Intercepting the Celestial Dragons, Kane's 996 Blessing
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"You—"
"Gloriosa."
Kane cut off the old empress without hesitation, his smile fading.
"You're forty-eight years old."
"The succession of the throne on Amazon Lily relies on absolute strength. Given the rate at which your body is declining, how many more years do you think you can protect this entire country on the open sea?"
Gloriosa's angry voice abruptly stopped. Her lips trembled, but she couldn't utter a single word in rebuttal.
"The reason I want these three children is because I've observed their physical constitutions."
Kane's slender finger pointed to Hancock, who stood in the middle. "Especially this eldest one. Her bone density, muscle fiber activity, even the vitality within her body—it's at least two levels higher than that of other Kuja Tribe members her age."
"If I'm not mistaken, she possesses the qualities of a 'king.'"
Gloriosa's breath hitched for a moment.
This was one of Amazon Lily's most closely guarded secrets.
When Hancock was six years old, during an encounter with a wild beast, she unconsciously released Conqueror's Haki. Fewer than five people knew about this.
This man...
How did he see it?
Did he discern everything through Observation Haki with just that brief glance at the port?
"If they stay at G-5, I will personally design a unique training plan for them."
Kane crossed his hands, resting his chin on them, his tone becoming matter-of-fact and leaving no room for doubt.
"Without being modest, I am the world's top instructor on these seas."
Gloriosa's facial muscles twitched slightly.
She was torn.
Reason told her that every word Kane said was true. Amazon Lily was too isolated; the children needed a broader world and a stronger mentor.
But emotionally, this was tantamount to handing over the future of Amazon Lily to the World Government's greatest military power!
At that moment.
Hancock, who had remained silent all along, did something no one expected.
The ten-year-old girl didn't cry, nor did she show fear.
She simply took a step forward, using her small body to shield her two younger sisters, and looked up at Gloriosa.
"Granny."
"Hancock—"
"I'll stay."
Hancock's voice was clear, carrying the crisp tone unique to a ten-year-old child.
"If I stay here, I can protect everyone on Amazon Lily, right?"
Gloriosa's eyes reddened.
"And," Hancock tilted her head, looking directly at Kane without hesitation, "even though this man is very bad, charging way too much money..."
Kane raised an eyebrow.
Who is this little girl calling bad?
"...he's very strong."
Hancock made the most instinctive judgment with her most innocent voice.
"He's much, much stronger than you, Granny."
"Only by following the strongest can I become the strongest."
"When I become strong, I'll definitely run away from him!"
"You taught me that yourself, Granny."
Gloriosa looked at the child before her, who only reached her waist, and remained silent for a long while.
Then, she reached out and gently stroked Hancock's hair.
"...Alright."
Gloriosa abruptly turned to face Kane, dropping heavily to one knee, her fist pressed against the marble floor in the highest warrior salute of the Kuja Tribe.
"Admiral Kane. I entrust these three children to you."
"If even a single hair on their heads is harmed at G-5, I will tear you to pieces even if it costs me my life."
Kane listened to these words without a ripple of emotion in his heart.
Threatening a max-level Admiral?
What difference was there between that and a sea cat vowing to bite a Sea King to death?
But he showed no trace of contempt.
Because he had his eye on this batch of cheap yet high-quality labor.
"Rest assured."
Kane stood up and walked over to Hancock, looking down at the future beauty who would one day captivate the world.
"At G-5, no one would dare lay a finger on them."
He reached out, habitually intending to pat Hancock's head as a gesture of reassurance.
However, Hancock flinched, dodging his hand like a startled cat.
"Don't touch me!"
The little girl took two steps back, her chin held high with pride, her blue eyes wide and glaring.
"Granny said men aren't allowed to touch us! You're a man! So don't touch me!"
Kane's hand hung in mid-air.
Beside them, Sandersonia nodded vigorously.
Marigold, her mouth stuffed with grapes from the table, mumbled in agreement, "Don't touch!"
Kane withdrew his hand, thoughtfully rubbing his nose.
Interesting.
...
That afternoon.
Gloriosa signed the "Amazon Lily · Seven Warlords of the Sea Alliance Agreement" and the "G-5 Strategic Cooperation Memorandum" with mixed emotions.
She handed over all twenty billion of her family's savings and even wrote an additional ten-billion IOU.
The warship departed from the port.
The old empress stood at the bow, gazing across the widening sea at the three shrinking figures on the dock.
The youngest, Marigold, finally couldn't hold back and burst into loud sobs.
Sandersonia's eyes were red, her lips tightly pressed together, not uttering a word.
Only Hancock stood in front of her two younger sisters, her back ramrod straight, waving vigorously at the departing serpent ship.
Gloriosa turned away abruptly, refusing to look any longer.
She feared that if she glanced back even once, she wouldn't be able to stop herself from turning the ship around to snatch the children back. So, she resolutely steered the warship into the Calm Belt.
On the dock, only Kane and three little girls of varying heights remained.
"Alright, the sentimental part is over. Welcome to G-5."
Kane's voice broke the silence as he pulled out a densely packed schedule from his coat and looked down at the three girls.
"From today onward, your daily schedule is as follows."
His voice held no warmth.
"Wake up at six in the morning, finish morning run training by six-thirty. Breakfast at seven. From eight to twelve, the eldest, Hancock, will go to the finance office to learn bookkeeping and report-making."
"Second eldest, Sandersonia, will go to the logistics warehouse to learn inventory management and archiving."
"Third eldest..."
He glanced at Marigold, who was still sneakily stuffing grapes into her mouth.
"Third eldest will assist in the kitchen, starting with peeling potatoes."
The three sisters stared wide-eyed in unison.
Hancock was the first to react, blurting out, "You want us to work?"
"Obviously."
Kane sneered, his capitalist ugliness fully exposed.
"If you don't work, do you expect me to feed you for free?"
"Your food, lodging, education, training supplies—which of these doesn't cost money? There's no such thing as a free lunch. Remember that well from today onward."
"But..."
"No buts."
Kane cut her off. "In return, from four to five in the afternoon, I, an Admiral of Marine Headquarters, will personally instruct you in the basics of physical combat and Haki."
Hancock closed her mouth.
Though reluctant, she understood the weight of the words "personally instruct."
This man was an Admiral.
An Admiral far more powerful than her grandmother.
To receive his personal guidance in exchange for some work... it didn't seem like a bad deal.
"Fine." Hancock lifted her chin. "I'll do it. But you're not allowed to touch me, watch me change clothes, or—"
"Don't worry."
Kane had already turned around, heading toward the main building of the base, leaving only a cool silhouette and a detached remark.
"I'm not interested in brats."
Hancock froze completely.
This was the first time she had encountered a man.
To be precise, the first man she had ever met in her life who said he was "not interested" in her.
On Amazon Lily, everyone praised her as the island's most beautiful flower, the future star of the Nine Snakes.
This feeling of being utterly ignored...
It was strange.
Not anger, but an unfamiliar discomfort that made her whole body feel awkward.
"Hmph!"
Hancock tossed her smooth black hair, grabbed her two still-dazed younger sisters, and hurried after him with quick steps.
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