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"What a beautiful woman! I've never seen anyone so gorgeous!"
"How can such a stunning woman exist in this world? I'm truly..."
Upon seeing Hancock's face, the non-officer members of the Bernal Pirates' eyes turned into hearts. As if possessed, they began to twist their bodies uncontrollably.
"What insolent men. Hmph!"
Aboard the Kuja Pirates' ship, Hancock leapt onto the bow. Looking down, she watched the lust-filled faces of the Bernal Pirates with disgust.
Their undisguised malice reminded her of unpleasant memories. Moreover, Hancock had already marked this crew as the first prey of her voyage.
"It's not every day we meet someone from Amazon Lily. Why don't you girls entertain us for a while?"
Bernal, a burly, bald man with a full beard and yellow teeth, laughed maniacally. As the saying goes, "Those whom heaven would destroy, it first makes mad."
Hancock was clearly enraged but didn't waste a single word.
"Perfume Femur!"
She struck a pose with her hands forming a heart. Her cloak and long hair fluttered behind her as a heart-shaped beam of light instantly engulfed the Bernal Pirates' ship.
Swoosh!
The pirates, who had been writhing wildly just moments before, froze in place. Their bodies rapidly turned to stone, as if gazed upon by the legendary Medusa.
"Huh? What is this strange power?"
Bernal was shocked. On the high seas, the greatest fear is ignorance of the enemy's abilities.
With countless strange Devil Fruit powers in existence, encountering an unpredictable one could easily lead to one's demise.
Before her enemies could recover, Hancock touched her fingers to her lips, creating a small, pink, heart-shaped projectile that she balanced on her index finger.
"Pistol Kiss!"
Similar in effect to the Finger Pistol, but imbued with the Mero Mero no Mi's unique petrification ability, it could cause a temporary stiffness in those it struck.
Swoosh! Swoosh! Swoosh!
A barrage of Pistol Kisses rained down on the Bernal Pirates. The crewmen who were already petrified shattered into stone fragments of various sizes.
Even the officers whom the Perfume Femur had not caught were hit repeatedly, and the momentary paralysis gave them a terrible premonition.
"Slave Arrow!"
Following up on her combo, Hancock seized the opportunity. She launched her long legs into the air, the sharp points of her shoes sweeping across the remaining officers.
The few who were hit were instantly petrified and shattered at the point of contact, clearly losing their ability to fight.
Unlike Perfume Femur, Slave Arrow could petrify an opponent on contact, regardless of whether they felt any lust or affection for Hancock, unless their power level was significantly higher than hers.
"Damn you, woman!"
As expected of a pirate with a bounty of over 100 million, Bernal finally reacted to Hancock's swift, relentless assault, even if his crew was incompetent.
He could have ventured into the New World long ago, but had lingered in Paradise for months out of fear of Kanos Atlas.
To think he would be defeated at the hands of a woman before even reaching the New World filled him with rage.
"Gear - Ram!"
Bernal's feet rapidly transformed into massive gears. A savage look appeared on his face as he charged viciously toward the attacking Hancock.
"A Devil Fruit user?"
Hancock was slightly surprised, but not shocked. It was common for pirates with bounties exceeding 100 million in Paradise to have some extraordinary ability, with Devil Fruits being the most frequent.
Although she had only recently awakened her Observation Haki, she was not so easily hit. Hancock leaned her body to the side, and the unstoppable Bernal crashed directly into the ship's railing.
Bang!
Seizing the chance, Hancock delivered a powerful side kick.
"Slave Arrow!"
Thud!
Bernal reacted quickly, raising his right arm to block. He managed to withstand the powerful kick, and his arm showed no signs of petrification.
"Heh heh, I am a Gear Man who ate the Gear-Gear Fruit!"
Bernal laughed arrogantly. His entire body functioned like a complex machine, providing him with immense kinetic energy. This allowed him to unleash tremendous power even in a rushed defence.
"The Gear-Gear Fruit, you say? I will make you bow before my beauty!"
Hancock remained composed. Though it was her first voyage, as the new empress of Amazon Lily, she had to defeat her enemies decisively. Because... she is the perfect empress!
Armament Haki coated her leg, turning it jet-black. Hailing from Amazon Lily, which has a complete tradition of Haki training, the Empress naturally mastered its use.
Hancock leapt into the air, using the momentum of her descent to deliver a spinning triple kick.
"Slave Arrow - Armament!"
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Her aim was precise, with each kick landing on the same spot on Bernal's arm. He felt a force far heavier than before slam into him, and his arm, which was previously only numb, instantly turned to stone.
Then... it shattered!
"What the hell is this?"
Bernal was horrified, cold sweat beading on his forehead. Having lost an arm, his combat strength was drastically reduced. His fate was sealed.
...Meanwhile, at the Holy Land of Mary Geoise, inside Pangea Castle's Chamber of Authority...
The Five Elders were gathered once again in a bright and spacious office, the atmosphere relaxed.
"The Empress of the Kuja Pirates defeated a notorious pirate with a bounty of over 100 million on her very first voyage."
"The World Government wishes to invite her to become one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea," said Saint Dexter, who had white hair and a black hat.
After a moment of thought, Saint Nazarov, who was bald and wore glasses, cautioned, "Are you certain the Kuja Pirates will accept? I've heard their new empress is quite hostile towards the World Government."
"Hmph! It's not her choice. The Calm Belt can no longer serve as their shield," Saint Aibellic, the one with yellow hair, stated coldly.
With Dr Vegapunk's assistance, the World Government had long since conquered the Calm Belt.
The issues of propulsion and Sea King attacks had been perfectly resolved. If Amazon Lily failed to cooperate, they would be erased.
"Very well. Inform Sengoku to set her first bounty at 80 million, and then the World Government will extend the invitation to join the Seven Warlords."
"80 million? Isn't that a bit low? It might not be enough to intimidate other pirates."
"It is her first bounty, but her achievement of defeating a pirate worth over 100 million speaks for itself. I believe the other pirates will understand the message."
"Fine, but..."
Saint Nazarov spoke again. "That swordsman, 'Hawk-Eye' Dracule Mihawk, has requested to become a Warlord. He even delivered a few heads to the Marines."
"Excellent. The Warlord positions have been vacant for too long, and our recent invitation to Moria was a failure."
......
The New World.
A colossal azure dragon, treading on clouds of fire, continuously inhaled and exhaled a scorching inferno from its abyss-like mouth.
Opposite him stood the hero of the Marines, his hair and beard half-white, a man of immense stature—Garp!
"Hey! Damn it, Garp, get the hell out of my way!" the giant dragon roared in human speech, its already ferocious face twisting with even greater fury.
"Hahaha! If you want to pass, you'll have to ask my fists for permission, Kaido!" Garp laughed heartily, completely unfazed by Kaido's threats.
Seeing that negotiation was futile, Kaido resorted to force. He was eager to measure the strength of this legendary Marine hero anyway.
After all, back when he was just an apprentice pirate, Garp was already one of the most powerful figures in the world.
"Heat Breath!"
Scorching dragon flames erupted from Kaido's massive jaws.
Everywhere the blast passed, the air burned, shimmering and distorting from the searing heatwave that surged toward Garp.
"Fist Bone: Meteor!"
Garp just laughed, coating his fist in Armament Haki and using Moonwalk to charge head-on into the attack.
The overwhelming wave of fire seemed to be sliced in two by a sharp blade.
Garp's fist, like a mythical fire-repelling pearl, tore through the searing heat, creating a deafening sonic boom that threatened to rip the sky apart.
Thump!
Compared to Kaido's colossal body, Garp's fist seemed small.
But as the blackened fist connected with Kaido's jaw, an immense power and a Haki-infused will that penetrated to the bone drilled into Kaido's head with unstoppable force.
Aaargh—!
Kaido cried out in pain. His massive mouth was forced shut, and cracks even appeared on his savage fangs. He lost control of his dragon form, tumbling backwards through the air.
All of Garp's techniques are prefixed with 'Fist Bone,' a testament to just how hard his fists are—hardened to the very bone.
"That really hurt. You live up to your name, Garp!"
Finally steadying himself, Kaido shook his aching head, a look of apprehension on his face as he stared at Garp.
It was as if he was recalling the formidable figure of his captain from decades ago—Rocks—who had once stood in his way.
However...
"ROOOAAR—!"
Kaido bellowed at the sky. "I am Kaido... of the Hundred Beasts!"
Shaking his head once more, he transformed into his Dragon-Human form and charged forward again, clashing with Garp in a flurry of blows.
...Knock, knock, knock—!...
"Come in!"
Click!
Atlas pushed the door open and entered. Just moments before, he had been instructing recruits in swordsmanship at the new soldier training camp.
After several days of his guidance, Ain was now just a hair's breadth away from achieving the state of cutting steel. He was surprised to be suddenly summoned by Sengoku.
Sengoku was leaning back in his office chair with his eyes narrowed, rubbing his temples with a pained expression.
Hearing the knock, his face turned serious. He sat up straight and gestured for Atlas to find a seat.
"What's wrong? You look worried, old man Sengoku," Atlas said, half-joking, in an attempt to ease the tense atmosphere.
"Your warship has been modified. You can inspect it later. It was all built according to your specifications," Sengoku said, avoiding the question and instead bringing up the Thriller Bark.
Atlas understood. Was it time for him to head to the New World?
He asked tentatively, "Is there trouble in the New World?"
Only a situation like that would cause Sengoku to look so troubled and rush Atlas to assume his post in the New World.
"That's right. The CP agent we had undercover in the Beasts Pirates has been exposed. He initiated his escape plan, but Kaido caught on at the last minute."
"We expect Kaido to intercept him at the G-5 base. You need to get to the New World at once. Otherwise, not only will the Five Elders hold us accountable, but the G-5 base will be annihilated."
The G-5 base currently had no Vice-Admiral stationed there. If Kaido descended upon it without a top-tier fighter to hold him back, nothing at the base could stop him.
"Francis?"
The name was vaguely familiar to Atlas. During the Great War in the New World a few years ago, he was dispatched to the waters of Totto Land and given special orders to leave an opening in their blockade for Francis to slip through.
He later heard the man had become one of the Three Disasters of the Beasts Pirates.
It seems the CP department's agent training isn't as rigorous as I thought, Atlas mused. It took Kaido only a few years to uncover his true identity.
Then again, among the three current Emperors of the sea, only the Whitebeard Pirates, held together by bonds of family, lacked the kind of dense intelligence network the other two crews had within their territories.
The nature of Big Mom's Soul-Soul Fruit in Totto Land is self-evident; the entire nation served as her eyes and ears.
While Kaido's Beasts Pirates lacked Big Mom's omnipresent surveillance, his secretary and one of the Headliners could indeed monitor parts of Onigashima through special means.
"Wait! What about old man Garp? Isn't he at the G-3 base?"
Atlas was confused. Garp's G-3 base should be the closest to Kaido's territory. If Garp intercepted him, there was no reason Kaido should be able to chase someone all the way to G-5.
"...They fought. Kaido's Devil Fruit is too troublesome, and Garp couldn't keep up with him. If not for Garp, Francis wouldn't have made it as far as G-5."
This was precisely why Sengoku was urging Atlas to leave for the New World immediately.
He knew that Atlas possessed an ability like Shiki the Golden Lion's, and in terms of mobility, only Admiral Kizaru at Headquarters could match him.
Sengoku wasn't particularly concerned with the CP agent's life. The main problem was Kaido being lured toward a Marine base by Francis. One wrong move could mean the destruction of the base.
"Alright, I understand. I'll head to the New World at once."
Recognising the gravity of the situation, Atlas stood up and left Sengoku's office.
Although the New World was vast, and even the flight-capable Kaido couldn't reach the G-5 base in a short time after being delayed by Garp, one could never be too careful.
Atlas had no desire to arrive at the G-5 base only to find a scene of devastation and ruins.
...Marineford Port...
The sheer size of the Thriller Bark made it impossible to dock normally at the port.
Instead, Atlas had it hovering in mid-air and had created a floating staircase out of massive stone blocks to provide access for the modification crew.
This marvel of engineering had become quite the spectacle at Headquarters over the past few days.
Today, however, the show was over. The grand modifications to the Thriller Bark were finally complete.
(T/N: Please give me some power stone, I hope it can at least reach the top 100)
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