Chapter 182: Departure
"So this is the brand of the Celestial Dragons..."
Feeling Rhodes's gaze fixed on that particular spot on her back, Hancock shuddered slightly. She bit her lower lip and spoke in a trembling voice:
"Yes... both me and my two younger sisters bear this mark."
"Years ago, when we secretly sailed with the Kuja Pirates against the Empress's orders, we were captured by human traffickers and eventually sold to the Celestial Dragons, becoming their... slaves. Those days are the most painful memories my sisters and I share."
"Fortunately, the Fish-Man adventurer Fisher Tiger climbed the Red Line and attacked Mary Geoise, freeing thousands of slaves. That's how my sisters and I were able to escape..."
Rhodes could clearly feel Hancock's trembling intensify as she recounted this, obviously recalling deeply traumatic memories.
"Celestial Dragons, huh..."
Rhodes smiled with faint irony, slowly extending his hand and gently touching the brand.
Feeling the warmth of Rhodes's palm against her skin, Hancock's body stiffened noticeably.
This was, after all, the first time Rhodes had deliberately touched her—not counting the accidental contact during their initial battle.
It had to be said: this woman was truly a natural beauty. A stunning figure, an exquisitely flawless face, and skin as smooth as silk. The title of Pirate Empress was well-deserved.
Though Rhodes wanted to appreciate the sensation longer, taking too much time would be inappropriate. So he focused his concentration, allowing faint lightning to gradually illuminate his palm, then carefully channeled the electricity into her skin.
"Ah...!"
Hancock's body jolted at the sudden sensation, and a soft gasp escaped her lips.
"It'll hurt a bit at first. Try to bear with it..."
Rhodes frowned in concentration. He could handle Hancock's overt displays of charm easily enough, but this unintentional allure was proving far more distracting. He quickly suppressed his turbulent emotions, entering a state of absolute focus—like a monk deep in meditation.
"I... I understand."
A delicate blush rose on Hancock's face as she bit her lower lip, her heart in turmoil from the strange tingling sensation spreading across her back.
As Rhodes entered his meditative state, Elder Nyon standing nearby was shocked to discover that the brand on Hancock's back was actually fading!
Though the lightening was minimal—barely perceptible—Elder Nyon's experienced eyes definitely caught the change!
"It's actually working!"
Elder Nyon's eyes welled with tears of joy and relief.
Hearing this, Hancock felt a surge of excitement and tried to turn around to look for herself.
But then she heard Rhodes's stern voice:
"Don't move!"
Hancock pursed her lips, lowering her head in frustration like a scolded child, mentally grumbling about Rhodes's harsh tone.
Time passed slowly.
After what felt like an eternity, Rhodes finally stopped the treatment, slowly withdrew his hand, and let out a long exhale.
Providing personal treatment to the world's most beautiful woman—while she was topless and vulnerable—had been more taxing on his willpower than any battle. The mental strain was considerable.
Meanwhile, Hancock eagerly grabbed the mirror Elder Nyon offered, angled it behind her, and examined her reflection. Her eyes immediately filled with tears of joy:
"It really is lighter...!"
This nightmarish brand surfaced in her thoughts almost daily. Its shape and color were practically burned into Hancock's very soul. Of course she could see the difference!
"This treatment will take approximately ten days total. Just meet me here each day at the same time."
Rhodes spoke calmly. He could have removed it all in one session, but that would have left him completely exhausted. This was Amazon Lily, after all—while relations were improving, they hadn't reached the level of complete mutual trust. Being vulnerable here if something unexpected happened would be foolish.
What he didn't fully realize was just how much removing this brand meant to Hancock. It represented nothing less than rebirth—more significant even than personally crushing the Celestial Dragons who'd enslaved her.
Thousands of days and nights of psychological torture.
Constant fear of discovery.
Living with that shame burned into her flesh.
"Thank you... thank you so much. Ten days is more than acceptable. I'll come here every single day, I promise."
Hancock's voice trembled with emotion as tears streaked down her beautiful face.
Rhodes nodded gently, then moved to sit nearby, closing his eyes to rest and recover his depleted energy.
Hancock held the mirror, examining her back again and again, her expression overflowing with joy. From time to time, she stole glances at Rhodes, because she suddenly realized that this brazen man who'd crashed into her bath actually seemed... quite handsome.
"Snake Princess, you should get dressed first."
Elder Nyon was equally thrilled, but she maintained better composure. She approached and gently stopped Hancock's somewhat childish behavior.
"Oh... yes, of course."
Hancock reluctantly put away the mirror and redressed, concealing the breathtaking view once more.
"Let's give him some privacy to rest."
Hancock spoke softly, glancing at Rhodes who sat with eyes closed in meditation.
Elder Nyon looked at her in surprise, then noticed the appealing blush still coloring Hancock's cheeks. Understanding something, she gave an amused, knowing smile.
After the two women departed, Rhodes slowly opened his eyes, selected a worn journal from the nearby bookshelf, and began reading intently.
The stone monument recorded fundamental cultivation methods, while these handwritten journals contained the accumulated research of generations of Amazon Lily's greatest warriors regarding the three types of Haki—filled with extremely practical techniques and insights.
Over the coming days, Rhodes would thoroughly refine his understanding and mastery of all three Haki types, striving to reach the highest possible level before departing.
Of course, physical conditioning would never be neglected either.
One month later, in the mountains behind Amazon Lily's palace.
CRACK! BOOM!
Two figures clashed repeatedly, their impacts unleashing tremendous shockwaves that swept up fallen leaves and clouds of dust.
Their battle was like natural disaster in motion—shattering ancient trees and pulverizing boulders wherever they passed.
THUD!
Rhodes's fist collided with Hancock's leg in a powerful exchange, sending the Pirate Empress flying backward. She skidded several meters before managing to arrest her momentum.
"Your strength keeps increasing! That actually hurt!"
Hancock rubbed her aching calf, her beautiful brows furrowing in mild complaint.
Rhodes approached slowly, extending his hand. Hancock naturally grasped his palm and allowed him to pull her upright.
Over the past month, Rhodes had frequently sparred with Hancock, validating and refining his newly acquired techniques through actual combat.
Within that single month, Rhodes had achieved remarkable progress with all three types of Haki.
His Busoshoku Haki (Armament) had reached advanced mastery—he could now harden any part of his body at will, even achieving brief periods of full-body hardening, though maintaining it was still exhausting.
Furthermore, as his physical conditioning improved through constant training, his overall power had increased substantially.
His Kenbunshoku Haki (Observation) had become significantly more refined. He'd mastered several subtle techniques that allowed him to predict movements with far greater accuracy—almost reading his opponent's intentions before they acted.
His Haoshoku Haki (Conqueror's) had progressed the most dramatically. Starting essentially from scratch with control, he could now target specific individuals with relative precision rather than releasing it indiscriminately.
"In this world, to protect the people or things you cherish, you must possess sufficient strength."
"Your current level isn't enough yet—"
Rhodes was speaking calmly when the Den Den Mushi in his pocket suddenly began ringing.
Puru puru puru... Gacha!
He answered, listened briefly to the voice on the other end, then responded with a slight change in expression: "Understood. I'll handle it."
He hung up.
"Are you... leaving?"
Hancock, always perceptive, immediately sensed the shift in atmosphere. She couldn't help but feel an unexpected pang of reluctance, though she couldn't quite understand why his departure bothered her so much.
"The brands on you and your sisters have been completely removed, and I've obtained the knowledge I sought. It's time for me to go."
Rhodes stated matter-of-factly.
"Will we... meet again?"
Hancock's expression fell, and she asked hesitantly, already knowing but dreading the answer.
"Of course we will."
Rhodes smiled mysteriously. "And probably sooner than you think."
With that, he raised his hand, opened an Air Door in the empty space beside them, and stepped through—departing in his characteristically carefree manner without looking back.
The portal closed behind him, leaving Hancock staring at the empty space where he'd vanished.
She touched the spot on her back where the brand had been—now completely smooth and unmarked—and felt her heart beat faster for reasons she didn't fully understand.
"Snake Princess?"
Elder Nyon approached quietly, having observed the farewell from a distance.
"I'm fine, Granny."
Hancock turned away, hiding whatever complex emotions were playing across her face. "Just... thinking about the future."
Elder Nyon smiled knowingly but said nothing. Some things, the young Empress would need to figure out on her own.
(End of Chapter)