clashed with her hand, emitting a metallic screech, as if they were scraping against rusted steel. Doflamingo was taken aback; his usually unyielding technique had been blocked with a single hand. Such formidable Armament Haki in someone so young was astounding. It was a testament to Kaido's ability to empower his subordinates.

The outcome seemed inevitable. Yamato expressed disappointment, as she remarked, 'So weak,' before grasping the threads. She twisted them together and hurled them back at Doflamingo, shaping them into a powerful fist. Embarrassed and enraged by the counter, Doflamingo's face flushed with fury. He ducked under the returning strike, unleashing a kick laced with multiple threads.

"Leg Shave String!" he exclaimed, directing an even sharper barrage towards Yamato's jaw. Yamato blocked with her mace in time, repelling Doflamingo's forceful move with disdain. Doflamingo recovered, flipping backward and reassessing his opponent. He realized his underestimation and vowed not to hold back any longer. From a distance, he raised his arm and then brought it down fiercely as his body followed suit.

"Dropping Ruffian String!" he declared. Five larger and more durable threads materialized above, plunging downward towards Yamato, cutting through the air with the intent to dominate.

Yamato raised her mace again, just as five threads descended from above. Doflamingo saw an opportunity; his silk had entangled and immobilized his foe. "Now you despise me too much. Don't blame me if you lose," he stated, his face a picture of calm.

His arm retracted, and he opened his palm into the void. Dozens of thick, long silk threads erupted from his palm and interwove rapidly. In a moment, a whip 100 meters long and as thick as a small arm took shape. Doflamingo lunged forward, aiming directly for Yamato's slender waist.

"Super Strike Whip!"

The whip cracked sharply, slicing the air. Its sharpness was palpable, even several meters away. A swath of sunflowers fell as if cleaved by a legendary sword, their petals scattering across the skies. Hidden among the drifting petals, the twisting whip was nearly impossible to see.

As it neared, Yamato's hand shot out and seized the fast and forceful braid, standing firm like an iron tower. She even pulled on the whip, dragging Doflamingo forward as he faltered. "You think to play with these puny threads? Then you stand no chance of defeating me," she declared, modest in her words. It was clear that if things continued this way, Doflamingo would not only fail to harm her but would also be utterly defeated.

Doflamingo clenched his teeth so hard that his gums bled, and his brow was taut with frustration. It had been too long since he had felt such humiliation; he had never been so belittled and mocked. Doflamingo, who prided himself on having the makings of a king, could not bear the thought of being powerless against a girl.

Fueled by a rising urge, his energy surged. Below him, the once vibrant field of flowers began to discolor, turning white and crumbling, leaving a vast expanse of nothing but bleached land. Yamato looked closely and realized that what appeared as white soil was composed of countless tiny white threads.

"This is... Awakening?" Yamato was stunned, encountering a Devil Fruit awakening for the first time outside of her father's. "Paramecia awakening? Turning everything around you into an extension of your power?" Yamato looked excitedly at the transformed landscape. "That's cool! I want that ability!"

Doflamingo's frown deepened, his displeasure growing with her fascination. Raising his right hand toward Yamato, the threads underfoot sprang to life and rushed at her like a massive white wave, threatening to engulf her.

"White Line!"

Silk threads from every direction converged, forming a white spherical cage around Yamato. Then Doflamingo clenched his hand, and the silk constricted menacingly towards her center.