The corners of their eyes instinctively glanced backward.
They had no choice now... they had to fight whether they wanted to or not.
With perfect synchronization, both placed their hands on the sword hilts at their waists.
Simultaneously, their gazes fixed intently on Jack.
Seeing this, Jack's vigilance immediately heightened.
At the same time, anger welled up within him. "Custard, Broye... what do you mean by this?"
Custard and Broye didn't respond, instead leaning slightly forward and assuming attacking stances.
Meanwhile, Lancelot was also secretly observing Jack.
To be honest, he quite admired Jack.
Jack possessed an overwhelmingly brutal character, rejecting negotiations and resolving everything through force—simple and crude, yet highly effective.
Like when he attacked Zunesha.
Jack was hot-tempered and reckless, but decisive and brave.
As a "Calamity," he dared to accept any challenge.
In the original story, to rescue Doflamingo, he did not hesitate to attack a Marine fleet carrying high-ranking officials—Admiral Fujitora, former Fleet Admiral Sengoku, and Staff Officer Tsuru.
To find Raizo, he didn't hesitate to destroy an entire country.
Externally, he was strong and cruel, showing no fear even when facing Admiral-level combat power.
But within his pirate crew, he was dutiful and loyal.
Jack was personally selected by Kaido as a "Calamity," earning his trust through his strength, judgment, and loyalty.
Toward Governor-General Kaido, he was particularly humble, respectful, and hardworking.
Although Jack was a destruction enthusiast, he also possessed the calmness to judge the benefits of his actions, along with excellent leadership abilities.
When encountering unexpected events, he would act quickly and correctly, and could immediately gather his subordinates to form an army.
Although this guy is a cruel and cold-blooded individual... he is an excellent executive and subordinate.
Such a subordinate made even Lancelot feel envious.
But he understood very clearly that Jack's loyalty to Kaido was absolutely irreplaceable by anyone else. It was almost impossible to win him over.
Moreover... he still needed to serve as Custard and Broye's pledge of allegiance to join his ranks!
'What a pity.'
Whoosh...
Custard and Broye were the first to strike.
Though both were sword masters, they pursued different paths of swordsmanship—one emphasized technique while the other prioritized speed.
Thus, the moment Custard's sword left its sheath, it traced a cold gleam through the air, slashing directly toward Jack.
There was absolutely no flourish to it.
Broye's sword, though not as fast as Custard's, carved a bizarre arc through the air, aiming for Jack's neck with a clear intent to sever his throat in a single strike.
Jack the Drought's rage had already peaked.
He coldly uttered, "Custard, Broye... Since you're seeking death yourselves, don't blame me for showing no mercy."
With a powerful push from his legs, he leaped backward, effortlessly evading the combined assault of Custard and Broye.
Then, he retrieved two peculiar weapons from the ivory tusks on his shoulders—their lower halves straight like blades, while the upper portions curved like sickles.
He let out a light chuckle.
Yet, that laughter carried a hint of bloodlust and a touch of mockery.
Custard and Broye had already closed in for a follow-up attack, simultaneously swinging their swords once more at Jack.
Facing the fierce onslaught of the two, Jack showed no sign of backing down.
He brandished his bizarre twin blades, meeting Custard and Broye's swords head-on.
Clang...
Tremendous force collided repeatedly among the three combatants and their three blades, generating shockwaves that swept outward in successive waves.
Wherever the shockwaves passed, they not only whipped the clothing of the three into a rustling frenzy but also significantly affected the nearby pirates, Sheepshead and Ginrummy among them.
The weaker ones among them were already struggling to maintain their footing under the impact.
It was evident just how powerful this clash between the three had been.
"Kill..."
At that moment, Jack's subordinates, Sheepshead and Ginrummy, immediately led a group of underlings in a charge toward Custard and Broye.
They were true pirates after all, with no concept of martial honor.
Regardless of how many opponents there were—even if it was just one—they would very politely allow that person to take on all of them single-handedly.
"Not good..."
Seeing Sheepshead and Ginrummy leading the charge, Custard and Broye's expressions shifted drastically.
After all, even with their combined efforts, they could only barely hold their own against Jack.
If the others joined the fray, they would instantly be at a disadvantage.
And if one of them got tied down by these lackeys, the other would be utterly incapable of facing Jack alone.
Thus, with perfect understanding, they chose the same course of action.
They unleashed their full power, using the recoil from the clash to rapidly retreat and create distance from Jack.
'Soru...'
Lancelot had been closely observing the strength of both sides.
If he didn't intervene now, Custard and Broye would likely be swiftly defeated and captured.
In an instant, Lancelot appeared right beside Jack.
Jack turned his head, his pupils contracting slightly with a mix of confusion.
"A Marine?"
He then glanced back at Custard and Broye.
He might be reckless, but he wasn't stupid.
There was no way he'd believe these two groups weren't connected. But why would Custard and Broye join forces with a Marine?
Sheepshead and Ginrummy naturally spotted Lancelot at that moment, freezing briefly in surprise.
However, they soon found him somewhat familiar.
Recognition dawned immediately, and they exclaimed in shock, "Jack, this is the Rear Admiral we've been searching for!"
"What?" Jack's heart jolted.
His gaze shifted from Custard and Broye back to Lancelot, now scrutinizing him with intense examination.
Yet Lancelot remained utterly composed, as if the one targeting him wasn't one of the Three Calamities of the Beasts Pirates, but rather some commonplace underling.
He turned to Custard and Broye, instructing them softly, "I'll handle Jack for you. Deal with the other small fries."
His gaze toward them grew meaningful as he spoke.
"Hah..."
Custard and Broye breathed sighs of relief.
They truly couldn't confront Jack while simultaneously handling his subordinates.
But now...
Exchanging a glance, their eyes sharpened, faces hardening with palpable killing intent.
Since the decision was made, they had to execute it flawlessly and maintain absolute resolve.
Only through such demonstration could they earn Lancelot's preliminary trust.
Whoosh...
They charged forward almost simultaneously as their swords flashing relentlessly...
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