A cold, aloof voice rang out from behind the crowd.
The Nine Snake warriors gathered there froze for a moment before quickly parting to make way.
As Boa Hancock, her tall and graceful figure moving with measured steps, approached, the breathing of many present grew noticeably heavier.
Some whose wills were less resolute instantly fell into a dazed trance.
Garp, Tsuru, and the others immediately grew serious.
Among the Seven Warlords of the Sea, aside from Dracule Mihawk, Boa Hancock was undoubtedly considered the second most troublesome.
After just her very first expedition, she had earned a bounty of 80 million Berries, drawing even Fleet Admiral Sengoku’s full attention.
It was he who had personally extended the invitation for her to become one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea.
That alone was enough to demonstrate just how terrifying Boa Hancock truly was.
"Tina, immediately have everyone with weak resolve withdraw. If anyone can’t be snapped out of it, knock them unconscious at once. If they’re turned to stone, we’ll be at a huge disadvantage," Tsuru ordered urgently.
Tina and the others hurriedly came back to their senses. After stealing one more glance at Hancock, they quickly began evacuating the affected Marines.
Even as fellow women, they had to admit that Hancock was indeed a pirate...
But the overwhelming pressure she exuded still far exceeded everyone’s expectations.
With Boa Hancock’s sudden appearance, everyone remaining in the plaza instinctively tensed.
They all wanted to know how the infamous Pirate Empress would respond to what had happened yesterday.
"Heh... Admiral Lucas, this woman’s as dangerous as a tiger. She won’t be easy to deal with. My offer still stands. Let me go, replace her instead, and you’ll never have to worry about her causing you trouble again."
Sitting in a corner with Seastone handcuffs on, Crocodile let out a dry laugh as he spoke again, though a trace of apprehension flashed across his eyes.
Across the seas, there were only two women he truly feared.
One was Big Mom, one of the Four Emperors.
The other was Boa Hancock standing before him.
A woman who possessed Conqueror’s Haki could never be weak.
"Crocodile, shut your mouth!" Elder Nyon snapped before hurriedly explaining.
"Hancock, why are you here? We’re only trying to repay Admiral Lucas for saving us. This isn’t rebellion. Everything we’ve done is for the sake of Amazon Lily."
"Hancock, Gloriosa is right," Tsuru said gravely. "What happened yesterday ultimately helped the Kuja Pirates avoid further entanglement with the Celestial Dragons. If you still intend to pursue the matter, wouldn’t that be rather unreasonable?"
"I was also the one who personally delivered your invitation to become one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea. You could say we have some history together. Why not do me this favor and let this matter end here?"
"Do you a favor?"
Hancock abruptly stopped, her long, slender legs coming to a halt a few meters away as she proudly raised her chin.
"I am beautiful. Therefore, no matter what I do, everyone forgives me."
"So why should I give you any favors?"
"However..."
"What Granny said is true."
"The Kuja never owe anyone a debt."
"So regarding what you were just discussing..."
"Count me in as well."
"Come."
"Let me see what choice you make."
Her proud voice echoed across the plaza, lingering long after she had finished speaking.
The entire square fell deathly silent.
Every heart tightened.
Everyone stared with eyes wide open, their faces filled with utter disbelief.
"H-Hancock... You... you just called me ’Granny’? N-No... did you just say to count you in as well? Are... are you saying you also want to repay him by marrying him?"
Elder Nyon became completely tongue-tied.
No—
The entire crowd exploded into an uproar.
This was Boa Hancock!
The legendary Pirate Empress.
The woman hailed as the most beautiful woman in the world.
To almost everyone present, she was a goddess utterly beyond reach.
Yet now...
This peerless beauty had just calmly declared that if marriage was how they intended to repay Lucas, then she wanted to be included as well.
Was this some kind of joke?
If it was...
It was one hell of a joke.
Even Crocodile’s expression stiffened, his eyes overflowing with disbelief.
The woman he regarded as a ferocious beast had actually been conquered by a newly appointed Admiral.
Had he not been wearing Seastone handcuffs, he would have slapped himself twice just to make sure he wasn’t dreaming.
Nearby, Vice Admiral Tsuru’s weathered face twitched uncontrollably.
She shot Hancock a complicated look before stepping aside with a dark expression.
"Admiral Lucas, from now on, whenever it concerns you, this old woman won’t try to use personal connections anymore."
"My face has been thoroughly slapped enough for one day."
"I’m staying out of this."
"Still..."
"If even Boa Hancock is willing to offer herself in marriage, I doubt you’d let such an opportunity slip away."
"So you should just accept."
Everyone present perked up.
Even those with exceptional self-control couldn’t help feeling envious.
That included Chaton, Tina, and the other women.
They were women themselves.
Yet faced with someone like Hancock—a peerless beauty renowned throughout the world—confessing so openly...
Who wouldn’t be moved?
Sensing the shift in the atmosphere, Hancock’s proud expression grew even colder.
"Admiral Lucas, you needn’t worry."
"To admire me... to accept me..."
"Those are temptations no one can resist."
"Whether man or woman, no one can withstand my charm."
"You are no exception."
"So no one will laugh at you."
"Say your answer out loud."
Her arrogant words carried an almost hypnotic allure.
Even the veteran Marines stationed hundreds of meters away, who had barely maintained their composure, instantly lost the battle against temptation.
Heart-shaped pupils appeared in their eyes as they collectively fell into a trance.
"Lady Hancock! Choose me! I’ll gladly become your slave!"
"Lady Hancock! I’ll be your dog!"
"Lady Hancock! I’ll even be a caterpillar!"
"..."
The plaza erupted into complete chaos.
Veteran Marines from every direction shouted like men possessed.
Garp and Tsuru’s expressions darkened immediately.
Tsuru hurriedly called out,
"Hancock, control your Devil Fruit powers! Stop bewitching our Marines."
"That trick won’t work on Admiral Lucas."
"He isn’t going to become your slave!"
Tsuru knew Hancock’s abilities all too well.
During her very first campaign, simply to seize the Heavenly Tribute, Hancock had single-handedly conquered an entire kingdom, turning tens of thousands of people into stone statues.
Tsuru had complete confidence in Lucas’s strength.
But in her eyes...
He was still far too young.
Faced with the overwhelming temptation of a woman like Boa Hancock...
If he let his guard down and fell for her charms...
It certainly wouldn’t end well.
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