https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-123-A-Landlord-s-Gotta-Collect-Rent/12610869/
Chapter 122: Your Very Life is at Stake
Chapter 122: Your Very Life is at Stake
Bang!
Sagar, suspended in mid-air, paid no heed to the sixteen Sacred Killing shots speeding towards him from all directions. As he stretched out his finger, his body became a meteor, plummeting downward.
His speed was so astonishing that even Donquixote Doflamingo couldn't react in time. The Sacred Killing shots, which were hurtling forward, were all deflected by Sagar's whirlwind-like spins, not even grazing his body.
It wasn't a 'whirlwind' per se, but rather afterimages created by Sagar's lightning-fast punches and kicks—so swift that they were virtually imperceptible!
Bang, bang, bang, bang!
Amid the rapid-fire thuds, the black lines, from front to back, were all repelled, shooting toward Doflamingo. They coiled around the black fire-clad fist and delivered a powerful punch.
The formidable force emanating from the fist made Doflamingo break out in a cold sweat. Instinctively, the birdcage lines erupting from his body violently contracted, while the awakened threads on the ground did the same, continually forming high-density lines that intertwined with his birdcage lines infused with Haoshoku Haki. Together, they formed a wave-like wall of black and white threads.
This wall was entirely enveloped in Haki, even protruding countless sharp needles toward Sagar's fist.
"God's Execution—Shield Killing Line!!"
This time, he unleashed all of his Haki!
Bang!!
The fist and the shield collided, erupting with a thunderous roar that managed to shatter the center of the shield, causing the awakened threads to split and the birdcage lines intertwined with them to burst open in a circular pattern, exposing a minuscule gap.
However, Sagar's fist was also losing strength at this point, allowing the gap to swiftly close back up.
Sagar's fist didn't directly make contact with the shield bristling with spikes. Instead, the surging Haki, just shy of his fist, slammed into the shield.
External attacks were meant to strike enemies without needing physical contact, thus avoiding touching certain ability users.
If not for the Haki, those spikes would've turned Sagar's fist into a sieve, despite his current might.
A Shichibukai... they aren't that weak, after all!
Nonetheless, Doflamingo still stumbled back two steps from the force of that punch, his expression grave.
This was with his full strength, and it had been broken through with just a single punch! While the birdcage lines couldn't be destroyed, it didn't mean they couldn't be moved. The power behind that fist had pushed back his birdcage lines, let alone the other threads.
Especially since this guy was so fast; he could defend against a punch. Once he moved out of the way, there was no stopping him.
Abilities were one thing, but the user's physical strength was another. Doflamingo's body hadn't reached that level of toughness yet.
Bang!
Just as he was thinking this, another boom reverberated from beyond the wall of threads, and the lines that had just gathered were once again punched through, revealing a clear view of the black fire-like fist on the other side.
What was he trying to do?
Doflamingo was taken aback, realizing something, and he laughed scornfully, "Do you think you can break my threads? It's impossible! Keep punching if you want!"
Sagar didn't say anything and just kept throwing punch after punch.
This thing...
Was it truly unbreakable? Was there really no other way?!
Bang! Bang, bang, bang!
Several punches in a row, each one creating a gap in the shield.
Sagar ignored everything and just kept swinging his fist, as if he was determined to break this shield.
The more he did this, the more Doflamingo's smile widened.
An idiot?
No... perhaps it was the arrogance of a strong person.
But sometimes, this arrogance was what led to their downfall.
His Haki was unique, but his stamina seemed average, which could be sensed.
If he could endure, the winner would undoubtedly be...
"Me!"
Sagar raised his fist again, eyes locked on the thread-formed shield, his eyes widening as he roared, "I told you, your death omen is shining!"
Boom!!
The fist broke through the shield once more, creating a gap, but this time, it was different. Beneath the gap, dense Haki surged like a raging storm, like scorching flames, forming a massive wave that slammed into Doflamingo's body.
Under that wave of force, Doflamingo trembled, freezing in place, while the wave-like threads gathering before him fell away, resembling the hair of a feeble person.
Whether they were birdcage lines or awakened threads, they all fell to the ground and gradually vanished.
Sagar maintained his fist-throwing stance and smiled at Doflamingo, who was standing opposite him, "Doesn't that mean I won?"
Even though he had concentrated all his Haki into his fist, its strength was limited. Against Doflamingo's birdcage lines, awakened threads, and Haki, pure Haki alone couldn't break through entirely.
But who said he could only release Haki externally?
No matter how tough the threads were, no matter how elastic, they were still just a surface layer. Internal destruction could penetrate this tough exterior and strike at the core.
This shield wall was thick, and with just his fist, the internal destruction only managed to create a gap in the threads.
But internal destruction coupled with external Haki release could do the trick.
Sagar hadn't used the combination of external and internal destruction before, but that didn't mean he couldn't do it now!
The willpower gained from battle surpasses that gained from cultivation!
Especially when fighting a powerful foe!
Donquixote Doflamingo wasn't as weak as his reputation at sea.
Sagar was confident that with his physical attributes, he could easily dodge this wall at lightning speed, certain that Doflamingo wouldn't be able to keep up.
Even in the air, he could defeat Doflamingo with continuous bursts of Haoshoku Haki, it was only a matter of time.
After all, that was the Ten Breaker Killing, and a hit would pierce vital points.
But why do that?
Doflamingo didn't want to turtle up and defend himself, and Sagar didn't just bully people, did he?
He had to break through head-on!
Willpower was incredibly powerful, and once his belief was firmly established, Doflamingo ceased to be the focus. What he needed to do was to strike Doflamingo through this shield wall.
And now, he had mastered that power!
Hss!
Just as Sagar was speaking, blood vessels burst all over Doflamingo's body, from small to large, spraying massive amounts of blood. His entire body collapsed, unable to support his flesh with his skeletal structure.
He was completely unable to utter a single word.
The Ten Breaker Killing, with its external Haoshoku Haki release and internal destruction, had destroyed, in a single blow, his vital points, muscles, and skeletal structure, all of which were unprotected by Haoshoku Haki.
"Not bad, able to withstand my full strength."
Sagar nodded, his towering three-meter-tall formidable figure suddenly shrinking back to its usual state.
He walked forward a few steps, picked up the black-backed, red-pointed cloak that was almost identical to Doflamingo's but without sleeves, from the ground, and draped it over his shoulders. He looked up at the shining polestar.
At this moment, the stars were gradually dimming, overshadowed by the moon, slowly fading into the starry sky.
"Shining as it may,"
Sagar shook his head and smiled, "But it's still under my control."
He walked over to Doflamingo, grabbed his head, and dragged him towards the port.
"I won."
On the Dead Star, Lily stood at the very top of the deck's structure, lowered her telescope, and said to the people below, "Sagar won."
Nearly a thousand people who had already gathered on the deck fell into a brief stupor, then erupted into loud cheers.
We won!
Captain Sagar had won!
Whether they were crew brought from the East Blue or new recruits, they were all incredibly excited.
He was a Shichibukai!
The infamously cruel Heavenly Yaksha!
And yet, Captain Sagar had defeated him!
Their decision to follow him was absolutely right!
"We won."
Among those on the deck was Bellamy and his crew.
At Lily's order, Akainu had evacuated the port, and he hadn't figured out the situation, so Bellamy and his crew, who were in the estate, were also knocked out and brought along with those knocked out by Haoshoku and placed with the henchmen.
Bellamy was starting to regain consciousness, and when he heard this, he ignored the state of his badly injured body, struggled to lift his head, and looked beyond the ship.
Half of the town was in ruins, and the other half had vanished, leaving a desolate space. In that empty space, the white-haired guy was dragging Doflamingo along like a dead dog.
That posture, it was so reminiscent of when they were being crushed by Doflamingo, so weak and pathetic.
But
He was still the man he revered!
"This can't be happening, it can't!"
He stubbornly tried to get up, shouting, "Let go of Doflamingo, I, I'll be your opponent!"
As soon as he spoke, Sagar appeared on the railing of the Dead Star, standing there, looking down at Bellamy.
"It's a great thing to have courage, Bellamy, but directing it at the wrong person will only lead to your death."
Sagar held Doflamingo's head, lifting his upper body, facing everyone.
That three-meter-tall figure, Sagar couldn't fully lift his usual-sized body, but even so, the Doflamingo he held by the head looked like a little chick.
It wasn't about physical size, but a victory, and the aura was powerful.
One had lost, so he was pathetic.
"He doesn't like you, and you're not his officer, just borrowing his flag. Now that you've withdrawn, why not take a good look and find a new master to serve? I'm different from this guy, and I quite admire you."
Sagar smiled at Bellamy, "Follow me, and you'll see the new era of pirates!"
He admired those with courage, those with good luck, and those with great loyalty.
Bellamy and Akainu both fell into the latter category.
Strength was something that could be trained and enhanced.
But that loyalty was precious and rare.
Strength was something his underlings could improve on their own; Sagar never expected anything from his underlings. What he relied on was always himself.
"Only by becoming stronger oneself can one truly be strong."
"Think about it carefully," Sagar said as he flung Donquixote Doflamingo onto the ship. "Find a few ship doctors to heal him. Malika, prepare some food. I'm hungry. Lily, is it fully charged?"
Lily nodded. It was already the fourth night, and the magnetic compass's magnetism was undoubtedly fully charged.
Sagar jumped onto the deck and raised both arms high, baring his teeth in a grin as he addressed his crew. "So, let's feast to welcome our new members and to celebrate our departure!"
"Ohh!"
The crew members stretched out their hands, their voices filled with excitement.
The new recruits were all pirates and naturally knew how to navigate the high seas. They skillfully hoisted the sails and steered the ship, while the veteran crew members took control of the control room and power room, propelling the ship forward with even greater speed than before.
With a full crew, the vessel's maneuverability had undoubtedly improved.
As for the pirate captains' ships, they had all joined the Calamity Pirates, so there was no need to keep them. After unloading the supplies and any treasure originally belonging to the new recruits, the ships were left at the port for the townspeople to use as they wished.
Not everyone in Devil Valley Town had perished. As soon as the battle erupted, people fled in fear, escaping to the wilderness of the island.
After all, Devil Valley Town was just a small town, but Gaya Island was quite large.
Whether they chose to rebuild or leave was none of Sagar's concern.
...
Three days later.
In the captain's room.
Donquixote Doflamingo, his body still wrapped in bandages, pushed open the door and stepped inside. His gait was a bit unsteady, but it didn't hinder his movement.
Bang! Bang, bang!
In the captain's room, Sagar was striking a stone slab in front of him with his bare hands, feet, and head, using his full strength with each blow. Beneath him, a layer of Busoshoku Haki extended from the floor to the back of the slab, counteracting the vibrations caused by the impacts.
"Poneglyph?" Donquixote asked in surprise.
"You're awake," Sagar said without looking at him. "Find a place to sit."
He continued pounding the slab, his body glistening with sweat.
The more Doflamingo watched, the more he felt something was amiss.
Each of Sagar's attacks was delivered with full force, regardless of whether he used his head, hands, or feet. It was as if he were torturing himself, for with each strike, his body also sustained injuries. But the wounds would only appear for a moment before white mist rose from them, healing the damage.
It was the same state he had been in during their previous battle, where his body could instantly recover even after being pierced.
Life Return?
Doflamingo knew of this technique, but could it really achieve such an effect? Life Return wasn't that strong.
Strong as this peculiar individual was!
After half an hour, Sagar delivered a final punch to the slab and straightened his body, ending his routine. He paid no mind to the sweat covering him and sat down on the sofa opposite Doflamingo.
He picked up a cigar from the coffee table, bit off the end, and lit it. Blowing out a puff of smoke, he asked, "Shall we chat as we eat, or just chat?"
"Hahaha! You really don't care at all, do you? We just fought, and we're enemies," Doflamingo said, a smile spreading across his face.
"Would you care if someone was your enemy or not?" Sagar shook his head. "If I wanted to, I could instantly kill you, Doflamingo."
"Hey, don't underestimate me!" Doflamingo's temples bulged with a prominent vein.
"Don't spout such meaningless nonsense," Sagar waved his hand dismissively. "You've seen my 'qualification,' and I've tested yours. Let's talk about how we can cooperate."
One should never underestimate the strong individuals of the vast ocean. Despite having his body shattered, Doflamingo was now able to move about after just three days.
If it had been an ordinary person...
Well, an ordinary person wouldn't have been able to withstand a single punch from him.
"What do you have to offer for our cooperation?" Doflamingo glanced at the Poneglyph leaning against the wall and asked, "I heard you worked with Crocodile to rob Alabasta. Is this your spoils? Can you read it? Do you know any information that you plan to use for our cooperation?"
"You know about it, but do you dare to go?" Sagar looked at Doflamingo with a meaningful glint in his eyes. "My offer is simple. I'll provide the funds, and I want a share of your business. It's that straightforward. But if you want to calculate it precisely..."
He leaned forward, his eyes gleaming with aggression. "...Your life itself is the stake!"
He had nothing to offer Doflamingo for their cooperation, except for the confidence that came from defeating him and his own formidable strength.
But since Doflamingo had come to see him after waking up, he would consider the matter.
The fact that he had come meant he had agreed.
(End of Chapter)
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