When they parted after finalizing their alliance in Dressrosa, Luo Xing gave the Pirate Empress a Den Den Mushi.
After taking it, Hancock deliberately pretended not to care. She casually tossed it aside, acting as if it meant nothing.
And yet—
Luo Xing's figure kept appearing in her thoughts against her will.
At night, she even dreamed of marrying him, of living a shamelessly sweet married life together.
In her dreams, she was no longer the dignified Pirate Empress, nor the aloof world's most beautiful woman.
She was just a shy, timid girl.
She crouched in a corner, wide watery eyes staring helplessly as a tall man slowly approached her.
The man wore a terrifying oni mask, his face hidden—but the eyes beneath were deep and domineering.
He lunged toward her—
Hancock woke up drenched in sweat.
It was then that Elder Nyon told her she might be suffering from lovesickness.
How could Hancock possibly admit such a thing?
She kicked Elder Nyon flying on the spot.
Yet afterward, she secretly tucked the Den Den Mushi Luo Xing had given her into her bosom, keeping it close to her body.
So close that it became tinged with her faint, sweet scent.
Now—
Holding the Den Den Mushi, hearing Luo Xing call her name—
"Hancock"—
Her heart nearly leapt out of her chest.
"Hancock? Hancock?"
Luo Xing hadn't heard a response and asked in confusion.
Hancock took a deep breath. Her tightly pressed crimson lips parted slightly.
"Th-This one… is here."
Luo Xing let out a sigh of relief. He'd been worried something had happened to her.
He repeated himself.
"Hancock, I'd like to ask you for a favor."
"All right," she replied.
The answer came so swiftly that Luo Xing froze for a moment.
He hadn't even explained what it was yet.
Even if the Beasts Pirates and the Kuja Pirates were secretly allied, this level of trust was… excessive.
Clearly—
She wasn't agreeing because of the Beasts Pirates.
She was agreeing because of him.
Luo Xing felt genuinely happy.
It seemed his gentle approach back in Dressrosa had worked.
He had always believed that women were like different kinds of flowers—each requiring a different way to be treated.
His tenderness toward Yamato.
His dominance with Komurasaki and Tashigi.
And with Hancock—
A woman wrapped in layers of ice and pride—
His method was warmth.
To melt her defenses.
To reach the softness hidden beneath.
That was why he treated her well.
In Dressrosa, he had given her two Senzu Beans, invited her into an alliance, and promised to help her take revenge on the Celestial Dragons and the World Government.
The results spoke for themselves.
Luo Xing felt delighted—almost excited.
He wished he could fly to Amazon Lily immediately and make the Pirate Empress his completely.
Unfortunately, the Anywhere Door hadn't yet recorded Amazon Lily's coordinates.
He had to restrain himself.
Besides—
Moving too fast would be dangerous.
Hancock was one of the rare women who possessed Conqueror's Haki. Combined with her traumatic past, her pride was extraordinarily sensitive.
If he rushed things, he could provoke resistance instead of affection.
So—
Just like Hancock, Luo Xing suppressed his true emotions and spoke calmly.
"Hancock, the Marines should have issued you a mandatory summons by now, correct?"
"Yes. This one has already rejected it."
"You should accept it," Luo Xing said gently.
"For your country's safety—and for your own—it's not the right time to openly oppose the Marines."
A faint blush spread across Hancock's flawless face.
Was he… concerned about her?
Not just her—but Amazon Lily as well?
Her voice carried a trace of shy happiness she didn't even realize herself.
"This one… understands."
Luo Xing continued,
"After accepting the summons, tell the Marines you want to see the prisoner before the execution. Have them take you to Impel Down."
"When you arrive, you don't need to see Ace. Just stay there for a while with a Log Pose until it finishes recording Impel Down's location."
Hancock listened quietly.
She didn't ask why.
To her, the reason didn't matter.
Just hearing his voice was enough to make her heart feel full.
"Hancock, once you're done, bring the Log Pose to Sabaody Archipelago. We'll meet there."
"Oh—and bring one Log Pose for Amazon Lily as well."
Meet… at Sabaody?!
Hancock's eyes lit up instantly.
Her heart raced wildly.
"This one understands! I will arrive at Sabaody on time!"
After hanging up, she stood there in a daze for a long while.
She was going to see him again—soon.
Should she throw herself into his arms right away?
No, no, absolutely not!
She was the Pirate Empress! The most beautiful woman in the world!
Her expression shifted repeatedly—
At times, she looked like a girl in love, eyes dreamy and filled with joy.
At others, she returned to her cold, proud self, gaze distant and untouchable.
There was no helping it.
Beneath that icy exterior lived a hopeless romantic.
One word described her perfectly—
Tsundere.
Desperate inside.
Unwilling to admit it.
Forced to maintain her regal composure.
After some time, Hancock finally composed herself.
She carefully returned Luo Xing's Den Den Mushi to her bosom.
Then she strode out of the palace.
Her long black hair swayed in the breeze.
Her crimson cheongsam clung tightly to her body, outlining breathtaking curves.
Her slender waist moved gracefully—cold, seductive, and majestic all at once.
The Pirate Empress's unparalleled elegance was on full display.
She soon arrived at the shore.
Vice Admiral Momonga and the Marines were still waiting.
Seeing her, Momonga stiffened, terrified she might unleash another Mero Mero attack.
Thankfully—
This time, she spoke coldly but reasonably.
"This one will participate in the war against the Whitebeard Pirates."
"On one condition."
"You must allow me to see Portgas D. Ace beforehand."
Momonga was stunned—then overjoyed.
He'd expected days of negotiation.
To agree so quickly was unimaginable.
Though confused, he didn't question it.
Allowing her to visit Impel Down wasn't a big deal.
Surely she wasn't planning a prison break.
That was impossible.
"I accept on behalf of the Marines," Momonga replied.
Before he could finish—
Hancock had already turned and left.
Awkward, but relieved, Momonga immediately reported back to Sengoku.
Sengoku approved without hesitation and notified Magellan.
The next day—
The Kuja Pirates sailed behind a Marine warship toward Impel Down.
At the same time—
Luo Xing departed from Wano, heading for Sabaody Archipelago.
Only a few accompanied him:
A fully trained Zoro.
A completely submissive Enel.
And several Cybertron units.
The Beasts Pirates would fight on two fronts.
One front—led by Luo Xing—would command the Thriller Bark zombie army to strike Sabaody.
The other—led by Kaido and allied with Big Mom—would seize Whitebeard's territories in the New World.
The smoke of a colossal war—
Was already spreading across the entire world.
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