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'Sweet Love Whirlwind!'
An evolved version of Mero Mero Merrow, this technique unleashes a tornado-like pink light in the shape of a dragon around the user. Anyone struck by this light runs the risk of being turned to stone.
Moreover, due to its limited range, this move activates at lightning-fast speed.
Combined with the hand-to-hand combat skills that Kuja Island's female warriors rely on to survive, Hancock's kick was as fast as a flash of lightning.
Whoosh... Bang Bang!
A dull crashing sound rang out. Feeling the sensation from her instep, Hancock's expression brightened.
"It worked!"
As long as someone is hit by her Devil Fruit power, even if the target is a celestial dragon, they cannot emerge unscathed, this has already been proven.
Devil Fruits are simply that unreasonable.
But—
"So that's how it is… As expected of the Kuja Empress! An ordinary person would be completely paralyzed by such a severe injury."
Rowen's light and breezy voice came from directly in front of her. Hancock looked up in utter shock, then, in the next moment, her pupils shrank sharply.
"Fruit Awakening!"
She had indeed landed a kick on Rowen, but just before impact, a tingling electric force burst out from the void in advance. It rapidly spread, forming a ring of dark shadows around him.
That abyss-like, pitch-black hue was a suit of protective armor made from condensed thunder, though it may not be as physically tough as iron, its resistance to Devil Fruit powers, especially unawakened abilities, was like Heaven's peak, impossible to overcome.
It's said that only awakened powers can contend with other awakenings; this is why.
If your fruit hasn't been developed to the same height, no matter how bizarre your ability is, your opponent will always have a countermeasure.
Effortlessly grabbing Hancock's leg, Rowen looked at her calmly and said:
"Stop this meaningless resistance. Come quietly with me, and you'll avoid unnecessary pain."
"Out of respect for Vice Admiral Momousagi, I can guarantee you'll be executed cleanly, without inhumane torment."
Given that his opponent was the woman known as the World's Most Beautiful, if Rowen hadn't spoken up, many would've tried to take advantage of the situation for a taste of her charm.
Letting her die quickly and cleanly was Rowen's only mercy.
"Heh! Mercy like that… You think I need it?!"
With a powerful twist, Hancock broke free from his grip. As she flipped back to put some distance between them, she pointed at her lips mid-air with one hand, forming a pink heart-shaped light orb.
"Prisoner Arrow!"
The moment she released the orb, it exploded wildly, pink arrows rained down like a storm.
Each arrow contained the Love-Love Fruit's infamous petrifying power. For most people, such a wide-area attack would be a complete catastrophe.
Unfortunately, her opponent was Rowen.
"Stubborn fool!"
As the arrow storm surged toward him, Rowen lightly shook his head. The next second, under Hancock's astonished gaze, he took a step forward and vanished from sight.
"Oh no, it's his Blink!"
Rowen's Blink technique, powered by the Goro Goro no Mi (Thunder-Thunder Fruit), had already shone brightly back when he was still just a recruit. As a Warlord of the Sea (Shichibukai), Hancock paid special attention to this move.
Because the greatest flaw of her Love-Love Fruit... is its lack of flexibility!
If the enemy isn't charmed by her beauty, she has to fully concentrate her ability to achieve the petrification effect. This places a heavy burden on her body, making her movements far less agile.
And unfortunately, Rowen is one of the fastest fighters alive.
Just as that thought passed her mind, a sharp, terrifying screech pierced her ears.
Hancock suddenly turned her head, and what she saw was a pitch-black, heavy halberd, mercilessly striking toward her.
"No escape! I'm going to die!"
The thunder halberd's speed was terrifying. The moment it appeared, it was already right in front of her forehead. Time seemed to freeze at that moment, Hancock could clearly smell the burnt scent of ozone as the electricity scorched the air.
The scene froze in that instant.
The tall, almost divine figure looming over her made her heart sink with despair.
The difference in level... was just too great!
Fighting desperately with all her might, perhaps in the eyes of her opponent, it was nothing but a joke.
Hancock silently closed her eyes, preparing to face her end.
"Sorry, old lady Gloriosa..."
"I promised I'd at least protect you all as you escaped, but it seems I'm going back on my word."
Kwang Dang!!!
The heavy halberd struck the ground, splashing tons of giant stones. The heavy rocks flew gently into the sky like soft feathers.
Then, the thunderous power condensed on the thunder halberd exploded outward, engulfing everything around it.
Gloriosa held her breath instantly, shouting out loud: "Hancock!!!"
Huaa La La...
The wild wind howled over Kuja Island. The battle came and went swiftly. When the smoke cleared, the entire island was left with a single ravine cutting through it. The former Kuja Island Empress was nowhere to be seen.
The force of one strike had completely reshaped Kuja Island.
Where once stood the grand palace, there was now a massive crater. The raging electricity had obliterated everything, turning the earth to dust, shattering bricks and stones.
Standing in the crater he had created, Rowen slowly withdrew his thunder halberd and dusted off the dirt.
"Turned to ashes in the attack?"
"But that's fine. Unless it's this severe, the Gorōsei (Five Elder Stars) won't be satisfied."
He then looked toward Gloriosa, who had been blasted by the thunder explosion to the outskirts, and paused.
"Live well, old lady. I need you alive to tell the world what happens to those who betray the government!"
"You asshole... damn you!!!"
Blood-smeared Gloriosa wildly stood up, her wrinkled old face streaming with tears, overwhelmed with grief.
"Give me back my daughter's life!!!"
Seeing her charge at him, Rowen was completely unfazed. He quietly pulled out a cigar case, took one out, and lit it for himself.
"Die!"
Gloriosa swiftly dodged and weaved to Rowen's side, raising her cane high. Haki waves entwined around it as she brought it crashing down on him.
Clang!
Suddenly, a brilliant sword light burst out from the void.
Gloriosa stared in shock at the figure that seemed to step out from behind Rowen's cloak, her pupils wide with astonishment.
"Marine Ghost Sword! When did—?!"
"I've always been here. You just never noticed."
Upon hearing this, Dante grinned and Issho raised his sword.
"I was indifferent to everything happening, but there is one thing I cannot tolerate…"
"Don't lay a hand on our Admiral, you old hag!"
Shii...!!
'Moonlike Stream Murdering Sword · Accompany to the Reflected Moon!'
Moonlight reflected on the lake's surface, pure and radiant. A person's shadow followed them just as faithfully.
Gloriosa suddenly felt her vision darken, as if she were in pitch-black night where she could not even see her own hand. The road ahead was unknown.
Only a beautiful moonlit streak tore through the clouds, casting pure white light upon her.
"So beautiful!"
Gloriosa whispered, but in the next second, blood erupted from her body like a blossoming flower, and she was flung backward like a cannonball.
Thud!!!
At that moment, a shadow appeared in that direction.
"Hah!"
He shouted fiercely, stopping her momentum. A violent wind whipped around him as Gloriosa slammed into him, dragging along the ground for over ten meters before finally coming to a stop.
He glanced at the old lady in his arms. Confirming she was still alive, he slowly set her down, frowning.
"This isn't how we agreed it would go, Soryu!"
Hoo...
Rowen silently exhaled a puff of smoke, raising an eyebrow.
"Can't help it. This is my 'sincerity.'"
"Consider it a warning for you all, some principles can never be crossed. Whoever crosses them will die!"
"Soryu!!"
(End of chapter)