Hancock's sudden display of bashfulness made the entire atmosphere feel awkward.
Marco's signature pineapple-shaped hair seemed to stiffen slightly. He instinctively glanced at Lucian Thorn and whispered:
"Lucian! What's going on?"
"I've heard stories before!"
"That legendary Pirate Empress who views all men as beneath her… why did she turn into this just from hearing Ace's little brother's name?!"
Lucian was equally stunned but recovered faster. He simply shrugged at Marco helplessly, indicating that he was just as clueless.
The two men's silent exchange made the nearby petrified Kuja warriors look a bit embarrassed.
The leading warrior quickly leaned in toward Hancock and urgently whispered so only the two of them could hear:
"Lady Boa!"
"Mind your image!"
"Calm down!"
"Th-there are outsiders present!"
The warning hit Hancock like a bucket of ice water, instantly dousing her flustered mind.
Her body trembled violently as if jolted by lightning, and she snapped back to her senses.
Realizing she had just exposed such an uncharacteristically girlish expression in front of strangers—especially two men—an overwhelming sense of shame crashed through her reason.
"Ahem! Ahem, ahem!"
Hancock let out a series of exaggerated coughs to mask her burning cheeks and forcefully shoved that fluttery feeling back down, slipping her cold, haughty Empress mask back on.
Although the redness creeping up her ears still betrayed her.
"Insolence! Who gave you permission to speak that man's name aloud?!"
She barked, more bark than bite, then quickly changed her tone, trying to sound indifferent.
"He... he is indeed on the island."
"Come with me."
Before her words even finished echoing, she spun around and strode deep into the jungle without another word. Her slightly hurried back looked as though she were fleeing something.
Marco and Lucian exchanged a look, then immediately followed her.
They passed through thick rainforest and wound around several hidden watchposts before Hancock led them into a secluded clearing where massive tree roots sprawled like serpents.
Even before they approached, the muffled sound of blows and ragged breathing echoed through the trees.
"Thud!"
"Thud!"
A shirtless boy wearing a straw hat was relentlessly slamming his fists into a trunk as hard as solid rock.
His hands were already bloodied and mangled, with sweat and blood running down his arms in rivulets.
Yet he seemed oblivious to the pain, repeating the motion mechanically. His eyes were vacant, his face carved with anguish, regret, and deep, deep guilt.
"Damn it!"
"I'm too weak!"
"I... I'm so weak!"
He pounded the tree with each hoarse cry.
"If I were just a bit stronger... everyone..."
It was none other than the Straw Hat boy—Monkey D. Luffy.
The nightmare of being helpless before a Navy Admiral while watching his friends get blasted away by Bartholomew Kuma haunted him day and night.
Hancock stopped in her tracks, her eyes softening at the sight of Luffy. A glint of pain flickered across her expression.
Marco was about to speak up—
—but Lucian beat him to it, walking forward directly.
"So, you're Ace's younger brother, Monkey D. Luffy?"
A strange voice snapped Luffy out of his masochistic training.
He froze mid-motion, slowly turning his head, his guilt-ridden eyes landing on the stranger approaching him.
Lucian stopped about three meters in front of him and got straight to the point.
"My name's Lucian. I was Ace's companion."
"Ace's... companion?"
There was a flicker of emotion in Luffy's eyes.
Lucian nodded and, with a faint, playful smile, dropped a bombshell.
"Kid, want to fight me?"
"Fight you?"
Luffy blinked, confused. He wasn't following.
"Why?"
Lucian's smile faded, and his tone sharpened.
"To make you see something clearly."
He paused, every word like a needle stabbing into Luffy's weakest spot.
"Don't you realize how weak you are right now?"
Luffy's body stiffened.
Lucian gave him no time to recover and pressed on.
"Think back. At Sabaody Archipelago, even one Pacifista had you all on the ropes."
"Not to mention the Navy Admirals."
"You've seen Kizaru's power for yourself, haven't you? That feeling of utter helplessness, where you couldn't even move a single finger."
Lucian's words were like a hammer smashing into Luffy's chest.
The searing pain of being pierced by a laser... the helpless sight of his comrades disappearing before his eyes... all surged back with terrifying clarity.
Luffy lowered his head slowly. His tightly clenched fists were shaking violently from exertion.
Yeah.
He was weak.
Too weak to even protect a single friend.
Seeing Luffy plunge into self-doubt, Lucian knew the timing was right.
So he flipped the script.
"But!"
Luffy's head snapped up.
"If you're Ace's brother..."
In that moment, all the guilt and confusion in Luffy's eyes was replaced by something else.
Fire.
A blazing, burning fire of fighting spirit.
Luffy broke into his trademark grin—wild, eager, and filled with excitement.
"Alright!"
"Let's fight!"
"I want to see just how strong I am now!"
No hesitation. No overthinking. Just raw, immediate acceptance.
Marco, who had mentally prepared a whole speech, and Hancock, who had been silently worrying, were both left dumbfounded.
That's it...? He agreed just like that?!
Ding!
Right at the moment Luffy agreed, a system panel only visible to Lucian popped up before his eyes.
[Ding!]
Battle agreement detected between Host and Key Character: "Monkey D. Luffy"!
Special Compendium "SSSR · Future Nika Luffy" unlocking…
Decoding Progress: 1%... 5%... 10%...
Lucian stared at the rapidly climbing percentage, smiling.
He looked at the youth before him—still weak for now, but Lucian knew better than anyone—
This boy would one day awaken the power of Sun God Nika!
This was the man destined to beat the Drum of Liberation!
Once the compendium reached full analysis, Lucian would even be able to unlock a portion of the Sun God's powers himself!
The thought alone made his blood surge with excitement!