With the combined might of Conqueror's Haki and Perfume Femur, those strings—far tougher than ordinary steel—were instantly torn apart.
That elegant foot grew larger in Doflamingo's vision.
With a bang, Doflamingo's head exploded.
However, what burst out wasn't blood and brain matter...
But strings.
Hancock froze for a moment before gritting her teeth and muttering:
"That damn cunning flamingo... He got away again!"
Meanwhile, high in the distant sky, Doflamingo hung from a newly drifting Cloud, gripping a string with one hand.
Watching from afar as his Doppelman clone was obliterated by that kick, he couldn't help but feel a chill.
But more than that... envy.
"We both possess all three types of Haki... So why can Hancock infuse her attacks with Conqueror's Haki, while no matter how hard I try, I can't even come close?"
"Maybe... you're just kinda weak, Doffy?"
Doflamingo's entire body stiffened.
He hadn't expected his muttering to receive a response.
And the voice that answered him was one he knew all too well.
A voice he'd only faced three or four times in person...
Yet one that haunted his nightmares.
His rationality screamed at him...
Run! You have to run!
But his body remained frozen, as if completely numb.
Until... A hand pressed against the back of his neck.
Grabbed his throat and flipped him around.
In that instant, Michael's Holy Flame coursed through Doflamingo's entire body.
All the explosive strings he'd prepared were severed at their source.
"I've been watching you for a while now... Seems those explosions were your doing, huh?"
As he was turned around, Doflamingo nearly collapsed.
As expected...
"Michael... Are you here to kill me?"
"Kill you? Why would I kill you?" Michael grinned, giving Doflamingo a thumbs-up. "Sure, you're a bad kid, but you've done pretty well in Dressrosa... So I've decided to generously spare your life and send you back to Dressrosa to keep shining as the wise king in the people's eyes. How's that sound?"
"No... No..."
"Oh, so you think this ending is truly joyous and celebratory, don't you? But before you return to Dressrosa, the SWORD Forces will take you back to Marineford first... Grandma Tsuru has been missing you terribly."
"Michael! Kill me! Please kill me!"
"There, there~ Doffy, turning bad children into good ones is also part of justice."
Under Michael's gentle and soothing comfort, Doflamingo's emotions gradually spiraled toward collapse.
He was a born villain!
He absolutely refused to become some so-called "good child"!
This... was worse than death!
"You! You're no angel!"
"You're a devil!"
Charlotte Linlin, who had placed Kaido atop the thundercloud Zeus, witnessed this scene and couldn't help but glance at Michael a few more times.
That mild, conversational tone truly resembled the whispers of a devil...
Even Charlotte Linlin couldn't suppress a slight Shudder...
What a pity that such a man, with his terrifying charm, had refused to become her husband.
...
"Everyone! Round up all the remaining members of the Beasts Pirates!"
Rosinante stood shoulder to shoulder with Kozuki Oden, directing the samurai to capture the Beasts Pirates.
The battle, which had nearly reached a stalemate, ended swiftly under the overwhelming power of several Logia users.
Rosinante also cast a few more glances at the four Logia users... a bitter smile tugging at his lips.
Today, the four of them had taken quite the beating from Bullet...
And the Beasts Pirates had become their outlet for venting.
But no matter what, ending the battle here quickly...
Meant they could unite to face Bullet, who was already right before them.
"Rosinante! Is it over already?"
"The fight with the Beasts Pirates is done..." Rosinante pointed into the distance as Hancock rushed over.
"But don't forget, there's still a real monster out there."
"So this is what Father meant by the biggest, coolest combined robot in the world!"
Kozuki Toki, arriving a step later, stood beside Kozuki Oden and looked up, her eyes filled with childlike excitement.
"Toki, it seems you took action today."
"Ah, it's been a while since I've drawn blood."
"For the children's sake, you've worked hard..."
"Don't say that, Oden... Compared to the battles of old, this was just a warm-up."
Watching the overly affectionate couple, Rosinante Shuddered violently.
In broad daylight, under the open sky!
This was too much to bear!
Meanwhile, the SWORD Forces, along with Jack and Yamato, all gathered around Rosinante.
"Hey, do you really think we stand a chance against that thing...?" Shu frowned. "If only Michael were here..."
Before Shu could finish his sentence, a man with a pair of Holy Light Wings descended from the sky.
In his hand, he carried a thoroughly broken Doflamingo, whose eyes had completely lost focus and light.
"Mi..."
"Enough, save the chatter. While my ultimate move is still active... let me handle Bullet."
He casually tossed Doflamingo to the ground and then soared into the air.
"Mamamamama! Your SWORD Forces have really gathered in full force this time!"
And the moment Michael left, Charlotte Linlin descended with Kaido in tow.
"Charlotte Linlin!? You... what brings you here!?" Rosinante's eyes flashed with momentary wariness.
"I'm just here to save my little brother's life... and maybe see if Michael would become my forty-third husband while I'm at it."
Charlotte Linlin said with a laugh.
Of course, she wouldn't reveal the details of her deal with Michael.
Even though every person present could be considered Michael's trusted confidant...
They weren't Charlotte Linlin's confidants.
Among these people, she hadn't seen anyone truly qualified to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with him yet...
Well, that little one called Hancock might count as half.
Just as Rosinante was about to speak again...
A distant shout of "Multiply! Thirtyfold Speed!" rang out.
The next moment, that familiar figure came flying back even faster.
Michael flapped his Holy Light Wings, managing to hover to a stop before the group.
Seeing everyone's stunned expressions, Michael gave an embarrassed smile.
"My bad, my bad."
"Let's try that again!"