"Huh? Where is this? Hey, are you the big shots of this country?"
As the smoke and dust cleared, Luffy's trademark grin appeared. He glanced left, then right, until his gaze finally locked onto Victor.
"Wow! I finally see a man!"
Luffy rushed over and grabbed Victor's hand, shaking it wildly as though he might cry. He hadn't seen another man since arriving. This must be the place Sanji dreamed of…
"Who are you, brat, to dare touch my beloved!?"
Hancock's eyes flared with fury. This filthy man had the audacity to grab her husband hand?
Unforgivable!
"Perfume Femur!"
"W-Wait, Hancock, calm down!" Victor panicked, but it was already too late. Hancock's powerful kick launched Luffy into the wall.
Boom!
"Ahhh! You wanna fight!? Gum-Gum Jet Bazooka!"
Luffy sprang from the rubble, activating Gear Second. His body glowed red as steam hissed from his shoulders. His arms shot forward, fists rocketing toward Hancock with incredible force!
"Snake Princess, be careful! That's Straw Hat Luffy—the Supernova!"
Granny Nyon's voice trembled. She had seen Luffy's face in the papers. A 300 million berry bounty wasn't something even a Shichibukai could take lightly.
"Sister!"
"Lady Snake Princess, watch out!"
Sandersonia and Marigold shouted, but Luffy's speed in Gear Second was too fast for them to react. As Devil Fruit users, they knew they were no match for him.
So, this was the Supernova shaking the world…
But Victor moved first.
Using his advanced Observation Haki, sharper even than Hancock's, he stepped in front of her.
Boom!
Luffy's Gum-Gum Jet Bazooka smashed directly into Victor's crossed arms!
"Husband!"
Hancock's face went pale. She knew Victor had trained in Haki, but this was Straw Hat's full-force strike. Until recently, her husband had been just an ordinary man!
Even Sandersonia and Marigold looked worried. As much as they despised Victor for freeloading off Hancock, he was still family.
Bang!
Victor's arms shuddered, absorbing the impact. Luffy's fists snapped back to normal length, his attack completely blocked.
"Luffy, I'll only say this once—don't attack Hancock again."
Victor's tone was cold, his gaze sharp.
"This is…"
Hancock, Granny Nyon, and even Sandersonia stared wide-eyed.
Victor's arms gleamed black, hardened with Armament Haki.
Yes, the Kuja warriors could use Haki, but not like this. His mastery was on another level.
Hancock felt it most keenly. She was powerful, but Victor's Armament had subtly surpassed her own.
Yet instead of jealousy, her heart swelled with joy. The stronger my husband is, the happier I am. If he's good, I'm good too…
"Huh? What kind of power is this? It's so strong, but it's not a Devil Fruit…"
Luffy tilted his head in confusion. His combat instincts were sharp, but he'd faced mostly Devil Fruit users before—like Enel on Skypiea and Crocodile in Alabasta. Haki was still a mystery to him.
Ironically, his grandfather Garp had trained Armament Haki to its peak, and yet Luffy had never been taught about it.
Victor, however, had no intention of explaining. Luffy would figure it out someday. For now, it was better not to get entangled.
"Husband, let me turn this man into stone and throw him into the sea!"
Hancock was fuming, readying the Mero Mero no Mi's power with a heart-shaped gesture.
Victor quickly stopped her. He knew full well that Hancock's ability wouldn't work on Luffy—he had no romantic feelings at all. If it could, Luffy would've been partially petrified from her kick earlier.
"Snake Princess, let Straw Hat go," Granny Nyon urged. "When you married, you already broke the kingdom's iron law. Right now, what matters is the World Government's summons. You must attend Fire Fist Ace's public execution at Marineford! A massive war between the Marines and Whitebeard is likely, but with your strength, you'll survive."
Victor stiffened, his eyes shifting to Luffy.
As he expected, Luffy's expression twisted into panic, disbelief, and desperation.
"Ace… public execution!?"
Luffy's voice cracked, his body trembling.
"That's right. Haven't you read the papers?" Granny Nyon said sternly. "Fire Fist Ace, Whitebeard's second division commander, was captured by Blackbeard and handed over to the Marines. He's set to be executed in Marineford!"
"Blackbeard!? Impossible! Ace is too strong!"
Luffy ripped out a small Vivre Card from his hat. The edges were burning away, proof that Ace's life was slipping.
Victor felt the flood of emotion in Luffy's heart—his desperate worry for his brother.
Even Victor was moved. The bond between Luffy, Ace, and Sabo was legendary.
But moved or not, Victor would never gamble his life—or Hancock's—on saving Ace. Not when he was still so far from the top.
While Luffy stood frozen, Granny Nyon pressed Hancock again.
"You cannot refuse, Snake Princess. This is the World Government's summons—"
"I don't care. I will not be separated from Victor."
Hancock's tone was icy, her refusal absolute. She had no interest in Marineford, and even less in leaving her husband.
Granny Nyon looked at Victor desperately, hoping he could persuade Hancock.
Victor only smiled faintly. If Hancock didn't want to go, he had no reason to force her. Besides, he knew Granny's fears were exaggerated.
After Marineford, the Marines would be crippled, forced into a global draft just to rebuild their power. They wouldn't have the luxury of punishing Hancock.
[Ding! Choice Triggered]
[Ding, Choice 1: Accompany Boa Hancock to Marineford and join the Marineford War. Reward: System-exclusive Goro Goro no Mi.]
[Ding, Choice 2: Convince Boa Hancock not to go to Marineford. Reward: Ten Power Pills.]
Victor's eyes widened.
The Goro Goro no Mi!?
Excitement surged through him. That was one of the strongest Logia fruits in existence—the Thunder Fruit!