Hiss—
Thunk.
Shusui slid back into its scabbard.
The Kuja warriors aboard the opposite ship stared in shock, mouths agape. Only one thought echoed in their minds—
This man… is terrifyingly strong.
Dealing with Sea Kings wasn't difficult for them either, but none of them could do it as casually as Karl had just now.
Among all the Kuja, perhaps only Snake Princess Hancock herself could rival him.
"This invitation to Lady Boa Hancock is solely for a joint discussion and revision of the Warlord system, to clearly define everyone's rights and obligations."
"I hope Lady Hancock won't make things difficult for us. Please, come out."
A trace of unease flashed through the burly Kuja woman's eyes, but she still spoke stubbornly.
"Give it up. Snake Princess is—"
Tap. Tap. Tap.
Clear footsteps suddenly sounded from the opposite ship—sharp, rhythmic, unmistakably high heels striking wood.
All the Kuja warriors turned toward the cabin as the steps drew closer.
Creeeak—
The wooden door slowly opened.
A woman with a breathtaking figure stepped out unhurriedly.
The warriors parted to either side as she walked straight to the bow, standing atop the massive snake's head and pointing toward Karl's warship.
The black-haired giant snake raised its head high, while the woman upon it gazed down with an air of absolute superiority—like a queen surveying all beneath her.
Behind Karl, Nelson spoke in a low voice.
"Everyone, stay alert. That woman can turn people to stone."
When the two ships stopped at a distance of barely five meters, everyone finally saw her clearly.
This was Karl's first time seeing the world's most beautiful woman in the flesh.
Long jet-black hair styled in a hime cut.
Golden snake-shaped earrings swaying lightly beneath her ears.
Eyes like brilliant sapphires—clear, cold, and dazzling.
Slender brows, elongated eyes, refined and aloof.
A tall nose bridge, delicate nose, and lips so soft they showed not a hint of imperfection.
A red-and-pink cropped jacket clung tightly to her upper body, worn openly without restraint.
Her skin was flawless, her curves… overwhelming.
( |人|/ )
Her lower half was wrapped in a long, cheongsam-like skirt, the slit on the right rising scandalously high, revealing a long, smooth, snow-white leg.
Red high heels completed the picture.
—I, Karl of Grenoir Island, Lubecknir Kingdom, North Blue, hereby confirm with my own eyes.
Even Karl had to admit it.
Boa Hancock truly deserved the title of "World's Most Beautiful Woman."
Behind him, Marine soldiers were breathing heavily, faces flushed, swallowing audibly.
"So… so this is the Pirate Empress?"
"She's just like the legends!"
"Mom!! I think I'm in love!!"
"She's… she's too beautiful!!"
Hancock smiled in quiet confidence, brushing her black hair behind her ear and giving a slight blink.
The Marines' hearts instantly skipped a beat.
Thumping heartbeats, excited gasps—"Ohhh—!" "Wooo—!"—rang out uncontrollably.
Karl, however, remained completely unfazed.
After all, in his previous life he'd survived endless exposure to "teachers," "explorers," and the 3D districts.
At most, this deserved a polite smile.
Want him to lose control?
Not a chance.
Two tall women soon took positions at Hancock's left and right.
Beside them appeared a black panther in a hat and a soaring eagle.
Behind Hancock coiled a massive white-and-pink-patterned serpent.
"So you finally came," Hancock said languidly.
"But how unfortunate—everything before was a lie."
"I will not accept the summons."
Karl met her gaze calmly.
"Lady Hancock, the other Warlords have already accepted and are on their way to Marine Headquarters for the Warlord Conference."
"Are you certain you want to refuse? This meeting concerns changes to the rights and obligations of the Warlords. It affects every one of you."
A trace of disdain flickered through Hancock's eyes.
"Heh~ so what? Either way, I won't go with you."
"And everything on your ship—
I want it all."
Karl took a deep breath.
For the first time in a long while, he seriously questioned reality.
Is this really something the ruler of a nation should be saying?
"Lady Hancock… are you joking?"
"Oh? Am I?"
She glanced sideways.
Karl followed her gaze.
Led by Nelson, Marine soldiers were steadily carrying supplies out of the storage hold—as if bewitched.
"What a beautiful woman…"
"If she wants it, we'll gladly give her anything!"
Karl cursed inwardly.
You useless idiots—!
How could they be this spineless? Couldn't they learn from him and at least pretend to be composed?!
"WHAT ARE YOU DOING?! SNAP OUT OF IT!!!"
Karl's roar dragged the Marines back to their senses.
Finally.
"Lady Hancock," Karl said coldly,
"I'll say this once."
"If you refuse the summons, your title as Warlord of the Sea will be stripped."
"This is my final notice."
His gaze turned icy, without the slightest hint of indulgence.
Even if the series quest failed—it didn't matter.
If he couldn't get the reward from the system…
He'd take compensation directly from her.
"Rear Admiral Karl," Hancock smiled faintly,
"Are you threatening me?"
"No," Karl replied calmly.
"I'm informing you."
Hancock's lips curved upward.
"I do quite like the title of Warlord… but I don't want to go to Marine Headquarters."
"How about this instead?"
"The Marines who came to escort me suffer an unfortunate 'accident' at sea—
their bodies turned to stone—
and the entire fleet is wiped out."
Karl slowly drew Shusui, his eyes sharp.
"What are you planning?"
Hancock didn't answer.
Sandersonia, to her left, flicked out her thin snake tongue.
"Big Sister has the worst temper, you know. But everything can be forgiven."
Marigold on the right continued calmly,
"Yes. Because there is always a reason worthy of forgiveness."
As her words fell, Hancock leapt lightly from the snake's head, landing before Karl.
She looked at him with a playful smile.
"Do you want to know why?"
Karl: "..."
"Whatever I do—plunder, killing, destruction—
the whole world will forgive me."
"As for the reason…"
She lifted her chin proudly, raised both hands behind her head, her long black hair cascading down as she stretched one leg forward.
Forming a heart shape with her hands, she smiled radiantly at Karl.
"It's because—"
"I am far too beautiful!!!"
In the next instant, the Kuja warriors screamed in excitement.
"AAAAHHHH!! Snake Princess!!!"
The Marines—including Ain—joined in as well:
"That's right!!! We forgive you!!! Because you're too beautiful!!!"
Karl glanced back at them helplessly and shook his head.
…There's no saving them.
And honestly—if anyone truly resisted Hancock's charm, that would be the real miracle.
"Your sinful hearts, enamored by me," Hancock said sweetly,
"shall harden your very bodies…"
She lifted her leg slightly, tilted her head back, and smiled dazzlingly.
"Love-Love Beam!!"
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