'[Cover Story: Chopper and the Quack Doctor Vol. 18 - "As Long As the Belief in Hope Is Passed On, I Will Never Die..."]'
'Just as the Pirate King, Gold Roger, achieved immortality through the final words he spoke before his death, if my experiment succeeds, I too will live forever! I will live on in people's yearning for miracles and hope... That day, Hiriluk spoke passionately of his dream. Hope, the miraculous power capable of healing all sickness and suffering. Standing before Hiriluk's gravestone, Chopper could no longer hold back his tears and burst into heartbroken sobs.'
---
### Marine Headquarters - Military Harbor
Marineford was an island. The towns spread across the land served as workplaces, training grounds, recreational areas, and living quarters for the Marines.
At the harbor town, a crimson palace ship pulled by two enormous sea serpents sat quietly at the docks, the Kuja Pirates' flag fluttering in the wind. A tall woman wearing a long red floral dress stepped down from the ship. Her black hair flowed like silk clouds, swaying gently behind her with each step.
Her beauty was so perfect that any painter would despair, knowing they could never capture even a fraction of her elegance. Her figure was flawless, beyond the ability of even the greatest sculptor to recreate. She merely walked through the harbor town, yet it felt as though she had brought all the beauty in the world with her. Her expression remained completely indifferent, yet that very coldness seemed more captivating than any smile.
Everyone who saw her, whether civilians or Marines watching from afar, felt themselves wrapped in overwhelming happiness. It was as though the sole purpose of their lives had been to witness this exact moment, just to see her from a distance.
---
Vice Admiral 'Akainu (Sakazuki)' arrived and immediately noticed the dazed expressions on the Marines lining the streets. He frowned and shouted, "Do you idiots have a death wish?! Don't look into her eyes! Don't look at her face!"
The entranced Marines slowly turned toward him.
"Ah... Vice Admiral Sakazuki..."
"Vice Admiral... the Pirate Empress is so beautiful..."
Akainu snorted. "A beauty that kills you with a single glance. Which is more important? Looking at her, or staying alive?"
"Normally... staying alive..."
"If it were anyone else."
"But this is Boa Hancock, Vice Admiral..."
"If it's her, then even one more look..."
The Marines looked as though their souls had left their bodies. Under the influence of Medusa's enhancement, Hancock's natural charm had become nearly impossible to resist.
Akainu's face darkened. "All personnel below flag officer rank, evacuate this town immediately!"
His voice echoed through the streets, and many Marines who had been struggling not to stare at Hancock regained a bit of their senses.
Then, suddenly, a powerful, invisible pressure swept across the harbor. Everyone shuddered and snapped fully awake. Turning around, they saw 'Admiral Sengoku', draped in his Justice coat, walking toward them.
"Admiral Sengoku!" The Marines lowered their heads in embarrassment and quickly averted their eyes from the Kuja Pirates.
---
"Heehee..." Sandersonia and Marigold walked on either side of Hancock, giggling.
"The men of Marine Headquarters are so pathetic."
"But that's only natural. After all, it's Elder Sister."
"Being pathetic is the normal reaction~~"
"Exactly, exactly!"
Some Marines didn't dare look at Hancock's face anymore, staring at her feet instead. Yet even that was enough to make heart shapes appear in their eyes. Not only were they not offended by the Boa sisters' mockery, they actually nodded in agreement.
Akainu nearly exploded, a vein bulging on his forehead. He was one step away from launching 'Meigō' and incinerating the entire Kuja crew on the spot.
---
Sengoku waved away the lower-ranking Marines before stepping up to Hancock, his expression icy. "Boa Hancock. You're a Warlord of the Sea now. Since you've come to Marine Headquarters, at least keep your 'charm' under control."
He had no doubt whatsoever. If any Marine had looked directly into Hancock's eyes just now, she would have turned them to stone without the slightest hesitation. The truly infuriating part? Even the victims probably wouldn't resent her afterward.
Hancock completely ignored what she considered a stupid remark from a Marine Admiral. What did catch her attention, however, was the Conqueror's Haki Sengoku had released moments ago. She glanced at him twice, and immediately became annoyed.
'How does this ugly garbage man have Conqueror's Haki... while my beloved Giorno doesn't?'
---
Sengoku continued, "You're early, Boa Hancock. The two members of the JoJo Pirates haven't arrived yet. We've prepared temporary housing for you in this town."
Hancock knew the Warlord appointment ceremony would take place in the harbor district. That was how her own appointment had been handled years ago. The reason was historical.
The very first generation of Warlords had once included a great pirate whose appointment ceremony was held deeper inside Marine Headquarters. As he walked farther into the base, surrounded by countless Marines, his paranoia and survival instincts overwhelmed him. He suddenly snapped and began slaughtering people throughout Marineford. After that incident, the Marines wisely moved all Warlord ceremonies to the harbor town where pirates would feel less threatened.
Upon hearing that Giorno and Jolyne still hadn't arrived, Hancock felt deeply disappointed. However, her face remained an expressionless mask. "No need. We'll wait aboard our ship."
She didn't want to spend even half a second longer in this place. Turning around, she led her sisters and the Kuja warriors away without giving Sengoku any face whatsoever.
Naturally, many Marine officers were angered by this. But strangely... not 'that' angry. After all... she was just too beautiful. It somehow felt right that she should be this arrogant, like a goddess who naturally stood above everyone else.
'That's way too pathetic!' Many Marines thought so themselves. Yet when they exchanged glances, they discovered everyone was thinking exactly the same thing.
---
"She's completely impossible to deal with!" Akainu complained.
Sengoku sighed. "Let her do whatever she wants. The fact that she hasn't petrified anyone today is already something to be grateful for." He paused. "Keep extra personnel watching her ship."
Akainu nodded. "Kuzan and Borsalino are both away. I'll supervise this area personally."
Hancock's ability was simply too dangerous. Leaving ordinary Marines near her for extended periods was asking for trouble. Fortunately, it would only be a few days. No matter how much Akainu disliked pirates, he could tolerate it for that long.
---
### Aboard the Kuja Ship
Back on the ship, Sandersonia and Marigold followed behind Hancock, whispering to each other.
"Elder Sister is disappointed."
"Very disappointed."
"What are you two muttering about?" Hancock's cold voice immediately silenced them.
The sisters exchanged sneaky smiles. Since Hancock hadn't turned around, they were certain of one thing.
'Elder Sister is definitely blushing right now.'
---
Inside her cabin, Hancock touched her slightly warm cheeks. Then, she angrily kicked the carpet.
'Why aren't they here yet?!'
---
Night fell, and stars filled the sky as Marineford glowed brightly beneath the darkness.
The harbor town had been largely cleared out. Only officers of commander rank and above remained, while the lower the rank, the farther away they were stationed. The Marines closest to Hancock's red ship were all among the highest-ranking officers in Headquarters.
---
Smoker had also arrived after hearing the news. Over the past several years, he had spent most of his time training at Headquarters. His efforts had earned him the rank of 'Lieutenant Commander'.
Ever since Giorno had swapped his Smoke-Smoke Fruit with Hina's Cage-Cage Fruit, Smoker had been forced to abandon years of habits and adapt to an entirely different power. Otherwise, with his strength, he could easily have earned enough military achievements through pirate hunting to become a Captain, or even rise into the ranks of flag officers.
Marine Headquarters wasn't rigid about promotions. As long as one's ability and achievements were sufficient, rising to flag officer rank within two years wasn't impossible. That flexibility existed largely because of the Admiral system.
Only three Admiral seats existed beneath the Fleet Admiral. No matter how many accomplishments someone earned, promotion effectively stopped at Vice Admiral, unless the Admirals changed. One could become an Admiral Candidate, but that was still only a Vice Admiral rank. As for when Admirals changed? That depended entirely on when the Fleet Admiral changed. Simple as that.
---
"Smoker!" A familiar voice called out in the darkness.
A pink-haired female Marine approached. It was 'Hina'.
"The moonlight is nice tonight," she said as she walked over. "The weather's good too."
The moment she got close, a thick cloud of cigar smoke drifted toward her.
---
'(End of Chapter)'
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