Waigar, a pirate supernova with a bounty of 220 million berries in the first half of the Grand Line, knew his fate was sealed. His crew was no match for the situation, and defeat was inevitable. Resigned, he threw in the towel, hoping to satisfy his greed one last time before the end.
Hancock, standing before him with her signature air of dominance, regarded him as one might an insignificant ant. Her expression betrayed neither pity nor concern. To her, Waigar was nothing more than an obstacle to be removed.
Still, Hancock felt the need to correct his misconceptions.
"Idiot," she said coldly. "I have never acknowledged myself as a pirate. The group I lead has always been a sailing squad, recognized by the World Government itself. It is my duty as the ruler of a member nation of the government."
She tilted her head slightly, her piercing gaze fixed on Waigar. "The title of Pirate Empress? That's nothing but nonsense spread by the newspapers."
Her words were so confident and matter-of-fact that Waigar was left speechless. His mind struggled to process her claim, but before he could formulate a response, Hancock decided she had wasted enough time.
"Mero Mero Mellow!" she declared.
Waigar's eyes widened in terror as pink, heart-shaped arrows rained down from above. He barely had time to react before he and his remaining crewmates were turned into lifelike stone statues, their expressions frozen in a mix of fear and lust.
A moment of silence passed before the dock erupted in thunderous applause. Merchants, nobles, wealthy businessmen, and tourists alike—all present to witness the spectacle—cheered for the goddess before them. Their admiration knew no bounds, regardless of gender, age, or status.
"Long live Lady Hancock!"
"Your Majesty Hancock, look this way!"
"She's so beautiful! I can't stand it!"
The crowd's adoration was unrelenting, but Hancock found no joy in it. Instead, she turned on them with an expression of irritation, her finger pointing accusingly.
"Silence!" she commanded. "Don't stare at me like that! My body and soul belong solely to my beloved. You're not even allowed to look!"
Her declaration left the men in the crowd utterly heartbroken. Their goddess was so fiercely devoted to her man that it shattered their dreams. Their eyes filled with envy and longing, turning red with frustration.
Luffy, watching from a distance, had initially intended to greet Hancock, but the palpable resentment radiating from the crowd made him reconsider. A bead of cold sweat formed on his forehead as he took a cautious step back.
Good thing I didn't wear my coat today, he thought with relief. If I drew any attention, I'd probably get torn apart by this mob.
Satisfied with his decision to stay under the radar, Luffy sent a discreet message to Hancock using his den den mushi, letting her know he was nearby. Moments later, as the crowd continued their fervent applause, Hancock seemed to sense something. Her expression softened, and a radiant smile spread across her face.
"Dear~" she called out, her voice filled with affection.
The crowd followed her gaze, searching for the person who had caught her attention. But no one was there. Confused, they turned back, only to find that their goddess had vanished without a trace.
On Hanami Street
Luffy strolled alone down Hanami Street, a district known for its bustling entertainment and its many geishas and courtesans. He had only taken a few steps when he felt a soft, warm pressure envelop his arm.
Looking down, he saw Hancock clinging to him, her arms wrapped tightly around his. Her radiant beauty was magnified by her soft smile, and Luffy couldn't help but chuckle. He reached out and tapped her forehead lightly, a playful smile on his lips.
"Our Lady Empress is as popular as ever," he teased. "I'm so terrified I don't even dare to approach you."
Hancock, now wearing a delicate veil, looked nothing like the imposing figure she had been moments ago. In Luffy's presence, she shed her icy exterior, transforming into a gentle and affectionate woman.
She raised her large, expressive eyes to meet his, her cheeks flushing a soft pink. "Ah~ Jealous Luffy is so cute. I like him so much!" she cooed, nuzzling her head against his chest.
Luffy blinked in confusion. "Jealous? When did I get jealous?" he muttered, though he knew better than to argue with Hancock's unique perspective.
Still, her quirky charm only made him like her more. "Hey, Hancock, don't you have official duties today? If not, what are you doing here?"
Hancock beamed up at him, her excitement evident. "Since I'm free today, I thought I'd take you to a fun place. Come on!" she said, tugging eagerly at his arm.
Luffy, curious about what she had in mind, shrugged and nodded. "Sure, why not? Lead the way."
Hancock's smile widened as she guided him through Hanami Street, her grip on his arm tightening as they moved deeper into the bustling district. Luffy couldn't help but notice that the area she was leading him to was one of the most prosperous parts of Hanami Street, home to some of its finest establishments.
A puzzled look crossed his face as they approached their destination. "Wait a minute," he said, glancing around. "Isn't this the 'Pleasure quarter' where the geishas perform? Why are we here?"
...
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