"Wha… how is he this strong?!"
"That's insane—just one kick and he sent Big Guy flying like that?!"
"Screw the blades! Shoot him! I don't care how strong he is, he's not bulletproof!"
The remaining traffickers all reached for their flintlocks, ready to shoot Lance on the spot.
"How rude… Is that how you treat your guests?"
"Put those guns away."
A lazy voice echoed through the warehouse.
Everyone turned toward the staircase, where a large figure was descending.
The man wore beast-hide armor, a thick beard, and a receding hairline with a long, weathered scar across his bald head—clearly a veteran of many battles.
Two flintlocks were holstered at his waist, and resting on his shoulder was a massive broadsword shaped like a shark's jagged tooth. His bulging muscles alone showed he wasn't just for show.
"So you're the boss?"
Lance glanced at him, lit a cigarette, took a long drag, and replied casually.
"Yeah, that's me."
"I'm Turwindis. Most call me Evil Shark… I haven't killed many sharks, but I've slaughtered my share of Sea Kings."
Turwindis stared directly at Lance, eyes narrowing in recognition. A flicker of surprise crossed his face. "If I'm not mistaken… you're that 'Man-Eating Monster' Doflamingo's been hunting across the city, right?"
The moment he said those words, tension exploded through the room.
Everyone's gaze turned toward Lance—some with fear in their eyes.
For the past month, they'd heard endless rumors about the Man-Eating Monster. The stories were always bloody. And now, that very monster was standing right in front of them.
"Man, my face is plastered all over town. The wanted posters don't quite capture my charm, but you finally figured it out. About time someone recognized me."
Lance smirked.
"So, Man-Eating Monster… What now? You gonna tell me you plan to eat all of us?"
"Think you've got the stomach for that?"
Turwindis lowered the shark-tooth blade from his shoulder and glared at Lance.
Lance didn't answer. His gaze shifted to the corner where the terrified girls were still huddled together.
The moment they felt his eyes, many looked away in fear. The realization that he was the rumored cannibal only made them more terrified.
Except for one.
"Rebecca?"
Lance narrowed his eyes.
That porcelain face and distinct pink hair—it clicked instantly. The girl was none other than Rebecca, granddaughter of Dressrosa's former king!
She was still just twelve or thirteen, but already showed the signs of blossoming into an extraordinary beauty.
Rebecca felt his gaze. Fear flickered in her expression… but she didn't shrink away like the others. Instead, her eyes pleaded for help.
BANG!
The warehouse doors burst open again!
"You bastards! How dare you lay a hand on Rebecca?! I'll never forgive you!!"
At the entrance stood a one-legged toy soldier holding a musket. Though his face couldn't move, his voice trembled with fury.
"Soldier-san!"
Tears spilled from Rebecca's eyes the moment she saw him. She tried to call out, but her mouth was sealed tightly with tape.
"Kyros?"
Lance turned to look at the soldier, eyes narrowing.
He had suspected something the moment he recognized Rebecca… and now it was confirmed. These traffickers were as good as dead.
"I… Do you know me?!"
The toy soldier froze in shock.
After he had been transformed, no one remembered him anymore. All memories of his existence had vanished from people's minds.
"I know some things," Lance said flatly.
Then he turned toward the traffickers. "Since you're here, I'll leave the small fry to you. Turwindis is mine."
"You want me to handle the small fry? You kidding me? I came here burning with rage, I'm not—"
Before the soldier could finish, Lance flicked his cigarette to the ground and crushed it underfoot. Then, without warning, he launched forward with a powerful burst!
"This guy's crazy reckless!"
"And why does he look so familiar?!"
"Screw it—rescue Rebecca first!"
The one-legged soldier raised his musket and opened fire without hesitation, targeting the armed traffickers. Bullets flew, and several men dropped instantly.
The remaining traffickers scrambled to fire back.
The fight erupted in an instant.
No one had expected the Man-Eating Monster to strike first—and even more shocking, he wasn't targeting them… but their leader.
"Don't think you can walk all over me just because they call you a monster! I'll make you regret this!!"
Turwindis roared, swinging his massive shark-tooth blade at Lance.
"Thirty-six million Berries? This is what that's worth?"
"I was hoping to sharpen my blade on you… but you're not even worth that."
Lance's voice was cold.
He kicked off the floor with both feet, launching himself high. Spinning midair, he landed on the staircase railing and twisted into a sweeping roundhouse kick.
CLANG!
His leg struck the sword cleanly, knocking it aside.
Without pause, Lance's other leg shot forward—aiming straight for Turwindis's face!
BOOM!
It landed squarely.
Turwindis's towering frame flew backward like a cannonball. Lance's strength now, bolstered by a month of devoured power, had grown far beyond what it once was.
A single kick was all it took to launch the infamous Evil Shark across the room.
(End of Chapter)
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