"Is Boa Hancock only proposing marriage to test Admiral Lucas?"
Smoker, a cigar clenched between his teeth, wore an awkward expression. Even he had to focus his mind to resist the overwhelming aura emitted by Hancock’s Devil Fruit powers.
In the original story, even the veteran Vice Admiral Momonga had been forced to stab his own hand just to resist her mental allure.
That alone showed just how terrifying Hancock’s abilities were.
"C-Commander Smoker..." Ain couldn’t help speaking up. "I have a feeling Admiral Lucas is thinking about something completely different."
As she spoke, she subconsciously glanced down at her own rather generous figure.
Compared to Boa Hancock...
She was only behind by about a fist’s worth.
But recalling Lucas’s way of doing things, an absurd thought suddenly crossed her mind.
Could any woman possibly be more appealing than a performance bonus?
"Hancock... there’s really no need to go this far..." Elder Nyon sighed softly, leaning on her cane.
She knew exactly why Hancock was doing this.
She wanted to prove Elder Nyon wrong.
That in the face of absolute beauty...
There was no such thing as genuine affection.
At that moment, every eye turned toward Lucas.
Everyone wanted to know how the Admiral would respond to the Pirate Empress—the world’s most beautiful woman—offering herself in marriage.
"Kid, everyone’s waiting for your answer!" Garp burst into laughter. "If you like her, just say yes! The moment you nod, I’ll arrange the wedding myself!"
Tsuru immediately shot him a glare.
"Admiral Lucas, don’t listen to Garp’s nonsense. If you don’t want to, you can simply refuse."
"Refuse?"
Lucas snapped out of his thoughts, took a swig of strong liquor, and smiled.
"Vice Admiral Tsuru, as a man, how could I publicly reject such sincere feelings?"
"But..."
"I’m a Marine."
"Hancock is a pirate."
"If we got married..."
"Wouldn’t that count as a military and political alliance?"
"If you think about it that way, we’d be strengthening cooperation between two factions and establishing a powerful alliance."
"That should count as a major contribution, shouldn’t it?"
"So..."
"Could I apply for a performance bonus for a political marriage?"
"I don’t think asking for 800 million... or even 1 billion Berries would be too much, right?"
"If that’s the case..."
"I’m willing."
Silence.
The entire plaza fell into complete silence.
Even Hancock’s proud expression froze.
When Lucas began speaking, everyone had been convinced that even heroes couldn’t resist a beautiful woman.
Tsuru had even been preparing to interrupt him.
Instead...
The second half of his speech utterly shattered everyone’s expectations.
A military and political marriage...
For a performance bonus?
This was the most beautiful woman in the world offering herself in marriage!
Any normal man would be thinking about how to win the beauty’s heart.
Who in their right mind would be thinking about work performance?!
And asking for an 800-million or 1-billion-Berry performance bonus...
Was he treating the world’s most beautiful woman like a hen laying golden eggs?
Who else could possibly say something like that?
"Colonel Ain..."
Smoker’s cigar had long since been bitten clean through.
"Was this... what you meant earlier?"
Ain smiled bitterly and nodded.
"That way of thinking..."
"It’s so like Admiral Lucas."
"To him, a performance bonus really is more attractive than the world’s greatest beauty."
"...Though I’m starting to like that side of him."
"You like him?"
Smoker blinked.
Ain’s cheeks instantly turned crimson.
"N-No! That’s not what I meant!"
"I mean I like the way Admiral Lucas handles things."
"Even when faced with the world’s most beautiful woman, he could find a reason to refuse instead of being tempted by beauty."
"Isn’t that exactly the kind of Marine worthy of our admiration?"
"That’s true."
Smoker nodded in agreement.
"I never expected him to reject her like this."
"It really is beyond anyone’s imagination."
"I suppose no one becomes an Admiral without being extraordinary."
Listening to the two of them analyze him so seriously, Lucas could only sigh inwardly.
Who didn’t appreciate beauty?
But...
If he could earn an 800-million or 1-billion-Berry performance bonus in one shot and skip decades of hard work...
Wouldn’t that be even better?
That was enough to open eight hundred to a thousand Silver Treasure Chests.
No matter how low the drop rate was...
Surely quantity would eventually make up for it.
If he still couldn’t pull something incredible after opening that many...
He’d have to wonder whether the system was rigged.
"You brat!" Garp glared at him before laughing loudly again.
"Even at a time like this, you’re still thinking about an 800-million or 1-billion-Berry performance bonus?"
"If Sengoku heard that, he’d kick you across Marineford!"
"But that’s exactly why I like you!"
"You’ve got the strength to stay single for life!"
"As for getting performance bonuses through political marriages..."
"Marine Headquarters has never had such a precedent."
"So stop dreaming."
"I know this is just your way of turning Hancock down."
"But it’s better to make things clear."
"Hancock, you’ve heard him."
"Forget this marriage proposal."
"Of course..."
"If Lucas ever really falls for you, then as his grandfather, I’ll personally go and propose on his behalf."
"Lucas, say a couple more words and let’s put this whole mess behind us."
Everyone present felt as though their minds had stopped working.
The twists and turns unfolding before them had completely shattered their understanding of reality.
If they hadn’t witnessed it with their own eyes...
Who would ever believe that Boa Hancock could actually be rejected?
Even Elder Nyon and the others stood there in stunned disbelief.
"Garp, since when did you become my grandfather?"
Lucas rolled his eyes as he walked forward through the crowd.
"I’ve never agreed to that."
"That’s just another one of those strange hobbies you share with Whitebeard."
"But..."
"I still have to thank you for dealing with the Celestial Dragons."
"Otherwise I’d have been stuck with a lot of unnecessary trouble."
"The weather’s nice today."
"Perfect day to head out to sea."
"Koby, go get everything ready."
"Hancock..."
"When political marriages start earning performance bonuses..."
"I’ll come propose to you."
"There’s been far too much nonsense today."
"I need to get out to sea and clear my head."
After finishing his drink, Lucas turned and walked away.
The Koby and the others waiting on the outskirts finally snapped back to reality.
Not daring to delay, they hurried after him.
Before leaving, however, they couldn’t help stealing one last look at Boa Hancock—the world’s most beautiful woman.
They desperately wanted to know...
How would the Pirate Empress react after being rejected in front of everyone?
Would she fly into a rage?
"Hancock, are you alright?" Elder Nyon hurriedly comforted her.
"Admiral Lucas only did this because of everyone’s circumstances. Please don’t take it to heart."
Before she could finish—
Hancock’s ears instantly turned bright red.
The pride on her face vanished without a trace.
Covering her blushing cheeks with both hands, she spoke shyly,
"D-Did you all hear that?"
"I never imagined..."
"There would actually be someone in this world who wouldn’t be captivated by my beauty."
"He said..."
"If the conditions were right..."
"He would overcome every obstacle and come ask for my hand himself someday."
"So..."
"Should I start calling Vice Admiral Garp ’Grandpa’ now?"
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