After Lance left, Rebecca continued to sob uncontrollably. Her loud wails echoed throughout the abandoned factory.

"Hey! Stop crying already!"

A clearly annoyed female voice cut through her sorrow.

"Who are you?"

Rebecca stopped crying and looked up, only to see a beautiful woman in a maid outfit with long, slender legs—it was none other than Baby-5.

"I know you. Rebecca, right? You're my husband's disciple."

"My… my husband?"

"You mean Benefactor-sama is your husband?!"

"That's impossible! He's not even married! You're lying!"

Rebecca's eyes flared with jealousy, as if someone had stolen her most precious thing. She glared furiously at Baby-5.

"Hmph! I knew a little girl like you wasn't going to give up on my husband that easily."

"But we'll deal with that later. Right now, we need to talk about something important."

Baby-5 leaned in and pulled Rebecca aside into a corner.

"What important thing?"

Rebecca eyed her warily, still not over the "husband" claim.

"You know Lance is leaving Dressrosa soon, right?"

"Yeah… he told me just now…"

Rebecca's face fell again.

Ever since the incident with the giant Daniu, Lance's name was no longer a secret. Both Rebecca and Baby-5, being close to him, had naturally heard it.

"I've already found out where his ship is docked. But because Lance told the shipbuilders to keep me away no matter what, I can't get close…"

"But you're different. You're King Riku's granddaughter. You're his disciple. He definitely won't be wary of you!"

"So, here's what we'll do…"

Baby-5 leaned in and whispered her plan. Rebecca's eyes lit up instantly.

"…and that's how we'll do it. What do you say? Team up with me?"

Baby-5 looked at her seriously.

"But…"

Rebecca hesitated, even though she was excited.

"If you won't, I'll go alone."

"It might be more troublesome, but I'm already his woman. I'm not giving up!"

Baby-5 spoke with determination.

"No, I'll do it!"

Rebecca quickly agreed.

"Good! Then it's settled!"

Baby-5 flashed a sly grin.

…

The next day, Lance arrived at the port and saw the expedition ship he had commissioned. Built over a month and a half, it now floated proudly before him.

He boarded and inspected every corner, nodding in satisfaction.

"These are for you."

He casually tossed a small bag to the shipbuilders. They opened it to find it filled with shining gold coins—worth a fortune. They bowed and thanked him profusely, overwhelmed with gratitude.

"No obligations, no laws, no superiors to obey…"

"If such a person is called a pirate, then I suppose I am one too."

"A pirate, huh… in my endless, boring life, it's the only identity that simplifies everything."

"If I'm to be a pirate, I need a flag… Let's call it 'Kowloon'."

Lance's eyes glinted.

"Kowloon" was a name he had loved using back on Earth—for games, forums, usernames… everything.

Now in this world, though his pirate crew had only one member, he still chose that name.

He had a pirate flag made—nine golden five-clawed dragons emblazoned upon it. To reflect his unique style, the skull and crossbones had bandages drawn over them.

And thus, the fresh new Kowloon pirate flag was born.

"It's time to set sail."

Standing on the deck, Lance gave the order. The six IBM were already in position and began their respective tasks.

The sails were hoisted, the anchor raised, the rudder turned… with six IBM as crew, Lance didn't even need to lift a finger to sail anywhere in the world.

The Kowloon quietly departed from among the dozens of ships at the bustling dock—just one unremarkable vessel among many, drawing no attention.

Lance had no intention of alerting anyone either. Not even Daniu or the survivors of Angel Town were informed.

As for Rebecca, Baby-5, Kyros—he had told none of them.

He wasn't the type to say tearful goodbyes. He preferred leaving silently, cutting all ties to Dressrosa in a single moment.

To an immortal Ajin like Lance, everyone was just a passerby. Everything was fleeting…

Only he himself was eternal.

Knock knock.

Suddenly, a faint noise came from a barrel on the deck.

If not for his exceptional Kenbunshoku Haki (Observation Haki), Lance wouldn't have noticed it at all.

"No matter who you are, if you've stowed away on my ship, you've already signed your death sentence."

"Come out."

Lance's eyes gleamed coldly, killing intent radiating from his words.

Crash!

The barrel storing provisions exploded open. Two slender figures—one tall, one short—emerged timidly.

"You two?!"

Lance's killing intent vanished instantly. Instead, he felt a sharp migraine coming on.

Those two figures… were none other than Baby-5 and Rebecca, who had secretly snuck onboard!

"Benefactor-sama!"

Rebecca waved cheerfully at him, her face full of joy.

"L-Lance…"

Baby-5 blushed deeply, suddenly shy.

"You two…"

Lance's eye twitched. He wanted to get angry, but just looking at these two women—both of whom had unique ties to him—he found himself unable to.

"I told you… no matter where you go, even if it costs me my life, I'll follow you!"

Baby-5 declared firmly.

"Benefactor-sama, I promise I won't cause any trouble! If you need clothes washed, floors cleaned, food cooked—I can do all of it!"

Rebecca added just as firmly.

"You…"

Lance let out a long sigh and shook his head.

"Looks like… in this endless life of mine, I'm destined never to be alone."

(End of Chapter)

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