Although Baby5 had been taken down instantly, Monet still had a little confidence.
In the original story, the gap in strength between Baby5 and Monet had not been that great. Even if Monet had been slightly stronger, it had only been by a little.
But at this point in time, ten years before the original story, Monet was exactly twenty years old while Baby5 was only fourteen. The difference in their combat power could be called heaven and earth. Monet could easily handle three or five Baby5s.
While the Snow-Snow Fruit was not among the top-tier Logias, it was still far stronger than a Devil Fruit like the Smoke-Smoke Fruit. No matter how poor Monet's talent was, she was still confident she could hold Minos off for a while.
"Is that so? Then let's see whether your skills are as tough as your mouth." Minos lowered his body, tightened his grip on his longsword, and faint Armament Haki wrapped around the blade.
Actual combat was the best catalyst. Minos's Armament Haki had only just awakened, but it had now developed to the point where he could coat his weapon with it. Although he still could not harden it, and the boost to his attack power was negligible, it was at least enough to deal with Logia Devil Fruit users.
"Sword Draw Slash!"
With a whoosh, a flash of silver streaked forth. Monet only saw a silver line flicker before her eyes, then felt a faint chill across her abdomen, followed by a burst of agonizing pain.
Monet's Observation Haki had only just been developed, so it was naturally utterly crushed by Minos's Observation Haki. With her Observation Haki overwhelmed and Minos several times faster than her, being instantly defeated was the inevitable result.
"Urgh... so fast. There was no way to react." Clutching her blood-soaked abdomen, where her internal organs could clearly be seen, Monet slowly collapsed. "Don't think... this means you've won. Young Master will avenge me!"
"Big sister, big sister, pull yourself together!" Sugar burst into tears and threw herself onto Monet.
"Oh, sure, sure. I'm so scared."
Having heard Monet's threat, Minos carelessly flicked his longsword, looking utterly unconcerned.
Doflamingo was currently getting beaten senseless by Katakuri. Counting on him for revenge? You were seriously overthinking it.
"Bas... bastard." Baby5, who had just been kicked away by Minos, slowly got back to her feet. "What did you mean by that? Are you looking down on our Donquixote Family?"
As she spoke, the Weapon Maid kicked forward. Her entire foot transformed into an enormous gun barrel, and with a boom, fired a bullet nearly as large as a cannonball.
Minos shifted slightly, and the bullet grazed past him. With Minos's Observation Haki, he naturally would not be hit so easily.
The bullet slammed into the wall with a boom, blasting out a massive crater. Minos could not help clicking his tongue. In terms of raw destructive power alone, this Weapon Maid surpassed him. If he took a shot head-on, he felt that even if he did not die, he would be severely injured.
Unfortunately, Baby5's Two-Color Haki was truly terrible. No matter how powerful an attack was, it was useless if it could not hit anyone.
"What a pity. If I remember correctly, the Arms-Arms Fruit is the superior fruit to the Chop-Chop Fruit! What a waste of this fruit's potential."
"You bastard!" Hearing Minos's mockery, Baby5 gritted her teeth and raised both hands, transforming them into a pair of machine guns. She opened fire on Minos with a rapid barrage.
Minos darted through the storm of bullets with a relaxed, leisurely air, slowly closing in on Baby5.
Then the blade flashed again, and Baby5 immediately spat blood as she flew backward, a wound slashed across her chest.
Fortunately, she had transformed her body into some kind of steel at the last moment. The wound did not look serious, and after struggling a few times, she seemed able to get back up and continue fighting.
"No, no!" At that moment, Sugar seemed frightened by the scene before her. With tears and snot streaming down her face, she suddenly stepped in front of Baby5 and lunged forward, seemingly trying to hug Minos's leg.
Minos narrowed his eyes and kicked out, sending Sugar tumbling across the ground. Her front teeth were kicked clean out.
Sugar's acting was admittedly very convincing, but Minos, who had already seen the spoilers, did not dare let her get close.
"So cruel!" Baby5 shuddered in fright, nearly bursting into tears. "You can even attack such a small child? That's too cold-blooded!"
"What are you talking about? We're pirates." Minos rolled his eyes. "Besides, this little girl's heart is far darker than yours, you foolish maid."
"What... I'm not some foolish maid!" Baby5 shouted, but Minos merely smiled. "Miss Baby5, could you help me find the most important prisoners in this prison? I really need help right now!"
"Leave it to me!" Baby5 said, patting her chest without regard for her injuries.
"Baby5, you idiot!" Sugar climbed back up, clutching her completely swollen face as she shouted angrily. "That guy is the enemy!"
Seeing hesitation appear on Baby5's face, Minos gave a faint chuckle, and the Evil Eye immediately turned toward Sugar.
Although Sugar's Devil Fruit ability was absurdly powerful, she herself was merely an ordinary ten-year-old girl. Neither her strength nor her mental fortitude was worth mentioning. She was immediately hypnotized by the Evil Eye's power and unhesitatingly revealed all the contempt she held for Baby5.
"Hmph! An idiot like you can only be used as a simple tool! Do you really think you're family to the Donquixote Family? You're just a useful tool for the Donquixote Family, that's all."
"They only need to say a word to order you around however they please. There's probably only one stupid woman like you in the entire world, right? You're nothing but everyone's collective tool. Do you really think anyone needs you? Fool, idiot!"
After hearing Sugar's words, Baby5 seemed to suffer a devastating blow to her heart. Although she still wore a smile, her eyes had already gone dim, as though she were about to completely fall into darkness. Tears slowly rolled down her face, and combined with that standard smile, it gave off an eerie feeling.
"Ha... hehe... just... a tool, huh? Sure enough... no one has ever needed me..."
Baby5 spoke haltingly, a hint of despair appearing in her eyes as her entire arm transformed into a machine gun aimed at Sugar.
At that moment, Minos suddenly reached out and grabbed Baby5's arm. "All right, Miss Maid."
"Life will inevitably have its ups and downs... just let it go!" Minos said in the tone of a retired old man. Seeing no change in Baby5's expression or emotions, the Evil Eye on his forehead emitted an eerie glow again, and his tone abruptly changed. "Miss Baby5! I need you, I need you very, very much! To the point where I'll die without you!"
"Would you be willing to come work for me?"
Before you continue