In the washroom.
Hancock splashed a handful of water fiercely onto her face, but the cold sensation couldn't suppress the nausea churning in her stomach. The scent belonging to Ryan still seemed to linger at the tip of her nose, and the humiliation in her heart made even her breathing rapid.
"Ryan..." Hancock gripped the edge of the sink, her fingers clutching the counter tightly as she squeezed out the name through gritted teeth, her eyes filled with resentment and fury. "This empress will never let you off!"
As the Empress of Kuja, having her weakness freely manipulated and being forced to bow before everyone filled her with towering rage. Yet after the anger subsided, reason gradually returned. With her hands locked in Seastone cuffs, she didn't even have the strength to resist. Now wasn't the time for impulsiveness. Only by lying low first could she find an opportunity to strike back.
Hancock took a deep breath, raised her hand to straighten her loose linen shirt, tucked her messy long hair behind her ears, and slightly lifted her chin toward the mirror. Her deep blue eyes carried their usual cold arrogance, the vulnerable appearance from moments ago instantly vanishing as she transformed back into the haughty Pirate Empress.
After composing herself, Hancock turned and pushed open the washroom door, heading toward the deck. Just as she reached the corridor corner, she caught sight of a furtive figure pressed against the ship's cabin wall, peering around with a lecherous gaze that clearly marked him as no good.
Hancock's eyes instantly turned cold, her red lips curling in undisguised disdain.
Another man addled by beauty. She had seen too many of these slimy, ogling gazes and found them utterly disgusting. Compared to Ryan, this man didn't even have the capital to be "arrogant" - he was just a cowardly buffoon.
Then again, when the upper beam is crooked, the lower ones will be too. Following that bastard who tramples on others so wantonly, what decent people could he possibly gather around him? They were just birds of a feather, drawn together by their shared foulness.
"Wait... perhaps this man could be of use." Hancock had intended to walk straight past without a glance, but her steps abruptly halted just as she was about to pass him, an idea flashing through her mind like lightning.
With this thought, Hancock slowly turned around, her gaze appraising the man before her. The previous chill instantly faded from her eyes, and a faint yet alluring smile curled at the corners of her lips as she asked in a gentle voice, "Are you from this ship? What should I call you?"
Absalom, who had just been unsettled by Hancock's beauty, now hearing her initiate conversation in such a tender tone, felt his heart pounding wildly. He hurriedly straightened up, rubbing his hands together as he approached, his face covered in an obsequious smile as he blurted out almost without thinking, "I-I'm Absalom! I used to be Lord Moria's crewmember, now I follow Captain Ryan... I-I'm also a Transparency-Transparency Fruit ability user!"
When mentioning the "Transparency-Transparency Fruit," he deliberately emphasized the words, afraid Hancock might lose interest, even eagerly revealing his most prized ability.
"The Transparency-Transparency Fruit?" Hancock's eyes flickered slightly as she feigned curiosity, tilting her head gently and asking softly, "That's quite rare. What exactly does this ability do?"
"My ability allows my body to become completely transparent. Whether walking or doing anything else, I won't be detected by anyone." Seeing Hancock's interest, Absalom grew even more excited, his face flushing red as he hurriedly explained: "And... anything I come into contact with can also turn transparent together!"
To prove he wasn't lying, Absalom immediately raised his left arm. The limb became transparent at a visible rate, eventually disappearing completely into the air, leaving only an empty sleeve behind.
Hancock's eyes instantly lit up, her voice softening with just the right amount of pleading: "Mr. Absalom, I wonder if you could do me a favor?"
Still basking in the joy of being personally addressed by the Empress, Absalom immediately straightened his back and thumped his chest in response: "Just say the word, Empress! If it's within my power, I'd go through fire and water without hesitation!"
Hancock gently shook the Seastone handcuffs on her wrist, the light metallic clinking particularly clear in the corridor. She lowered her eyes slightly, her voice gradually choking up: "I've been imprisoned on this ship, these handcuffs binding me... I don't even have basic freedom..."
As her words fell, Hancock slowly raised her head at just the right moment, her deep blue eyes brimming with tears that traced paths down her pale cheeks, presenting a pitiful sight: "You're part of the crew, you must know where the key to these Seastone handcuffs is. Please help me. If I can escape this predicament, I... I will surely repay you properly."
These words, combined with the Empress's tearful appearance, completely overwhelmed Absalom's reasoning. He thumped his chest in assurance: "Don't worry, Empress! Leave the key to me. I'll go get it tonight and definitely help you remove these handcuffs!"
Originally already tempted by Hancock's beauty, now seeing this lofty Empress actively showing weakness and seeking help while presenting such a vulnerable appearance, how could he spare any thought for anything else? Even the fear in his heart dissipated, replaced by devoted servitude.
"Really?" A barely perceptible glint flashed through Hancock's eyes before being covered by an expression of gratitude. She raised her hand to gently wipe away tears with her sleeve, her voice full of delight and appreciation: "Thank you so much, Mr. Absalom. You're such a good person."
Absalom felt lightheaded from being called a "good person," even his steps becoming somewhat unsteady as he happily waved his hand: "You're too kind! Just wait here, I'll go inquire about the key's whereabouts right now. I promise to bring you good news!"
Having said this, Absalom hurriedly rushed toward the storage compartment direction, his steps carrying urgency as if fearing that being one second late would cost him this opportunity to impress the Empress.
Watching Absalom's hurried retreating figure, all traces of vulnerability and gratitude instantly vanished from Hancock's face, replaced by cold arrogance. She raised her hand to wipe away the remaining tear stains, her fingers lightly tracing over the Seastone handcuffs on her wrist, sharp light swirling in her eyes.
That previous encounter with Ryan was merely carelessness. As long as she could get rid of these handcuffs and restore her full strength, she would never lose a second time. When that time came, not only would she reclaim all the pride belonging to the "Pirate Empress," but she would also make that man properly taste what it feels like to be trampled underfoot and manipulated at will!
Rest assured, I absolutely won't let this bastard die so easily.
With that thought, Hancock raised her hand to straighten her loose linen shirt, lifting her proud chin once more. The familiar cold elegance gradually returned to her breathtakingly beautiful face as she turned and strode toward the deck, each step steady and resolute.
Now, all that remained was to wait patiently—for Absalom to bring the key, and for the perfect moment to strike back.
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