The top-tier powerhouses recognized across the seas are the Pirate Emperors and the Admirals—the highest combat forces of Marine Headquarters.
Figures like Rayleigh and Garp also belong to this top echelon.
...
Many factors influence battle—timing, terrain, numbers, and abilities.
Even a master of Two-Colored Haki could be defeated in their first encounter with a minor pirate's unique Devil Fruit Ability.
Only those of the same caliber can contend with beings in the top-tier powerhouse category.
—
Beneath this level, Shanks was originally the closest to the top tier, but now it is Griffin.
His strongest offensive techniques already rival a top-tier powerhouse's strike.
The sword slash that cleaved Hachinosu Island even led some to believe he had reached that realm.
If he were on the pirates' side, reports of a "Fourth Emperor of the Sea" would likely emerge soon, with his Bounty surpassing three billion.
...
Doll knew Griffin all too well.
Although Griffin had never spoken to her about the drawbacks of using the Mangekyo, based on her interpretation of his character...
If Griffin had truly reached the Admiral level, he would have gone to the Fleet Admiral's office to demand Sengoku create an additional Admiral position.
Since he hadn't, it meant that strike wasn't his normal combat method but rather a "special move" with significant costs.
This also explained why, after displaying such power, he opted for hit-and-run tactics against the Red Hair Pirates.
If Griffin could crush his opponents head-on, he would never resort to such methods.
...
Having deduced this, Doll found the sudden appearance of the Kuja Pirates troubling.
The Royal Seven Warlords of the Sea was an organization the World Government used to maintain maritime balance, with strength as the primary criterion.
This meant that years ago, the Pirate Empress already possessed the formidable power to influence the seas.
After leaving the Seven Warlords, her Bounty surged dramatically every half-month, making her the strongest pirate of her era.
There was another point...
Even when Hancock was affiliated with the World Government, she had attacked Griffin. Now...
She absolutely could not allow Hancock to land on Hachinosu Island!
If someone of her caliber joined the battle, the pressure on Griffin would be overwhelming!
...
Taking a deep breath, Doll commanded her crew to maneuver the White Wolf, positioning it directly in front of Hancock's Perfume Snake Ship.
The vivid crimson vessel bore a strong Nine Serpent Island aesthetic, with ornately carved beams and lifelike reliefs adorned in gold, making the ship resemble a luxurious work of art.
A sudden thought crossed Doll's mind.
Come to think of it...
The architectural styles of Nine Serpent Island and Kano Country were quite similar. Was there some connection between the two?
...
"Why is the Marine here... Who's on that ship..."
Boa Sandersonia hurried to the bow, spotted Doll on the opposing warship, and gritted her teeth with a cold snort. "It's you..."
If Rayleigh hadn't ended the battle back then, the outcome between her and this female Marine would still be undecided.
"I don't care why you're here, get lost! Don't interfere with us!"
Sandersonia's roar cut through the sea breeze between the two ships.
...
"I should be the one saying that."
Doll stood proudly at the ship's bow, letting out a cold laugh. "The Marines are carrying out official business. If you leave now, I'll deal with you when I have time."
With a single wave of her hand, the cannons on the warship adjusted their angles one after another, aiming directly at the Perfume Yacht.
Marine soldiers on the deck also raised their rifles, the atmosphere growing tense.
...
"Why have we stopped?"
A voice steeped in honeyed laziness yet full of authority sounded, as if not transmitted through the air but resonating directly within the marrow.
Before even seeing the owner of the voice, the Marines on the deck felt dizzy, their bodies going weak, nearly dropping their guns.
Doll shot them a frustrated glare, thinking of the former West Sea subordinates she had sent out for training over the past few years.
It was about time to recall them—at least they wouldn't be so affected by that woman's voice!
...
The peerless figure stepped past Sandersonia, looking down at Doll with a uniquely arrogant posture.
"Insolent one, you are blocking my path. Step aside."
Compared to Sandersonia's tone, her voice was calm, yet it carried the weight of an order from a superior, leaving no room for refusal.
...
A mocking smirk curled at the corner of Doll's lips. "If it isn't the rather plain-looking female pirate Hancock. What, after leaving the Seven Warlords of the Sea, have you come to the Pirate Paradise to scrape by?"
...
The words were utterly venomous.
As had been said before, the only thing Doll could learn from Griffin was his sharp tongue.
...
As expected, Hancock's composure shattered instantly as she glared at Doll.
"How dare you... speak such offensive words!!"
She had just raised her hand, ready to take action.
The youngest of the three sisters, Marie, leaned in and whispered, "Sister! That's the Marine ship White Wolf! That guy might be here!"
"We're here to rescue someone. Let's not clash with the Marines for now. Let's go around!"
...
White Wolf...
After a moment's thought, Hancock remembered who Marie was referring to.
That bastard!
She immediately expanded her Observation Haki to cover the White Wolf but detected no sign of Griffin. And as her Observation Haki spread...
No, actually, she didn't even need Observation Haki—some crew members had already spotted the massive trench cutting through Hachinosu.
"What is that!! Was Hachinosu like this before!!"
...
From over ten miles away, Hancock saw the two sides battling on Hachinosu, her beautiful eyes narrowing sharply.
It's the Red Hair Pirates!
When she clearly saw who they were fighting, Hancock drew a sharp breath.
That man... had he really grown strong enough to face the Red Hair Pirates alone? How was that possible!!
Though she had never met him, Hancock had heard Rayleigh speak of Shanks.
Rayleigh had called him a man worthy of inheriting the Pirate King's will, destined to reach the pinnacle of the seas someday.
Even from this distance, Hancock could sense that Shanks' Conqueror's Haki far surpassed her own. Rayleigh's words were definitely not an exaggeration.
And yet...
That man was facing their combined assaults with such ease and composure!
Why were they fighting on Hachinosu?
Hancock couldn't understand, but now wasn't the time to ponder that.
...
Her gaze returned to Doll, sweeping over the massive cannons mounted on the White Wolf and the love-struck Marines.
Hah, aside from that insolent woman, they were all beneath notice.
"Proceed forward. If they don't move aside, sink that tasteless ship."
Hancock issued the order calmly, without any intention of explaining herself.
This was the arrogance befitting an emperor!
The giant sea serpent continued pulling the large ship forward, and the two vessels were on the verge of collision.
"Griffin is very fond of this ship. If you dare crash into it, are you prepared to face his wrath?"
Doll pointed at Hachinosu Island and calmly stated, "Shanks didn't even go this far, yet Griffin pursued him all the way here. This island was split apart by him."
...
The sea serpent wasn't intelligent enough to understand Doll's words. Since its master hadn't given any orders, it simply continued forward.
Closer now, the ripples between the two ships began to churn violently.
...
"Stop!"
Hancock let out an extremely unwilling cold snort.
"We... will detour around them!"