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On the deck of the Kuja Pirate Ship, Hancock reclined languidly on her snake Salome, her elegantly crossed legs gleaming like polished jade. She surveyed the approaching Marine fleet with an air of regal indifference.
The Kuja Pirates brandished their weapons, their faces showing no fear in the face of the formidable Marine force.
From the lead Marine ship, a messenger called out to the Kuja Pirates, "We are on a top-secret Marine mission! Warlord Hancock, stand aside immediately!"
Hancock's brow furrowed, her delicate chin tilted upwards in disdain. "Marines," she purred, "are you ordering me around?"
"I…"
The Empress didn't bother waiting for a response. She gracefully rose to her feet.
Bathed in the brilliant sunlight, the captivating beauty walked to the bow of the Kuja Ship. Even seasoned Vice Admirals felt their hearts stir, their eyes involuntarily forming heart shapes.
One by one, the Marine soldiers and officers succumbed to her mesmerizing presence, their gazes fixated on her breathtaking form. A chorus of awestruck voices filled the air:
"So beautiful…"
Observing the growing infatuation among the Marines, the composed Vice Admiral Gion, known as Momousagi, stood firm. Her long, shapely legs, adorned with a striking black spider tattoo, were a captivating sight in themselves.
Momousagi, her face grim, called out to the entranced Marines, "Snap out of it! Be wary of her ability!"
Though beautiful herself, Momousagi's charm paled in comparison to Hancock's. Her words alone couldn't break the spell.
Even Tokikake, better known as Chaton, who had confessed his love to Momousagi countless times, had forgotten his goddess, his voice now joining the chorus praising Hancock's beauty.
Witnessing the embarrassing display from her fellow Marines, Momousagi gritted her teeth. "Damn it," she muttered under her breath.
Kizaru picked at his ear, his voice nonchalant. "Empress Hancock. Such captivating allure…"
Z, his chin resting on his hand, observed with surprising calmness. "Combined with her Devil Fruit ability, it's a formidable power."
Ooh…
Momousagi looked at Kizaru and Z with admiration. As expected of the pillars of the Marines, they remained unaffected by the Empress's charm. Even she had to be careful not to look directly at Hancock.
"Admiral Kizaru, Instructor Z," she asked, "how do you manage to resist her influence?"
Both men fell silent, their faces taking on an odd expression.
"Mostly... endurance…"
Momousagi face-palmed.
Hancock looked down at the men with undisguised disgust.
Foolish men. simple creatures!
Why were so many Marines here? Did they have new information about the pirate who had kidnapped the Celestial Dragons?
If so, her presence here was timely. She had to uncover the truth behind this incident.
Momousagi stepped forward from the throng of infatuated Marines, pointing at Hancock. "Boa Hancock, you are a Warlord. Why are you obstructing Marine operations?"
Hancock tucked a stray strand of raven hair behind her ear, her gaze fixed on Momousagi. "I have no intention of obstructing you. You are the ones who are blocking my ship."
Momousagi gritted her teeth, remaining silent. Damn pirate! Even a Warlord acts like this!
Z rose to his feet, his expression serious. "We don't have time for this. Devil Noir will escape!"
Hancock's eyes flickered. Devil Noir... is that his title?
Z hefted his massive metal arm, the Grinder, and without hesitation, punched his way through the crowd of his own men.
The officers, jolted by the sudden pain, snapped out of their trance. Momonga, clutching his head, asked, "What was that about? Why did you hit us?"
Z replied calmly, "Pain helps focus the mind. Don't let her charm you!"
Hancock watched as the Marines used pain to regain their senses, a sneer playing on her lips. "Petty tricks. How pathetic."
Momousagi, her sense of justice unwavering, glared at Hancock, who stood between them and their objective. "Boa Hancock, do you want to be stripped of your Warlord title? Step aside!"
Hancock's expression turned serious. If the Marines were here to apprehend Noir, she needed to buy him time.
...
As she took a step forward, preparing to address the Marines, a massive black fog erupted from the sea between the two forces.
From within the eerie mist, a ship slowly emerged, its golden hull gleaming in the sunlight.
The Ark Maxim sailed out. Noir stood at the bow, casually enjoying the ocean view.
But his relaxed demeanor vanished in an instant. Why are there so many Marines?!
The shores of Sabaody are practically overflowing. Are they holding a dumpling-eating contest or something?!
Robin gently touched Noir's shoulder, pointing in another direction. "Noir, look."
Noir followed her gaze and saw two giant snakes pulling a large ship. The ship's flag bore the distinctive nine-headed serpent skull of the Kuja Pirates.
That must be the Empress' flag. What's she doing here?
As Noir pondered this, Mihawk, who had been cooped up on the Ark Maxim, emerged, dressed in a casual checkered shirt and shorts, looking like a tourist on vacation.
He'd been staying on the ship for quite some time, insisting that Noir take him to the New World.
Mihawk has changed, Noir thought.
He's not the same aloof swordsman anymore. Why has he become like Ace, always looking for a free ride?
Unsure of Hancock's presence, Noir asked Mihawk, "Do the Warlords have a mission here?"
Mihawk shook his head, sipping his juice. "No. Hancock must be here on her own accord."
What is she doing here?
Noir's feelings towards Hancock were straightforward.
Though she was undeniably beautiful and kind to those she loved, his heart belonged to Robin.
Hancock was most likely here to investigate the Celestial Dragon incident.
Noir wasn't delusional. He didn't think Hancock would fall for him just because he'd killed a Celestial Dragon.
Since arriving in this world, he'd stopped viewing the characters from the original story as fictional. He interacted with them as real people with their own thoughts and feelings.
Hancock wasn't some prize to be won by killing a Celestial Dragon.
Still, the world's most beautiful woman... he couldn't deny the attraction. But he had more pressing matters to deal with right now.
Both sides reacted with surprise at Noir's sudden appearance.
Kizaru's expression was one of weary resignation. Every encounter with this kid was exhausting, preventing him from even enjoying a moment of peace.
Z observed the rising pirate with a serious expression, while Momousagi nervously placed her hand on her sword.
Chaton, along with the other Marine officers and soldiers, stared intently at Noir, ready for action.
Hancock, witnessing Noir and his ship materialize out of thin air, wore an expression of shock and confusion.
Her younger sister, Sandersonia, pulled out a wanted poster and showed it to Hancock. "Elder Sister, look!"
"This man who just appeared... he's Devil Noir!"
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