Chapter 861: Chapter 861: Green Bit
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
Deafening explosions echoed through the dense forest one after another. From time to time, giant meteors wrapped in raging flames plummeted from the sky, smashing ruthlessly into the woods.
The earth trembled as fires spread, the trees crackling and popping as they succumbed to the heat. Amidst the inferno, a fierce battle raged on.
"Law! I went to great lengths to lure you all here. You’re not escaping!"
Invisible strings attached to the giant trees propelled Doflamingo through the air, allowing him to glide over the forest floor as he doggedly pursued Law.
SHING—!
A few glints of light flashed in the air. A massive tree, so wide it would take a dozen men to encircle it, was instantaneously sliced into several pieces by unseen blades, crashing heavily to the ground.
Law and Zoro remained silent, nimbly weaving through the falling trunks. They didn’t look back, focusing entirely on sprinting forward.
Seeing no response, Doflamingo bared his teeth in a grotesque smirk. "Fuffuffuffuffu! I know what you’re thinking, you’re trying to buy time for Straw Hat. Too bad for you, Straw Hat won’t be coming back!"
"If this mission fails again, I truly won’t have the face to continue holding the rank of Admiral." Issho stood with his eyes closed, balanced on a massive log suspended in mid-air. Hovering around him were several other large trunks and jagged boulders.
Suddenly, a spherical membrane expanded, enveloping both Doflamingo in the air and Issho, who was over a hundred meters above.
SWISH—!
The massive segment of tree beneath Doflamingo’s feet abruptly vanished, reappearing right next to Law. Simultaneously, Zoro teleported directly beneath Doflamingo.
"1080 Pound Phoenix!!!"
Zoro’s eyes turned fierce as he drew all three swords.
In an instant, three massive flying slashes erupted and merged, forming a gargantuan, phoenix-like projectile that tore toward Doflamingo above.
"Nani?!"
Startled, Doflamingo thrust his hands forward. Hundreds of shimmering strings shot from his palms, weaving together into two layers of a massive web.
Spider Web!
RUMBLE—!
The phoenix-like slash slammed into the giant web, erupting into a violent gale. Doflamingo was jolted back several meters, and his web shattered under the pressure. However, Zoro’s slash dissipated along with it.
"What a ferocious strike!" Doflamingo looked down at Zoro, his gaze growing considerably more serious.
"Tch." Seeing that his attack hadn’t landed a decisive blow, Zoro clicked his tongue in annoyance and immediately turned to run.
"Go!"
Issho gave a low command, drawing his sword and making two swift slashes in the air.
The massive logs and boulders hovering around him were suddenly seized by gravity, plummeting toward the ground at terminal velocity.
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
Accompanied by thunderous roars and billowing shockwaves, the ground was pulverized. Dust and debris rose like a thick fog, blanketing the earth.
...
On the Other Side of the Forest...
Usopp was trembling violently, crouched deep within the bushes under a giant tree. He muttered frantically to himself, his voice thick with terror. "It’s over! It’s over! We’re being hunted by this many Marines! I’m going to die! Is my voyage really going to end here?!"
Caesar, shackled in Seastone handcuffs, crouched nearby. He gave Usopp a look of pure disdain. This coward is the one guarding a genius like me? I have to find a way to escape!
"Search over there!"
"I definitely saw that guy run this way!"
"The Straw Hat Pirates’ sniper... the man who dared defy the World Government! We cannot let him escape!"
Voices drifted through the foliage. A large contingent of Marines had fanned out in a skirmish line, meticulously searching for any sign of Usopp.
Usopp covered his face, his mouth hanging wide in a silent scream. "I’m doomed! The Marines found us!"
"I’m Caesar, a subordinate of a Warlord! I’m over here! Come save me!" Caesar’s eyes lit up. Ignoring Usopp, he stood straight up and began shouting at the top of his lungs.
"You idiot!"
Furious, Usopp jumped up and grabbed Caesar by the throat.
"He’s... he’s trying to silence me! Help!" Caesar struggled, screaming at the top of his lungs.
"There’s someone over there!"
"It’s Caesar Clown!"
"Move in, fast!"
The Marines heard Caesar’s cries and rushed toward their location.
"Dammit!"
Hearing the footsteps closing in, Usopp let go of Caesar and drew his massive slingshot. He aimed toward the approaching Marines and fired a Pop Green seed.
"Special Attack: Green Star—Sleep Grass!!!"
PHEW—!
The seed zipped out of the bushes and exploded with a POP, releasing a massive cloud of green gas that enveloped several nearby Marines.
By reflex, the soldiers inhaled the gas. A heavy drowsiness instantly washed over them; their heads lolled and their movements became sluggish.
Thump... thump... thump...
One by one, the Marine soldiers collapsed to the ground, falling into a deep, snoring sleep.
However, the sight of their comrades suddenly dropping sent the others into a panic.
"Damn! It’s poison gas!"
"Fall back! Fall back!"
"Cover your mouths and noses! Don’t breathe it in!"
The Marines retreated in a scramble. Some tore strips of cloth from their uniforms, wetting them with water from their canteens to create makeshift masks.
"Special Attack: Green Star—Bamboo Javelin!!!"
Another seed flew through the air. The moment it hit the ground, it transformed into countless sharp bamboo stalks that shot upward with lightning speed, forming a dense thicket of spikes.
Several Marine soldiers were impaled by the sudden growth, resulting in immediate casualties.
BANG! BANG! BANG!
The panicked Marines fired blindly into the thicket, their bullets splintering the bamboo and foliage.
Seeing them fall back, Usopp grabbed Caesar’s arm and threatened him with a fierce glare. "You bastard, you’re coming with me! Cross me again and I’ll kill you!"
"Curse those useless Marines!" Caesar wailed, forced to follow as Usopp dragged him deeper into the heart of the forest.
Just as they stepped out of the brush, several tiny purple pellets flew into their path. They popped with a soft snap, releasing puffs of purple gas.
"What is this smoke?"
Startled, both Usopp and Caesar accidentally inhaled the purple mist. Within seconds, their heads began to swim, and an irresistible lethargy took hold.
"Sleep... sleepy..."
Usopp barely had time to remember the Marines he had just put to sleep before he lost consciousness and slumped to the ground.
Caesar, his powers suppressed by the Seastone, was equally helpless. "Dammit... I’m a Gas-Gas Fruit user... how can I be taken down by..."
Before he could finish, Caesar also hit the ground with a dull thud, fast asleep.
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!
A series of tiny black shadows zipped through the air, landing softly on the grass.
If anyone had been awake to see them, they would have been astonished to find a group of people no larger than the palm of a hand.
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