While Doflamingo was still saying goodbye to Hiluluk and the others, a Marine warship, proudly flying the seagull anchor flag, slowly approached. Yes, Vice Admiral Tsuru's fleet was about to arrive. The confrontation was imminent.
A week earlier, upon reaching the Alabasta area, Vice Admiral Tsuru received news from a local base informing her that Doflamingo's crew was still in Drum Kingdom and had not yet departed. Without wasting time, she replenished her supplies and immediately set off, afraid of losing Doflamingo's trail. Vice Admiral Tsuru knew that the opportunity was fleeting and that this would be the best chance to capture Doflamingo. Ah, life truly is unpredictable.
Doflamingo, happily preparing to set sail to the enthusiastic cheers of the royal guard, spotted the approaching Marine warship from afar, even before getting too far from Drum Kingdom. However, Doflamingo didn't know who was on the warship. He just wanted a good fight, as only an intense battle could fully restore his body.
"Fufufufu, after so much rest, my body must be rusty. It's good that the Marine came to offer themselves up for death. Otherwise, how would I live up to the evil they attributed to me?" Doflamingo pondered. During this month, Doflamingo discovered that his bounty had increased, but he didn't pay much attention, scoffing at how the Marine propagated his "evil."
"Let me test if your justice is worthy. The weak cannot speak of justice," Doflamingo thought to himself. "Men, advance!" Doflamingo, excited, began giving orders.
Doflamingo had a clear notion of his own capabilities. The Marine would never send monsters to face him. To be more direct, the strong have their own dignity and wouldn't lower themselves. Of course, if someone didn't care about their dignity as strong, there would also be no problem, after all, who would care about crushing an ant? The reality was that he was not yet worthy. The weak had no qualifications. If it weren't for his identity as a World Noble, who would care so much?
However, Doflamingo underestimated the importance Fleet Admiral Kong placed on him. Under pressure from the World Government, the World Government would show no clemency to a World Noble who had stooped to become a pirate. Consequently, Fleet Admiral Kong was under enormous pressure. In the end, he sent Vice Admiral Tsuru, which, at first glance, seemed like a great explanation to the World Government.
"Report, Vice Admiral Tsuru, ahead is the Donquixote Pirates, and they are coming towards us!" a female soldier reported. "Truly, newborn calves don't fear tigers. Advance! Let's see what the Donquixote Pirates are really worth," Vice Admiral Tsuru said calmly and methodically.
"Bang!" A projectile exploded in the water, next to the ship, raising waves and starting the battle.
"Fufufufu!" Doflamingo stood at the bow, imposing, and his subordinates, behind him, were full of enthusiasm, as if they already saw victory close at hand.
At that moment, a not-so-tall figure, wearing a Marine justice coat, emerged from the opposing warship. It was a woman. Some gray hairs occasionally mixed in her black hair, and the wrinkles on her forehead indicated that she was no longer young. However, Vice Admiral Tsuru was in her prime, and although not as she would be twenty years later, her beauty was perfectly visible.
Upon seeing a woman emerge from the ship's cabin, Doflamingo had a bad feeling. Upon seeing Vice Admiral Tsuru, his heart sank by half. Although there were great differences compared to twenty years later, Doflamingo immediately recognized the famous Vice Admiral Tsuru.
"You really went all out. You give me so much importance as to send Vice Admiral Tsuru to arrest me. Isn't that an exaggeration? Is the Marine's Great Strategist that idle?" Doflamingo complained in his mind. Although he continued to complain internally, running away without a fight was impossible. After all, he, Doflamingo, valued his reputation, and it wouldn't be appropriate in front of so many subordinates. Besides, Vice Admiral Tsuru's arrival came at the right time; pressure generated motivation.
"Fufufufu, isn't it the famous Vice Admiral Tsuru? A mere rookie like me is so important to you that you came personally to arrest me?" The pose couldn't be lost, and neither could the mouth.
"Doflamingo, you are not a mere rookie. We both know that. Surrender!" Vice Admiral Tsuru wasted no time with pleasantries and ordered the attack.
"Truly decisive," Doflamingo secretly praised.
"Soru!" Vice Admiral Tsuru quickly advanced towards Doflamingo, wanting to board the pirate ship to fight. Doflamingo noticed her intention and, of course, wouldn't let her succeed.
He growled, his hands immediately covered in Armament Haki. He delivered a powerful punch towards Vice Admiral Tsuru who was flying in.
Vice Admiral Tsuru, seeing this, had no choice but to cover her hands with Armament Haki to block and dissipate the enormous force of Doflamingo's fist, being forced to return to the warship. Although it caused no harm to Vice Admiral Tsuru, the blow successfully prevented her from boarding.
Doflamingo didn't dare to recklessly advance to the enemy ship this time. After all, it was Vice Admiral Tsuru, a Paramecia-type Devil Fruit user, the Wash-Wash Fruit. This ability was the most complicated for Doflamingo. That's why he used Armament Haki from the beginning; otherwise, if he were touched by her and lost the ability to fight, it would be a disaster. Taking the opportunity, Doflamingo signaled Trebol and Diamante to increase the distance between the ships. This was a difficult opponent, not easy to deal with.
Vice Admiral Tsuru, who was repelled, didn't show much emotion on her face, but in her heart, she admired the achievements of such a young Doflamingo. Judging by the recent punch, Doflamingo's strength was, indeed, as described in intelligence, and his Haki was awakened and quite proficient. Without hesitation, Vice Admiral Tsuru took the lead again, advancing towards Doflamingo.
"Geppo!" Observing Vice Admiral Tsuru walking through the air, Doflamingo wasn't too surprised, just sighed a little. "Truly, the Marine veterans are formidable, mastering the Six Powers." Without aerial attack means, Doflamingo would have difficulties facing her now. He definitely couldn't let Vice Admiral Tsuru board. And he also needed to learn Geppo in the future. The Marine's Soru and Geppo weren't high-difficulty techniques; many people in the New World mastered them, after all, there were many traitors in the Marine, Doflamingo thought.
"Trebol, Diamante, attack together! It's time to get out of this troublesome place. We can't face Vice Admiral Tsuru now," Doflamingo said to Trebol and Diamante behind him. "Behehehe, watch!" Trebol laughed. "Mucus Cannon!" "Half-Moon Burial!"
Flying slashes and seemingly disgusting mucus flew towards Vice Admiral Tsuru in the air, blocking her advance route, while the pirate ship quickly pulled away.
"Quick! Vice Admiral Tsuru is in danger! Follow us!" the Marines, seeing Doflamingo's escape attempt, hastened their warships towards the pirate ship.
Vice Admiral Tsuru easily avoided the incoming attacks in the air, and occasionally launched a Rankyaku at Doflamingo.
"What an annoying old woman!" The veins on Doflamingo's forehead throbbed; he was very annoyed. "You're a good boy, stop this," Vice Admiral Tsuru ignored Doflamingo's anger and advised him from above, like a gentle mother, in a very soft tone.
However, Doflamingo was not happy. Being entangled by Vice Admiral Tsuru was a big problem. "I can't face them, but I can flee? You wicked woman! Thirty years in the east of the river, thirty years in the west of the river, don't underestimate a young man without fortune! I, Doflamingo, will return!" Doflamingo thought.
"Attack their warship with full force! Take the opportunity to rid ourselves of Vice Admiral Tsuru's harassment!" "Mucus Bullet!" "Half-Moon Burial!"
The meal Vice Admiral Tsuru should have enjoyed now went to her subordinates. The Marines on the warship were all from Vice Admiral Tsuru's direct unit, all women, and their combat capabilities were relatively weak. Vice Admiral Tsuru would never let them be in danger. Doflamingo's intentions were sinister, and Vice Admiral Tsuru knew it, but could do nothing. Doflamingo still had a chance to be captured, but her subordinates wouldn't have another chance. Therefore, she turned to help the female soldiers.
Upon seeing Vice Admiral Tsuru leave the sky and fly towards the warship, Doflamingo knew his plan had worked and took the opportunity to quickly escape. Watching Doflamingo leave, Vice Admiral Tsuru knew the capture had failed. Although Doflamingo's strength was still far off, the boy was very cunning.
"Sorry, Vice Admiral Tsuru, it was because of us that Doflamingo escaped," the female soldiers said, full of remorse, not daring to look into Tsuru's eyes. "I didn't expect that kid to be so cunning. It's not your fault, I underestimated him. Alright, next time try harder," Vice Admiral Tsuru was lenient with her female soldiers. "Now, pursue!" "Yes!" the female soldiers, as if they had regained their fighting strength, responded in unison.
On the other side, Doflamingo had already escaped Vice Admiral Tsuru's pursuit, and everyone could breathe a sigh of relief. Of course, Doflamingo knew they wouldn't leave him alone; they would pursue him and wouldn't give up on him.
"World Government, World Nobles, Marine... Hehe, we'll see."