"Whoever wins this showdown earns the favor of the World Government's top brass—an invitation to Mary Geoise, a seat at the negotiating table, and a legitimate title."This is a classic political gambit by the WG, and Boa Hancock knows it well!
"Even if you're right, I still have a chance. If I kill you, all your plans collapse. Then I'm the one they negotiate with!"Renji Kai spoke with a smirk.
"Haha—want to test that? But just so you know—I'm quite the flirt. If you get captured by me… well, I don't know what I might do with you!"He taunted with a teasing tone. The assembled crew froze—Bullet pulled a suspicious look, clearly doubting Renji's confidence. Bartolomeo, hoping to get closer to Hancock once she boarded, was left dejected—he realized Renji had already set his sights on her.
"Captain Renji—be careful. Her Devil Fruit ability is tailored to smutty men!"Crocodile warned, recalling how Boa's petrification power stops anyone who lusts after her.
"A Devil Fruit to turn perverts to stone?"Bartolomeo's curiosity was piqued.
"The Paramecia-type Sweet-Sweet Devil Fruit—they petrify anyone entranced by her beauty, and can actively petrify targets."Renji Kai explained with a confident grin, well aware of her power.
To face Boa, he thought, he must either:
Be completely disinterested in her beauty—impossible for a normal man, especially after his flirtatious remark.
Be entirely distracted—like how Vice Admiral Sloth mortally wounded himself to avoid being petrified.
Renji chose a third path: counter her petrification with ninjutsu. Perfect timing—his Tsunade clone had expired just then. He immediately activated his other asset:
"Ding! Host used 'Itachi Uchiha' character card. Uses remaining: –1."
Boa Hancock, impatient, launched first.
She shaped her hands into a heart:
"Sweet Sweet Sandstorm!"
A dazzling pink beam surged from the heart to strike at Renji and crew.
Renji instantly scattered into dozens of black crows, evading the attack with agility.
Douglas Bullet, unfamiliar with her fruit's effect, instinctively raised his Haki—but the beam struck him full on. In an instant, he was petrified solid. Haki couldn't stop her petrifying ray.
Crocodile, knowing her power, shifted his body into elemental sand—scattering himself like dust, effectively ignoring the beam entirely.
Bartolomeo quickly formed his signature "common fingers" pose. A transparent barrier wall appeared. The pink beam collided with it—and shattered harmlessly.
So Boa Hancock's sneak strike landed solely on Douglas.
"Damn it—step up!"Crocodile, materializing from his sandy form, eyed her fiercely, ready to strike back—he's not one to spare.
Renji Kai reformed from the raven transformation, steady and alert.
But Boa wasn't done. She prepared her next move...