Chaton's heart tightened with urgency. He wanted to rush over and stop Luo Xing.
But under the combined assault of Avalo Pizarro and Vasco Shot, he could barely hold his ground—how could he possibly spare the strength to intervene?
All he could do was glance anxiously toward Momousagi, silently praying that she would notice in time.
Momousagi did react quickly.
As an Admiral candidate, she was one of the rare female powerhouses on this sea.
Her Observation Haki had already sensed Luo Xing's presence drawing closer.
The reason she recognized it instantly—
Was because during the Impel Down battle between Luo Xing and Bullet, that overwhelming, domineering aura had left an indelible impression on her.
It was the kind of impression one might carry for a lifetime.
But putting that aside—
The moment she sensed Luo Xing approaching, her heart tightened with unease.
That man… why was he coming for her?
To help Catarina Devon kill her?
Or to capture her?
Either way—
Neither outcome was good.
Momousagi made her decision instantly.
Retreat.
Even against Catarina Devon alone, she was evenly matched.
Add the unfathomable Fifth Emperor Luo Xing into the equation—
And defeat was certain.
She took a deep breath, then shouted sharply:
"Ha!"
Her blade, Konpira, slashed out—
Releasing a massive pink sword wave.
Catarina Devon failed to fully evade it. Several of her nine fox tails were severed—
But they regenerated almost instantly.
Momousagi used that strike to force her opponent back—
Then without hesitation—
Her slender waist twisted midair, her body turning—
And she shot toward the flagship.
There—
Kong and Sengoku stood.
With those two present—
Even Luo Xing would have to think twice.
Her decision, in this moment of crisis, was perfectly rational.
Unfortunately—
She underestimated Luo Xing's speed.
Or perhaps—
She underestimated just how much he appreciated beautiful things.
"Why run so fast? I'm not going to hurt you."
Luo Xing's figure flickered—
And in an instant—
He appeared directly in front of her.
Momousagi's beautiful eyes contracted slightly, shocked by his speed.
She forcibly suppressed her inner turmoil, maintaining a fragile composure. A faint, somewhat unnatural—but still captivating—smile appeared on her lips.
"I'm your enemy. From what I've heard, the Fifth Emperor shows no mercy to his enemies—ruthless and cold."
"So why tell lies about not hurting me?"
Luo Xing smiled faintly.
"It's true—I rarely show mercy to enemies."
"But you're different."
"Oh?"
Momousagi's gaze flickered as she searched for an escape, while speaking:
"And how exactly am I different?"
Luo Xing replied seriously:
"Because you're a woman who's hard to resist."
"…?!"
That answer completely exceeded her expectations.
Her eyes widened in surprise.
Momousagi knew very well how beautiful she was.
Within the Marines and the World Government, her admirers could form an entire army.
Chaton alone had confessed to her countless times without giving up.
Anyone calling her beautiful or charming—
Would not surprise her.
But coming from this man—
It was different.
She had personally felt his overwhelming aura—the kind that looked down upon the entire world.
And beyond that—
He was a genius surpassing even Vegapunk, someone who had toyed with Sengoku, Kong, and even the Five Elders themselves.
A man of such iron will and brilliance—
Should not be swayed by beauty.
Was he joking?
Playing with her?
But his expression was serious—
Not playful at all.
Her gaze turned strange as she muttered subconsciously:
"You… are a little different from what I imagined."
Luo Xing smiled.
"You thought I was the kind of man who only cares about ambition, ignoring beauty?"
"No."
"Compared to ambition… I prefer beauty."
Momousagi's expression grew even more peculiar.
A man who loved beauty more than power?
She had never met someone like that before.
She sighed softly.
"Then you're no different from those frivolous men."
"I thought you were a truly extraordinary man."
Luo Xing, however, had no doubt of his own uniqueness.
Only someone like him—
Could command so many extraordinary women across the seas.
He stepped closer to her and spoke honestly:
"I'm just an ordinary man."
"A simple scientist."
"A collector who, upon seeing a beautiful flower or a lovely bird, wishes to keep it by his side."
"I already have a Marine 'songbird.'"
"And she needs company."
A trace of unease rose in Momousagi's heart.
Though his tone was calm—
The dominance behind his words was unmistakable.
Most women—
Would find it impossible to resist such a man.
Even she—
Felt, for a fleeting instant, an urge to fall into his embrace.
Biting the tip of her tongue, she forced herself to stay clear-headed.
At the same time, a flicker of confusion crossed her mind.
The "songbird" he mentioned—
Which unfortunate girl had already fallen into his hands?
But she had no time to dwell on it.
He was already within a meter of her.
Her hand tightened around Konpira.
She wanted to strike—
But both her Observation Haki and her battle instincts told her—
It was pointless.
This man—
Was capable of cleaving the sea itself.
What could she possibly do?
A bead of sweat formed on her smooth forehead.
Suddenly—
An idea flashed through her mind.
Since Luo Xing desired her beauty—
She could use that.
Her own unique charm ability.
The more she thought about it, the more certain she became—
This was her only chance.
Her decision made—
A sweet smile bloomed across her delicate face.
Her lips parted, her voice soft and alluring:
"If even the great Fifth Emperor has taken a liking to me…"
"How could I refuse?"
That soft, syrupy tone seemed to melt into the air itself.
Luo Xing's throat shifted slightly.
Momousagi caught it instantly.
Her moment had come.
Her lips parted again—
And a pink mist flowed out—
Enveloping Luo Xing completely.
"It worked!"
Joy surged through her.
Her ability wasn't simple—
Anyone caught within the mist would fall into an illusion.
An illusion filled with their deepest desires—
Endless warmth—
Endless indulgence—
The sweetest poison in the world.
She was certain—
Given Luo Xing's fondness for women—
He would be trapped, even if only for a while.
And in that time—
She could escape.
But just as she stepped forward to leave—
A hand suddenly reached out from the pink mist—
And wrapped around her slender waist.
Caught completely off guard, Momousagi let out a startled cry as her body was pulled into the mist.
She fell against a broad, solid chest.
A strong masculine presence enveloped her.
For someone who had never been this close to a man—
Her face flushed instantly.
By her delicate ear—
Luo Xing's amused voice whispered:
"Your charm ability is interesting."
"I'd prefer it if you used it… only when we're alone."
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