Most importantly, within the limited time she had, Hancock would not dare test him a second time.
The first time, Hancock had seen an opportunity. Coupled with the environment she had deliberately created, she chose to take the risk.
The result was complete failure, and she realized that even her counterattack had been entirely within Ren's control.
That opportunity had been given to her on purpose.
When a second chance appeared, Hancock would start to wonder… was this another illusion? Another "opportunity" deliberately arranged to lure her into a trap?
As for what benefit there was in trapping her, one only had to look at the price she had paid this time to understand.
After the consequences had already been made clear, if she stabbed him in the back and did not pay a sufficient price, there would be no second chance at all.
Even if that situation had occurred because she had been deceived by a false opening he had created, the logic was the same.
Because the deterrence of Abyssal Sun was not just for show!
Precisely because she understood what Ren was referring to, Hancock still gritted her teeth and agreed.
She could not bear the consequences of her nation's destruction.
As for risking everything to make the Marines notice something was wrong?
At this critical juncture, without evidence, the Marines would never make a move against Ren.
Either Hancock joined that battlefield, refused to obey Ren's orders, and afterward watched her country perish.
Or she threw caution to the wind and fled, only to lose her title as a Warlord of the Sea, with the final outcome still being the same.
No matter which path she took, it was a dead end. The only choice she could make was this one.
"This one does not understand what you are talking about. Can you explain more clearly?"
Hancock said coldly.
"We have a common enemy, Hancock. Your past was caused by the Celestial Dragons.
"And the Celestial Dragons—or rather, the entire World Government—are my enemies."
Ren spoke of his ideals and his direction. This was the first time he had mentioned such things to Hancock.
Unsurprisingly, Hancock revealed an expression of utter disbelief, as though she were looking at some strange species.
"A despicable, shameless, vulgar man like you has such lofty ideals? Are you joking with this one?"
"Whether you believe it or not, this is what I'm doing."
"…What does that have to do with the war that's about to come?"
"I expect to weaken the Marines in this war. Among the Warlords of the Sea, only one actual combatant will make a move to help the Marines when the time comes.
"Blackbeard has his own ideas, so he counts as an enemy. The others are all my people, including you."
Ren bared his teeth in a smile, making Hancock feel a chill run through her body.
How could this man say such terrifying facts in such a casual tone?
The Seven Warlords of the Sea… even on the vast ocean, they were considered major figures. Yet in this man's hands, they were nothing more than chess pieces.
If she thought of it that way… Gecko Moria had also died by his hand.
The entire Seven Warlords system had actually been crippled by Ren!
Hancock fell silent for a moment before saying, "If this one cooperates with you, this one will lose the title of Warlord of the Sea. What will happen with the chain of events that follows?"
"Kuja will become one of my core bases in the future. You should have seen those beings continuously being born—the ones called angels.
"They are the main army under my command. At full strength, their legions are easily counted in the tens of thousands.
"Rather than worrying about Marines or pirates coming to cause trouble, you might as well worry about what to eat for your next meal.
"If there really is a problem, I can also have Kuja Island leave the Calm Belt and settle somewhere more suitable."
"What will it take for you to let Kuja go…"
"The ransom price is usually very high. But I'm not exactly a demon, so I'll give you a chance. Just not now."
"…"
Hancock took a deep breath, slowly exhaled, then continued, "One last question. When you said you wanted to break the Celestial Dragons' golden shell in this war, what did you mean?"
She was referring to something Ren had mentioned while explaining his ideals.
"For the past eight hundred years, the world has acknowledged the Celestial Dragons' status and privileges as world nobles.
"That can't be helped. No one can resist the World Government's power.
"In the end, even unruly pirates will acknowledge that the Celestial Dragons are noble by birth.
"What I want to do is simply tell this world that there is nothing special about Celestial Dragons.
"They are human too. They can be injured. They can bleed. And when they encounter danger, they are even more pathetic than most ordinary people.
"Once the protection of world nobility, descendants of the Creator, and the World Government is stripped away from them, they are nothing but a herd of weak pigs."
Ren spoke softly, yet his words were powerful and certain.
Even Hancock, who did not agree that Ren was that kind of person and did not believe this could succeed, could not help but be affected.
"Are you serious?"
"Want to bet?"
"…Bet on what?"
"A long-term job. A lap pillow."
Ren said, extending his hand. "Want to make the bet?"
"How absurd…"
Hancock said that, yet placed her pale hand into his.
This was the first time she had willingly made physical contact with Ren.
It was also the first time she felt that even if she lost, she would be very happy.
This man had won his last bet with her, forcing her, a noble empress, to learn how to massage someone's feet.
Perhaps this time, he would also win against her in an unbelievable way.
But… compared to being able to see the Celestial Dragons suffer, losing the bet was not much at all.
Hancock could even feel herself looking forward to seeing that scene happen.
She wanted to watch those lofty Celestial Dragons fall into the dust!
Ren returned to his lodging and quietly waited for the right moment to arrive.
After what had happened this time, Hancock would at least behave herself for the next few months.
After that… barring any accidents, this butterfly that was him would once again stir up a storm.
The collective rebellion of the Seven Warlords of the Sea would inevitably ignite the World Government's fury, and then the Warlord system would be abolished outright.
Of course, it was also possible the Warlord system would continue.
However, with the appearance of the Pacifistas, the arrival of the Seraphim was not far off either.
Even if the Warlord system continued, it would last two years at most.
Time passed, and soon it was the day of Ace's execution.
Marine Headquarters dispatched a fleet to Impel Down and took Ace from there back to headquarters.
Unlike the original story, Luffy did not arrive this time.
This future Sun God Nika was currently still being beaten and trained under Dragon.
At the same time, with six or seven hours remaining before the execution, a slight disturbance appeared on the island of Marine Headquarters.
"Go this way!"
Tashigi led people all over the place in search of someone. Many other Marines were doing the same as her.
They were searching for one person—or perhaps a group of people.
The Warlord of the Sea—Blackbeard, Teach.
Unfortunately, no matter how they searched, they could not find a single target anywhere on the island of Marineford.
In the end, the Marine officer in charge of the matter had no choice but to report it.
"Fleet Admiral Sengoku!"
"How is it?"
"As expected, we can't find them anywhere. There are only a little more than five hours left before Ace's execution.
"At this most dangerous period, when Whitebeard could appear at any moment, we searched the entire island, but we still couldn't find any trace of Blackbeard, the Warlord of the Sea."
"Mm…"
"There is one more thing. A warship without sailing authorization has now arrived at Impel Down!"
"What!?"
Sengoku's eyes widened as he sensed something was wrong.
It seemed that the troublesome one was not only Ren. The newly joined Teach was no good person either.
"This is only my guess, but is it possible that Blackbeard Teach has already left headquarters, and his target is Impel Down?"
Cold sweat appeared on the forehead of the reporting Marine general. "Under these circumstances, if they succeeded in exploiting the timing gap and crossed the defensive line to reach the gate…"
"What about Ace!"
"He has already left Impel Down."
"What about the other Warlords?"
"They are all still here."
"Then it's still fine."
Sengoku let out a sigh of relief. The situation was still within an acceptable range.
Of the six Warlords, one was missing, but at least five could still be used. Cavendish, Urouge, and Hancock might not be reliable.
But among them, Mihawk would definitely be useful enough. There was also Ren, who could contend against a Yonko.
Sengoku had expectations for this man's combat power. Perhaps he could give Whitebeard a surprise.
As for Blackbeard, it was now certain that the other party had launched his own operation and would inevitably abandon the Warlord title he had obtained.
Then what had to be done was very simple.
"…Send someone to confirm it. At the same time, inform Impel Down's warden, Magellan, about this matter."
Sengoku calmly issued that order.
Although Marine Headquarters was very close to Impel Down, and Kizaru would not need much time to make a trip there and back, the most important thing right now was Ace's execution. Impel Down was secondary.
Perhaps this was the reason Blackbeard had exploited the timing gap.
And that bastard's target was most likely the prisoners inside Impel Down.
They could only give up on that side for now… and hope Magellan was truly as strong as the rumors said.
Boom—!
Amid a violent disturbance, Teach successfully invaded Impel Down.
The sturdy prison gate was swallowed by black gas, then released and smashed down, blocking the Marines outside.
"Let's go. No one can stop our fate! Zehahahaha!"
Teach laughed arrogantly, leading his four companions and one horse into Impel Down.
Everything was exactly as he had predicted. Marine Headquarters could not support Impel Down. The only thing that could stop him was Impel Down's own strength.
But the jailers on the first and second levels could not stop them at all.
Teach opened the cells of the prisoners on those two levels at extreme speed, inciting them to seize Impel Down and informing them that there was still a warship outside.
If they did not seize Impel Down and use the great prison's cannons to destroy the warship outside,
then none of them would be able to leave this hopeless place built in the Calm Belt.
Naturally, the incited pirates followed Teach and started causing chaos.
"Zehahahaha! This is going smoothly."
After passing through a gate, Teach laughed in high spirits.
If things continued to go smoothly, he should be able to obtain very powerful companions here, then go participate in the Marineford War.
If he was lucky enough to complete his plan, he would become the strongest Yonko of the future!
"It is your cleverness, Captain, that has surpassed those fools."
Laffitte smiled and offered his praise.
They continued forward, then encountered trouble in the truest sense.
"You won't take another step forward!"
Hannyabal held his Demon Trident and stood in their path with a group of Jailer Beasts.
Along with him were Sadi and the other core forces of Impel Down.
(End of Chapter)