Perfume Snake — the flagship of the Kuja Pirates.
Upon its deck stood Boa Hancock, the Pirate Empress.
Her arrival set the port of Dressrosa ablaze with excitement.
Her long black hair fell to her hips, gleaming like silk in the sunlight.
Her flawless, snow-pale skin reflected the shimmer of the sea.
Eyes large and luminous, lashes long enough to cast shadows — her mere presence radiated untouchable grace.
Clad in a crimson cheongsam embroidered with gold, a violet sash tied loosely around her slender waist, she was perfection given form — a beauty without equal.
As the ship neared the coast, the crowd's awe turned to delirium.
Every man — from Donquixote pirates to common townsfolk — stared in rapture.
"She's divine!"
"The Pirate Empress looked at me — she really did!"
"I could die happy right now!"
The voices grew louder, more foolish.
Hancock's brows knit in disdain. She lifted her chin high, pointing a single white-gloved finger toward the mob.
"You insolent men… to gaze upon me with such filthy eyes—unforgivable!"
Her hands came together, forming the shape of a heart.
"Mero Mero Mellow!"
With a ripple of pink light, the love-shaped energy swept across the harbor.
Dozens of men froze instantly, turned to solid stone mid-admiration.
The sudden silence was chilling.
Even the most reckless pirates remembered, in that instant, that the world's greatest beauty was also one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea — a warrior as deadly as she was divine.
Those still conscious stumbled back in terror.
Within minutes, news of her arrival was racing through the city, reaching the colosseum before sunset.
In the Palace Arena
Doflamingo listened in silence as one of his men breathlessly relayed the report.
When he heard Hancock's name, his expression darkened.
A woman like her could ruin everything.
The Senzu Bean auction was supposed to be a mere formality — a show.
Every bean would end up in his hands; that had been the plan.
But the Pirate Empress was no ordinary challenger.
She was proud, powerful, and utterly unwilling to yield to anyone — not even him.
He smiled thinly, masking his irritation.
Turning to Luo Xing, he said with feigned ease,
"Seems another Warlord has graced us with her presence. I should pay my respects. If you'll excuse me."
Without waiting for a reply, he leapt skyward, thin threads forming beneath his feet as he vanished into the clouds.
Luo Xing and the Others
"Master, shall we go too?" asked Carrot, tilting her head.
Luo Xing's lips curved faintly.
"You want to see the world's most beautiful woman, hmm?"
The rabbit-eared girl nodded eagerly.
"Yes, Master! Though I still think Lady Yamato is more beautiful."
Luo Xing chuckled softly.
Yamato versus Hancock… hard to say who'd win that argument.
"Very well," he said at last, rising. "Let's go take a look."
Before leaving, he turned toward Viola.
"Go fetch your niece. Bring her home and clean her up — I'll visit later."
Viola froze, color draining from her face.
Across the arena, Diamante, the senior officer who oversaw the colosseum, frowned and stepped forward instinctively.
"Lord Luo Xing, that girl is—"
Luo Xing's gaze flicked toward him.
"You have an objection?"
A crushing pressure fell over the arena.
Invisible yet overwhelming, it pressed down like a mountain.
Diamante's knees buckled. Cold sweat poured down his forehead as his chest tightened.
He'd felt killing intent before — from Doflamingo himself — but this was different.
This wasn't rage. It was dominion.
He could sense it clearly: if Luo Xing wished it, he could erase him with a thought.
"N-no… no objection!" Diamante stammered.
The first word barely left his mouth before Luo Xing's figure vanished, Carrot's white hair fluttering beside him as they disappeared into the air.
Behind them, Fuz-Fu spread his crimson wings, pausing only to cast Diamante a cold, mocking glance before following.
The once-arrogant officer trembled. His legs gave out, and he collapsed onto one knee.
Fear hollowed his eyes.
Just how strong is this man…?
Even Fuz-Fu alone had exuded the pressure of a monster.
If these were Kaido's subordinates, what kind of force had they brought to Dressrosa?
Were they really here only to auction off the Senzu Beans… or was something else at play?
Diamante dared not imagine further.
Aftermath
Viola, too, had felt the edge of that invisible aura — though it hadn't touched her directly.
From Diamante's reaction alone, she understood its weight.
Her mind raced.
Luo Xing had every reason to keep peace with Doflamingo — the SMILE trade bound their factions together.
Yet he'd just humiliated one of Doflamingo's top officers in plain sight.
Why would he risk that?
"What is he planning?"
She stared at the place where Luo Xing had stood moments ago, his words and presence still lingering like smoke.
That man…
That demon of the new age…
was wrapped in too many mysteries to count.
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