"You want intel on the Donquixote Family?"
"You're not seriously thinking about… No, no, no, absolutely not!"
The one-legged soldier seemed to guess what Lance had in mind and shook his head repeatedly.
"I know you're Kyros, so of course I know you've been secretly gathering intel on the Donquixote Family, waiting for a chance to overthrow Doflamingo and return Dressrosa to the Riku royal family."
"Which means you've investigated them thoroughly… Now tell me everything you know about them."
Lance fixed his eyes on the soldier.
"I know you're strong," Kyros said solemnly, "But the Donquixote Family… they're even stronger."
"Right now, Doflamingo is the king of Dressrosa. He's one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea, the Emperor of the Underworld, and someone even the Marines hesitate to provoke."
"His top officers? Each of them rivals—or even surpasses—a Marine Vice Admiral. Even their lower-ranking officers aren't weak. If they made it into the Donquixote Family, that alone proves they're dangerous."
"Those traffickers you wiped out yesterday? For the Donquixote Family, wiping them out would take less than a word—maybe not even a finger lifted."
"Benefactor, I know what you are… a man-eating monster. The city is under lockdown just to deal with you. But you absolutely must not show yourself now. You're no match for them."
Kyros's words were full of genuine concern.
Ever since that night seven years ago, the Donquixote Family had rooted themselves firmly in Dressrosa. Their strength was overwhelming. Overthrowing Doflamingo would be impossible—unless someone like a Yonko stepped in.
"Is that so?"
"And?"
After that long lecture, Lance simply responded with two calm sentences.
"I already told you—I can't die. It doesn't matter how strong Doflamingo is."
"Just give me the information. I don't need your warnings."
He exhaled a cloud of smoke.
"...Sigh."
Kyros sighed. He knew there was no stopping Lance. Just like yesterday—if he wanted to die, no one could stop him.
"Very well. I'll tell you everything I know."
…
Meanwhile, in the royal palace of Dressrosa—
"Viola, did you find him? Do you know where he is?"
Doflamingo stared impatiently at the beautiful woman in front of him—long brown-black hair, light brown eyes, a red flower on her head, wearing a frilled polka-dot flamenco dress and purple heels.
"I'm sorry, young master. I can't find any trace of him."
Violet withdrew her hand and shook her head.
"Could he have Observation Haki? If not, how is he avoiding your gaze?"
"You're the user of the Giro Giro no Mi (Glimpse-Glimpse Fruit)!"
"Or are you… lying to me? Are you pinning your hopes of restoring the kingdom on a man-eating monster? Trying to scare me into fleeing the country?"
Behind his sunglasses, Doflamingo's eyes glinted coldly.
"Young master, how could I ever betray you for such a lowly creature?"
"I've followed you for seven years. I know your strength. There's no way a man-eating monster could threaten you."
Violet knelt respectfully. "But this creature you had me investigate is surrounded by a strange energy—it blocks my power. I can't see him."
"A strange energy?"
Doflamingo grinned wickedly, the reflection in his sunglasses flashing sharply.
"A man-eating monster I can't detect? Now I'm really intrigued. I have to see for myself what this thing really is."
…
Kyros gave Lance everything he knew about the Donquixote Family.
The next day, Lance took control of the entire lawless zone—by force.
No matter who it was—pirates, slavers, or vicious criminals—if they were on any wanted list, Lance didn't spare a single one. He killed them all, devoured their flesh, and absorbed their power.
With both invisible black phantoms on the move, these criminals didn't even have time to resist. All of them were reduced to bones.
The lawless zone became a sea of corpses and blood. The stench carried far, lingering across nearly all of Dressrosa.
From that moment on, no one dared enter the zone. Pirates and traffickers who had planned to pass through immediately changed course, terrified they'd end up in the monster's belly.
The man-eating monster incident spread rapidly, shaking the country. Doflamingo's reputation and authority as king took a severe hit.
Enraged, he issued a national order: a reward of 10 million Berries for any sighting of the monster, and 200 million for his severed head.
Soon, countless assassins from the underworld poured into Dressrosa, lured by the massive bounty.
But none of them returned.
Every assassin who tried to hunt the man-eater ended up devoured—nothing left but a skeleton.
A month passed quietly.
In Dressrosa's Corrida Colosseum—
"Ladies and gentlemen, and our toy friends in the stands!"
"Once again, it's time for the brutal bloodbath you've all been waiting for!"
"This time, our great king has prepared an especially rich reward for the victor—an incredible prize of 100 million Berries!"
"All you have to do is defeat everyone in the ring. The last one standing will be today's champion!"
"Who will win this glorious title? Let's welcome today's contestants!"
"They've all come from across the New World, each one a formidable fighter! What kind of thrilling clash will they bring us? Let's find out together!"
The stands erupted in cheers and excitement as the crowd roared.
Among the many powerful contestants entering the arena… was one unassuming figure, walking with quiet certainty.
"This time… I'm taking your head myself, Diamante."
Lance clenched a cigarette between his teeth, his cold eyes locked on the man standing at the announcer's podium—Diamante.
(End of Chapter)
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