While Barrels and Doflamingo fought fiercely, Fleet Admiral Kong, at Marine Headquarters, also received news of the Marine's encounter with Doflamingo.
Inside the Fleet Admiral's Office, Fleet Admiral Kong stood at his command post. "Contact Colonel Barrels. This is a once-in-a-millennium opportunity. I want him to use all his strength to capture Doflamingo. He must not escape," Fleet Admiral Kong's words allowed no room for dispute.
The Marine who received the order acted promptly. Beside them, Admiral Sengoku, who always assisted Fleet Admiral Kong in matters, said, "Brother Kong, Colonel Barrels' strength is notorious, and he's a veteran from the elite training camp. Don't worry, Doflamingo certainly won't escape this time."
Fleet Admiral Kong nodded, looking at the Marine intelligence officer who was making the call. "Buruburu, buruburu. Is this Colonel Barrels? This is the Fleet Admiral's Office at Marine Headquarters. Please report the latest situation."
In the Grand Line, in the fierce battle area between the Marine and the pirates. The communications officer of Colonel Barrels' fleet suddenly received the Den Den Mushi call. He stopped paying attention to the intense battle and quickly answered. "Please report to Fleet Admiral Kong: Colonel Barrels is in a fierce battle with the pirate Doflamingo. Currently, Doflamingo is at a disadvantage. It's estimated that the battle will end soon, and the pirate Doflamingo will be successfully apprehended."
Upon receiving the news, Fleet Admiral Kong and Admiral Sengoku instantly felt more relieved. This was, without a doubt, the best news they had received recently. With the prospect of Doflamingo being captured, the pressure from the World Nobles would soon disappear. Once Doflamingo was handed over to the World Government, they could do whatever they wanted; the Marine wouldn't worry about it anymore.
Furthermore, what caused them the most headache was Roger's Straw Hat Pirates. That fellow, Roger, was everywhere looking for the last Road Poneglyph. With only one left, he was about to succeed, which made the Marine panic, striving their utmost to hinder his movements. Meanwhile, Roger's Straw Hat Pirates, who caused the Marine so much headache, were on their way to the last Road Poneglyph, taking the final step towards their throne.
The battle between Doflamingo and Colonel Barrels continued. Barrels' attacks grew increasingly fierce. Doflamingo, who started on equal footing, now barely managed to defend himself. Anyone could see Doflamingo's fatigue. "He's just a Colonel? Can you believe it? Among the Vice Admirals, he'd already be among the best. Why didn't I see such a fierce Marine officer when I fought Luffy? Was the Marine twenty years ago so valiant?" Doflamingo thought, somewhat depressed.
In truth, it was no wonder Doflamingo was depressed. After all, Barrels was someone who could fight on equal terms with "Black Leg" Zeff. This is no exaggeration. Few can match "Black Leg" Zeff, even if it was just in a common Marine training. This shows that Barrels had something special. The guidance of a teacher specializing in close-quarters combat led Barrels to also place great importance on martial arts training. Without other means of combat, he focused all his energy on honing his physical abilities.
In fact, it wasn't that Barrels was too strong. The specific reason was that Doflamingo was being hampered by his age. At this stage of his life, he should still be building a solid foundation. Leaving aside the mysteries of martial arts, Doflamingo's physical strength was not yet sufficient. Although Doflamingo was always at a disadvantage, he remained resilient. He only activated his Observation Haki to dodge attacks that could cause serious damage. Most of the time, he exchanged direct blows with Barrels, fist to fist, an intense and gratifying fight. Of course, for Barrels, Doflamingo's attack strength was somewhat insufficient. With two types of Haki, he didn't care about these injuries. Close-quarters combat was exactly what these passionate men expected.
"Bang!" Once again, a clash of fists resonated, making the air burst.
Doflamingo knew this was his chance. If it were Vice Admiral Tsuru and other monsters, he wouldn't hesitate to run as far as possible, valuing his life above all else. But this time, it was different. Although Barrels' strength had exceeded his expectations, it was still an opportunity. Just as Luffy was trained by Katakuri, without awakening Observation Haki with future sight, he couldn't leave. And just as Luffy, when imprisoned in Udon, couldn't leave without mastering advanced Armament Haki. For Doflamingo to be hit hard by the Marine without awakening Armament Haki, that was nothing.
Only by seizing this opportunity could he undergo a smoother transformation. Otherwise, passively waiting for the awakening would be too slow. Only between life and death was there hope. What battle wasn't a matter of life or death? If there wasn't the determination to abandon one's life, then one shouldn't go to sea, nor dream of the position of King. Life and death were in the hands of heaven. The coward lost. The weak only fled; the strong faced the challenge.
"What a stubborn kid!" Barrels thought, somewhat frustrated. "Every time he's knocked down, he gets up quickly, looking even more energized. Is this brat an unkillable cockroach?"
Doflamingo, once again repelled, mocked Barrels: "Hey, Marine! Is that all you've got? You use Armament Haki, don't you? Why don't you use it? Do you think I'm not worthy? Who are you looking down on?"
Although the two had fought for so long, Doflamingo still couldn't find that feeling. Before, when training with Trebol and the others, they also used Armament Haki, but they didn't dare to truly attack him. So, in the end, that final touch was missing. Finding a strong Marine to fight was, indeed, the most suitable situation.
"Kid, you've surprised me quite a bit. Since you're in such a hurry to go to jail, I'll grant your wish. Kid, remember this well: I'm someone who can match 'Black Leg' Zeff!"
"Armament Haki: Hardening!" Barrels' hands became enveloped in a black color, and a pair of enormous fists charged towards Doflamingo.
Doflamingo didn't dodge, but advanced, taking the attack directly to his chest, using his body to feel the impact of Armament Haki. "Yes, that's it! That's the feeling! It hurts! It hurts too much! A bone-piercing pain, this powerful sensation of destruction, it simply makes me boil with excitement!"
Doflamingo, who took the punch head-on, was sent flying backward, spitting a large amount of blood into the air.
Diamante, who was still fighting the Marines, seeing Doflamingo being thrown back, became furious: "How dare you hurt Doffy?! This is unacceptable! Half-Moon Funeral!" A powerful wave of sword energy cut through the Marines in front of him with the ease of a hot knife through butter, advancing towards Barrels.
Barrels lifted his foot and, with a Rankyaku, easily neutralized Diamante's sword attack. Diamante, who still wanted to continue the attack, then heard Doflamingo's reprimand. "Fufufufu, this is my fight! Don't interfere, Diamante! Do you think I'm that weak? I haven't fallen yet!" Doflamingo, flung far away, stood up. Although he looked in terrible condition, his aura became even more terrifying. His words revealed an unwavering determination and irritation at his subordinate's interference.
The full-force punch that Barrels had delivered still hadn't dealt with Doflamingo, which left the self-proclaimed Barrels somewhat embarrassed. He used Soru and fiercely charged at Doflamingo. The battle was just beginning.