Calm Belt, Nine Serpent Island waters.
On the sea surface, the Marine fleet carved out a stern boundary, with dozens of warships flying the Justice banner surrounding Nine Serpent Island.
At the bow of the fleet, Rear Admiral Momonga glanced backward before turning to face Nine Serpent Island, his voice booming through the sea wind:
"Boa Hancock! As one of the Royal Seven Warlords of the Sea, you enjoy the World Government's protection yet disregard your duties, repeatedly and openly defying mandatory summons."
"You even petrified our messengers and openly attacked Marines! This is the ultimate provocation against the World Government's justice!"
His sharp gaze swept over the faintly moving sentry figures at the island's edge, his tone growing increasingly grave:
"The World Government has now decided to revoke your position as one of the Royal Seven Warlords of the Sea!"
"The Marines have gathered here today both to punish your crime of defying government orders and to deliver a final warning!"
"You must immediately board the ship and surrender, or our forces will crush Amazon Lily with thunderous force and destroy Nine Serpent Island!!"
...
The voice spread throughout Nine Serpent Island via the ship's Den Den Mushi, raising a solemn, murderous atmosphere.
The shadow of the warships' cannons obscured the palace eaves across the entire island.
Ripples suddenly appeared on the sea surface outside the island.
An invisible force stirred beneath the water, and the harbor mist was torn apart by pink light.
The next moment, massive serpentine Sea Kings emerged, their bodies comparable in size to warships.
Boa Hancock walked slowly along a 'staircase' formed by the Sea Kings, her high heels tapping lightly with each step that made the air tremble.
She slightly lifted her chin, her gaze sweeping over the fleet before settling on Momonga, a cold smile curling at the corner of her lips—
"Dogs of the World Government, how dare you cause trouble in my territory."
"If you want to fight, then come. You waste too many words."
The arrogance and disdain in her eyes seemed innate.
...
On one of the warships.
This was Doll's first time independently commanding an entire ship of combat personnel, and on such an important mission as subduing one of the Royal Seven Warlords of the Sea.
This wasn't her first time seeing Hancock - she had witnessed her elegance over half a year ago at Sabaody Archipelago.
Doll being selected for this mission was partly due to that incident.
She was among the few Marines unaffected by Hancock's charm ability.
It was important to note that Hancock's charm wasn't limited to men - even the all-female populace of Nine Serpent Island couldn't resist her beauty.
Hancock's ability determined that to subdue her, at least the commanding officer of a ship couldn't be affected by petrification, otherwise no amount of personnel would be useful.
...
Comparison creates beauty.
Back then, with Griffin and Kari present, along with the strong presence brought by figures like Hawkeye and King, Hancock's beauty wasn't so prominent.
Now, facing thousands of troops alone, her unattainable demeanor made people truly understand the weight behind the title "World's Most Beautiful Woman."
...
If even such a beautiful woman seemed ordinary to Griffin, was his aesthetic sense really normal?
Or had he become immune to this level of beauty from looking in the mirror every day?
That might be possible...
Like those Marines at Marine Headquarters who were infatuated with Griffin's appearance - if they knew about his terrible personality, they'd probably become disillusioned too...
Just a bit better looking, a bit more skilled, a bit more reliable in critical moments...
Aside from that, she's all flaws!
...
When the war horn sounded.
Doll cast aside her chaotic thoughts and slipped on her brass knuckles.
"Let's go!"
Her figure shot through the air like an arrow leaving the bowstring, black carapace rustling in the wind as her Justice Coat billowed behind her.
Each step left a brief, invisible foothold in the air as she dove toward Nine Serpent Island's main territory.
Boom—
The moment she landed, she bent her knees to disperse the impact, cracking the rock beneath her feet.
A squad of Nine Serpent Warriors arrived at the sound, hurling their steel-tipped spears.
Whoosh—whoosh—whoosh—
Doll sidestepped the attacks, her figure closing in like a phantom as her hands became coated in black Armament Haki.
Thud—thud—thud—
Within mere breaths, the entire squad of warriors lay knocked out on the ground.
In Doll's perception, these weren't evil Pirates, so she wouldn't take their lives.
Of course, the most important reason was...
Brushing dust from her shoulder, Doll's gaze remained cold and calm: "As opponents, you're far too weak."
...
"Is that so? Then let me be your opponent!"
Swish—
A thick, deep green shadow lashed out, but Doll leaped back just before being ensnared.
Standing atop a high platform, Doll looked down at the massive green anaconda below.
According to the records.
The second daughter of the Gorgon Sisters, younger sister of the Empress of Nine Serpent Island, and Captain of the Empress's personal Guards.
Boa Sandersonia, user of the Zoan-type Snake-Snake Fruit, Anaconda Form!
...
Crack—
Doll cracked her knuckles, a light smirk playing on her lips: "Not bad. You're big enough to make a decent punching bag."
"Arrogance!!"
The massive serpent's tail swept through, sending shattered stones and dust flying.
——
——
After half a day of intense combat, Marine warships closed in on Nine Serpent Island's shores. Under covering fire, more and more soldiers landed on the main island.
The arrows of the Nine Serpent Warriors whistled through the air, yet they couldn't halt the Marine advance, gradually devolving into close-quarters combat.
Blood stained the beach—both Marine and Nine Serpent Warrior alike.
...
"Is this what you wanted to see, Hancock?"
Vice Admiral Tsuru gazed at Hancock with pity in her eyes, Momonga and other Marine officers standing behind her.
"I know you have special feelings for that Kari, but all you needed to do was cooperate with the Marines. It wasn't certain we'd even capture him."
"To put it bluntly, your strength wouldn't have been decisive anyway."
"Couldn't you even put on a show? Did it have to come to this?"
"What is the reason?"
...
...
"Silence!"
Hancock's proud head remained unbowed.
"I refuse to do what I don't wish to do! I owe you no explanation!"
...
...
Vice Admiral Tsuru let out a long sigh: "Then I'm afraid you'll have to take a trip to Impel Down... Attack!"
——
——
Hancock lived up to her title as one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea, holding her own with only slight disadvantage against Vice Admiral Tsuru and the assembled Marine officers.
As the stalemate continued, Vice Admiral Tsuru's eyes swept across the battlefield and she declared: "Hancock, the longer you hold out, the more casualties mount among your Nine Serpent Warriors and our Marines."
"This is a battle you cannot possibly win. Are you certain you wish to continue?"
"Surrender now, before the losses grow any greater."
...
Hancock's movements faltered briefly, a flicker of anguish in her eyes.
A Marine Rear Admiral seized the opportunity, closing in to slash at Hancock with his blade.
Swish—
A blade flashed by, leaving a cut on Hancock's arm from which blood flowed.
The Rear Admiral who had scored the hit had no time to boast before a sharp pain shot through his body, followed by a numbing sensation.
Crack—
In an instant, petrification spread, turning him into a statue.
...
Hancock pressed her hand over the wound on her arm, slowly lowering her raised leg, and said coldly, "I should be the one asking you..."
"Have you considered the price you must pay for trying to capture me?!"