"Whoosh..."
In an instant, Custard—renowned for her speed—arrived before Lancelot, her longsword gleaming with a cold light like a bolt of lightning splitting the sky.
Close behind her came Snack's powerful and overwhelmingly forceful strike.
This pincer attack, perfectly coordinated from front and back, was something no one caught in between would dare take lightly.
However, faced with such a fierce assault, Lancelot merely let out a soft hum, as if he had anticipated it all.
Immediately after, a horrifying power surged violently from within him, unstoppable like a volcanic eruption.
So immense was this force that it caused the surrounding air to tremble.
In that split second, centered on Lancelot, the terrifying power transformed into black lightning, sweeping out in all directions.
Its speed was simply beyond imagination!
Snack and Custard were the first to bear the brunt.
In that very moment, they felt as if their heads had been struck by a thousand-pound hammer, their minds thrown into chaos and their vision blurring.
Not only did their bodies instantly stiffen, unable to move, but their thoughts came to a complete halt, as if the entire world had frozen in that instant.
"Phew..."
A gentle breeze brushed by, carrying a chill that sent simultaneous shivers down Snack and Custard's spines.
This sea breeze jolted them awake from their daze like a flash of lightning.
As they slowly regained their senses, they were startled to realize that the backs of their robes were already soaked through, clinging uncomfortably to their skin.
The icy sensation crept up their spines like a ghostly hand.
"Hiss..."
The two inhaled sharply in unison, a wave of retrospective fear washing over them.
At this moment, they realized with horror that if Lancelot had chosen to attack them earlier, the consequences would have been unimaginable.
Most likely, they would have ended up like Broye lying on the ground not far away—defeated without any ability to fight back, completely powerless.
"So powerful... this Conqueror's Haki..."
Snack and Custard instinctively exchanged glances, their eyes meeting and clearly conveying the same mixture of shock and terror reflected in each other's gazes.
These two were members of the Big Mom Pirates, having followed their mother through countless fierce battles across lands and seas, encountering numerous powerful enemies.
Among them were legendary figures like the renowned Emperors—Whitebeard, Red-Haired Shanks, and Kaido.
However, whether it was their mother or the mighty Whitebeard, Red-Haired Shanks, and Kaido who dominated the Four Seas, all were top-tier fighters possessing fearsome Conqueror's Haki.
Moreover, these masters had honed their control and application of Conqueror's Haki to perfection, achieving a level far beyond ordinary reach.
Especially the world-renowned Red-Haired Shanks, famed for his Conqueror's Haki and masterful swordsmanship—his Conqueror's Haki is truly unparalleled.
Yet at this very moment, facing the Conqueror's Haki displayed by the person before them, even Red-Haired Shanks would likely pale in comparison.
After all, Snack and Custard had personally experienced Shanks' Conqueror's Haki before, so they could clearly distinguish the difference in strength between the two.
"Gulp..."
At this thought, they couldn't help but swallow nervously in unison.
It seemed they had picked the wrong person to mess with!
This guy in front of them was no mere Marine Rear Admiral!
With this level of Conqueror's Haki alone, he could rank among the world's top-tier powerhouses.
Even if he wasn't on par with their mother and the other three Emperors, he was at least at Katakuri's level.
Far beyond anything they could hope to match.
When Snack and Custard looked at Lancelot again, their expressions had completely changed.
Gone was the arrogance they had once carried as members of the Big Mom Pirates, replaced only by reverence for a true powerhouse.
"Hah..."
However, they soon breathed a sigh of relief.
After all, neither of them were fools. If he could have eliminated them but chose not to, it could only mean this guy had no intention of killing them.
And yet, they were pirates, while he was a Marine.
Logically speaking, this shouldn't be the case.
Unless...
Snack and Custard exchanged another glance, after which Snack spoke up.
"What do you want?"
Hearing this, Lancelot smiled.
"Dealing with smart people is so simple—no need for pointless chatter."
After a brief pause, he made his request. "I've established the Four Seas Exchange on Whiskey Peak. You should know about it, right?"
Snack and Custard both nodded.
Lancelot stated plainly, "I want to form an alliance with your Big Mom Pirates—a commercial alliance, of course. On the surface, we'll remain enemies."
"Commercial alliance?"
Snack and Custard wore expressions of surprise.
After a moment of brief contemplation, they asked, "Could you elaborate?"
Lancelot explained, "It's simple. I want the fleets of the Four Seas merchant convoy to pass unimpeded through your pirate crew's territory and receive protection from your crew. In return... for anything your Big Mom Pirates need, as long as I can obtain it, I'll deliver it to you via the convoy. Even military supplies...
"As a gesture of goodwill... I can release you, Snack, to return."
Lancelot's words made Snack and Custard's eyes light up.
His proposal was a win-win for both sides. The likelihood of Mother agreeing was very high.
But upon hearing the last part, Snack and Custard's brows furrowed sharply.
Especially Custard, whose gaze immediately turned wary.
"Are you planning to keep Broye and me as hostages?"
Lancelot waved his hand dismissively.
"You're overthinking it... To put it more bluntly, based on your understanding of your mother, would she compromise for your sake? Absolutely not, right?"
At these words, Snack and Custard fell into complete silence.
Because Lancelot was absolutely correct—in Big Mom's eyes, once you failed, you were worthless.
And for worthless beings, Big Mom never showed the slightest sympathy, even if they were her own children.
Even if Big Mom stood up for them, it was only for her own face and interests, not for them.
Thinking of this, Snack looked directly at Lancelot.
"Then what exactly do you mean by keeping Custard and Broye?"
Lancelot laughed. "I understand your Big Mom Pirates' alliance method—through marriage. As a Marine, it's impossible for me to marry into your Big Mom Pirates.
But Custard and Broye can marry me instead."
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