The noble temperament from the Spirit Princess amplified Kuina's own Haoshoku pressure, causing Doflamingo to feel a bit of pressure.
But Doflamingo was also a pirate who had roamed the seas for many years, possessing Conqueror's Haki with the disposition of a king; how could he shrink back because of this bit of pressure?
Several tentacles extended from Hera's dark shadow, pulling up Perona and the defeated Jora from below.
After Doflamingo arrived, Gladius retreated behind him, protecting his boss.
He also understood that his strength was of no help in a battle of this level, and his involvement would only distract Doflamingo.
Doflamingo looked at Jora, who had been caught by Hera and was gradually sinking into the ground, feeling somewhat angry.
Kuina noticed Doflamingo's distraction and said to Hera:
"Wait until after I defeat him to absorb his companions; I don't want our duel to be disturbed."
Hera shrugged and released Jora again: "Fine, I'll listen to you then. It's only a matter of waiting a little while anyway."
Seeing Kuina full of fighting spirit, Ain sighed: "It's been a long time since I've seen Kuina this serious. Is Doflamingo really that strong?"
Having defeated three of Doflamingo's subordinates in the Colosseum, she felt that his subordinates were somewhat fragile, and he himself might not be much better.
Hera shook her head and said: "Don't underestimate this Flamingo; he is very strong and worth Kuina's full effort."
That said, Hera didn't know exactly what level Kuina's strength was at right now. Since Hawkeye, Kuina hadn't gone all out for a long time.
Kuina was the first to launch an attack. She infused Armament Haki and her own spiritual power into the blade in her hand—'Shimotsuki Style: Amethyst Flash'.
The spiritual power within the spirit crystal was compressed onto the blade. Kuina seemed to transform into a purple stream of light, thrusting toward Doflamingo.
Facing this teleportation-like speed, Doflamingo still managed to react. The strings in his hand formed a shield, coated with Armament Haki, withstanding Kuina's assault.
Doflamingo's right hand pointed toward the sky, releasing invisible threads that connected to the clouds. He wanted to use 'Sky Path' to gain an aerial advantage.
After blocking the attack, he raised his left index finger and fired threads produced from his fingertip at high speed, like a gun, intending to use 'Bullet String' to knock Kuina back.
Kuina didn't back down; instead, she swung her blade, slicing Doflamingo's Bullet String right down the middle, then casually unleashed a sword wave toward Doflamingo's 'Sky Path'.
Doflamingo's transparent threads were clearly visible in Kuina's Observation Haki. A slash flew toward the threads connecting Doflamingo to the clouds.
Seeing Kuina's response, Doflamingo became even more convinced that she feared him taking to the sky. He once again coated his left hand with Armament Haki and crushed Kuina's slash.
But while crushing the slash, he also consumed a significant amount of stamina.
Having successfully risen into the air, Doflamingo entwined transparent threads from his fingers toward Kuina below, attempting to use his 'Parasite' to control her.
Sensing the threat from the sky, Kuina swept her greatsword in a circle above her head, blocking Doflamingo's sneak attack, and sent two more slashes flying toward him.
Having gained air superiority, Doflamingo saw that Baby-5 beside Hera was not restricted. Thinking he had caught an opportunity, he immediately shouted:
"Baby-5, I need you to take Jora and leave this place."
He thought to himself: "The rumors are indeed true; Hera's resistance to beautiful women is very low. If I can have her take Jora away, I can be at ease."
Baby-5 didn't move after hearing Doflamingo's voice. Amidst Doflamingo's surprised expression, she gave him a look of disgust.
Then she leaned on Hera's shoulder and said, "Only Lord Hera's needs are what I pursue. Other needs are unimportant. How dare you think of controlling me?"
In an instant, several gazes turned toward Hera simultaneously; even Kuina, who was fighting Doflamingo, couldn't help but shift her attention.
Looking at the eyes of her Crew members, Hera hurriedly broke free from Baby-5's embrace and explained herself: "It's not like that, I just..."
Before she could finish, Baby-5's eyes suddenly lost their color and grew dim. She abruptly knelt on the ground: "So I am not needed? Do even you no longer need me?"
Hearing Baby-5's weighty words, Hera quickly explained: "No, no, I need you, it's just not what you think."
Upon hearing Hera say she still needed her, Baby-5's pupils regained their light, and she hugged Hera's calf, looking up at her.
Helplessly enduring everyone's gazes, Hera quickly helped Baby-5 up from the ground and, looking at the eyes of her companions from the Argo, said:
"Don't look at me like that. Ain, you know it too; if someone says they need Baby-5, she trusts them unconditionally. That was too weird, so I modified it slightly."
Ain looked at Hera speechlessly: "And now? After your modification, does she have the self-judgment of a normal person?"
Hera shook her head and said somewhat guiltily: "I changed it so she only listens to my needs and won't listen to others. This is also for the justice of the Marine."
"But I didn't expect the result would turn out like this."
Perona also rubbed her head, feeling somewhat helpless: "Sigh, given the Captain's image, I knew it would be like this."
Hera's face turned red, and she began to mutter: "My image is very good, okay? What do you mean 'knew it would be like this'? I clearly saved a young girl."
Looking at the affectionate Baby-5, Doflamingo felt a strange sensation, like the most worrisome girl in his family had been snatched away.
Before Doflamingo could voice his opinion, another sword wave slashed toward his figure floating in the air, leaving him no room to worry about Baby-5.
"We're still in the middle of a fight; where's your attention?"
Kuina glared fiercely at Doflamingo, her eyes filled with rage, as if she wanted to vent certain emotions.
Doflamingo sidestepped to dodge Kuina's attack and faced the angry Kuina once again.
"Fuffuffuffuffu, don't vent your anger on me. Do you want me to help you control your Captain?"
The only response he got was Kuina's increasingly fierce slashes.
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