"Welcome back, Serpent Princess!"
"You've worked hard watching over things, Enishida." Hancock nodded to Enishida.
"Not at all~"
Enishida smiled. "It's my duty."
As she spoke, she opened the box in her hands and presented it to Hancock. "Serpent Princess, these are the finest gems we selected from the spoils for you. Please take a look."
Gazing at the pigeon-egg-sized gemstone, Hancock picked it up and examined it, a faint smile appearing on her face.
"A gemstone, huh..."
"Ah!!"
"Look! The Serpent Princess's smile outshines even the gemstones!"
"So beautiful!"
The women stared at Hancock, hearts practically leaping from their eyes, overwhelmed with excitement.
Yet the next moment left them dumbfounded—their Serpent Princess casually tossed the gem away!
"Huh?!"
"Serpent Princess?"
Enishida was equally stunned as she watched the gem hit the floor. Why would she just throw it like that?
"Hmph. Trinkets of that caliber only detract from this queen's beauty," Hancock scoffed.
"Ah!!"
"Serpent Princess!!"
Rather than displeasure, her words only fueled their admiration.
This was their Serpent Princess—peerless in beauty and confidence!
Just then, Hancock noticed a clay statue nearby and frowned.
Walking over to inspect it, she asked, "Enishida, what is this?"
"Ah, this is a clay statue the village children made for you, Serpent Princess," Enishida explained cheerfully. "They even painted it carefully to make it look better—clearly put a lot of effort into it."
"To protect it from damage, they carried it all the way from the village on a wooden board. They were absolutely adorable~"
As if recalling the scene, Enishida's smile widened.
Hancock: "..."
Staring at the ugly little clay statue, Hancock fell into stunned silence.
After a moment, she reached out and lightly touched it. "They... made this queen... out of mud?"
Salome sensed danger, beads of sweat forming on her serpentine face. Knowing her master's temperament well, she understood exactly what mood she was in now.
The next instant—
Crash!
"Huh?!"
Enishida gaped as the statue was toppled and shattered.
"Don't bring filthy things like this into the castle! Clean it up immediately!"
"Yes!"
A drop of sweat rolled down Enishida's forehead. She had genuinely thought the Serpent Princess would appreciate the gift.
Waving for others to handle the mess, she quickly followed after Hancock.
"Enishida."
"Here!"
"Has anything happened in the village?" Hancock asked.
"Uh..."
Seated now, Enishida hesitated, uncertain whether to speak up.
"Hm?"
Hancock keenly sensed something was amiss. Could something have happened in the village without her knowledge?
"Speak!" Hancock glared sharply. "Enishida, you should know the consequences of lying to me."
"Yes, Serpent Princess..."
Enishida swallowed hard before continuing, "Actually... a man has appeared in the village."
"What did you say?!"
Hancock immediately stood up, her eyes blazing with indescribable fury. "How could a man appear here?!"
Could it be... that damned Navy had sent someone to infiltrate?
At this thought, murderous intent surged in Hancock's heart.
"It seems I've been too lenient. I should have eliminated that damned Navy Vice Admiral along with the rest!"
"Forgive me, Serpent Princess. We don't know how the man appeared either," Enishida said. "But Granny Nyon said she would explain the situation to you."
"Crack!"
Veins bulged on Hancock's forehead. What was that old woman up to now?
"Go, bring her to me—"
Before Hancock could finish her command, a warrior came running from the distance, shouting:
"Serpent Princess! Granny Nyon is bringing the man here!!"
"Heh, how bold of her."
Hancock laughed in anger. Did that woman really think she wouldn't dare to punish her?
She should know full well the consequences of violating the kingdom's laws.
"Serpent Princess?"
"Bring her in!" Hancock said coldly. "Let's see what she's planning."
"Yes!"
"So this is Hancock's residence?"
Meiser looked at the grand building before him. "Quite extravagant."
"Well, she is the ruler of this country," Granny Nyon replied.
"Fair enough," Meiser nodded.
As the monarch of a nation, it made sense for her to live in luxury.
Then he glanced back in the direction they'd come from, thinking to himself: I hope Luffy can behave himself and wait patiently...
According to Granny Nyon... the appearance of even one man could send Hancock into a rage. If two showed up... they'd probably end up fighting immediately.
There might not even be a chance to talk then!
That's why Luffy and Merry had been temporarily left at Granny Nyon's house.
Of course, they weren't lacking in food.
Before leaving, Meiser had asked Granny Nyon to have the guards purchase large quantities of provisions.
This was to help Luffy store up as much energy as possible.
Still... this might be for the best.
After all... he couldn't be certain whether he'd end up fighting this Royal Seven Warlord of the Sea!
If a battle did break out, bringing Merry along would only put her in danger. It was safer to have Luffy stay with Merry at Granny Nyon's place.
Noticing Meiser's pensive expression, Granny Nyon said, "Actually, going to Impel Down would have been the better choice."
"Shakky mentioned that too," Meiser said helplessly. "But the problem is, we can't get there."
If they could have rescued the person earlier, they wouldn't need to participate in a Four Emperors-level war at Marine Headquarters.
After all... that level of warfare could even claim the life of an Admiral!
The problem was, there was no way to go.
So they could only compromise and choose to head to Marine Headquarters instead.
Granny Nyon chuckled upon hearing this. "That makes sense."
"Granny Nyon..."
The warriors greeted her as she entered with Meiser in tow, then turned their curious gazes toward him.
A man...
Aside from those who had once followed Hancock into battle, the others were seeing a man for the first time.
"Hmm, where is the Serpent Princess?"
"Her Majesty awaits you inside."
Granny Nyon frowned slightly—it seemed Hancock already knew she had brought a man here.
But... since no one had attacked them outright, there was still a chance to talk.
With that thought, she relaxed and said, "Alright, I understand."
"Come along, Ninja boy."
"Right."
Meiser nodded and followed silently beside Granny Nyon, ignoring the curious stares as they proceeded inward.
Soon, they stood before the so-called Serpent Princess.
Hancock held a wine glass, her gaze filled with utter disdain as she looked down at Meiser. He frowned.
What's with this woman's attitude?
Sure, she was stunningly beautiful, but what kind of person greets someone with such contempt?
Is she mentally ill?
"Hancock, he—"
"Address me as Her Majesty the Serpent Princess!"
Granny Nyon: "..."
This girl really has no respect for me. After all, I was the one who saved her back then.
Not only that, but after their return, she had cared for them for years and even taught them powerful combat techniques.
And yet... this brat wouldn't even spare her some dignity?
After a brief silence, Granny Nyon sighed. "Your Majesty..."
Meiser: "..."
Why does the esteemed Granny Nyon seem... afraid of this Serpent Princess?
A flicker of concern crossed his mind.
Will this negotiation even go smoothly...?
"Granny Nyon, you know full well what it means for a man to appear in this country." Hancock crushed the glass in her hand and stood, glaring at the old woman. "And yet, you still brought him before me..."
"What is your meaning?"
A bead of sweat rolled down Granny Nyon's temple under Hancock's furious gaze.
"His circumstances are special. He—"
"Hmph, special?" Hancock sneered, cutting her off. "Special or not, it doesn't change the fact that his presence on Kuja Island is punishable by death!"
At her words, the surrounding Kuja warriors immediately drew their weapons, encircling them.
"Will you just let me finish speaking?!"
Granny Nyon was exasperated. When will this girl ever change her ways?!
"And what if I don't?" Hancock retorted. "Whether I interrupt you, turn you to stone, or kill this man—I will still be forgiven."
"And do you know why...?"
"That's right!"
"Because I am beauty incarnate!"
With that, Hancock struck her signature pose!
"Behold, the Serpent Princess's utterly disdainful pose!" Enishida exclaimed excitedly.
"Ah!"
"Serpent Princess!!"
The surrounding warriors gazed at Hancock with hearts in their eyes, their pupils morphing into heart shapes.
Even when looking down upon mere mortals, their beloved Serpent Princess remained breathtakingly beautiful!
Meiser observed this silently for a moment before turning to Granny Nyon. "Has she always been this narcissistic?"
Crack!
It was as if lightning had struck everyone's hearts—the entire crowd froze instantly. Even Hancock herself was no exception.
"Nar... narcissistic?"
Granny Nyon stared at Meiser in shock. How dare this brat?! No one had ever called Hancock narcissistic before. Did he... not want the Eternal Log Pose anymore?
"You insolent man, do you even know who stands before you?!"
"How dare you speak of the Serpent Princess that way! Are you seeking death?!"
"Kneel and beg for forgiveness at once!"
Ignoring the uproar around him, Meiser calmly replied, "Was I wrong?"
Honestly, in all his years, he had never seen anything so absurd.
Gasp...
Granny Nyon suddenly realized something. She stared at Meiser in disbelief, thinking, Why isn't this boy affected by Hancock's beauty?
Was his self-control just that strong, or did he simply have no interest in Hancock at all?
At that moment, Hancock spoke. "You're merely lying to yourself. Let me tear off your mask!"
With that, she raised her hand toward Meiser.
Granny Nyon's pupils shrank. "Wait, Serpent Princess—"
"Sweet Perfume!!"
Whoosh~
A pink light shot from Hancock's palm, streaking toward Meiser.
"What the hell is that?!"
Seeing the approaching pink glow, Meiser instantly activated his Mangekyō Sharingan, unleashing the Pupil Technique in his right eye. Though he didn't know what her ability was, activating his technique would at least ensure he wouldn't be killed.
The next moment—
Swish~
The Sweet Perfume passed right through Meiser's body and flew down the hallway behind him.
Whoosh~
A breeze blew by. Nothing happened.
"Huh?"
Meiser glanced down at himself in confusion, then at Hancock, who stood frozen in shock.
Was she... just bluffing?
"Hey, did you see that?"
"Yeah... Why wasn't he affected at all?"
"No idea..."
"You... boy..."
Granny Nyon stared at Meiser in disbelief. This was the first time she'd ever seen a man immune to Hancock's petrification ability.
"If that's the case... my earlier thought might be correct—this boy truly might have no interest in Hancock whatsoever!!!"
"Why... why didn't it work?"
"What are you talking about?" Meiser asked.
Ignoring him, Hancock muttered to herself, "Impossible... How could any man harbor no impure thoughts when facing me?"
Even that Navy Vice Admiral had needed to wound himself with his sword to dispel his lustful thoughts in her presence.
Yet... this man before her felt nothing at all?
How is this possible?!
She refused to believe it!
"Lewd thoughts?"
Meiser frowned. Was this the activation condition for her ability?
What kind of strange trigger was this?
And what exactly was its effect?
At that moment, Hancock raised her head again and flashed Meiser a smile.
Meiser: ???
"Ahhh!!"
"Serpent Princess!!"
"The Serpent Princess's smile is so beautiful!!"
"So adorable, just like a kitten!" Granny Nyon exclaimed excitedly.
The next instant, Hancock raised her hand and activated her Devil Fruit Ability once more.
"Mero Mero Mero!"
"Oh no!"
Snapping back to reality, Granny Nyon immediately grabbed Meiser beside her.
This person had been entrusted to her by Shakky—if Hancock killed him... she wouldn't be able to explain it!!
Thinking this, Granny Nyon roared at the top of her lungs, "Serpent Princess, he's Shakky's—"
"Crack~"
Before she could finish, Hancock turned her into a stone statue.
Witnessing this, Meiser's pupils constricted sharply.
"Granny Nyon?!"
Why had she turned into a stone statue?
Supporting the stone statue before it could crash to the ground, Meiser muttered, "Is this... a Devil Fruit Ability?"
At that moment, the earlier scenes replayed in his mind.
The ability she had used had no effect on him, yet it turned Granny Nyon into a stone statue...
The difference lay in... whether one was captivated by her beauty or not?!
In just an instant, Meiser reached a conclusion.
Her Devil Fruit Ability likely required the target to be charmed before the petrification could take effect.
"I see. A charm ability, huh."
Meiser steadied the stone statue before turning to Hancock and saying, "So this is why you're so narcissistic."
With such a powerful charm ability, she could attract anyone, thereby turning them to stone.
And this... was probably the root of her terrible personality!
"Impossible! How can you resist my charm?" Hancock stared at Meiser in disbelief. "Are you not a man?!"
In the past, every man who saw her would be captivated by her beauty, their minds filled with all sorts of lewd thoughts.
Yet this man before her... felt nothing?
Having never experienced such a thing before, Hancock felt deeply affronted.
"Pathetic charm ability. Useless against me!" Meiser glared coldly at Hancock.
As an Uchiha who had awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan, his mental state was far more unhinged than hers.
A mere charm ability?
Completely ineffective!
"Useless... useless..."
Hancock staggered back two steps before straightening herself. "I don't believe it!"
"Believe what you want!"
Glancing at the petrified Granny Nyon, Meiser took a deep breath and demanded, "Turn Granny Nyon back right now!"
She was a good person. If she died here because of him... he would never forgive himself.
"Even though she's turned to stone... since it's the effect of a Devil Fruit Ability... she probably isn't dead yet."
"Hmph, she violated the laws of this country. Turning her into a stone statue is perfectly justified." Hancock, having regained her composure, coldly glared at Meiser. "And... man, what gives you the right to order me around?"
Restoring Granny Nyon could wait, but... this man before her had to die right now!
With that thought, Hancock commanded, "Kill him!!"
"Yes!"
Enishida and the others charged at Meiser with weapons drawn, their murderous intent undisguised!
To them, the Serpent Princess's orders were absolute.
Yet, faced with these attackers, Meiser merely turned his head to glance at them.
"Crack—"
A single look was all it took to freeze them in place, as if under a paralysis spell.
Their eyes glazed over, completely under Meiser's control.
Clearly, the Pupil Power of the Mangekyō Sharingan was beyond their resistance.
"Enishida, what are you dawdling for? Kill him!"
"Enishida?!"
But alas, Enishida gave no response—as if... she were already dead!!
This scene left Hancock utterly dumbfounded.
Hancock: ???
"Bastard, what did you do?!"
"I have no interest in answering you," Meiser replied. "Hurry up and undo Granny Nyon's petrification. After that, I'll release them."
"Truly... how arrogant."
Hancock's expression darkened, now fully aware that Meiser was behind this.
Then she declared, "If you won't answer, I'll beat it out of you!"
She guessed he must have used some special Devil Fruit Ability—his altered eyes were proof enough.
In that case... she'd just have to pummel him half to death first!
"Are you sure you want to fight me?" Meiser frowned. "You don't care about their lives?"
Did this bastard really think she wouldn't slaughter them all in a fit of rage?
"Heh, they are all willing to lay down their lives for me," Hancock said, lifting her left hand to sweep back her hair. "Even if they die in this conflict, they would forgive me."
"Because... I am peerlessly beautiful!!!"
As she finished, Hancock struck her signature pose of disdain, making Meiser's veins bulge in irritation.
"Really... infuriating."
Even at a time like this, she couldn't resist preening?
Just how narcissistic was this woman?!
Taking a deep breath, Meiser stepped toward Hancock and said, "In that case, we'll have to settle this with force."
"Oh? You dare raise a hand against me?" Hancock straightened up, eyeing Meiser. "You... truly have the heart to strike me?"
"I am beautif—"
"Enough nonsense," Meiser coldly cut her off. "Has no one ever beaten you before?"
"No one would dare!" Hancock declared confidently.
"Is that so?"
"Then... today, you'll get a taste of what it feels like to be beaten!"