Hancock narrowed her eyes as she stared at the Marine Admiral before her. As a warrior of her caliber, she had anticipated that her charm would have no effect on him. Though she was willful, her judgment was never lacking. However…
A slight smile appeared on Hancock's cool and elegant face.
"Marine, this Empress does not mind getting a little closer to you… but what about your subordinates?"
"WAAAH~~ NOT AT ALL!!"
The Marines escorting the Raijin alongside Wright erupted in a frenzy. Even the fish-men and merfolk found it difficult to restrain themselves—this wasn't mere beauty at play; it was charm!
The moment Hancock appeared, the Marines had already found themselves breathless under her allure. Now, with just a smile and a few words, they were completely enraptured…
Wright smiled slightly and took a step forward. A golden, hexagonal aura spread beneath him.
"Vigor Aura!"
In an instant, smaller hexagonal halos appeared beneath the feet of every Marine. They felt a sudden jolt of clarity, shaking off the inexplicable euphoria clouding their minds.
"Ah! Wh-What just happened?!"
"This… this must be the Pirate Empress's sorcery!"
"She's unbelievably beautiful… I was utterly entranced just now! But now, while I still find her stunning, I no longer feel overwhelmed…"
"Oh~ A power that strengthens mental resistance for everyone? As expected of Admiral Wright!"
A flicker of surprise flashed through Hancock's eyes as she leaped gracefully onto the Raijin's railing.
"Shameful… All of you, triple your training regimen when we return!"
Wright turned and scolded his men. While he knew that resisting Hancock's charm was nearly impossible for ordinary Marines, these soldiers were to accompany the Raijin on long-term missions. If they lost control every time they encountered Hancock and he wasn't around, it would spell trouble.
The Marines groaned in despair—but in their hearts, they were secretly elated. Tripling their training meant they could experience Admiral Wright's exclusive training method—Holy Light Recovery Training.
Being able to train without worrying about exhaustion was a privilege not just anyone could enjoy.
"My apologies for their lack of discipline," Wright said smoothly.
This wasn't a situation where the Seven Warlords of the Sea were being forcibly summoned—it was merely a chance encounter. Naturally, Wright saw no reason to be discourteous. As for giving special privileges to beauties…
He was no longer the young man who had first set foot on Fish-Man Island. With his body enveloped in Holy Light, even the world's most beautiful woman was nothing more than pleasing to the eye.
"You say Fish-Man Island intends to relocate nearby?"
A strange glint flickered through Hancock's eyes.
"Was this decision made by the World Government? Did they consult this Empress first?"
"This location is far too close to my nation—it will bring unnecessary trouble!"
"..."
Wright motioned for Queen Otohime and Prince Fukaboshi to step back, leaving the conversation to him. Then, turning to face Hancock's impassive expression, he said:
"Boa Hancock, am I to understand that you are questioning the World Government?"
"This Empress is questioning the World Government. More than that—I utterly despise that organization!"
Hancock lifted a delicate arm, brushing her fingers through her long hair. A faint flush touched her cheeks as she revealed a dazzling, enchanting smile.
"Tell me, Marine… do you not hate the World Government as well?"
"..."
Wright's eye twitched. This Hancock… was far too confident.
"Look," Wright sighed, shaking his head, "even if you despise the World Government, there's no need to be so confrontational."
He gave her a wry smile.
"Your tricks don't work on me. Save yourself the effort."
"Tricks? Not working?"
Hancock raised a delicate brow. She brought her hands together in the shape of a heart.
"This Empress refuses to believe there exists a man—even a Marine Admiral—who is immune to my beauty."
"Mero Mero Mellow!"
A pink heart-shaped beam shot toward Wright. In response, he simply raised a hand.
"Holy Light Wall."
A radiant golden barrier materialized, shielding the Marines behind him. Wright, however, remained fully exposed to the attack…
Yet nothing happened.
The Holy Light Wall blocked Mero Mero Mellow completely.
The Fish-Man Island crew members turned anxiously to Queen Otohime. This was the Pirate Empress, an equal to their leader Jinbe within the Seven Warlords of the Sea. And she was facing Admiral Wright.
If they clashed, the consequences would be disastrous…
"Do not panic," Queen Otohime reassured them, though sweat beaded on her brow. "The Pirate Empress… holds no ill intent."
She could sense that Hancock wasn't acting with hostility. Thus, she remained composed and instructed the ship's crew to withdraw.
As for the human Marines?
They weren't worried in the slightest.
Are you kidding? As long as we don't die on the spot, as long as Admiral Wright is here, any injury can be healed!
Besides, how often does one get to witness a fight between an Admiral and a Warlord of the Sea?
"Impossible… it didn't work?"
Hancock was genuinely shocked. Even the slightest desire in a person's heart would be enough for Mero Mero Mellow to take effect. The only way to avoid it was to shift one's focus elsewhere…
Yet this Marine Admiral had not done that.
He had shielded his subordinates, but left himself completely exposed—without any effort to divert his attention.
Was this the sheer force of an Admiral's willpower?!
"Hancock, this ends here," Wright said, shaking his head. "Any further, and I won't be able to ignore this as a direct attack against a Marine and a World Government ally."
Hancock flipped her long, jet-black hair, her voice tinged with haughtiness.
"No matter what this Empress does… she will always be forgiven!"
"Because this Empress is—"
"Divinely beautiful!"
Wright groaned, rubbing his forehead. Now I understand what they meant by her "personality"...
Still, she wasn't being entirely unreasonable.
"Fine, I acknowledge you mean no harm," Wright conceded. "Now let's get back to the real discussion—Fish-Man Island's new location."
"While the World Government approved the site, the decision itself was made by Fish-Man Island after careful consideration."
"So, you don't need to concern yourself with the World Government's involvement. Besides, this is the Calm Belt—I didn't even bring a Marine warship."
"In this matter, Fish-Man Island holds complete autonomy."
Hancock had already noticed that the Ryugu Kingdom's ships were moving with some unknown force—not wind, not currents.
This was something only Fish-Man Island could accomplish, so it wouldn't impact Amazon Lily.
"This Empress bears no ill will…" Hancock murmured, frowning slightly. "It seems the rumors about you… weren't entirely false."
Then, narrowing her eyes, she asked in a quiet voice:
"What exactly did you 'hear' from this Empress?"
Wright's lips curled into an unreadable smile.
"You tell me."
"!"
A spark of anger flickered in Hancock's eyes. She glared at Wright.
A sudden burst of gold and crimson lightning crackled in the space between them!
"You—!"
Hancock's breath hitched. Her gaze darkened with a rare intensity.
"Conqueror's Haki…? Impossible!"
Wright's expression remained calm as he reinforced the Holy Light Wall, making it even denser.
"Hancock, in some matters… we stand on the same side."
Beyond the shimmering golden barrier, the world grew silent.
"For example—"
"The Celestial Dragons."
"The people of Fish-Man Island share the same stance."
"So, be patient."
Wright's smile deepened.
"Why not… have a proper conversation with your future allies?"
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