"God-Slayer Souta Kiryuu!!"
Elder Nyon, along with the two Kuja sisters, Boa Sandasonia and Boa Marigold, cried out in shock.
Why had this terrifying man suddenly appeared inside the royal palace of Amazon Lily?
Could it be that after targeting Crocodile, another of the Seven Warlords, Souta Kiryuu now had his eyes set on the Pirate Empress herself?
"Souta-sama!!"
Hancock's eyes sparkled, her gaze fixed on the man perched upon the palace window. This was the man she had longed to meet in both her waking hours and her dreams.
"Hello, beautiful Empress Hancock."
Souta smiled faintly, leaping down from the window and landing right inside the women-only palace, a place forbidden to men.
Sandasonia and Marigold immediately raised their massive naginata, sweat on their brows as they confronted the fearsome criminal worth thirty billion berries.
"Hello, Souta-sama!"
Hancock pressed her hands to her face, cheeks flushed scarlet as she greeted him with a racing heartbeat. But in the very next instant, her expression shifted—anger flashing in her eyes as she looked at her sisters.
"Sandasonia, Marigold—put down your weapons and leave us!"
Hancock's sudden change of demeanor made Elder Nyon's heart sink. This is bad—very bad.
Unlike Gecko Moria, who had little to lose, Hancock commanded her entire nation. If she threw herself under Souta Kiryuu's banner, Amazon Lily would be doomed to become a target of the World Government.
Ever since the invention of Sea Prism Stone–lined battleships, the Calm Belt was no longer a shield. And Hancock could not simply abandon her throne as easily as Nyon once had.
The era had changed.
Especially if Hancock dared to join Souta's crew, the retaliation from the World Government would be swift and merciless. This would be even more disastrous than Nyon's decision to once side with the Rocks Pirates.
"Souta Kiryuu! Are you here to use Amazon Lily against the World Government, or are you here to recruit Hancock?"
Elder Nyon raised her voice, her tone sharp. With the Calm Belt no longer their safe haven, they couldn't afford to be entangled with such a dangerous man.
"Neither," Souta answered with a relaxed smile, his overwhelming aura fading away as he deliberately showed goodwill. "I came simply because I admire the Empress's beauty. I wished to see it with my own eyes."
But looking at Hancock's dreamy expression, Souta knew he had already won.
The world's most beautiful woman had truly fallen for his legend—the man who dared slay Celestial Dragons. And Souta's appearance and commanding presence only added fuel to her infatuation.
"Souta-sama… you came here… just for me?"
Hancock's blush deepened, steam seeming to rise faintly from her jet-black hair as her imagination took flight.
Has Souta-sama already been captivated by my beauty? Then it's perfect… I admire him, and he admires me. How wonderful, how blessed!
If Souta-sama asks to marry me today, should I agree right away?
But… it's our first meeting. Wouldn't that be too hasty?
And if there's a wedding, what kind of gown should I wear?
Should our first child be a boy… or a girl?
…
Lost in her own fantasies, steam rose from Hancock like a hot spring, her face flushed, her posture coy and trembling like that of a maiden.
Souta stared, stunned. Did the Pirate Empress just… completely conquer herself?
Maybe he didn't even need to try. Maybe tonight he could claim the world's most beautiful woman outright.
"Hancock! Come to your senses!"
Elder Nyon leapt forward and struck the Empress with her serpent-headed cane, snapping her from her dreamlike state.
It's over… the Empress truly has fallen for him, Nyon thought bitterly. Who knows what hardships await our nation now.
"You dare!?"
Hancock's furious glare fixed on the elder, rage burning in her chest. She had been imagining children with Souta-sama—and this old crone had dared to interrupt!
"Hancock, listen! Souta Kiryuu is a criminal who killed Celestial Dragons! Think of Amazon Lily—we cannot tie ourselves to him!"
Nyon's voice was desperate, pleading. Between Hancock's love and the safety of an entire nation, she chose her people.
"Hmph. Even if Amazon Lily were destroyed because of me, they would still forgive me—for I am simply… too beautiful."
With her signature haughty pose, Hancock threw her head back so far it nearly touched her spine. She jabbed a finger at Nyon proudly—then immediately softened again, her eyes shy and dreamy as she looked back to Souta.
"Souta-sama, pay no attention to this old woman's words. I warmly welcome your presence here."
She stepped closer—ten paces, then more. Up close, she found him even more handsome than any paper or poster could capture. The man she admired was real—more real, more dazzling, more overwhelming.
"People say the Pirate Empress is impossible to approach," Souta said smoothly, ignoring Nyon. "But today, I've discovered those rumors are lies. The Empress… is gentle."
How could he let a prize like this slip through his hands?
"Truly? I am gentle?" Hancock's eyes shimmered. "But my gentleness is only for you, Souta-sama."
Another step forward. Now they were less than a meter apart, eyes locked, sparks flying between them.
Elder Nyon rushed in again, desperate to stop this dangerous spark before it ignited. But with a swift, devastating kick, Hancock sent the old woman flying across the hall.
"Nyon-sama!!" Sandasonia and Marigold cried out, rushing to catch the elder as she crashed against the palace wall.
"Forgive me for the scene, Souta-sama," Hancock said shyly, almost like a young maiden. She feared he might think her harsh—when all she wanted was his approval.
"Your Highness has quite the formidable leg technique," Souta chuckled lightly. "I'd love the chance to spar someday—to see your famed legs up close."
He stepped forward at last, closing the distance she had bridged. She had already walked ninety-nine steps toward him. He only had to take the last one.
Her overwhelming beauty, the soft curve of her body, the dazzling intensity of her gaze—it was a sight impossible to turn away from.
Feeling Souta's aura wash over her, Hancock trembled, her heart hammering violently, steam rising again as her face burned like fire.
"Are you all right?" Souta murmured gently, reaching out his hand. His fingers brushed through her raven hair.
The contact was too much. Hancock's mind blanked, her body went weak, and she collapsed helplessly into his arms.
…