In the original One Piece story…

Both the Beasts Pirates and the Big Mom Pirates—two of the Four Emperors—were extremely interested in Caesar's technologies.

Kaido was especially focused on Caesar's ability to mass-produce artificial Devil Fruits. With that, he could create the world's strongest army of ability users and lead them into a global war—the ultimate conflict.

Big Mom, on the other hand, was obsessed with Caesar's gigantification research. She wanted all her family to be as big as her so they could finally be equals and enjoy a true family gathering.

"Being able to give both of them a little surprise gift… Something they'll never forget… Sounds like fun to me."

Lance took a slow drag from his cigarette, savoring the moment as he exhaled a smoke ring.

…

Three days later, Monet woke up.

"Monet-neesan! You're finally awake!"

Baby-5 lit up with joy at the sight of her waking.

"Little Baby-5… you made it out of Dressrosa alive. Tell me, who killed the Young Master?"

Monet's first words were a desperate plea for answers about Doflamingo.

"Uh…"

Baby-5 hesitated.

"Ever since he died, I've been searching nonstop, trying to find out who did it… But I've got nothing. You were there, weren't you? Tell me! Who killed him?!"

There was fiery resolve in Monet's eyes.

She had sworn loyalty to Doflamingo, truly believing he would one day become Pirate King. She had been willing to die for him.

But now he was gone—and she didn't even know who had killed him. She had made up her mind: no matter what, she'd hunt down the murderer and take revenge herself.

"I did."

Suddenly, Lance's voice cut in as he pushed the door open and stepped into the room.

His eyes were cold as he stared at her. "I'm the one who killed Doflamingo. I ended his life myself. Now that you know, what are you going to do?"

"You… killed the Young Master?!"

Monet's golden eyes narrowed and locked onto him.

"If you don't believe me, you've got two witnesses."

Lance said flatly.

"Little Baby-5, is it true?"

Monet turned to Baby-5, seeking confirmation.

"Monet-neesan… Lance is the man I love. I won't let you hurt him!"

Baby-5 stepped forward, spreading her arms protectively.

For Lance, she would fight anyone—even Monet.

But before Monet could even move, she felt her neck, wrists, and thighs suddenly bound, completely immobilizing her.

Looking closer, she realized—those were wires, coated in Busōshoku Haki (Armament Haki).

"This is… the Young Master's power!"

Monet's pupils shrank in shock.

As a high-ranking member of the Donquixote Family, there was no way she couldn't recognize the Ito Ito no Mi (String-String Fruit) powers Doflamingo had wielded.

She couldn't believe she was seeing them used by someone else.

"Tell me—who fought Jack the Drought, and which way did they go?"

Lance wasn't about to show mercy to someone loyal to the man he had killed. He'd only kept Monet alive this long to find out who else had gone after Caesar—and where Jack had gone.

He couldn't afford to waste time blindly searching the seas. Only Monet could tell him which direction Jack's forces left from Punk Hazard.

"You're too strong. I can't beat you."

"If the Young Master is truly dead… then I have no reason to live."

"Go ahead. Kill me."

Monet gave a bitter smile, closing her eyes and awaiting death.

She wasn't the type to bend to threats. Her greatest purpose had been to support Doflamingo's rise to Pirate King.

With that dream shattered, she had no desire to keep living.

"Is that so? Then I guess there's no reason to keep you alive…"

Lance raised his hand, preparing to kill her—

But Baby-5 rushed in again, blocking his path.

"Lance, please! Let Monet-neesan go!"

"She's the only one who knows where they went!"

She begged.

Lance's expression shifted. After a few seconds of hesitation, his fingers moved.

"What are you doing?!"

Monet's face turned red as the wires slithered beneath her clothes, sliding intimately along her skin… and even underneath her—

Her blush deepened furiously.

Then, the threads retracted—holding a torn, white paper scrap.

"If I'm right, this should be Caesar's vivre card."

Lance took it with a cold expression, watching it gently point in a single direction.

"You know now. I'm useless to you."

"Just kill me. I won't resist."

Monet waited quietly for her end.

"No. You still have value."

Lance said with a flash in his eyes.

Then he left the room, leaving Baby-5 and Monet alone.

…

That night, sharp breaths came from Monet's room.

Then, with a long sigh, all fell quiet.

Lance lay at the edge of the bed, lighting a cigarette. Monet lay beside him, completely bare, her body exposed under the dim light.

She didn't scream or fight. She didn't cry or try to end her life.

She was calm.

"From now on… this is your worth."

"Live or die—it's your choice."

With that, Lance stood and left.

…

The next morning, Lance stepped out onto the deck, enjoying the fresh air.

"Hm?"

To his surprise, the woman who yesterday wanted nothing more than death was now laughing and sparring with Rebecca, practicing sword techniques.

"A woman's heart… truly unfathomable."

Lance couldn't help but shake his head.

(End of Chapter)

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