Through a period of continuous devouring, Lance once again broke through his biological energy limits and obtained a new IBM.
He named this new IBM Little Three-Black—simple and easy to remember.
Little Three-Black inherited all the strengths of its predecessors. From the moment it appeared, it was even stronger and taller than Little Two-Black, possessing remarkable power.
Thanks to Little Three-Black, Lance was able to openly assassinate Gladius, the user of the Pamu Pamu no Mi (Explosion Fruit), along with all his subordinates.
Now, Lance had set his sights on two Donquixote Family officers currently patrolling the skies:
Buffalo and Baby-5.
Their patrol posed the greatest threat of exposing his location. Although Lance no longer feared being discovered, he didn't want the game of death to end so soon. After all, he hadn't killed the entire Donquixote Family yet.
"Little Black, Little Two-Black, Little Three-Black—the targets are getting close."
Sitting in a quiet house, Lance closed his eyes, using his IBM to monitor the area around him.
That was one of the uses of IBM: with eyes open, you observed with your own vision, but with eyes closed, you could see everything through the IBM's eyes. With three of them each watching a different angle, Lance had a perfect 360-degree field of view.
Suddenly, he spoke coldly:
"Now. Attack."
With a sharp crack, all three IBM launched like missiles, tearing through the air as they flew toward Buffalo and Baby-5 in the sky.
"Huh? What was that sound?"
"There's something moving down there..."
The pair noticed the disturbance and looked down—only to seal their own fates.
Shlick!
A long, razor-sharp claw pierced Buffalo's chest, ripping his heart out. Before he could scream, a massive hand clamped over his mouth, and in one swift motion, his head was severed.
"You…!"
Baby-5 froze as blood sprayed everywhere and Buffalo's body dropped from the sky. She trembled uncontrollably at the horrific scene.
Suddenly, three bandage-wrapped black phantoms appeared beside her, and before she could scream, one of them grabbed her from behind, covering her mouth.
Her eyes widened in terror, but to her surprise, they didn't harm her. One IBM bound her limbs and carried her downward, while another retrieved Buffalo's corpse and vanished into the shadows.
Everything had happened in mere seconds.
Just moments ago, she and Buffalo were calmly patrolling, and the next thing she knew, he was dead and she was being captured.
Baby-5 was dragged into a nearby building. She didn't even resist—her fear left her paralyzed.
Inside, the IBM released her before a man seated in a noble's chair, smoking, watching her coldly.
"You… you're…"
Under the moonlight, she saw the man's side profile. It was enough—this was the one her young master hated most, the cannibal monster spoken of in hushed whispers throughout Dressrosa.
She trembled as she stared at him—Lance.
He didn't speak at first. He simply rose from his chair, looked her in the eye, and said:
"You're from the Donquixote Family. That's the only reason you're alive."
"I've decided not to kill you… yet. But whether you walk away or not depends on your choice."
He turned away, cold and detached.
Baby-5 was stunned, speechless. She had been spared—but not by mercy. She was being tested.
That night, she didn't sleep.
She stared at the ceiling, her heart in chaos. The monster hadn't killed her. And in some twisted way… he had said she had a choice.
And so, by the break of dawn—her decision was made.
…
Royal Plateau.
"Buffalo and Baby-5 are both missing?!"
Doflamingo's face darkened. The wine glass in his hand shattered to the floor. His rage was reaching its limit.
"Donquixote-sama, I just saw Baby-5 approaching," Violet spoke up suddenly. "But… Buffalo's not with her."
"Forget Buffalo," Doflamingo said. "As long as Baby-5 is safe, that's what matters."
"Shall I go take care of this monster myself?" came a harsh, piercing voice.
The man who spoke wore armor, a helmet with a cross-shaped visor, and a muscular build. His shoulders bore a spade-shaped tattoo.
Pica, one of the top officers of the Donquixote Family and user of the Ishi Ishi no Mi (Stone-Stone Fruit).
"No. You're staying right here, Pica," Doflamingo snapped. "We've already lost too many. I won't let another officer fall."
"But—"
"I said enough. Remain silent. I'll deal with him personally."
His glasses flashed with murderous intent. "I'll tear him apart!"
Suddenly—
BANG!
The doors flew open as Baby-5 stormed in.
"Baby-5, welcome back—"
"Doflamingo, GO TO HELL!"
Without warning, she pulled out two rocket launchers and a Gatling gun, unleashing a storm of bullets and explosions at him.
KABOOM!!
The entire room was engulfed in fire and smoke.
"For my man—die, Doflamingo!"
As the dust settled, Pica stood in front of Doflamingo, surrounded by stone walls that had blocked all the attacks.
Not a scratch.
"So… who is it this time?"
Doflamingo's face darkened as he stepped forward.
"Who made you turn against me? That bastard… I'll kill him myself!"
He knew well that Baby-5 couldn't refuse when people said they needed her. He had dealt with countless problems she created—paying off her debts, cleaning up her messes, even destroying eight towns for her.
"You don't need to know!" she shouted. "I'll kill you and bring your head to him!"
She raised a massive new launcher.
BOOM!
But before she could fire, a figure shot forward. A bald old man with bulging veins delivered a powerful punch that sent her flying.
It was Lao G.
"Baby-5, have you lost your mind?!" he roared. "This is your family! Doflamingo raised you like a sister!"
"You'd betray him for some man?!"
"You can't stop me!"
"I'll kill Doflamingo and give his head to the man I love!"
Her voice was clear and unwavering.
Doflamingo's face twisted in fury. "Tell me. Who is he?"
"I won't!" she blushed, thinking of Lance.
"Fine. Then don't blame me. You've made your choice."
"Lao G, Pica—tie her to the tower. Three days from now, I'll execute her myself."
(End of Chapter)
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