The scene fell silent. Not a single sound could be heard. A strange atmosphere permeated the air, and even Luffy and Ace paused instinctively.
For a moment, the two on the Thousand Sunny became the focus of tens of thousands of eyes.
It was a truly awkward situation.
Hancock's eyes brimmed with tears, misting over with emotion. Choking back sobs, she said, "I... I've finally seen you again. I'm so glad... so glad."
She stretched out her jade-like arms and embraced Kaguya tightly.
There was no denying Hancock had an exceptional figure—tall, curvaceous, with a perfect S-shaped silhouette. Especially her full and heaving chest, which trembled with elasticity.
Even through the thin layer of fabric, Kaguya could still feel the soft pressure on her face clearly.
Suffocating slightly as her face was buried in Hancock's chest, Kaguya patted her smooth back. Hancock, realizing what was happening, immediately released her, letting Kaguya breathe again.
Hancock wiped the tears from her eyes and said apologetically, "Forgive me, I was just too happy."
"I should be the one apologizing," Kaguya said softly, cupping Hancock's face in her hand. "You've suffered all these years."
Being treated with such intimacy, Hancock's mind went blank. Her cheeks flushed a deep red, and she quickly shook her head. "No, just being able to see you again makes me happy."
"Then why are you here?" Kaguya glanced at the surrounding Navy fleet. "If I recall correctly, you've always hated the Navy."
"I didn't want to come," Hancock's beautiful eyes flickered with disdain. "But those despicable people threatened me with Amazon Lily."
"Is that so?" Kaguya hooked her finger under Hancock's chin and smiled playfully. "Then I'll have to punish you properly later."
Hancock nodded, her delicate face flushed like it had been brushed with rouge. Her eyes sparkled with moisture.
The Straw Hat crew stood frozen, eyes wide with shock, jaws nearly hitting the deck. The fact that the mighty Warlord of the Sea, Hancock, was acting like a docile kitten in front of Kaguya was too unbelievable.
On the other side, the Navy was equally stunned. Those who knew Hancock were aware of her ice-cold demeanor—like a glacier, she rarely showed any warmth to others. To see her now acting like a lovestruck girl was completely beyond imagination. They even began to suspect it wasn't really her.
Monet, too, was astonished. She had heard of Hancock's reputation—second only to her master in beauty, not only admired for her looks but also her strength. Yet even this proud woman had fallen for her master.
"Hancock, what are you doing?" Sengoku shouted in a stern voice. "Are you planning to side with these criminals and betray the Navy?"
Hearing Sengoku's voice, Hancock's dazed eyes sharpened. She turned around, lifted an eyebrow, and retorted coldly, "Sengoku, haven't I told you? I'm no longer interested in being a Warlord. Compared to all of you, my darling is far more deserving of my heart."
"I can't believe even the Pirate Empress..." Monet blinked her pretty eyes.
Kaguya smirked playfully. "What's wrong? Are you jealous?"
"Not at all," Monet giggled behind her hand. "I'm just surprised. So, you like this type, huh?"
Monet's gaze toward Kaguya had changed subtly.
Could this be...?
Hearing their conversation, Hancock hesitated for a moment and asked, "Um... could you tell me about them?"
"Them?" Kaguya turned her head, curious.
"Ah, it's nothing!" Hancock quickly waved her hands. "I just want to know more about you. Please don't misunderstand."
"Well, this isn't the time to talk about it," Kaguya replied with a gentle smile. "I'll tell you when we get back, alright?"
Though anxious, Hancock suppressed her unease. Still, she couldn't stop her imagination from running wild. Staring at the quiet Monet nearby, a bad feeling crept into her heart. Her mind conjured up a miserable scene where Kaguya was embracing others while abandoning her.
No. No, I won't lose to them.
Hancock shook her head hard, trying to banish the thought, biting her sleeve, and steeling her resolve.
I won't lose. I care for her the most, and understand her better than anyone.
Kaguya noticed the strange look on Hancock's face and was a bit puzzled. It wasn't the time to ask, but Monet seemed to have figured it out and quietly giggled behind her hand.
"Hmph, is this farce over yet?" Akainu suddenly stood from his chair, his voice cold. "Hancock, as one of the Seven Warlords, are you really choosing to betray the government and side with these criminals?"
Hancock turned around, placing her hands on her hips. With an air of superiority, she raised a finger and said arrogantly, "What I choose to do is my business. It's not up to some mutt to point fingers at me."
Akainu's face turned dark, veins bulging on his forehead. "Since you choose to stand with these insects, I'll oblige you—I'll reduce you and this trash to ash."
As he spoke, he stomped the ground, causing it to crack. His body launched from the platform as his muscular arm raised, transforming into blazing magma. Eyes locked in, he threw a molten punch wreathed in smoke straight at Hancock.
"Hellhound!"
"A petty trick. You think I'd be afraid of that?" Hancock snorted disdainfully.
Before she could strike back, a sharp black sword slash suddenly tore through the air like a pillar of darkness. It collided head-on with the magma punch.
Boom!
A deafening explosion followed. The searing lava was shattered by a single sword strike, bursting into fragments in midair like a brilliant firework.
"What?!" Akainu's eyes narrowed.
Out of the smoke stepped Kaguya, sword in hand, calm and composed. She smiled faintly and said, "You dare lay a hand on my woman? Did you ask me first?"
"It's you."
Akainu's face turned dark, veins bulging on his forehead. He clearly recognized Kaguya.
A few years ago, when he went to Amazon Lily to recruit Hancock, he had encountered Kaguya—and they'd fought. Back then, even with Kizaru by his side, they were defeated by her. He considered it a humiliation. Now, facing her again, with old grudges flaring up, his fury was palpable.
"That's right, it's me," Kaguya glanced at him with a teasing smile. "What? Feeling itchy again and looking for a beating?"
"Don't flatter yourself."
With a low growl, Akainu leapt high into the air and shot toward the Thousand Sunny. His muscular arm transformed into rolling magma as he launched a powerful strike.
"Great Eruption!"
"Looks like you haven't learned your lesson. In that case, let me help you remember."
Kaguya raised her arm, and within a swirl of black energy, a black-and-red sword appeared in her hand.
Just then, the sea within the harbor suddenly began to churn. Bubbles surged to the surface. Akainu was briefly distracted, his movement slowing slightly. At that moment, Kaguya's figure flashed like a phantom—appearing right in front of him like lightning.
Damn it.
Seeing the wicked grin on her lips, Akainu sensed something was wrong, but it was too late to stop. Gritting his teeth, he pushed his magma punch forward even faster.
Just then, Kaguya slashed down with her sword. A pitch-black beam laced with lightning burst forth.
Boom!
A deafening explosion echoed. Akainu was blasted backward like a cannonball, smashing into the iron wall of the fortress with a loud crash, leaving a massive crater in the steel.
Falling to one knee, Akainu raised his head, eyes practically spitting fire. "Coward, attacking by surprise!"
Kaguya strolled forward gracefully, smiling brightly. "If you've got the guts, come bite me."
Akainu's face twisted in rage. Just as he was about to retaliate, a blaring alarm sounded throughout Marineford, piercing the sky.
From the harbor, shadows began to emerge through the dense fog—countless pirate ships. Flags and sails filled the horizon, completely surrounding Marineford's outer waters.
"It's the Whitebeard Pirates!"
"Whitebeard's main fleet has arrived!"
"All units, prepare for battle!"
"Yes, sir!"
"Open fire! Immediate full assault!"
"Yes, sir!"
Boom boom boom!
Thunderous cannon fire erupted like a volley of exploding beans. Shouts and cries filled the air, fire and smoke engulfed the battlefield. Waves surged under the fierce bombardment, and choking gunpowder smoke filled the sky.
The Whitebeard Pirates launched the first strike. Though the Navy's ships stationed at the harbor fired back, they were far too few in number to repel the massive Whitebeard fleet.
Boom boom boom!
In just a short time, under a barrage of explosions, over a dozen Navy warships were sunk or destroyed. Blazing fires roared into the sky, and thick smoke blanketed the heavens.
Meanwhile, the Whitebeard Pirates' ships had broken through layer after layer of resistance and were rapidly approaching Marineford's harbor.
A nearby Navy soldier, visibly anxious, said, "Admiral, should we send reinforcements? If we don't, the Whitebeard Pirates will soon breach the harbor!"
"Not yet," Sengoku replied, a glint of calculation in his eyes.
"But if this continues—" the soldier began.
Sengoku waved his hand and said sternly, "Issue the order—no one is to act rashly or engage without permission."
"Yes, sir!" The soldier rushed off to relay the command.
Many of the soldiers couldn't understand why Sengoku would hold the line, but only he knew the reason—Whitebeard himself had not yet appeared.
To attack without knowing his location might fall right into their trap.
Just then, the sea within the harbor began to churn violently. Countless bubbles surfaced, rippling outward like something was rising from below.
Navy soldiers tensed, sweat beading on their foreheads. Some were already trembling before the battle had even begun.
It was understandable. They weren't facing just anyone—this was Whitebeard, the man known as the world's strongest.
"What are you all panicking for? Pathetic," Tsuru said coldly.
"Hey," Garp murmured beside her, "you don't think that guy's going to pop up from somewhere unexpected, do you?"
Tsuru's eyes narrowed. "If that happens, it'll be a real problem."
Suddenly, the once calm sea erupted, sending towering waves into the sky.
Sengoku's eyes narrowed. "Could it be—?"
At that moment, the sea exploded as a massive ship burst forth from the waves. Shaped like a whale, the gigantic vessel with towering masts radiated immense power. Countless dark cannon ports lined its sides, giving it a fearsome presence.
"It's Whitebeard! Whitebeard is here!"
The Navy soldiers immediately recognized the ship.
Moby Dick, Whitebeard's legendary ship.
The skull-and-mustache pirate flag fluttering from the mast left no doubt.
Tension gripped the Navy. Soldiers gripped their weapons tighter, bracing for combat. The turrets on Marineford's walls rumbled into action, targeting the unexpected arrival.
They had guessed many possible points of entry—but no one imagined Whitebeard would rise from beneath the sea.
Sengoku's face grew grim. He muttered, "So... it begins."
"F-Father..."
Bound in Seastone chains, Ace stared in shock at the sudden appearance of the Moby Dick, a whirlwind of emotion flooding his heart.
Garp's eagle-sharp eyes remained fixed on the charging fleet. "Didn't expect him to show up from there. Caught us all off guard."
Tsuru frowned deeply. "That man... still as troublesome as ever."
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