As soon as she heard that, Baby-5's expression fell. She pouted, clearly unwilling.

Ever since Doflamingo's death, she had been using "recovery" as an excuse to stay in this room.

Lance originally wanted to kick her out, but the memory of her suffering for three straight days tied to the execution post in the city square… made him simply turn a blind eye and let her stay.

And just like that, Baby-5 stayed there for an entire month.

"Don't try to act pitiful in front of me. It won't work. You're leaving today, no matter what."

Lance said coldly, leaving no room for negotiation.

"I'm not leaving!"

"If you're here, then I'm here. No matter what, I won't go!"

Baby-5 raised her chin stubbornly, staring at him defiantly.

"You think I'll go easy on you just because you're a woman?"

"You've seen how ruthless I can be. I show no mercy to anyone. Not even women!"

"If you stay here any longer, don't blame me for killing you!"

A wave of invisible Haōshoku Haki (Conqueror's Haki) surged forth. Lance's cold gaze locked on her.

But Baby-5, who had been one of the Donquixote Family's officers, wasn't fazed. Doflamingo's own Haōshoku had never been that strong, so this intimidation did little to her.

"Kill me then!"

"No matter what you do to me, I'll stay by your side!"

"I've already decided. I'm yours, and if I die by your hand, I'll have no regrets!"

Baby-5 stood firm, eyes blazing with determination.

"You crazy woman…"

Lance felt a headache coming.

They say the reckless fear the ruthless, the ruthless fear the fearless… and the fearless? They fear the insane.

Clearly, Lance was reckless, ruthless, and fearless. But Baby-5? She was the insane type willing to risk everything.

When a woman goes mad, even someone as strong as Lance has no real counter.

"As long as I can stay with you, I don't care if you hit or yell at me."

"You haven't eaten yet, right? I already made lunch. Come, let's eat."

Baby-5 smiled brightly and pulled the unwilling Lance to the dining table, proudly showing off the food she had prepared herself.

And to be fair, she wasn't just beautiful and curvy—her cooking was top-notch, on par with any professional chef.

To please Lance, Baby-5 had been trying new recipes every day.

"This clingy, dumb, crazy woman…"

Lance shook his head in helplessness.

But this kind of peace wouldn't last much longer.

Now that the World Government had their eyes on him, trouble was bound to come.

Lance wasn't afraid of anyone—be it the government, the Navy, the Gorōsei, or even the Three Admirals. To him, they were all the same.

But he had no interest in fighting those people daily.

Especially when he still had a personal score to settle—he couldn't afford to hole up in a place like this.

…

In an abandoned factory.

"Benefactor-sama, how do I look in this battle armor?"

Rebecca stood in front of him, wearing armor styled like a Roman soldier's helmet, a green cloak, and golden boots. But her gear was minimal—almost nonexistent—so she could move more easily with her sword. With her already well-developed figure, she was basically wrapped in just a few strips of cloth.

"You don't need to dress like that to train in swordsmanship. A regular martial arts uniform will do."

Lance replied flatly, not even looking up from the intelligence reports in his hand.

Out of boredom, and thanks to Rebecca's growing admiration after learning he'd killed Doflamingo, he had reluctantly agreed to take her as a disciple—especially after both Kyros and King Riku begged him.

As someone who had absorbed the skills of countless New World experts, Lance wasn't just a master swordsman—he was also a grandmaster in firearms, hand-to-hand combat, marksmanship, and more.

Even the smallest hint from him was a treasure for any warrior.

Teaching someone like Rebecca? Child's play.

"Got it, Benefactor-sama! I'll wear a martial arts outfit tomorrow!"

She beamed with excitement, thrilled to change into what he preferred.

"Tomorrow?"

"There won't be a tomorrow."

Lance said calmly.

"Why not, Benefactor-sama?!"

"Is it because I'm too stupid? You don't want to teach me anymore?"

"I promise I'll train hard every day—I won't slack off! Please, don't abandon me!"

Hearing that he wouldn't be around, Rebecca's eyes quickly filled with tears. Her lips trembled, and fat teardrops welled up, about to fall. Her voice was filled with desperation.

"You misunderstood."

"I have something important to take care of. I'll be leaving here soon. From now on, let Kyros train you. He's your father and one of Dressrosa's greatest warriors. With his guidance, you'll become much stronger."

Lance closed the intelligence folder and looked at her with calm eyes.

It had been a month and a half since Doflamingo's death. Lance had been preparing to leave the island.

But setting sail in the New World wasn't easy.

He needed a ship that could withstand the treacherous weather. He needed enough supplies to survive a long voyage. Lance wasn't some wandering monk—he didn't need to eat often, but that didn't mean he'd live like a beggar. Everything had to be ready before he left.

Now, after a month and a half, the ship was built, supplies loaded—it was time.

These past days, he'd been poring over intelligence on the New World, studying navigation and travel routes.

All in preparation for departure.

"Waaah… Benefactor-sama, I don't want you to leave! Please stay!"

Rebecca finally burst into tears, unable to hold it in.

"Your tears have no effect on me anymore."

"All things must end someday. Rebecca… take care of yourself."

With that, Lance stood and walked away. Bandages unraveled from his body, wrapping him up until he appeared as a humanoid figure made of cloth.

And then… he vanished from her sight.

(End of Chapter)

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