Faced with the vulture Zoan who attacked without warning, Lance wasn't going to hold back—especially not for his first move in front of two Yonko commanders.

Kōran Hakusen (Wild Wave White Thread)

Right away, Lance entered his awakened Ito Ito no Mi (String-String Fruit) state. The ground around him transformed into dense, shimmering white threads, which surged up like a massive crashing wave and launched toward the charging vulture Zoan.

"He can manipulate the environment!"

"He's awakened!"

The vulture's face twisted in fear the moment he saw the attack. His charge halted mid-air and he turned to flee in a panic.

No matter how fast he was, there was no outrunning those homing threads.

In an instant, they soared into the sky and wrapped around him like a net, squeezing and slicing with deadly precision.

"No! No! Help me! Jack-sama, save me—!"

His cries were cut short as the threads coiled tightly, crushing his body. Blood seeped out through the string mesh, stark and vivid.

"If that's the greeting you Yonko are offering me… the quality's awfully disappointing."

Lance spoke coldly.

"He's… an awakened user!"

"A Paramecia awakening… wait, why does this power seem so familiar?"

"I remember now! That's the power of the Ito Ito no Mi—Doflamingo the Heavenly Yaksha's ability! Why does this guy have it?!"

The Beasts Pirates muttered, puzzled and wary.

"Coward. This brat—he's the backup you called in?" Jack sneered, not even acknowledging Lance as he glared at Cracker. "Are the Big Mom Pirates really so short-staffed now that you're scraping the barrel?"

"You really are an idiot, Jack the Drought."

"I know all the top dogs under the Yonko—Whitebeard, Red-Hair, even your Beasts crew. This guy clearly isn't one of them. Can't you see that?"

Cracker's contempt was obvious.

Then his gaze fixed on Lance.

"Kid, if you're here for Caesar, I suggest you forget it. Don't get involved in our business."

"You know who I am? One of the Sweet Commanders of the Big Mom Pirates!"

"And across from me is one of the Three Disasters of the Beasts Pirates—Jack the Drought!"

"Even if you've never heard of Jack, you must know who I am!"

"So get lost. Otherwise, when the fight starts, don't blame me when one of my Biscuit Generals cuts you down!"

Even though Lance had revealed he was awakened, Cracker still saw him as beneath him. Just like Jack, Cracker wore his Yonko pride on his sleeve—arrogant to the core.

"The commanders of the Yonko really are as arrogant as the rumors say…"

Lance's eyes flashed.

"And since you seem the most arrogant… I'll start with you."

As soon as he finished speaking, Cracker's face shifted. He raised his blade just in time—

CLANG!

A sharp clash rang out. Cracker's eyes widened when he saw his attacker—it wasn't a beast or a person, but a bandaged humanoid monster!

"What the hell is that?!"

Sweat trickled down his temple. If he hadn't reacted in time, he was certain those claws would've torn him in half.

The two figures clashed and immediately retreated. The bandaged creature vanished in a blur, completely disappearing from Cracker's Haki senses.

"What a shame…"

"I almost accidentally killed one of the Sweet Commanders of the Big Mom Pirates."

Lance said with a teasing grin.

Gasps erupted across the battlefield.

Everyone had seen it—that bandaged monster had appeared out of nowhere and nearly injured Cracker. No one had sensed its arrival. It was almost supernatural.

And if Cracker hadn't defended just in time, the force behind that claw strike could've crippled him instantly.

What's more, those familiar with Cracker knew: he was terrified of pain. Even a single hit could cause him to faint on the spot.

"Bastard…!"

"You dare attack me, brat?! You've got a death wish!"

"I'LL KILL YOU!"

Cracker, still shaken, didn't retreat—he grew even angrier. His glare burned with killing intent.

With a wave of his hand, dozens of Biscuit Generals rushed toward Lance.

"Oh yeah?"

"If you think you can kill me… then bring it on!"

Lance's eyes blazed with battle lust.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

Suddenly, thunderous footsteps rocked the battlefield.

A mammoth barreled into the scene, crushing Biscuit Generals underfoot as it rampaged toward Lance.

"Arrogant little brat! You want to die? I'll grant your wish!"

Jack had joined the fray.

(End of Chapter)

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