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Chenos and Hancock walked with their heads lowered as they were dragged toward Charlmark Saint's residence.
Iron chains were locked around their necks, the other ends held firmly in Charlmark's hand.
Charlmark himself sat comfortably atop another slave's back, being carried forward. From time to time, a cold, twisted smile crept across his face as he pondered how to torture the slave who had caused him such tremendous losses.
"Chenos… are we going to die?"
Hancock's voice trembled.
"Relax," Chenos replied softly.
"As long as I'm here, you won't die."
Chenos couldn't understand why Charlmark had bought Hancock as well.
All this time, Hancock had followed his instructions—deliberately making herself look less attractive, suppressing the charm of her Devil Fruit, doing everything possible to avoid drawing the attention of the Celestial Dragons.
And yet… she was still targeted.
If Charlmark bought him to exact revenge, that was expected.
But Hancock?
Did that mean she would be killed too?
In the original timeline, Hancock survived until Fisher Tiger freed the slaves, later becoming the Pirate Empress.
Had he changed history?
Or was this fate correcting itself in the cruelest way possible?
Whatever the reason—
One thought dominated Chenos' mind now.
Kill his way out.
If escape was impossible, then he'd drag a few Celestial Dragons down with him.
Dying wouldn't scare him.
Maybe death meant reincarnation… maybe another world.
But Hancock?
Was he supposed to let the future Pirate Empress die here because of him?
Before he could speak, Hancock whispered again—this time with a strange calm.
"Then… I'll be brave, just once."
"Chenos… I like you."
"I've always liked you."
"In this hell, you were the only warmth I ever felt."
"Even if we can't live together… dying with you is enough for me."
Chenos' heart shook violently.
The killing intent that had hardened his face melted away.
He turned toward her.
"Hancock," he said firmly,
"I will make sure you live."
"You will live—no matter what."
He reached out and tightly held her hand, warmth flowing from his palm into her ice-cold fingers.
Charlmark noticed.
Instead of anger, delight sparkled in his eyes as he stared at the two clasped hands.
Oh… this was interesting.
Soon, they arrived at Charlmark's room.
The moment they entered, the stench of cruelty hit them.
The room was filled with torture devices of every kind. World Government personnel stood guard everywhere—and among them, a CP0 agent watched with thinly veiled excitement.
He could tell.
This slave would be fun to fight.
"Hahahaha! Welcome to my paradise, Chenos!"
Charlmark laughed wildly.
"I wonder… how should I punish you today?"
"This one? Or this one?"
He casually picked up a torture tool.
But when Chenos' expression didn't change at all, Charlmark grew annoyed and tossed it aside.
Then his gaze shifted to Hancock.
"Well then… how about starting with the little beauty beside you?"
For the first time, Chenos' expression changed.
His eyes burned with murderous intent.
Charlmark saw it—and laughed even harder.
"Yes! That look! That's the look I want!"
"What? Want to kill me?"
"Oh right—I forgot."
"You're wearing Seastone cuffs."
"You can't move, can you? Hahaha!"
He mocked Chenos relentlessly, savoring every second.
After venting his frustration, Charlmark's breathing grew heavy, desire flashing in his eyes as he stared at Hancock.
"Bring the girl to me."
The World Government personnel stepped forward without hesitation. They had done this countless times before.
Hancock lowered her head and whispered quickly:
"Chenos… when they bring me closer, I'll use the chain to strangle him."
"If you can escape—run."
"If you can't… then please kill him for me."
She waited.
No response.
The footsteps drew closer.
Panicking, Hancock turned—
And froze.
Chenos was already standing in front of her.
Blocking everyone.
"Hancock," he said gently,
"Don't say foolish things."
"I will never let anyone touch you."
"I promised—you will live."
Tears welled in Hancock's eyes.
Charlmark watched, utterly delighted.
"Ohhh~ a tragic couple."
"My favorite thing is humiliating a devoted man… by playing with his woman."
"Beat him down," Charlmark ordered gleefully.
"Just don't kill him."
"Yes!"
The guards rushed forward eagerly.
But they hit nothing.
Chenos moved.
There was no weakness.
No Seastone suppression.
He vanished in a blur, leaping into the air.
Tempest Kick.
Invisible wind blades tore through the room.
More than a dozen guards were cut clean in half.
They didn't die instantly—split bodies writhing on the floor, screaming.
The entire room fell silent.
Chenos slowly turned, his eyes locked onto Charlmark.
"Charlmark…"
"Did you really think…"
"…I couldn't kill you?"
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