"What's going on?"
Hancock frowned slightly, her voice cold.
"Lady Snake!"
A female warrior knelt on one knee. "It's this man and woman, riding a strange object, blocking the way, forcing our ship to slow down."
Hancock's gaze finally fell on the two people on the hoverbike. Her gaze swept over the black-haired boy, and she uttered a curious "huh?"
This guy looks familiar.
Where had she seen him before?
She thought briefly, but couldn't remember, so she let it go.
There were so many men in this world, and besides that one from back then, none of them were worthy of her memory.
And on the motorcycle...
"Oooooooh!"
Bell-mère's eyes widened, and the cigarette she was holding in the corner of her mouth fell. "Look up over there, Shano, there's a beautiful girl emerging from the cabin!"
So cute!
Her heart was pounding, and she already liked her!
"She's quite pretty," Shano glanced at her and nodded, honestly agreeing.
In terms of appearance and figure alone, Boa Hancock, widely considered the world's most beautiful woman, is certainly a sight to behold.
But being charmed was impossible.
The power of "Enhanced Occlumency" was clear.
Even Blackbeard feared the power of the Sweet-Sweet Fruit, but to him it was nothing, posing little threat.
"Do you think she's beautiful too?"
Bell-mère chuckled, patting Shano on the shoulder.
"That's rare! What do you think? Are you attracted? How about her? She's the one! I'd be so happy to have a daughter-in-law like her!!"
Here we go again!
"Not interested," Shano said speechlessly. "Don't keep pushing me to get married, Mom. It's like I'll just beg her. Besides, what's the point of marrying a woman with such personality issues?"
He was now contemplating only one question...
It was rare to come across her.
What was the most valuable thing about this woman?
"Lady Snake, it seems the other side shows no sign of retreating," a young, golden-haired female warrior raised her head and said respectfully. "At this rate, we're going to collide. Should we go around? Or..."
"What do you think?" Hancock said coldly. "They didn't even give way when they saw me. They're blind. We should just run right into them."
"Huh?"
The blonde woman looked up suddenly, stammering. "That... that's going to get people killed. We're surrounded by sea kings. If we fall into the sea, even if we don't die, we'll be devoured..."
"It doesn't matter. What if we get eaten? No matter what I do, everyone will forgive me."
"Because I..."
She tilted her delicate chin back, pointing forward, her eyes hazy, her red lips parted.
"It's so beautiful!"
"Ahhh!"
"Lady Snake!"
The nine female snake warriors were instantly captivated, their hands covering their flushed cheeks. Some even fainted from excitement.
This kind of charm simply shouldn't exist in this world!
The two dark blue snakes pulling the boat, upon hearing the command, sprang forward with their tongues spitting out, as if injected with chicken blood.
"Huh?"
Shano had just turned back after chatting with Bell-mère and was about to turn when he saw this scene.
His brows furrowed.
This woman, besides being willful, was really quite courageous.
Did she know who he was? She even dared to ram him?!
Could it be that because Nine Snake Island was located in the Calm Belt and was too isolated from the news, she had never seen his face in the newspapers?
"Is she going to ram us?"
Bell-mère also reacted, immediately putting her hands on her hips and angrily said, "Ah! This girl, I was just praising her, how could she be like this? How rude!"
Even if she didn't want to give way, or the boat was too big to turn around, at most she could just tell her son to move to the side.
This hot-tempered person, it seems she had misjudged them!
"You are not tactful."
Shano's eyes fell on the two sea snakes, his expression cold, and the domineering aura of the king suddenly erupted.
Buzz!
An invisible, terrifying pressure surged forth like a tsunami.
"Hiss!"
The two serpents froze, their pupils shrinking.
No...
This man was terrifying, absolutely not to be provoked!
They exchanged glances, hissing in terror, their massive bodies twisting wildly, and abruptly reversing course, dragging the Perfumed Serpent in the opposite direction.
"Hey! What's going on?!"
"Snake Big, Snake Two! Where are you going?"
The female warriors on the deck cried out in alarm, many stumbling and falling to the ground from the violent swaying of the ship.
Hancock was equally caught off guard, her high heels swaying as she stumbled across the deck. If the surrounding female warriors hadn't quickly caught her, she would have fallen as well.
"Is it Domineering Haki?"
Hancock's gaze fixed, her delicate features darkening. "How dare you use such tactics to embarrass me like this? It's simply..."
Unforgivable!
Snap!
She suddenly exerted force with her slender legs and leaped to the bow like an arrow. She put her hands together in front of her chest and made a heart shape:
"Sweet breeze!"
A pink heart-shaped beam of light burst out from the air, and wherever it passed, even the planks and waves seemed to be dyed an ambiguous pink.
This was a trick that could instantly petrify anyone who was attracted to her, regardless of gender or species!
This rude man and woman would pay the price!
"Watch out!"
Behind him, Bell-mère cried out in alarm, offering a warning.
"Don't worry, it's okay," Shano said unconcernedly. "But your mother, hide behind me and close your eyes. With my body as a shield, these little girl's tricks won't affect you at all."
There was no reply from behind.
He was startled, and instinctively turned his head to look.
Bell-mère had her hands on her cheeks, her eyes gleaming with love, gazing at Hancock with rapt attention.
"Ah, ah, ah! No, closer up, this girl is so adorable even when she's angry! Shano, I really want to stick to my original idea. I'm going to have this daughter-in-law!"
Shano: "..."
He sighed helplessly. There was nothing he could do. His mother was only human after all, so it was understandable that she couldn't resist the Empress's charm.
"Pull your head back, or you'll be petrified."
He casually pushed his mother's head back, turning to look at the incoming pink beam, not even bothering to dodge.
Bang!
The moment the sweet wind hit Shano, it was like a drop of water falling into the ocean, not even a ripple was stirred.
"Huh?"
Hancock's pupils shrank, and her red lips parted slightly, revealing a rare look of surprise.
"How is it possible?!"
Her ability actually failed?!
This man in front of her, who looked ordinary in every way... actually had no reaction to her charm?!
Shano was also looking at her coldly, anger gradually rising in his heart.
She accelerated and tried to hit him, and since this woman was also a member of the positive team, he didn't care much and just asked the sea snake to turn around.
And yet, she felt offended by this and attacked him directly without saying a word?
Did she really think he was so easy to talk to and had no temper?
"I've been riding a bike for several days, so it's a good time to stretch my muscles."
He twisted his neck, making a crackling sound like popping beans. "Mom, you stay here and sit down. I'll go upstairs and be back in a while?"
"Huh?"
Bell-mère was still holding her chin in a daze, immersed in the beauty of the empress. She was stunned when she heard the words and turned her head blankly, "What are you doing?"
There was no answer.
After leaving those words, Shano's figure suddenly flashed and disappeared on the spot.
Swish!
Hancock only felt a flash before her eyes, and the next second, a black shadow appeared in front of her!
"What?!"
She didn't even have time to react before Shano's right foot, already swathed in a rich, dark aura of Armament Haki, launched a powerful kick at her midsection!
Boom!
A terrifying shockwave erupted, blasting a massive hole through the bow deck of the Perfumed Serpent. The entire ship shook violently, and the female warriors screamed and stumbled.
Hancock herself grunted as the kick sent her flying, slamming heavily into the depths of the ship's hold!
"Snake-sama!!!"
"Protect the lady, prepare to fight!"
The female warriors cried out in terror, drawing their weapons. Some rushed to rescue Hancock, while others surrounded Shano.
Shano glanced at them indifferently, then casually unleashed his Conqueror's Haki once more.
Buzz!
In an instant, all the female warriors, like a wave of harvested wheat, rolled their eyes and collapsed to the ground.
"Cough cough..."
Hancock coughed violently, clutching her abdomen. She struggled to her feet from the rubble, wiping the blood from her mouth.
It hurts so much...
She raised her head, gazing at the dark-haired boy who glanced at her indifferently. She gritted her teeth, her beautiful face suddenly contorted.
How dare he…
How dare he!!!
Ever since she became the Queen of Amazon Lily, this was the first time a man had dared to treat her so brutally!
She had to go all out and teach this bastard a lesson!
She endured the pain and leaped from the rubble. Her long legs carved a graceful arc through the air, the tip of her shoe fiercely kicking Shano in the temple!
"Fragrant Kick!"
This move operated entirely differently from the Sweet Breeze.
Even those without feelings of affection would be petrified if struck, and even inorganic objects like steel, stone, and swords would be affected.
But…
Haki!
Powerful Haki could transcend the power of the fruit!
Hancock's Haki was also formidable, mastering all three colors of Haki, placing her firmly in the upper echelons of the Shichibukai.
But that was all!
Compared to him, it was nothing!
Snap!
Without even blinking, Shano casually raised his right hand and grasped Hancock's ankle with pinpoint precision.
Against the powerful defensive aura, the kick couldn't injure his torso, rendering her completely immobile!
"What?!"
Hancock's pupils shrank. Her prized kick had been so easily blocked.
"The power was decent, but the speed was too slow," Shano commented calmly. With a sudden thrust of his right hand, he lifted Hancock's leg and body, flinging them back and forth through the air. After a series of arcs, they slammed heavily onto the deck!
BANG!!!
The entire Perfumed Serpent shook violently.
Hancock's eyes lit up, and she tumbled several times before crashing headfirst into the mainmast.
The mast collapsed instantly, sending her golden snake-shaped earrings flying.
"Puff!"
Hancock spat out a mouthful of blood and struggled to stand, only to see a dark figure suddenly approach.
The next moment, a powerful fist, laced with black and red lightning, slammed into her face.
Bang!
A violent shockwave ripped through the ship's planks, cracking them layer by layer.
Hancock's delicate features caved in and twisted beneath the pressure, several broken teeth scattering from her mouth.
She was sent flying backward like a rag doll, crashing through several layers of the cabin wall before finally coming to a stop.
Before she could regain consciousness, she felt a sudden sinking sensation in her chest. Shano's boot was already pressing down on her chest, looking down at her from above.
"How does it feel to be stepped on? I imagine it's not very comfortable, is it?"
Without waiting for a response, Shano reached out with his right hand, grabbed her neck, and lifted her up.
"Speak, what do you feel?"
"You're so bold! Let go... let go..."
Hancock struggled mightily, her long legs kicking feebly in the air.
Her hands desperately pried open Shano's fingers, only to find they held like iron clamps; no matter how hard she struggled, they wouldn't budge.
"Hey, Shano!"
Bell-mère said, heartbroken, reluctantly, "Don't really kill her! There's no mortal grudge, is there? It would be such a shame to see such a beautiful girl go!"
"Don't worry, Mom, I know my limits," Shano replied without turning back, his grip unwavering.
After more than ten seconds, he watched Hancock's eyes gradually dilate, then suddenly released his grip, letting her fall limply to the deck.
"Cough, cough, cough..."
Hancock clutched her throat and coughed violently, leaving purple finger marks on her snow-white neck.
Just as she regained consciousness, she felt a pain in her scalp, and cried out in pain.
It was Shano who had grabbed her hair and dragged her to the side of the ship.
"Hey, look carefully."
Shano forced her to look at the sea not far away, where several giant sea kings were cruising:
"Although my mother said that there is no mortal hatred, don't take it seriously. I got angry and actually wanted to kill you."
"Nothing happened now, it's just because I'm too strong. If it was an ordinary person, he would have been killed by you after being hit and then using the power of the fruit to finish him off and falling into the sea. Don't you have any guilt at all?"
What ordinary people!
Ordinary people dared to enter the Calm Belt and dared to collide with their own ship!
Hancock gritted her teeth and glared at him fiercely.
She still looked so stubborn and arrogant, but her trembling eyelashes had inadvertently exposed her inner fear...
This man was really too powerful!
The abilities, physical skills, and domineering that she was proud of were all vulnerable in front of him. At this age... how could he be so strong!
"It seems that you are still not convinced and deserve a beating."
Shano frowned and casually slapped her twice.
Hancock's cheeks immediately swelled up like a pig's head.
"Ugh, umm... umm!!" She covered her face in grievance, tears threatening to fall.
"Crying? Crying is useless if you don't truly repent!"
Shano smirked and suddenly launched her into the air. Amidst Hancock's terrified screams, he bent his legs slightly and soared into the air like a cannonball, grabbing her.
"Amazing!"
Shano's knees slammed into Hancock's soft abdomen, carrying her thousands of meters into the air. With a moonstep, he reached even higher, then simultaneously thrust both fists and slammed her down!
BANG!!!
A torrential wave erupted into the sky. The moment Hancock's body hit the water, the immense force sent her spitting blood.
Due to the nature of her Devil Fruit, her entire body went limp, unable to swim upwards, and she began to sink uncontrollably.
Help!
Someone, please save me!
Icy water rushed into Hancock's nostrils. She struggled desperately, but the heavy water, like countless invisible hands, dragged her down.
"Ouch... cough cough..."
She tried to cry for help, but every time she opened her mouth, more water rushed into her lungs, and the suffocating feeling washed over her like a tide.
Her vision gradually blurred, and her consciousness became hazy.
Faintly, she seemed to see a raging fire, devouring everything mercilessly, and her sisters' heartbreaking cries filled her ears.
A towering, red-skinned man stood above, panting heavily, shouting at them to escape.
"Is it you, my benefactor?!"
Her eyes widened, and gratitude welled up in her heart, but in the next moment, the raging fire vanished, and so did the benefactor.
In his place, the devilish, black-haired boy stood on the surface of the water, looking down coldly at her dying struggles.
It was an illusion.
Am I going to die?
Hancock's face was filled with bitterness. She gave up completely and closed her eyes helplessly. Who had let her habitual arrogance and disrespect kick the hardest iron plate?
Gurgle.
Just as her consciousness was about to fade...
Crash!
A strong hand suddenly grabbed her collar, lifted her out of the sea, and threw her onto the Perfumed