Hancock lunged forward, her perfect body tracing an elegant, breathtaking arc through the air. The tip of her foot seemed to gather all the brilliance and fragrance of the world.
But beauty was merely superficial.
The power contained within this kick was utterly terrifying, carrying an indestructible, overwhelming force!
BOOM——!!
The moment her foot made contact with Griffin's arms shrouded in Armament Haki, a deafening roar erupted.
It wasn't purely physical impact—a cloyingly sweet, dizzying fragrance washed over him. Griffin noticed the uniform at the point of contact on his arms already beginning to turn a pale, ashen stone color!
This was a technique combining Body Technique, Armament Haki, and Devil Fruit Ability, forcibly projecting the Petrification effect onto the target!
Truly worthy of being called the strongest Pirate Empress of the new era. This level of mastery over Armament Haki...
It's almost comparable to mine from a year ago.
...
Sizzle—
The Petrification didn't spread across Griffin's body. Instead, crimson threads spread from his jet-black arms, madly crawling up Hancock's ankle.
Nether Entanglement - Armament Haki!
—
Hancock's pupils contracted sharply. The moment she made contact, she knew something was wrong—it didn't feel like striking flesh and blood, but rather a pitch-black mountain.
And now...
This 'mountain' felt offended, and a frenzied counterattack surged forth!
Those crimson threads stung her nerves—this was a deeper level of Armament Haki technique... Internal Destruction!!
This guy has Armament Haki at this level too?!
...
Bang————
In an instant, Hancock leaped back and landed, watching as the crimson faded from her foot, her face still pale with shock.
Griffin lowered his guarding arms and said calmly, "Given the special circumstances, I'll overlook your rudeness for now."
"Leave this place, and I'll let you go once."
...
Hancock gritted her teeth fiercely.
Usually, she was the one speaking to others in such a tone. Hearing these words now...
"Don't you dare decide unilaterally... You're the rude one! This queen will absolutely not forgive you!"
...
Hancock and the others' intervention temporarily halted the battle.
Shanks watched Hancock with a dark expression, cold light glinting off his long sword: "Don't get in the way. Get lost!"
For Shanks, pushed to the brink of rage, being able to utter this sentence completely was already considerable restraint.
...
This one's even ruder!!
Caught between both sides' pressure, Hancock was like a little mage intruding on a top-lane duel, pleasing neither party.
And moreover...
Whether it was Shanks or Griffin, the pressure they exuded was far too overwhelming!
...
She never should have listened to that female Marine's nonsense! That foolish Marie!
Hancock nearly ground her teeth to dust, glaring viciously at Doll.
Doll sighed helplessly: "Then what's there to say? Consider it me meddling in others' affairs."
"I'll go with you to rescue them. You have no problem with that, right, Griffin?"
...
Griffin's gaze swept over the Red Hair Pirates, then fixed on a pile of rubble. He smiled faintly: "I have no issue, but I think..."
"You probably don't need to go rescue anyone anymore. Isn't that right, Mr. Kidnapper?"
...
...
"Kee-hee-hee... So you found me? What terrifying Observation Haki. Even among those monsters, my concealment abilities are considered quite exceptional..."
A sinister laugh seeped with bone-chilling malice echoed, and everyone belatedly followed Griffin's gaze.
It was an utterly horrifying entrance.
The lifeless ruins in their vision melted into a viscous liquid, coalescing into a tall, burly humanoid figure.
His appearance was twisted and grotesque—an oversized, wrinkled upper body paired with spindly, stick-like legs clad in garish trousers. Crimson lips, gray-green hair, and a long, forked tongue atop his head evoked an instinctive, visceral disgust at first sight.
…
The Pirate Godfather—Wang Zhi.
Once a member of the Rocks Pirates, he was the first to betray Rocks, violating the pirates' agreement of "no fighting in Shakky's bar" by kidnapping Shakky and handing her over to the World Government.
According to Marine records, he is a user of the Zoan-Type Devil Fruit Ancient Species Ammonite Form.
With even the slightest crevice, he can conceal himself within, even capable of evading Observation Haki detection.
Due to the extreme difficulty of capturing him and his covert dealings with the World Government, the Marines tacitly allow his occupation of Hachinosu Island.
Since the era of Rocks, he has remained the master of this Pirate Paradise, holding a status in the New World second only to the Pirate Emperors.
…
…
"Gya-ha-ha-ha… Shanks, Hancock, and you…"
Wang Zhi's icy gaze fixed on Griffin, his bizarre tongue flicking over his lips. "When you were with the Whitebeard Pirates, you were so… considerate to the children of our pirate island…"
"Watching you youngsters grow so quickly is really… really…"
"Really irritating to the extreme!!!"
Wang Zhi's shrill shrieks pierced like needles, forcing Sandersonia, Marie, and the others who had accompanied Hancock to cover their ears in agony.
…
"Has no one ever told you how awful your voice is?"
Griffin picked at his ear, his eyes devoid of emotion. "Ugly, grating voice, and that stench clinging to you."
"Do you have any reason to exist?"
…
…
Doll knew Griffin could be harsh with his words, but today's intensity was clearly off the charts.
Why does he have to antagonize everyone he meets?! Did you swallow gunpowder?!
Only now did she notice the unusual pattern in Griffin's eyes…
That was…
The higher form of the Sharingan he once mentioned!
…
Now that she thought of it…
At such close range, Doll sensed Griffin's aura was entirely different from usual—this cold, obscure darkness…
Worry flickered in her eyes.
Are you okay… Griffin.
…
…
Wang Zhi wasn't angered. Decades as a pirate had long hardened him against verbal provocation.
"Heh… My reason for existing?"
His eyes shifted between Griffin and Hancock, with a sidelong glance at Doll and Shanks.
"Perhaps it's… to trample and shatter so-called 'beauty'!"
Hancock's face turned frostily cold, her earlier rage toward Griffin and the others now redirected into a boiling killing intent aimed at Wang Zhi. "Where is Gentian? Return her to me!!"
…
"Yo-ho-ho-ho, such terrifying bloodlust!"
Wang Zhi feigned a tremble of fear, grinning widely. "Too naive, Snake Princess. Why would I casually return my bargaining chip to you?"
"How about this… I've thought of a trade that everyone can accept…"
Wang Zhi's voice was filled with a bewitching tone: "Hancock, this Marine lad is giving you quite a headache, isn't he? I despise him too!"
"Help me eliminate this troublesome Marine, and once it's done, I guarantee your subordinates will remain unharmed!"
"I swear upon my name, Wang Zhi, that I shall never break my word!!"
...
Wang Zhi was serious.
This was a decision he had just made.
Before this, he had intended to lurk covertly near the battlefield, waiting for the right moment to strike, ideally to capture everyone in one fell swoop.
But now he had changed his mind, because...
His most prideful concealment ability had been seen through with a single glance!!!
...
In the past, relying on his Devil Fruit Ability, he had managed to kidnap Shakky right under the noses of numerous powerful pirates—even Shiki and Silver Axe hadn't noticed!
This terrifying ability was the very foundation of his standing in the New World!
He absolutely could not let this Marine live! Everything else could be set aside for now!
...
Hancock's exquisitely beautiful face underwent rapid shifts in expression. Throughout her life, what she detested most was being threatened.
But over these past two years... she had gradually come to understand the unavoidable responsibilities that came with being an 'Emperor.'
On one side were her people, on the other a despised Marine—it shouldn't... be that difficult a choice.
...
"Did I... not make myself clear enough..."
A low voice rumbled like a volcano on the verge of eruption.
Crack——
Black and red electric arcs danced wildly, and a terrifying aura instantly enveloped the entire area!
The members of the Kuja Pirates were the first to succumb, collapsing one after another into unconsciousness. Even Sandersonia and Marie, second only to Hancock, were forced to one knee, unable to move.
Shanks' voice spread along with his Conqueror's Haki.
...
"Whoever you are, stay out of my way!!"
Sizzle————
A black slash attack entwined with crimson lightning tore through the atmosphere, hurtling toward Griffin!
...
BOOM——————!!!
Dark red electric arcs exploded and scattered, transforming into a shower of dissipating energy fragments.
Griffin maintained his punching stance, his lips parting slightly.
"What's there to argue about? Just come at me together."
"After all..."
"This is the privilege of the weak."
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