Chapter 25: It's You
After a moment of thought, Su Xiao decided to go to Landing Point 7 to observe the situation. First, Cracker was already severely injured, and second, Doflamingo couldn't die yet.
If he were to fight Katakuri one-on-one, Doflamingo likely wouldn't be a match. Once Doflamingo fell in battle, Dressrosa would be indefensible, the Don Quixote Family would scatter like sand, and Su Xiao's sustainable development plan for pirate reputation would come to nothing.
Whether he could finish off Cracker depended on luck, but Doflamingo couldn't die just yet.
Moreover, there was something Su Xiao found puzzling: where had Jack the Drought gone? Katakuri had already attacked Dressrosa, yet Jack the Drought was nowhere to be found.
Su Xiao led Amu to the edge of the King's Plateau and leaped down from the heights.
A few minutes later, Su Xiao arrived near Landing Point 7. The roar of cannon fire had ceased, and the sounds of battle cries and gunfire merged into a continuous din across the battlefield.
Standing atop a tall building, Su Xiao looked down at the battlefield along the coast.
Landing Points 1 through 6 wouldn't be breached anytime soon, but the situation at Landing Point 7 was peculiar. Pirates from both factions were locked in combat in the rocky area, with alchemy bombs exploding intermittently, while Doflamingo and Katakuri fought on the sandy beach near the sea.
The two figures were no longer visible on the beach; only large patches of white sticky substance and threads tangled together could be seen.
A loud boom rang out, and Doflamingo's figure flew out from within the threads, blood dripping down his arm. His sunglasses were covered in cracks.
The mochi and threads receded, revealing Katakuri completely unharmed in Su Xiao's sight. Aside from the kick Doflamingo had landed earlier, Katakuri hadn't suffered even the slightest injury.
There was no helping it. In speed, strength, Devil Fruit ability, and all three types of Haki, Katakuri was superior. Coupled with his future-sight Observation Haki, it was incredibly difficult for Doflamingo to land a hit on Katakuri's real body.
Su Xiao leaped down from the tall building and charged straight into the battlefield.
Everywhere he looked, there were pirates. The thick smell of blood filled his nostrils, mingled with the faint burnt odor of burning corpses. Having been continuously crafting alchemy bombs earlier, Su Xiao now had only 2,150 mana points left.
Walking slowly at first, Su Xiao suddenly accelerated, leaving a blur in his wake.
Clang, clang, clang...
Blade light flashed, blood sprayed, and Su Xiao plunged straight into the crowd.
A cutlass covered in shredded flesh swung toward the back of Su Xiao's neck. Though stained with blood, the blade was exceptionally sharp.
His Instinct ability immediately warned him. Su Xiao ducked while simultaneously lifting his foot for a side kick.
With a crisp crack, the pirate's shinbone snapped, bending backward. Just as he was about to scream, he felt a chill at his throat.
The pirate instinctively released his cutlass and clutched his throat, blood gushing from between his fingers.
Su Xiao sheathed his longsword, assuming a draw-cutting stance. A Counter Shield appeared, blocking three blades around him while also deflecting two bullets.
Ring Break.
A pale blue ring-shaped blade aura expanded. Amid a series of sharp sounds, several weapons were severed by the razor-sharp aura.
Thud, thud...
Pirates within a dozen meters of Su Xiao collapsed one after another. He pulled out a crystal vial and took a few sips of the spring water inside. The water was sweet on his tongue, seeming to nourish his internal organs.
The crystal vial in Su Xiao's hand was called the [Eternal Crystal Vial], a Light Gold equipment piece that served as a reusable restorative item.
Equipment Effect: The crystal vial is filled with Eternal Spring water, which can be consumed three times. Each use restores 450 health points and 300 mana points, while quickly healing organ injuries.
Note: The crystal vial automatically replenishes, restoring 5% capacity per natural day. In a humid environment, it restores 10% capacity per natural day.
...
As pirates fell one after another, Su Xiao cut straight through the battlefield. Despite the carnage, his mana points didn't decrease but instead increased, and the mana boost from his Devourer talent had reached its 200-point cap.
When Su Xiao snapped a pirate's neck with his bare hands, no more pirates dared approach him. Though they were members of the Big Mom Pirates, they still feared death.
At the edge of the rocky area, over a dozen contractors were hiding atop a large boulder. They weren't from the same team, nor even the same faction, but they tacitly maintained peace. The reason was simple: they were waiting for an opportunity—either to kill Cracker or finish off the wounded Doflamingo.
"Another one's here, but this guy's pretty strong."
"About a few dozen people have gathered around here, right?"
"At least."
"What now? Should we invite him to 'join'?"
"Don't joke around. We're not even on the same team."
"That's not entirely unreasonable."
The dozen or so contractors lay on the giant rock, all restraining themselves. Killing an enemy contractor earned pirate reputation, so mutual vigilance was necessary.
Right in the middle of this group, Bubu Wang was also lying on the rock, closely examining a long-lashed girl. Judging by his eager demeanor, he clearly wanted to snip off her eyelashes.
It could be said that Bubu Wang was at his most mischievous on the battlefield, which explained why he got along so well with the Three Brothers of National Football. When Bubu Wang teamed up with them in the Demon Castle world, it was nothing but pure joy, nearly making the detective loli die laughing.
"Is that guy... crazy?"
Bubu Wang paused mid-motion as he was about to snip the girl's lashes. He looked toward the battlefield, where Su Xiao was heading straight for the fight between Doflamingo and Katakuri.
Bubu Wang stood up on the rock, dropped the small scissors in his paw, and quickly ran toward the sandy area. He was just teasing the long-lashed girl; actually cutting her lashes was out of the question—that fell under damage/attack, which would break his environmental camouflage.
Su Xiao crossed the rocky area and arrived at the battered beach.
Booms and shockwaves spread as Doflamingo and Katakuri clashed, with Doflamingo on the losing end.
Katakuri glanced at Su Xiao upon his arrival but then ignored him. He had never seen Su Xiao before; when Su Xiao sniped Cracker earlier, the distance was far too great.
Katakuri's pitch-black fist slammed toward Doflamingo, whose arms were also dark purple. Doflamingo raised his arms to block.
Boom!
A shockwave rippled outward. Su Xiao raised his left arm to shield his face as small white spiders crawled out from his sleeve and jumped into the large mass of mochi—Cracker was hidden within that mochi.
A red gleam flashed in Katakuri's eyes. He refocused on Su Xiao and manipulated the mochi beneath his feet.
Dozens of explosions erupted from within the mochi, and the scent of roasted mochi wafted through the air. The mochi Katakuri had assimilated was genuine mochi, even edible.
"Doflamingo, continue with the previous strategy."
Su Xiao spoke. Doflamingo, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth, said nothing, which was taken as agreement.
"It's you."
Katakuri lowered his eyelids, his gaze toward Su Xiao burning with murderous intent.