The endless blue of sea and sky blended into one as a Marine Headquarters battleship cut steadily through the waves.
On deck, the Marines went through the motions of their duties — but their hearts were far from their work.
Every pair of eyes was fixed, lovestruck, on the figure standing at a certain cabin door.
"Boa Hancock-sama…" one sailor murmured, eyes turning to hearts — before, with a crack, his whole body became stone.
The others, far from alarmed, only stared more longingly at the woman at the doorway.
"Kneel, you insolent curs!"
The tall, elegant beauty lifted her chin, looking down on them with disdain.
In an instant, hearts bloomed in every Marine's eyes — some fell to their knees, others lunged toward her, others froze in place.
"Empress-sama…"
"I love you most of all, please make me your slave…"
"The most beautiful woman in the world…"
"Too beautiful… my heart is melting…"
One after another, the Marines turned to stone statues.
Within mere seconds, the deck was filled with them, like some grotesque sculpture garden.
A sudden splash — seawater cascaded onto the deck as a hand clamped on the railing.
A towering, scar-faced Marine Vice Admiral hauled himself up, a massive fish slung over his shoulder.
Seeing his subordinates petrified, his face darkened.
"Boa Hancock! What are you doing? Remove the petrification now! Do you want to make an enemy of the Marines?"
Hancock spared him a glance, her voice lofty:
"Foolish man. They dared gaze upon my beauty — this is merely a light punishment.
"Besides, not bringing food to me on time is an unforgivable crime. Petrification is the mildest penalty."
Her eyes narrowed.
"If no food arrives soon, I'll simply throw these insolent ones into the sea."
"My name is Mole!" the Vice Admiral snapped, flinging the giant fish down.
"Your appetite's so huge I had to go fishing myself! Now lift the petrification — without the crew, the ship can't sail!"
Even the navigator had been turned to stone. How was the ship supposed to reach Impel Down or Marineford like this?
"Hmph! Useless rabble!" Hancock looked at him coolly. "Hurry and bring my food. If I go hungry, I'll turn all of you to stone."
A ripple of pink light washed over the statues, restoring the Marines to flesh.
They blinked, then spotted the giant fish on deck — and immediately swarmed around it with renewed fervor.
"Empress-sama, I'll have this in the kitchen at once!"
"I'll tell the cooks to make it extra delicious…"
"Mole Vice Admiral, go catch a Sea King! A fish like this isn't worthy of her!"
"…Idiots." Mole's face twisted in fury.
"Do you have any idea you were all petrified just now? Without me, you'd be statues forever!"
But the Marines only stared dreamily at Hancock.
"As long as it's for Empress-sama, even being a statue is bliss…"
"Turn me to stone and use me as your footstool…"
The Vice Admiral felt the urge to kill them all. He could only watch in disgust as his men carried the fish off to the galley.
"Hmph." Hancock turned and swept into her room, slamming the door shut.
Only after she left did the men come to their senses — and even then, they couldn't stop themselves.
"What was I thinking just now? But… she really is the most beautiful woman on the sea…"
"Never seen anyone so beautiful…"
"Just looking at her makes my heart race…"
"Shut it!" Mole barked, face dark. "Back to work, all of you!"
Startled, the Marines scrambled to their tasks.
Just then, the ship's cook entered, pale-faced.
"Vice Admiral Mole… are we really cooking this whole fish?"
He had been working nonstop for two days, and the sight of the massive catch only made him feel faint.
With a deep breath, Mole nodded wearily.
"No choice… that woman's appetite is insane."
Even on the first day aboard, she'd eaten all the ship's stores, forcing sailors to fish from the deck — and still it wasn't enough. He'd had to dive in himself to catch this one.
"Do all the strong eat this much?" he muttered, thinking of the Navy's other monsters, each capable of eating half a Sea King in one sitting.
Soon, the food was prepared, and Mole pushed a cart into Hancock's cabin.
He glanced around, suspicious — he didn't believe she was traveling alone.
But no matter how he looked, he saw no sign of anyone hiding here.
"Insolent man, what are you doing in my room? Are you coveting my beauty?" Hancock's tone was ice.
Mole's face shifted; he forced down the surge of desire and quickly left.
"That woman's too dangerous," he thought grimly. "Just looking at her makes me want to obey her every word."
Once everyone was gone, Hancock's expression transformed into delight. She turned to the empty air.
"Naruto-sama, the food's here. Let's eat!"
With a creak, a door in the air itself swung open — and the blond youth stepped through, smiling.
"Hancock, thanks for the trouble."
"Ah!" Hearts filled Hancock's eyes. Her face flushed as she cupped her cheeks in both hands.
"Naruto-sama praised me… so embarrassing… Does this mean our relationship is growing closer?"
"Marriage… wedding… children…"
"Ahhh…" Whatever she imagined next made her melt onto the bed, cheeks crimson.
"Naruto-sama… will you marry me?"
(End of Chapter)
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