"How do I look in this outfit?" Hancock examined herself. "Does it seem strange?"
"Serpent Princess, what are you saying?" Enishida laughed. "A beauty like you looks stunning in anything."
"But I..."
Seeing Hancock's face turn red, Enishida and the others' eyes instantly turned heart-shaped.
"Ahhh!!"
"The Serpent Princess is so beautiful!"
"Lady Hancock!!"
Though they didn't understand why she was making such an expression, she truly looked even more radiant!!!
At that moment, Granny Nyon and Meiser entered from outside, immediately spotting Hancock covering her face, lost in thought.
Granny Nyon: ???
What's up with this girl now?
"Ah, it's Granny Nyon!"
"And Lord Meiser!"
"Lord Meiser!!"
Meiser: ???
Meiser stared at them in confusion. Their attitudes had shifted so drastically.
Just earlier, they'd seemed ready to kill him—now they were greeting him with smiles?
"Did Hancock tell them what I did?"
"Lord Meiser, you were the one who lifted the Serpent Princess's curse, weren't you?" Enishida gazed at him gratefully. "Thank you!"
Her words confirmed Meiser's suspicion—Hancock had indeed revealed his actions.
With a smile, Meiser replied, "It was nothing."
"You're too modest."
As Enishida seemed about to say more, Granny Nyon interjected, "Enough. Save the gratitude for after Meiser returns from Impel Down. We have urgent matters now."
Taking the hint, Enishida nodded and fell silent.
"Hancock, do you still have that thing?"
"That thing?"
Hancock, who had been eagerly awaiting Meiser's opinion on her outfit, blinked in confusion. "What thing?"
"Your Vivrecard, of course."
"Oh, the Vivrecard..."
Hancock thought for a moment, then turned to Enishida. "Enishida, do you still have my Vivrecard?"
"Yes, Serpent Princess."
Enishida walked briskly to a nearby cabinet and retrieved a pristine white sheet of paper.
Handing it to Hancock, she said, "Here you are."
Taking the Vivrecard, Hancock glanced at it. "Granny Nyon, why do you need this?"
"It's for this boy, of course." Granny Nyon gestured toward Meiser.
At her words, Hancock's eyes lit up, her cheeks flushing slightly. "Meiser...
You actually need my Vivrecard?!"
"I thought he might."
Granny Nyon explained, "This boy has a Sea King as his transport, but their vision is limited. Plus, the Navy's warships are uniquely designed... tracking them underwater would be difficult."
"So, I thought of the Vivrecard."
With it, Meiser could simply have the Sea King follow the warship at a steady pace.
That way, they could reach the other side before the Gates of Justice closed.
Once they entered Impel Down's territory—success would be assured!
"So that's how it is..."
Hancock glanced at the Vivrecard in her hand, then strode over to Meiser with her long legs and handed it to him, saying, "Then I entrust my Vivrecard to you."
"Alright, thanks."
Meiser tore off the portion bearing Hancock's name and returned the rest to her.
"This will be enough."
Hancock blinked but said nothing more. She took back the Vivrecard and passed it to Enishida, signaling her to keep it safe. This way, she could produce it again when Meiser needed it next time.
"Meiser, you must keep this Vivrecard safe," Granny Nyon said seriously. "After rescuing Fire Fist Ace, you'll need to rely on it to return to our Kuja Island."
Getting lost in a place like the Calm Belt would be no different from death. After all... there were super Sea Kings over a kilometer long there! So she hoped Meiser would head straight for Kuja Island after the rescue.
As for the war between the Marines and Whitebeard... that had nothing to do with them. Ultimately, Meiser and the Straw Hat Boy's goal was only to save Ace.
"Granny Nyon is right," Hancock said. "Meiser, you must... you must come back safely." As she spoke, her face flushed slightly, and she appeared somewhat bashful.
"Ah!"
"Lady Hancock is too beautiful!!"
Enishida and the others shrieked excitedly at the sight of Hancock's expression.
Looking at her blushing face, Meiser smiled. "Don't worry, I'll definitely return alive." He was confident in his strength. After all... with that Pupil Technique of his, he was immortal!
"Are you all prepared?" Granny Nyon asked.
"Ready," Hancock nodded. "I can depart anytime." In truth, she had been ready long ago—only hesitating over what outfit to wear this time.
"Then let's set off now."
Granny Nyon glanced at the sky. "That way, we can reach Impel Down sooner." She just hoped the Marines wouldn't transfer Fire Fist Ace to Marine Headquarters ahead of schedule. Otherwise... Meiser and the others would arrive to an empty prison.
"Understood!"
After exchanging a glance, Meiser and Hancock walked out together.
Watching them leave, Granny Nyon tightened her grip on her Serpent Cane and murmured, "You must all return safely..."
Impel Down, where Meiser was headed, was extremely dangerous—one misstep could mean death. And Hancock's destination, Marine Headquarters, was even more perilous! After all... it would be a battle against a Pirate Crew of the Four Emperors' caliber!
But given Hancock's temperament, she likely wouldn't fight the Whitebeard Pirates to the death—just put on a show at most. Thinking this, Granny Nyon gradually relaxed.
Still, she wondered if Edward Newgate would survive Marine Headquarters this time. Though he was immensely powerful, hailed as the world's strongest man...
...in the end, he had grown old.
At this thought, a trace of melancholy appeared in Granny Nyon's eyes.
Meanwhile, on the sea surface, Vice Admiral Momonga, who had been waiting for Hancock, was crouched atop a Sea King, cutting pieces of the sea beast's flesh to eat.
"Hmm... sea beast sashimi... not bad," Momonga mused while stroking his chin.
Though it couldn't compare to the food prepared by the ship's cook, he couldn't afford to be picky right now.
Then, he turned his gaze toward Kuja Island and muttered, "What exactly is Boa Hancock playing at? I've already delivered the message, so why hasn't she come out yet?"
Could it be... that woman was going to break her promise again?
At this thought, Momonga's eyes sharpened.
"If you act willfully again this time, there won't be another chance, Boa Hancock!"
If she refused once more, he wouldn't hesitate to report the situation here. That would spell doom for Kuja Island!
Suddenly, Momonga noticed a change in the direction of Kuja Island.
"Is that... lights?"
Seeing the lights appear at the harbor, Momonga immediately stopped what he was doing and returned to the ship to grab a telescope.
After confirming the distant situation, the tension in Momonga's nerves eased slightly.
"Finally showing up, huh..."
Looking at the woman standing at the ship's bow, Momonga said, "It seems this mission can be completed after all."
Though this woman was incredibly willful, her strength was undeniable.
With her joining their side, the Navy's chances of defeating the Whitebeard Pirates would increase significantly.
At this thought, a faint smile appeared on Momonga's face—but it vanished instantly when he recalled her past behavior.
Glancing at his subordinates still on deck, Momonga sighed.
"These idiots..."
Right now, he could only hope they hadn't died. Otherwise, the losses this time would be too great.
Shaking his head, Momonga walked to the ship's side, eating the Sea King meat while he waited.
Soon, the Kuja Ship from Kuja Island approached, docking alongside the Navy vessel.
"Navy..."
Hancock narrowed her eyes at the Vice Admiral eating meat on the deck, then stepped onto Salome's head, slowly approaching the warship.
"You've finally arrived, Boa Hancock!" Momonga said, eyeing Hancock standing atop the serpent's head. "Only you and this snake are going to Impel Down, correct?"
As he spoke, Momonga carefully examined Salome. After confirming the serpent matched the intelligence reports, he secretly sighed in relief.
"Not a Devil Fruit user."
"Mm."
"Good." Momonga nodded, then continued, "Normally, pirates—including the Royal Seven Warlords of the Sea—are forbidden from approaching Impel Down. But you're an exception this time."
After a pause, he added, "However, I must make this clear—we're short on time. You won't be able to stay long in Impel Down. Understood?"
He needed to spell this out for her to avoid any unexpected complications.
"This concubine understands."
She wasn't actually interested in getting to know that guy—she was just guiding Meiser.
So... even if she could only stay for a short while, it didn't matter.
"You understand, then. Come aboard," Vice Admiral Momonga said.
Though he didn't know why she wanted to see Fire Fist Ace, it wasn't his concern anymore.
As Fleet Admiral Sengoku had said, once this woman entered Impel Down, she would be restrained with Seastone Handcuffs, and Magellan would personally oversee her the entire time.
Under those conditions, even if she wanted to do something, it would be impossible.
Of course, if this woman did something stupid... well, she'd deserve whatever came her way!
"Safe travels, Serpent Princess!"
"Please return safely!"
"Hmph. I leave Kuja Island in your hands," Hancock replied with a nod.
"OOH!!"
Glancing at the women aboard the Kuja Ship, Momonga thought to himself, If only we could recruit them too...
The crew of a Royal Seven Warlord of the Sea was undoubtedly formidable.
But Momonga knew it was impossible.
After all... the Warlords had no obligation to lend their subordinates to the Marines!
Sighing at the thought, Momonga shook his head.
"Let's depart," Hancock declared.
"I have no objections. But before we do, could you undo the petrification of my crew?" Momonga gestured to his men. "With just me alone, sailing would be impossible."
He wasn't a navigator—he couldn't locate the Basin Current.
And... a Marine warship wasn't something one person could operate alone.
"Is that so?"
Hancock glanced at the petrified Marines and, after a brief pause, said, "Very well."
"Good."
Momonga exhaled in relief.
As long as she was willing to cooperate, things would go smoothly. Otherwise, he'd have no way of bringing her back.
Without further delay, Hancock walked over to the petrified soldiers and activated her Devil Fruit Ability.
"Hmph~"
A pink glow enveloped the Marines, and their stone bodies gradually returned to normal.
"Huh?"
"Was it just nighttime?"
"No, I thought it was still daytime..."
Staring at the darkened sky, the Marines looked dazed, as if their memories had been scrambled.
So, they don't remember anything from the time they were petrified... Momonga mused silently.
What a terrifying Devil Fruit Ability.
Then, he barked at his men, "You idiots! Get moving! We're leaving at full speed!"
"YES, SIR!"
"Before heading to Marine Headquarters, we're making a stop at Impel Down. Understood?!"
"UNDERSTOOD!"
Though they didn't know why their superior had issued such an order, as soldiers, their duty was simply to obey.
Watching the Marines scramble into action, Hancock took a deep breath and glanced toward the side of Kuja Island.
I wonder if Meiser and the others have caught up...
But she didn't linger, afraid of exposing Meiser's presence. After just a brief look, she averted her gaze.
"Something wrong?" Momonga asked.
As he spoke, he glanced toward Kuja Island but didn't spot anything unusual.
"Nothing." Hancock shook her head. "Where is this queen's resting place?"
Without overthinking it, Momonga turned and led Hancock toward the captain's quarters, saying, "Follow me."
Upon reaching the door, Vice Admiral Momonga pointed and said, "This is the finest room on the ship. You'll rest here during our voyage."
As if recalling something, he added, "This military warship is brand new, and no man has ever used this room. You can rest assured."
This was a specific instruction from Fleet Admiral Sengoku, after all... They feared this woman might take offense otherwise. The gesture surprised Hancock slightly before she nodded in satisfaction. "Good. If there's nothing else, do not disturb this queen."
"Understood."
BANG
Watching the heavily shut door, Vice Admiral Momonga exhaled deeply in relief.
He'd finally managed that one...
She was undoubtedly the most troublesome among the Royal Seven Warlords of the Sea, but fortunately, he'd completed his mission.
Shaking his head, Momonga turned to his subordinates. "Quickly! Locate the Basin Current at full speed!"
"Aye!"
SPLASH
Soon, the warship operating at full power gradually left Kuja Island's vicinity, sailing toward distant waters.
Meanwhile, in a place unseen by them, a man floated silently in the sea, watching intently.
"Military ships really are fast," Meiser murmured, narrowing his eyes.
No wonder Nami had said ordinary vessels couldn't escape naval pursuit. With this speed, how could any regular ship outrun them?
Shaking his head, Meiser submerged and swiftly returned to Tooth's mouth.
Passing through the protective water sphere, he entered the storage room.
Seeing Luffy feasting heartily, Meiser remarked, "You really can eat, kid."
"Meiser! You're back!" Luffy grinned toothily. "Aren't you gonna eat something?"
"I'll have some."
Picking up food from the table, Meiser ate, his furrowed brow relaxing slightly.
"Now that I think about it, I haven't eaten since afternoon," he said.
Apart from a small meal upon arrival, he hadn't touched any food since.
"Oh right, Granny Nyon mentioned you haven't slept in three days." Luffy looked at Meiser worriedly. "Maybe you should rest first."
"If I sleep, who'll keep us on course?" Meiser shook his head.
Tooth could only follow the warship because of the Vivrecard guiding them. If he slept, no one could steer.
Luffy scratched his head. "Then what do we do?"
Fighting nonstop and staying awake for three days straight... Could Meiser really endure it? If something happened to him now, Luffy couldn't even fetch a doctor.
"Don't worry, I'm fine." Meiser smiled. "Once we enter the Navy's dedicated current, I'll find time to rest."
Once we reach that current, we won't need the Vivrecard's guidance anymore—just follow the flow.
"Alright..." Luffy said, then added with concern, "But don't push yourself too hard."
If something happened to Meiser because of this, he wouldn't know what to do.
"Don't worry, I know my limits," Meiser replied.
He wasn't an idiot—he wouldn't gamble with his own safety. If he didn't have this special Mangekyō Sharingan, he wouldn't be taking such risks.
Thinking of the Mangekyō Sharingan's power, Meiser instinctively touched his eye socket and mused, 'Mind Reflection Eye...'
Just before awakening the Mangekyō Sharingan, two thoughts had surfaced in Meiser's mind.
The first: If only time could rewind.
The second: If only everything before me were an illusion.
Perhaps it was this conviction that awakened this invincible Mangekyō Sharingan.
Though it lacked offensive Pupil Techniques, preventing him from gaining overwhelming combat power from the start...
For someone in this world, such eyes were actually more suitable.
The only question was whether these eyes could evolve into something greater.
With that thought, Meiser narrowed his eyes.
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