"Trash!"
Lancelot couldn't help but curse under his breath.
Immediately after, he began to admire the holy sword in his hand.
This sword was exceptionally special.
Only those with the bearing of a true king can genuinely make it submit. Thus, it is a true king's sword.
Without Conqueror's Haki, making it yield is harder than reaching the heavens.
Unless you possess extraordinary willpower... yet even Zoro failed.
One can imagine just how formidable one's will must be.
Those with such willpower are likely even rarer than those with kingly bearing.
If one lacks both kingly bearing and extraordinary willpower, then it ceases to be a king's sword. Instead, it becomes a Demonic Sword.
A terrifying Demonic Sword that reverses roles, using the wielder as its instrument.
This is no mere saying—in the original lore, it absorbed countless resentments and blood, summoning slaughter and destruction.
It led to the complete downfall of the Kingdom of Asuka. Afterward, the demonic sword incited conflict after conflict in the form of blood sacrifices.
"Hah..."
Lancelot took a deep breath and began absorbing the Demonic Energy from the holy sword.
The sword seemed to sense his intent, trembling slightly. It then actively released its Demonic Energy, merging it into Lancelot's body.
Finally, the holy sword vanished, leaving a tattoo of the sword on Lancelot's chest.
This was the ultimate form—Man and Sword as One.
This would advance the wielder's swordsmanship further.
Lancelot could even feel the sword energy within him almost erupting the moment the holy sword entered his body.
'Strong, incredibly strong.'
He had never felt such power before.
It was as if with a wave of his hand, he could split the earth in two. He even had the illusion that he could slay an Emperor with a single strike.
Lancelot understood this was a wondrous state brought on by his rapid increase in strength.
At this moment, he feared no one.
Not Jack, Snack, Broye, and Custard—even if Kaido and Big Mom came personally, he would not flinch.
The corners of Lancelot's mouth curled slightly.
"Good, good... Since you've come seeking me out, I'll start with you. Then I'll go slaughter Doflamingo to establish my authority..."
...
Four days later.
On a bustling island in the first half of the Grand Line, Snack, Broye, and Custard strolled leisurely.
Their ship's supplies were nearly depleted, so they had come ashore to restock.
Of course, these tasks were handled by their subordinates. The three of them wandered with a hint of curiosity.
After all, they had been born in the New World.
To others, the New World was the ultimate destination. But to them, the world beyond the New World held a certain fascination.
Broye remarked as they walked, "From what we've seen along the way, the first half of the Grand Line is quite prosperous! Unfortunately, it all belongs to the World Government... If we could incorporate it into Mama's territory, our pirate crew's strength would likely double."
Hearing this, Custard shook her head. "Don't even think about it... The World Government is no decoration. They would never allow us to take their territory."
Snack nodded. "True, but as our Charlotte Family passes down through generations, growing stronger with each, I believe... one day, our family will become like the Celestial Dragons."
"Pfft..."
Just then, a light chuckle sounded.
Snack, Broye, and Custard all changed their expressions, for the laughter came from right beside them.
Yet they hadn't noticed... If the other party had intended to ambush them, they would have found it difficult to dodge.
At this thought, Snack, Broye, and Custard exchanged glances, then immediately went on full alert.
"Who's there? Show yourself..." Snack shouted.
As his voice faded, Lancelot leisurely emerged from one side.
"It's you..."
When Snack, Broye, and Custard saw Lancelot, they exclaimed in unison.
At the same time, their eyes held a trace of disbelief.
The newcomer was naturally Lancelot, who now wore a smile on his face.
"I heard the three of you came out of the New World just for me?"
"This..."
Snack, Broye, and Custard exchanged glances once more, then cautiously scanned their surroundings.
After all, the first half of the Grand Line was the territory of the World Government and the Marines.
And the man before them was a member of the World Government and the Marines.
His sudden appearance in front of them made it impossible for them not to be wary.
"Hehehe..."
Seeing Snack, Broye, and Custard like this, Lancelot couldn't help but chuckle softly.
He then waved his hand. "No need to be nervous. I came alone."
"Alone?"
Snack, Broye, and Custard were deeply puzzled.
It wasn't that they believed whatever Lancelot said, but they truly hadn't detected any other Marines nearby.
This struck them as very strange. Because it was highly abnormal.
Logically speaking, since this Rear Admiral knew they were here to deal with him, the wisest choice would have been to report it to the Marines and the World Government, then set up an ambush here.
By then, even if they were confident in their own strength, they wouldn't dare claim they could escape.
After all, the Marines had no shortage of powerful fighters!
Especially here in the first half of the Grand Line, one of the areas where the World Government's control was strongest.
It was also the sea with the heaviest Marine deployment...
If their roles were reversed, they would absolutely choose to set up an ambush here.
"Did you really come alone?" Custard asked with disbelief.
In her view, this was practically suicidal!
Leaving aside Snack, the strongest among them, just she and Broye alone were both swordsmen of master-level strength.
Their power was in no way inferior to Whitebeard's division commanders or Marine Vice Admirals.
Killing a mere Rear Admiral would be as easy as playing around for them.
Where there is abnormality, there must be a trick.
Snack, Broye, and Custard didn't immediately attack.
Instead, they heightened their vigilance.
Because they believed the most likely scenario was that a powerful fighter was lying in ambush, one they simply couldn't detect... which meant the newcomer's strength was at least not inferior to theirs.
How could they not be cautious?
"Sigh..."
Seeing this, Lancelot understood exactly what the three were thinking and couldn't help but sigh.
Sometimes, the more you tell the truth, the less others believe you.
"Soru..."
Lancelot took action without hesitation.
He first stomped heavily on the ground with one foot. Under the immense force, the ground instantly cratered.
Yet Lancelot had already vanished from his original position.
When he reappeared...