While Hui was wreaking havoc in Marineford, a small ship sailed across the vast ocean.
Aboard were ten young individuals and a few crew members. They were the ten youths from the Sage Shinobi Nation.
Though each had their own mission, they remained together until they cleared the Calm Belt.
Meanwhile, another fleet sailed on the sea, its course set on a collision with that of the shinobi.
"Young Master, we are about to enter the Calm Belt. Shall we proceed?" On the lead ship, three of the fleet commanders inquired of a seemingly young, yet already imposing, youth.
The young man sported short blond hair, a pink feathered coat, cropped trousers, pointed shoes, and red sunglasses.
"Fufufufufufu, there are good things to be found in the Calm Belt. Don't be afraid of this place; it can't hold us back." The youth spoke with unwavering confidence.
For he was Donquixote Doflamingo, the Celestial Dragon, Donquixote Doflamingo. This was a young Doflamingo. Full of youthful arrogance, he held no fear of the Calm Belt.
In a fateful moment, the two groups encountered each other.
"Fufufufufufu, a ship actually sailing out of the Calm Belt?" Doflamingo let out his signature boisterous laugh as the lone vessel drew closer.
"Young Master, shall we attack?" a commander asked. With a single order from Doflamingo, a barrage of cannon fire could reduce the lone ship to splinters. Such was the power of the Donquixote Family.
Doflamingo's eyes narrowed behind his sunglasses, his grin widening.
"Attack!" he commanded.
"Attack!!!"
"They're firing!" On the shinobi's ship, Kei Yuki announced.
"It's just cannons!" Ranzuki spoke, his hands rapidly forming seals.
Water Release: Great Waterfall Technique!
A colossal wave surged from the sea before their ship, crashing down upon the incoming cannonballs.
Boom! Boom! Boom!!!
Explosions reverberated through the cascading water, sending spray flying across the deck.
"Is that all?" Ranzuki said calmly, his hands still moving.
Water Release: Water Dragon Bullet Technique!
A massive water dragon, dozens of meters long, materialized from the ocean, roaring ferociously as it lunged towards Doflamingo's fleet.
Doflamingo looked up at the incoming dragon, its visage clear as day, the pressure it exuded palpable.
Yet, he didn't move. His smile remained unchanged, his expression unwavering as he watched.
Boom!!!
Another deafening explosion.
Flames erupted in the air as the water dragon was blasted apart, scattering into droplets.
Ranzuki looked over and saw a burly figure wielding a massive cannon. Seeing this, he ceased his attack.
On the shinobi's ship, Minato stepped to the bow, his gaze fixed on the strange young man.
"Why did you attack us?" he asked calmly.
"Hahahahahahaha, do I need a reason to attack someone?" Doflamingo countered.
"Is that so? Then don't blame us for what comes next," Minato replied, killing intent rising within him.
"You will die here," Sarutobi Hoshi added coldly.
Doflamingo's crew was enraged by the confident declaration, and even Doflamingo himself was momentarily taken aback.
He raised a hand to silence his crew before bursting into laughter.
"Fufufufufufu, many have wished for my death, yet I still stand. I believe it is you who will die here today."
Doflamingo flicked his wrist.
Minato swiftly raised his hand, his speed so remarkable that many onlookers' eyes widened in surprise.
"No, you are the one who will die today. For I see the threads you cannot, the threads of the inevitable." He spoke, tightening his grip on something unseen.
Everyone stared at Minato's hand, now darkened as if coated in ink, a single thread was visible.
"Armament Haki!" someone exclaimed.
It wasn't one of Doflamingo's men, but Ranzuki.
He stared in astonishment at Minato's blackened hand, unable to contain his amazement. This guy had mastered Armament Haki in mere days! They had only arrived in this world a short time ago.
While they knew Minato was exceptionally talented, they hadn't anticipated such monstrous proficiency!
Doflamingo cast a curious glance at Ranzuki, his eyes narrowing behind his sunglasses.
Judging by the crewman's exclamation, they seemed surprised by the use of Armament Haki. But why?
"Threads of the inevitable? I possess the Ito Ito no Mi. And I've long seen all kinds of threads, and let me tell you, I've seen your demise." Despite his inner confusion, Doflamingo's mouth moved unabated.
"Five Color Strings!"
As he spoke, five nearly invisible strings, sharp as piano wire, shot from his fingertips, forming a claw-like attack aimed at Minato.
Countless pirates had fallen victim to these razor-sharp threads, their bodies sliced open without mercy.
However, Minato and his companions were no ordinary pirates. Defeating Minato with such a simple attack was a fool's errand. As if anticipating the attack, Minato produced a kunai, effortlessly deflecting and entangling the five strings with a single fluid motion.
Doflamingo remained unfazed. With a flick of his fingers, he severed the strings, sending Minato's kunai clattering to the deck.
"I actually admire you," Minato said suddenly.
"Admire me for what?" Doflamingo asked. But before he could finish his sentence, his pupils shrank, his body tensing up.
"I admire your courage to stand so close to me."
Minato's voice whispered in his ear. Doflamingo's heart seemed to skip a beat. He turned his head with difficulty, Minato's familiar face inches away.
Such speed!
"Fufufu, such terrifying speed indeed," Doflamingo forced himself to remain calm. "However... speed alone doesn't make you invincible!"
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!!!
A flurry of strings erupted, instantly ensnaring Minato.
"Such power… it's truly intriguing."
Just as Doflamingo tightened the strings around Minato, a familiar voice echoed through the air. Doflamingo's eyes bulged in disbelief.
"Impossible!" he gasped, whirling around to face the source of the voice.
On the deck of the opposing ship, Minato stood calmly, observing him with an almost imperceptible smirk.
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