On the shore of Amazon Lily, two battleships were anchored.
After finishing her call, Elder Nyon, panting heavily, hurried over while Hancock was still summoning the warriors.
Looking at Sakazuki standing on the battleship with arms crossed, she bowed and said:
"Deepest apologies, Admiral Sakazuki. The Empress suddenly felt unwell just now. Might I take the appointment letter for the Seven Warlords of the Sea on her behalf? I will deliver it to the Empress for you."
After speaking, she lowered her head respectfully.
Sakazuki glanced down at her indifferently from the battleship.
"Is that so? I rather think your Empress looks quite energetic."
Before his words had even settled, a proud female voice rang out from behind Elder Nyon.
"Slave Arrow!!!"
Countless pink arrows shot out from the forest behind, pouring down like a storm toward the two battleships.
Elder Nyon's heart sank the moment she heard Hancock's voice. Damn... she rallied them this quickly?
No matter how she rushed, it was too late. Hancock was already leading her warriors in the attack.
Karol drew Oto, the blade glowing with a blue aura.
"One Sword Style."
A crescent-shaped slash spun outward, splitting into countless finer blades of sword aura as it rotated.
They filled the sky above the battleships, colliding with the endless pink arrows.
Karol's eyes widened slightly.
"This ability... even sword aura can be petrified?"
Indeed, the sword aura struck by the arrows turned into stone fragments and shattered in midair.
Sakazuki said coldly:
"Some illness, that is."
Elder Nyon broke into a cold sweat. By then, Boa Hancock had already arrived, flanked by warriors on both sides.
The Kuja warriors quickly formed ranks.
Tap tap tap—
Crisp footsteps echoed as Hancock halted behind Elder Nyon.
Hancock's expression was ice-cold as she looked down at her.
Bang—
A kick sent Elder Nyon flying into the sea.
"Fool. Who gave you the right to decide things in my place? Don't forget, I am the Empress of Amazon Lily."
The surrounding female warriors all gazed at her with pink, heart-shaped eyes.
"Even when angry, Snake Princess-sama is so beautiful!!!" × N
Sakazuki raised an eyebrow and glanced at Karol.
"Does this actually exist in reality?"
Karol scratched his head awkwardly, glancing at the navy soldiers behind him whose eyes had also turned to pink hearts.
"Probably... yeah."
...
Below, Hancock turned toward the battleships.
"Vile men. The moment you trespassed into this land forbidden to men, your lives were already forfeit. Hand over the Warlord appointment. This concubine will grant you great mercy, allowing your filthy hearts, corrupted by desire for me, to be transformed into stone."
She struck her familiar pose, head tilted back in disdain.
The Kuja warriors cried out in unison:
"Snake Princess-sama!!!" × N
The marines on the battleship crowded to the rail, shouting too:
"Snake Princess-sama!!!" × N
Sakazuki remained impassive, while Karol covered his forehead, unable to watch. ...Is it me that's crazy, or this whole world?
Hancock held the pose for quite some time but received no reaction.
Her face darkened in shame and fury as she glared at Sakazuki.
"To ignore my command... If I kill you, the government won't object. After all, no matter what I do, I will always be forgiven. Because I am far too beautiful."
She brushed her bangs with mock shyness.
"Snake Princess-sama!!!!" × N
Basking in the adoration, she aimed her hands toward Sakazuki.
"Mero Mero Mellow~"
A massive pink heart flew straight at him.
It passed through his body harmlessly. Hancock froze in shock.
"Impossible!!! How could anyone resist my charm?! Not even the slightest stir in his heart!"
The Kuja warriors stared at Sakazuki in disbelief as well. Snake Princess-sama's allure... had failed?!
Boom!
Sakazuki's right arm suddenly transformed into magma, billowing black smoke. His cold voice echoed:
"Because you are not strong enough. And you appear to be a fool. Has no one taught you that you must revere true strength? Idiot."
He looked emotionlessly at the Kuja warriors on shore.
"Dark Hound—"
Whoosh!
His magma arm stretched out, striking where Hancock stood.
With a deafening blast, the ground exploded into a crater. Hancock barely evaded, pupils shrinking as she shouted:
"Quick...!"
Boom—
The magma erupted, flooding the entire port.
All of the Kuja warriors were instantly engulfed, save for Elder Nyon, half-submerged at the shore, gasping for breath.
The port became a living hell of molten fire.
Bang bang bang—
The three Boa sisters, empowered by Devil Fruits, burst out of the magma, burned and battered, but alive.
The rest of the Kuja Pirates perished within seconds, reduced to ash.
Before the sisters could even catch their breath, black smoke loomed over them.
Sakazuki appeared, seizing Hancock by the throat and hoisting her up, striding toward the battleship littered with petrified statues of marines.
Sandersonia and Marigold cried out desperately:
"Hancock!!!"
In an instant, both transformed into enormous snake women, charging at Sakazuki.
Green hair twisted into eight snakes, lunging at Sakazuki.
Flaming orange hair became two giant serpents, hurling toward him.
On the battleship, Karol raised Oto, flowing with a blue aura.
"One Sword Style."
A dragon of sword aura roared forth.
In a flash, it pierced through both sisters' bodies, flinging them across the ground, unable to rise again.
Sakazuki leapt with Hancock in hand, landing on the battleship crowded with stone statues. He flung her down disdainfully.
"Remove the petrification."
His indifferent, contemptuous tone struck Hancock's heart like a hammer.
Memories she wished buried surged up, tearing her back to reality.
In an instant, her Kuja Pirates had been annihilated. Truly, she had hit a wall this time. Her mind raced for a way out.
Looking at the petrified soldiers before her, she shed her facade under the shadow of death and spoke:
"They were only petrified because of my beauty. Even if I die and you find another Devil Fruit user, the petrification will not be undone."
Sakazuki cast her a sidelong glance.
"What are you trying to say?"
Struggling to rise, Hancock answered:
"As long as you leave this island now, I swear I will restore them. This was my mistake. I will join the Seven Warlords unconditionally. I will provide any compensation you demand. What do you say?"
Sakazuki's cold reply cut her down:
"I am not negotiating with you. Undo the petrification."
Hancock drew a deep breath.
"Impossible. Unless you now—"
Bang!!!!
With a flick of Sakazuki's finger, the head of the enormous orange serpent exploded in the distance, blood and gore spilling everywhere.
"Marigold!!!" × 3
Sakazuki's frigid voice rang out.
"If it can't be done... then don't bother holding it."
His finger turned toward the massive green serpent...
---
read +170 chapters on Patreon tambeerg