Chapter 212: Corazon's Attempt to Reap the Spoils?

Hyakki Yagyō Ichitoryū: Kagami-onna! (Hundred Ghosts Swordsmanship: Needlewoman!)

Under the influence of Wood's advanced Observation Haki, what should have been a lightning-fast strike from Doflamingo's Kageuchiito (Shadow Rider Thread) was perceived in a series of slowed-down frames.

In that brief moment, Wood quickly identified a critical flaw in the movement of Doflamingo's clone.

With an effortless thrust, Wood sent his blade, Asatsuyu, from under his arm, piercing through the air and driving straight into the head of Doflamingo's Kageuchiito.

"Sorry, what was that you were trying to show me? I didn't quite catch it," Wood mocked.

The backward thrust shattered the head of the Kageuchiito, but since the clone was made entirely of the threads created by the Ito Ito no Mi (String-String Fruit), it didn't bleed or exhibit any signs of life, and Doflamingo himself wasn't physically harmed.

However, while the attack caused no physical damage, it certainly wounded Doflamingo's pride.

He had believed his maneuver would guarantee his victory, thinking his Kageuchiito would strike down Wood with ease. That's why he had indulged in his usual habit of taunting his enemy, fully expecting to watch them die in frustration and defeat.

But now, Doflamingo found himself on the receiving end of the mockery. The fact that Wood had so casually dismantled what Doflamingo had considered a surefire attack sent a jolt of anger through him.

The Kageuchiito did not die from the head wound. Under Doflamingo's control, it quickly reassembled and launched another attack, several strings shooting forward to strike Wood.

However, by the time the clone had recovered, Wood was already prepared. With his left hand, he gripped Asatsuyu in a reverse hold, blocking the clone's Goshikito (Five Color Strings), while his right hand, still holding Tenku (Cursed Sword), in a clash against Doflamingo's arm, unleashed a kick infused with a powerful air slash.

Rankyaku: Getsuhaku! (Tempest Kick: Moon White!)

Rankyaku, one of the Rokushiki (Six Powers), involves kicking with such force that the leg generates a compressed air blade. Of all the techniques within the Six Powers, this and Soru were the ones Wood had mastered most extensively.

The white crescent-shaped slash grew larger as it cut through the wind, speeding toward Doflamingo, whose face twisted into a look of shock as the attack closed in.

Though Doflamingo immediately coated his chest with Busoshoku Haki (Armament Haki) to defend against the incoming Rankyaku, the powerful impact of the white crescent still sent him hurtling backward, crashing through the forest.

Doom—Doom—Doom—Doom!

A rhythmic pounding echoed through the forest as Doflamingo was violently hurled into the trees. Birds, startled by the noise, took to the air, only to collide with the threads of the Torikago (Birdcage), slicing them into pieces that rained back down to the ground.

Doflamingo's body crashed through several large trees before he managed to stop his momentum by shooting out strings from his fingertips, wrapping them around the surrounding trees to halt his backward slide.

A faint line of blood now marked his previously unscathed chest.

Despite the Busoshoku Haki dulling the attack, leaving only a shallow cut that barely qualified as an injury, the slash had nonetheless made its mark.

Although Rankyaku is a versatile technique, the power behind it can't compare to a blow from a legendary sword. If it could, every practitioner of the Six Powers' Rankyaku would be a swordsman.

As Doflamingo was sent flying by the white crescent, the uncontrolled Kageuchiito stumbled like a puppet with its strings cut, and Wood easily sliced it into several pieces.

Seeing his life-sized clone—a perfect replica—being so effortlessly dismantled by Wood, Doflamingo felt a surge of rage.

"Chōgeki Kōben!" (Overheat!)

Doflamingo stretched his arm backward, launching dozens of nearly invisible threads from his hand. The threads twisted together into a thick, hair-like cord and shot toward Wood from an incredible distance.

At a glance, it might have resembled Luffy's Gomu Gomu no Pistol (Gum-Gum Pistol), but in terms of destructive power, there was no comparison.

The line of trees that Doflamingo's Overheat passed through, trees so large they would normally require two men to embrace them, were sliced cleanly in half with ease, their trunks smooth and even.

Overheat not only had an exceptionally long range, but its speed was almost instantaneous. Wood's Observation Haki barely registered the incoming attack in time. He raised his sword to block, but the massive force behind the strike nearly knocked the blade from his grip.

Dust rose in a long, straight line through the forest, extending for tens of kilometers. As if to repay Wood for his earlier Rankyaku that had sent him sprawling, Doflamingo's Overheat sent Wood hurtling through the air, crashing through the forest for miles.

The sheer destruction left in the wake of their battle—trees felled and deep trenches cut through the earth—left Corazon and Trafalgar Law, who had been hiding nearby, utterly stunned.

The reason Corazon and Law were hiding in the first place was because of the Ope Ope no Mi (Op-Op Fruit) in Wood's possession. It was the only thing that could cure Law's terminal Amber Lead Syndrome.

Attempting to steal something from two powerful combatants was incredibly dangerous, but Corazon had the Nagi Nagi no Mi (Calm-Calm Fruit), which allowed him to create a zone of absolute silence. With the right timing, they might just have a chance.

If Doflamingo won the fight, the Op-Op Fruit would fall into the hands of the Donquixote Family. If Wood won, it would go to the Marines.

Though Corazon was a Marine spy sent by Fleet Admiral Sengoku, it was obvious that the Marines wouldn't use a fruit worth 5 billion Berries to save a child with no political value.

So no matter who won the fight—Doflamingo or Wood—the Op-Op Fruit would be lost to them. The only way to save Trafalgar Law was to steal the fruit themselves while the two combatants were distracted.

Normally, stealing the Op-Op Fruit under such circumstances would be impossible. But with Corazon's Devil Fruit ability lowering their presence, the impossible now seemed somewhat attainable.

To be honest, when Corazon first learned that the Marine sent to retrieve the fruit was Wood, he had all but given up hope.

*******

P/S: If you are interested, you can read up to chapter 330+ at p@treon.com/Betek and change @ to a