Chapter 980

While the navy was filled with reverent discussions.

Pirates in the first half of the Grand Line all felt terror at the news.

For a time.

The name of the Fist Demon caused panic among countless pirates.

Even pirate crews who normally wreaked havoc on the Grand Line dared not venture out to burn, kill, or plunder for a short while, instead cowering in fear with their tails between their legs.

One can only say.

The shockwave Lu En inflicted upon them was simply too intense!

The name of the Fist Demon had become a nightmare in the hearts of countless pirates across these seas.

The moment the news reached them,

Doflamingo, one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea preparing to set sail toward the New World, along with all his Donquixote Family officers, were utterly stunned.

"Has this monster, the Fist Demon, grown to this extent already?"

Doflamingo's temples bulged with veins; an unprecedented, overwhelming pressure surged within him.

From Lu En,

he felt an unprecedented sense of oppression!

He had not forgotten.

Not long ago,

his clash with Lu En ended in a draw.

But now,

the boy could directly shake a Royal Vice-Commander.

He had even severed Red-Haired Shanks' arm!

This power forced Doflamingo to admit he was inferior.

Though he did not wish to admit it,

he could not deny it.

The power of this monster, the Fist Demon Lu En…

very likely already far surpassed him!

"How much time has even passed?!"

"Is this brat, the Fist Demon, really some kind of freak?"

"It has only been a little over a month since I fought him."

"Yet this brat's power has already completely surpassed mine?!"

"In just over a month, this brat has become this strong? What kind of shocking, unbelievable talent is this?!"

"Truly unimaginable!"

Doflamingo's heart trembled.

Beside him,

the officers of the Donquixote Family also felt profound shock in succession.

"Young master, could this monster, the Fist Demon, have surpassed you?"

Trebol couldn't help blurting out the question.

"What nonsense?!"

Diavolo and Pica quickly rebutted.

They rejected this possibility.

It has only been a little over a month…

How could the Fist Demon possibly have completely surpassed the young master?!

This isn't logical!

How could someone's power improve so drastically in such a short time?

"Though I do not wish to admit it,

what Trebol said is very likely true.

The Fist Demon brat's innate talent is terrifying—utterly beyond description or comprehension.

Don't forget.

He is only five years old!

At just five years of age, he fought me to a draw. So, it is not impossible that within a single month, he has risen to surpass me."

Doflamingo instinctively clenched his fists.

His eyes held a degree of gravity and gloom; his inner pressure was immense.

Even he lacked the confidence and strength to directly confront Ben Beike Man.

He did not believe

his own power could match that of the Royal Vice-Commander, Ben Beike Man!

Therefore,

when he heard the news that Lu En could directly withstand Ben Beike Man,

in that instant,

Doflamingo immediately realized:

he had already been left utterly behind by the Fist Demon!

"Now, if I were to face the Fist Demon again, my chances of victory might be less than thirty percent."

"This brat…"

"Too monstrous!"

Doflamingo took a deep breath and said.

"Less than a three-in-ten chance of victory?!"

"Even the heir cannot stand against the Fist Demon?"

"This monster (Deno's), its growth rate is simply astonishing!"

"Is this, then, the once-in-centuries prodigy? I've learned something today."

After hearing their young master's calm analysis, the Donquixote Family's officers stood frozen, stunned to the core.

"Enough."

"We need not dwell further on the Fist Demon."

"In short."

"We have become Warlords of the Sea. From now on, we will have no further conflict or entanglement with the Fist Demon. If that is so, such a monster is naturally not a target we need consider confronting."

"Moreover…"

"No matter how much we ponder, it changes nothing. After all, this monster known as the Fist Demon has already grown into a terrifying force beyond our capacity to oppose."

"As time passes, the gap between us will only widen further! It will never shrink by so much as a hair's breadth!"

Doflamingo said.

Upon careful reflection,

he suddenly felt immense relief…

for having chosen to join the Warlords of the Sea earlier!

Otherwise,

the Marines need only send the Fist Demon alone, and it would be enough to plunge the entire Donquixote Family into a life-or-death crisis!

It could easily destroy the Donquixote Family in an instant!

"Each of you, prepare yourselves."

"We shall set sail once more…"

"Destination: New World!"

Doflamingo suppressed all thoughts swirling in his mind, his eyes full of anticipation, and gave his solemn order.