"There are star ratings too?"
Qin Yang froze for a moment, then carefully examined the translucent interface within his mind. It did not take long for him to grasp its meaning.
"Yes," the Fantasy Gene replied in its usual mechanical tone. "The maximum rating is five stars. Each additional star unlocks one new ability. Your Sea Dragon transformation is currently two stars and therefore possesses two abilities."
Ocean Current Manipulation.
Dragon's Might.
Both were undeniably powerful.
The first required no explanation—its ability to restrain Devil Fruit users alone made it extraordinary.
As for Dragon's Might, Qin Yang had yet to master it fully. Its true potential had not revealed itself.
It feels similar to Haki… he thought.
With that in mind, he asked, "How do I increase the star rating?"
"Mysterious energy is required. Using a Devil Fruit as an example—absorbing it will raise the rating."
"I see…"
A thought flickered through his mind.
"You mentioned detecting something earlier. Was it a Devil Fruit?"
"It is mysterious energy. Bearing: three o'clock. Distance: approximately twenty meters. Exact nature: unknown."
Twenty meters.
Qin Yang turned his head slightly.
At that distance lay a ship.
The Kuja Pirates' vessel.
"There's something on that ship that I need."
At that moment, countless curious gazes were directed at him.
Women. All women.
This was the Kuja Pirates—led by Boa Hancock, comprised entirely of female warriors.
Qin Yang opened his mouth to speak, only to be drowned out by a chorus of excited voices.
"Guardian Deity!"
"Dragon of the Sea—the ruler of the ocean?"
"Are you truly the Guardian of our Kuja?"
Dozens of bright-eyed women stared at him expectantly.
His first instinct was to deny it. He had no desire to play deity.
But then—
The ship contained what he needed.
Using the title of "Guardian" would make obtaining it far easier.
He cleared his throat and stepped fully into the role.
"Yes. I… No—this dragon originally had no intention of revealing himself. However, I foresee great upheaval in the coming years. The tides of this era will sweep across the seas. Even the Four Emperors of the New World may fall."
He paused for dramatic effect.
"Amazon Lily is in grave danger."
He delivered the lie with impressive composure.
To his surprise, the Kuja Pirates appeared remarkably receptive to his words. A flicker of guilt touched him—only to vanish an instant later.
Boa Hancock let out a cold laugh, her sharp eyes slicing toward him in warning.
Qin Yang pretended not to notice.
Amanda gasped. "Amazon Lily is in danger? Guardian Deity, what do you mean?"
"Well…"
Qin Yang opened his mouth, only to realize he had not yet constructed a convincing follow-up explanation.
More importantly—
There was still that item on the ship.
"Hmph. Pretending to be mysterious," Hancock murmured, the corner of her lips curving slightly in mockery.
Even with Qin Yang's thick skin, he felt a faint flush rise beneath his scales.
Fortunately, dragons did not blush visibly.
"Ahem. You are the current Empress, correct?"
"'Guardian,'" Hancock replied coolly, deliberately emphasizing the word. "Since the matter is resolved, you may return to wherever you came from."
"That won't do," Qin Yang answered immediately. "Since I have appeared, I—this dragon—must protect you. What is coming far exceeds your imagination. It will be extremely dangerous."
"That's wonderful! With the Guardian Deity here, we will surely be safe!" Amanda pressed a hand to her chest, visibly relieved.
"Amanda."
Hancock shot her a sharp look.
"Lady Hancock, please rest assured. The Guardian has protected us since ancient times. This time will be no different!"
Amanda, a woman in her early thirties with her dark hair coiled neatly atop her head, spoke with unwavering devotion.
Qin Yang recognized that expression.
Fanatical faith.
Before crossing into this world, he had once seen similar zeal in fervent worshippers abroad.
She's incredibly easy to convince…
He suppressed a laugh.
At this rate, aside from Hancock herself, nearly the entire crew believed him. The few remaining skeptics were wavering.
Only Boa Hancock knew the truth.
There was no Guardian.
But she could not expose that truth.
A tightness gripped her chest. Since becoming Empress, she had never found herself in such a passive position.
"Oh! How rude of us," Amanda suddenly exclaimed enthusiastically. "Guardian Deity, this is no place for discussion. Please accompany us back to Amazon Lily."
She turned to Hancock.
"Lady Hancock?"
Hancock's expression darkened. She glared at Qin Yang for a long moment before finally snorting and turning away.
"Do as you wish. But if this so-called 'Guardian' behaves inappropriately…"
Her red heels clicked sharply against the deck as she disappeared into the cabin.
The rest went unspoken—but Qin Yang could imagine it clearly.
Interesting. She's not quite as domineering as I expected. Part of that is her secret… but perhaps not entirely.
A thought suddenly struck him.
He turned to Amanda.
"What year is it?"
Amanda blinked. "Guardian Deity, it is the year 1510 of the Sea Circle Calendar."
"1510?"
Qin Yang's eyes widened.
Monkey D. Luffy would set sail in 1520.
Ten years from now.
Which meant—
Boa Hancock was only nineteen.
She had ascended the throne at eighteen. Compared to the Pirate Empress of ten years later, this Hancock had yet to fully harden into the formidable ruler history would remember.
"So she's still just a girl…"
Qin Yang clicked his tongue.
"That explains it. She looks young—almost inexperienced. Even Akainu seemed younger."
Shaking his head, he turned to Amanda.
"Very well. Let us return to Amazon Lily."