As she was transferred onto the ship of the "Lizard King" Hanafuda, Hancock raised her head and looked at the sky beyond the cage...
The sun was blazing, the sky a vast expanse of blue without a single cloud.
Even in the calmest of the four seas, this would be considered perfect weather.
Let alone in the treacherous and devilish climate near Thunder God Island, the most unpredictable region of the New World.
It was almost unnaturally good.
And the seasoned pirates who saw such weather felt a deep sense of reassurance.
Because this weather seemed to foretell smooth sailing ahead.
It looked like taking Wano Country this time would truly be no issue.
"So, Kaido must be heading to Wano Country today... Which means we're really going to become hostages on the battlefield, aren't we?"
"What's this woman muttering about? Stay quiet!" One of Hanafuda's underlings slammed the cage with the hilt of his sword.
"Don't think just because you're a pretty woman we'll go easy on you... If you step out of line, I'll kill you on the spot!"
With that, he turned away, refusing to look at Hancock any longer.
Hancock was surprised.
Though she had disguised her face somewhat, she was still an exceptionally beautiful.
Yet this lowly guard showed not the slightest interest in her... The Lizard King's discipline over his men was far stricter than she'd imagined.
Soon after, the massive cage containing Whitebeard Jr. was hauled aboard.
Compared to the ordinary cage holding Hancock, Weevil's prison looked unbelievably sturdy.
Kaido clearly wasn't taking any chances with Weevil, the commander of Whitebeard's Second Division.
The cage was primarily made of seastone, reinforced with various metals.
"They're really going overboard..." Hancock sneered, "Even though they're not Devil Fruit users... Just relying on sheer weight and hardness to suppress you."
"Huh? Is that supposed to be impressive?"
"In a way, it is quite terrifying."
Hancock nodded.
She had heard rumors about the strength of Weevil, the second division commander of Whitebeard's crew.
If the Weevil of the past merely appeared to possess physical prowess similar to Whitebeard...
The current Weevil truly bore some resemblance to Whitebeard in his youth.
So, Kaido's cautious approach toward Weevil seemed understandable.
Even if he could win, what about the others?
If such a destructive force charged into the Beast Pirates' formation, it would be devastating!
"You're praising me for being strong!"
"Not bad." Hancock smiled, extending her slender white fingers to gesture, "Just a tiny bit weaker than me."
"Humph! I don't believe it! You look so small and frail!"
"In your eyes, hardly anyone doesn't look small and frail."
"Enough already! You two prisoners are still bragging!" The lackey banged the cell bars with his sword hilt again.
"Just wait! With you as hostages, they won't dare act recklessly. Wano will soon belong to Lord Kaido!"
Hancock gave the man who kept interrupting her a deep, meaningful look and nodded to herself.
'Good.'
'When it's time to escape, he'll be the first one i dealt with.'
After the two of them were loaded onto the Flower Card King's pirate ship, Kaido's alliance officially set sail.
Along the way, they acted so arrogantly they hardly seemed like pirates—more like an official fleet.
After leaving the waters of Thunder God Island, they continued toward Wano.
Hancock kept calculating the distance at sea. She had to strike at the perfect moment.
Ideally, just as Kaido's forces were about to clash with Wano's defenders.
To force them into a dilemma.
Escape too early, and Kaido would spare no effort to hunt them down.
Escape too late, and it wouldn't draw enough attention.
But there were always those who inexplicably sought the spotlight.
Hancock leaned against the side of the cage, coldly watching the pirates who had eaten and drunk their fill now approaching.
Compared to Doflamingo and Kaido's subordinates, the pirates under the Flower Card King were even more undisciplined.
And far less controllable.
"H-hey, little lady, come out and have some fun with us?"
Hancock sighed.
This line...
It was so cliché it felt outdated.
It seemed the Flower Card King's underlings were still at the most basic level—no brains and no skills.
"Roll away. I have no interest in talking to trash like you."
With that, she closed her eyes again, resting.
Out of sight, out of mind.
But perhaps emboldened by alcohol, the lackeys actually felt insulted and began fumbling to open the cage, attempting to challenge Hancock to a "24-hour confined cage brawl."
However, the gap between ambition and reality was vast.
The moment Hancock opened her eyes again, a surge of Conqueror's Haki erupted from her.
Though it lasted only an instant, it was enough to make the lackeys' eyes roll back, foam at the mouth, and collapse on the spot.
"Hmph."
Hancock let out a cold snort and was about to continue when the commotion around her ultimately alerted the strongest fighter aboard the ship.
"Not bad... Are you a Devil Fruit User?" Hanafuda glanced at the scattered pirate underlings lying unconscious on the deck, though he showed no concern for their well-being.
"You've hidden yourself quite well... Is it a Paramecia? Or a Logia? Hmm, neither seems to fit... So, is it a Zoan then?"
The more Hanafuda spoke, the brighter his eyes gleamed.
"If you possess an Ancient Zoan-type Devil Fruit, how about becoming my woman?"
Hancock looked at the pretentious Hanafuda before her, her disdain practically radiating from between her brows.
What sin had she committed to always encounter such situations during missions?
At first, it was only within the Marines—endless confessions of love and even marriage proposals.
Later, after her identity as the Empress of Amazon Lily became widely known, numerous royal families from World Government-affiliated nations began pursuing her.
And now, as she embarked on her brilliantly undercover career...
Damn pirates were at it again!
"Big Bro! You're being foolish!"
Suddenly, a minor pirate stepped forward with a grave expression, scolding, "This woman is clearly a femme fatale! You mustn't get involved with her! Let me chop this bitch up for you!"
With that, he raised his cutlass and charged toward Hancock.
Hancock took a closer look—it was the same pirate who had just berated her.
"To think there's still someone as career-driven as you among pirates. I'm truly touched."
Hancock sighed and lifted her gaze to the sky, then to the faintly visible borders of Wano Country in the distance...
"But I'm afraid I must begin my mission now."
"Finger Pistol: Viper."