"Wahaha! I advise you to release right now!"
That voice stopped Sandersonia in her tracks. She turned back to look at him, surprise flickering in her eyes. For some reason, the dejected air about the prisoner vanished in an instant. Right now, he stood ramrod straight, arms crossed, a commanding light in his eyes, just as he had on the execution platform, looking down on everyone. He radiated that heavy pressure once again.
Even Sandersonia, who had just been looking down on him, froze.
Before she could say anything, Mock spoke again...
his voice dripping with authority. "Release me now, and I will handsomely reward you later. Otherwise, don't force me to unleash my power in the East Blue. I have no desire to paint the sea red with blood, so I hope you..." He paused slightly, an edge ringing in his tone, "...think twice before you act!"
Before the stunned woman could open her mouth,
Again, suddenly. *Smack!*
"Cough, cough, cough!"
That domineering voice vanished.
"Um..." Mock collapsed back onto the ground, completely drained. "How about you untie my Seastone first? I swear on the Pirate King's name, I promise I won't run."
Silence fell over the room.
Sandersonia scowled at the man standing behind the iron bars. Was this guy an idiot? She had been intimidated by an idiot?! She ignored the fool, turned, and walked back toward the ship's ladder without a single glance behind her.
A moment later, she reached the deck.
Her furious expression was immediately noticed by Marigold and Hancock. Both frowned.
"Sandersonia, what's wrong?" Marigold asked, curious. "Did that East Blue Overlord make you mad? Wait, isn't he locked up? How could he make you mad?"
"It's nothing. He's just an idiot."
Hearing her sister's words, Sandersonia's expression softened. She looked at the spacious pier ahead, slightly surprised.
"Are we here?"
"We are." Marigold nodded, looking at the island before them with equal surprise. "The East Blue Marines are really rich! No wonder they split off from Marine HQ. But why are there so many ships here? Are those people civilians?" She frowned, watching the civilians coming and going, along with the boats ferrying them. "Did they not see us arrive? Big Sister, should I disperse them?"
"No need!" Hancock, who had been staring ahead with a cold expression, also frowned, then spoke flatly. "Someone is coming!"
At Snake Princess's words, the crew members sensed the sudden commotion...
on the pier and looked up. They saw a squad of men in East Blue Marine uniforms approaching, swiftly evacuating the crowd and maintaining order.
And at the front, two familiar figures came into everyone's view...
The Shichibukai, Bartholomew Kuma.
And that Marines Rebel Captain, the Leader of the East Blue Marines...
Boa Hancock stared at the figure walking at the front of the squad.
"Dante!"
The Pirate Empress descended from the bow with her subordinates. Her expression remained flat, yet her mere presence silenced the crowd without effort.
Once the Kuja Pirates reached the pier, Dante signaled Robin to evacuate the onlookers. Even with most of the crowd dispersed, Hancock's title as the World's Most Beautiful Woman still sparked chaos. Even the Marines Dante had brought along made a ruckus.
Hancock had expected this as she smirked, as if deliberately provoking the crowd to make fools of themselves. The moment her foot touched the dock, she put on a show of dominance!
Dante refused to indulge her.
He forced a welcoming expression and led his men forward.
Seeing them approach, the Kuja Pirates behind Hancock tensed...
gripping their weapons. With Snake Princess present, and since she did not seem to be looking for a fight, they still dared not lower their guard for a second.
Sandersonia and Marigold, who had also participated in that war, knew exactly how strong this rebel crew was. Their captain had dared to haggle with the Fleet Admiral and later clashed with a Marine Admiral, yet in the end... Nothing happened to him?!
As a rebel, he had brazenly marched into Marine HQ and walked right out again under their very noses. It was obvious: even Marine HQ dared not make a move against them lightly!
The seas had grown more chaotic, leaving Marine HQ without the resources to deal with the East Blue Marines. For now, they ignored this rogue faction holed up in the East Blue. Yet forcing Marine HQ to hold back meant this crew was not to be underestimated!
They had opposed Big Sister coming here. Since she had made up her mind, they had no choice but to obey. They could only hope she was truly just here to look around, and that this leader had no ulterior motives. Otherwise, even with Big Sister's strength, it would spell disaster for the Kuja Pirates!
Dante led his group forward, smiling as he spoke. "Welcome, Empress of the Amazon Lily Kingdom."
He fully intended to do business with them, and not just them, he wanted to trade with the Fish-Man Kingdom too. The Fish-Man Kingdom in particular... As the gateway to the first half of the Grand Line and the New World, it boasted an incredible geographical advantage!
Just like Whisky Peak, as its reputation spread, it had become the first stop for rookie crews entering the Grand Line. Any pirate fresh from the Four Blues would spend money there, stocking up on supplies. Some troublesome pirates tried to loot the place, causing plenty of trouble, but the quarterly profits there ranked among the highest of all the islands. It even competed with the Conomi Islands, that manufacturing hub exporting to the Four Blues, for the top spot! Whisky Peak had become one of the East Blue Marines' vital economic pillars.
"I have come to keep our appointment."
Hancock showed some courtesy, looking at Dante with her usual arrogance. "I hope you were not lying to me!"
"Of course. I guarantee you will be satisfied and leave with a full haul," Dante replied with absolute confidence.
He sensed the commotion behind him, then looked Hancock in the eye and spoke seriously. "I just have one small request I hope you will agree to!"
"A man actually makes a demand in front of me?"
Hancock frowned. She stared at the man before her in disbelief, questioning if he was even human. Then she composed herself, her gaze turning cold. "State your demand. But if it is unreasonable, I will not agree!"
"Well..." Dante smiled. "Could you rein in your charm? Also, follow the rules here. Don't hurt people arbitrarily, and don't petrify anyone on a whim."
He hadn't forgotten her arrogance, her willfulness, her utter disdain for men. She did exactly as she pleased, the slightest dissatisfaction turned someone to stone. To avoid trouble, he laid it out directly.
The Kuja Pirates stared, dumbfounded.
They never imagined anyone daring to make such a demand before Snake Princess. Did this man have no pride? Wasn't Dante supposed to covet female pirates? They had feared he would lust after Snake Princess-sama's beauty, yet here he stood, brazenly issuing demands to her face.
Even Hancock froze. She had imagined countless demands, but never this. She clenched her teeth, grinding them as she spoke, arrogance ringing in her voice. "My beauty is innate. It is not something I can simply rein in."
"Is that so? It really won't work? I recall your ability is the Paramecia-type Love-Love Fruit. Why don't you try a little harder to control your power?"
"I..."
Seeing him push his luck, everyone froze again. Before the furious Hancock could retort, voices erupted.
"You fool! The audacity to speak to Snake Princess like that!"
"Even if you acknowledge Snake Princess's beauty, that is no excuse for such insolence!"
"Snake Princess is the World's Most Beautiful Woman! She cannot simply turn her charm on and off at will. You only have your own dirty minds to blame!"
"And to actually give Snake Princess orders?!"
In an instant, Dante's bold demand ignited the entire Kuja crew. They glared at him, fury radiating from every eye.
Likewise, Kuma and Kuro kept their expressions flat...
watching the women across from them. They didn't know why their Boss would make such a bizarre request, following their rules was one thing, but the first part was just too weird. Still, they stood ready to strike the moment the pirates moved.
For a moment, the two forces locked in a standoff. Neither side moved. Especially on the Kuja side, Sandersonia and Marigold burned with fury at the man's insolence toward their Big Sister, yet they didn't dare act rashly, not considering his strength.
However, just as the tension peaked, Dante sighed in frustration.
He leaned in close, right next to Hancock's ear. Before she could stiffen and deliver a Perfume Femur, he spoke.
"Hancock, you wouldn't want the secret on your back to be found out, would you?"
His pointed voice pierced her ear. Hancock, leg already rising, shuddered. Her face turned pale.
This man... he really did know!
===============
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