"You…"
Hancock was stunned. Drake remained unaffected by her charm, effortlessly suppressing every attack she launched. Rage burned inside her—she wanted to crush this man—but deep down she knew she was no match for him.
A sudden thought crossed her mind.
"Drake, do you think this Empress is beautiful?"
She tossed her hair back, her dazzling eyes fixed on him, a sweet smile blooming across her delicate face. Her voice rang clear, like music from nature itself. At that moment, Hancock radiated endless allure—the number one beauty in the world, living up to her reputation.
But Drake was unmoved.
"Boa Hancock, drop these tricks." His hands rested in his pockets, his tone calm and cutting. "Now, let's talk about the next plan."
She failed.
Hancock's pride cracked. What kind of monster is this man? She couldn't defeat him, nor deceive him. Yet curiosity stirred—she wanted to know more about this mysterious figure.
"Speak. This Empress wants to hear what you have to say."
If she couldn't win by force or charm, she could only listen.
Drake's gaze sharpened. "What I said before was no joke. If you want to join the next plan, train hard. Don't let yourself grow weak and be slaughtered."
His words stung.
Hancock's face hardened. "If you continue to deny the strength of this Empress, I will never join your alliance. If you doubt me, test me."
Drake remained indifferent. "After becoming a Shichibukai, I will go to the New World, seize a non‑aligned country, and make it my base. Then, between us Shichibukai, we will exchange resources. After all, your country is too poor. Without cultivation resources, your people cannot grow."
Before he finished, Hancock cut him off, her eyes blazing. "What nonsense! How dare you call the kingdom of this Empress poor? Stop wearing that self‑righteous expression—it disgusts me."
But Drake's tone grew colder. "Boa Hancock, do you want to know the rules of my ship? On my ship, the strong are respected. The weak are not qualified to speak. You've refuted me again and again. I warn you—if you are weak, bow your head. If you continue to oppose me, I will kill you."
Hancock trembled with fury. She wanted to strike him—but she didn't dare. His domineering aura was overwhelming. No one could challenge him, not even her.
A gust of wind lifted Hancock's black hair, making her look dazzling.
"Fine. Continue speaking. This Empress will listen." She gritted her teeth, her pride wounded. One day, when I surpass him, I will repay this humiliation.
Drake ignored her resentment. "Other plans I'll reveal later. For now, the most urgent thing is to improve our strength."
He finished speaking, then pulled out a Den Den Mushi and tossed it toward her.
Hancock also realized her lack of strength. She frowned, anguish flashing across her face. "This Empress also wants to improve her strength."
Drake sneered. "You stay in the Calm Belt all the time, never facing danger. It would be a miracle if you grew stronger without doing anything. If you truly want to improve, enter the Grand Line and step into the New World. As long as you survive there, your strength will rise. But with your current level… I can't guarantee you'll come out alive."
If Hancock was willing to work hard, her strength would grow quickly—her talent was undeniable. Drake deliberately teased her, but deep down he was eager to hear news of Hancock's entry into the New World.
"Are you underestimating this Empress?"
Hancock understood Drake's provocation, but she didn't care. His words had lit a fire in her. With arrogance in her tone, she declared: "I'll go to the Grand Line in a few days and show you how powerful this Empress is. I'll prove that Amazon Lily is not so vulnerable."
Drake shrugged and snorted. "Anyone can boast. Do it first, then brag."
He extended his hand toward her. "Alright, enough talk. I'll take you back."
Hancock frowned. "Drake, what are you doing?"
"Give me your hand so I can take you. To move someone through space, I must touch their body. Otherwise, it's impossible."
"I see… no wonder you grabbed my foot earlier."
Without hesitation, Hancock raised her jade hand. He's already seen my whole body—holding hands is nothing.
With a thunderous bang, their figures vanished instantly… and reappeared beside the bath.
"If you need me for anything—help or otherwise—contact me by phone." Drake glanced at Hancock before preparing to leave.
"Um…" Hancock hesitated. "May I ask you a question? What is your current strength level?"
It was a doubt that had haunted her since facing him. She needed the answer.
"Admiral…"
The word echoed in the air. In the same instant, Drake disappeared without looking back.
"What!!" Hancock exclaimed, her eyes widening in shock.
She knew Drake was strong, but she never imagined he possessed Admiral‑level strength, the highest force in the Navy.
This man is terrifying… how can someone so young be so powerful?
"No, he is not a joking man; he must be telling the truth."
Hancock shook her head slightly. Though confusion lingered in her heart, she chose to believe Drake's words about his strength.
Yet this left her feeling deeply wronged. This man is so powerful… how could I ever defeat him? Why does it make me so furious?
"No… I must grow stronger quickly. I'm going to the New World!"
Determination flared in Hancock's eyes. At last, she made up her mind.
Although she had agreed with Drake earlier, doubt had lingered. She had never set foot in the New World, and the sea was full of unknowns. Naturally, she felt nervous and afraid.
But now, provoked once more by Drake, all hesitation vanished. Her negative emotions dissolved, leaving only one thought:
Whatever happens, I must make my name resound throughout the New World.
The curtain opened, and Hancock spoke coldly, her voice carrying authority: "Sandersonia, Marigold. The day after tomorrow, this Empress will sail to the Grand Line and enter the New World. Report this immediately."
Her sisters froze, stunned by the sudden declaration.
"Why does Sister Hancock want to go to the New World all of a sudden?"
Marigold looked at her doubtfully. "My Lady, the New World is so dangerous… what are we going to do there?"
Sandersonia's face was etched with fear, but after a moment she steadied herself and spoke. "I've heard the New World is terrifying, filled with countless strong warriors. Is it truly wise for us to go, my Lady?"
Hearing their words, Hancock frowned, her thin brows knitting together. In that instant, Drake's words echoed in her mind.
By staying in the Calm Belt for so long, shielded from danger, she had not only lost her own fighting spirit—but so had her sisters. And her people, even more so.
If I remain here, Amazon Lily will decline. That cannot be allowed.
"If you continue like this, Boa Hancock will end up being a useless woman incapable of protecting her people."
Those words echoed in her mind, and suddenly she realized they were true.
If she remained in the Calm Belt, the citizens of Amazon Lily would eventually decline. That was something she could never allow.
"Not for anything else… just to get stronger."
After Hancock spoke, she ignored her sisters and walked directly toward the palace.
Sandersonia and Marigold exchanged glances, confusion written across their faces. What does it mean to become stronger? Isn't staying in the Calm Belt enough?
Though they were bewildered, they dared not question her further. They knew exactly who Hancock was—arrogant, domineering, and unwilling to listen to advice.
Boom… boom… boom~~
The crisp sound of the bell rang out, accompanied by a woman's voice.
"The Snake Princess will depart for the New World in two days. Whoever wishes to go, hurry and register…"
The announcement rang out across the island. The citizens froze, stunned and bewildered by the shocking news.
Yet, despite their confusion, their decisions were unanimous.
"Snake Princess, I will follow you to the New World!!"
"And me! I want to go out and see men—I've heard they look very strange!"
"I swear to follow you to death, Snake Princess…"
"Hurry, hurry, pack your things quickly! We cannot let the Snake Princess wait!"
"No matter where the Snake Princess goes, I will always follow her, hehehe~~"
The voices of devotion rose like a tide, echoing through Amazon Lily. Though puzzled, the people's loyalty to Hancock was absolute. Her decision had already become theirs.