That being said, there was a nation supporting Hancock after all.
If Rifan were truly one of the Four Emperors, it would be reasonable for her to seek an alliance with them.
However, at present, Rifan was merely a renowned supernova pirate in the sea. Strictly speaking, he was not yet qualified to lead Amazon Lily.
"That concludes today's discussion," Rifan stated.
"Hancock, Sandersonia, Marigold, I will now lower your pirate ships for your departure," he continued. "You may leave on your own once I've had a chat with Leigh. Please, remember what we discussed today."
Rifan noticed Hancock's internal struggle and decided not to press further. He understood that as a ship's captain and the ruler of a nation, Hancock bore her own burdens.
Hancock's expression grew complex upon hearing Rifan's words, a blend of apology and relief.
"Get dressed; the treatment is complete. If you continue to show appreciation, I won't charge you a single Berry," Rifan added.
After casting a last glance at Marigold and Hancock, Rifan turned and headed for the door.
"Oh, Hancock, do you truly despise the Celestial Dragons? Would you consider becoming the captain of my subordinate crew if I had the opportunity to kill a Celestial Dragons?"
As Rifan reached the door, he suddenly turned back to address Hancock.
"Kill... the Celestial Dragons?!" Hancock's eyes widened in disbelief.
"You heard me correctly, Hancock," Rifan replied with a smile.
'Could it be that, in order for me to become the captain of his subordinate pirate crew, he's willing to forgo the chance to become a Shichibukai and challenge the World Government now?'
Hancock contemplated Rifan's serious proposal. In that moment, she felt an inexplicable excitement.
[Ding!]
[Rifan, you trigger "Boa Hancock Invitation Task - Confront Celestial Dragons!"]
[Upon completion of this task, you will receive corresponding rewards.]
The sudden hint that appeared in his mind startled Rifan, but it was soon followed by a happy smile. Although Hancock hadn't answered yet, Rifan understood her thoughts through the message from the copy space.
"Take your time changing," Rifan said as he left. "Marigold, it may take some time for people to get used to your new appearance. Also, feel free to release those piranha bubbles containing your curse to the sea."
After Hancock, Marigold, and Sandersonia exchanged glances, they quickly cleaned the saliva left by Rifan and exited the room after getting dressed.
"I thought you'd already left, Miss Smoothie."
After guiding the Nine Snakes back to the sea and returning to the Black Pearl, Rifan looked at Smoothie on board with a helpless expression.
"After all, I still miss you, Rifan."
Smoothie hopped off the ship's deck and approached Rifan. Recalling the information Ada had disclosed earlier, she bent slightly, wearing a seductive smile.
"Hey, Rifan~ You helped heal my injury earlier, and I haven't paid your consultation fee yet. How about I use my ability to relieve your fatigue? After that, you can rest on my lap overnight. You probably haven't experienced a long-legged knee pillow yet."
Smoothie even took the initiative to place Rifan's hand on her lap, running his fingers over her smooth skin.
Rifan raised an eyebrow. Although he hadn't noticed the changes in Smoothie were due to his influence, he found her actions and proposal appealing. However, he had other plans at the moment.
Rifan began, "Sorry, Miss Smoothie, I—"
"Woman, let go of his hand!"
Before Rifan could finish speaking, Hancock's voice suddenly interrupted.
Rifan turned to see Hancock, who had jumped from the Kuja ship and approached him, making her signature contemptuous gesture directed at Smoothie.
"Hancock, my interactions with Rifan shouldn't concern you, right?" Smoothie smiled but eyed Hancock warily. She was confident in her charm but conceded that Hancock was the most beautiful woman in the world. She also considered Ada's assessment of Rifan's preference for beautiful women and Hancock's treatment of him.
"Of course, it concerns this empress," Hancock asserted without hesitation, making Smoothie scrutinize her more seriously.
"Rifan, I don't mind visiting your ship," Hancock declared, stepping between Smoothie and Rifan and forcefully taking Rifan's hand from Smoothie's grasp. She held Rifan's hand and regarded Smoothie with a serious expression.
Not far away on the Kuja Pirate ship, Marigold and Sandersonia, still explaining their situation to Rindo and others, were puzzled by Hancock's actions.
Hancock herself was puzzled as well. While watching the slightly ambiguous interactions between Rifan and Smoothie, she felt an unexplainable anger towards Smoothie and even a hint of envy.
Rifan observed Hancock's expression and reflected on Hancock's various actions in the original story. He immediately grasped Hancock's emotional state.
At this moment, Hancock resembled a scene from the original story where Luffy desperately protected the 'mark' of the Celestial Dragon behind Sandersonia, preventing the people of the Kuja Tribe from discovering it before the news of Luffy defeating the Celestial Dragons reached Hancock's ears.
Although Hancock's current feelings for Rifan couldn't be labelled as love, it was evident that she had a favourable impression of him.
"It seems like my efforts are paying off," Rifan thought. "If things continue to develop and Hancock falls in love with me, she might respond to my invitation, even with the weight of the Country behind her."
However, Rifan couldn't help but notice Hancock's intense jealousy. "Just from seeing Smoothie holding my hand, she's reacting like this. If she finds out about my relationships with Robin and Nokigao... she might explode," he mulled over, imagining Hancock's potentially sad expression.
Rifan sighed and decided to focus on the future. "At least judging from Hancock's current attitude, it's possible to give her the G virus strengthening potion and the Kuja Pirates in advance. The G virus strengthening potion might help her overcome her hesitation about becoming a subordinate captain."
With this idea in mind, Rifan quickly formulated a plan. "Hancock, remove the curse from the petrified man on Smoothie's ship. After that, I don't think Miss Smoothie has any reason to stay here. Smoothie, you'd better return and report to your mother. The first half of the Grand Line is under the control of the Marines, and it's not ideal for individuals like you to linger here."
"Chopper, lead Miss Smoothie to her ship."
Rifan gave these instructions with a smile and then headed toward the cabin of the Black Pearl.
"Yes, Captain Rifan," Chopper replied with enthusiasm.
"No problem, Rifan," Hancock replied, flashing a big smile as Rifan walked away.
Observing the scene, Smoothie's frown deepened. She was about to boldly follow Rifan, but Chopper, acting on Rifan's orders, abruptly stepped in her way.
"Wait, lady. Captain Rifan told you to leave!" Chopper, maintaining his normal form, stretched out his arms to block Smoothie, who towered over him.
Smoothie lowered her gaze to the adorable Chopper but didn't underestimate him due to his cute appearance. She remembered that Chopper had a bounty of 100 million Berries on his head and couldn't afford to underestimate him.
"Hey, Excellent Dr. Chopper, can I accompany Rifan? I'm genuinely interested in him," Smoothie began, adopting a gentle tone. "Perhaps I'll even marry him in the future. If that happens, we'll be a family, won't we? Since we're family, there shouldn't be any issue with me tagging along."
Smoothie knelt down, wrapping her arms around her knees, and looked at Chopper with a kind expression.
"Excellent doctor!?"
"Bastard! Even if you praised me like that I won't let you pass~"
Chopper, hearing Smoothie's compliment, immediately twisted his body and said to Smoothie.
…
—•—|Rifan Live Broadcast Chat Room|—•—
[Chopper is still as cute as ever, I was worried that he would just let her go just because of Smoothie's compliment. ]
[How is it possible? Although Chopper can't stand the praise of others, he is still very serious when facing the battle and Rifan's orders. Since Rifan asked Chopper to intercept, he will definitely intercept]
[Green Pheasant Audience: This woman named Smoothie is really entangled with Rifan, damn it, I'm really envious. ]
[Chollima Audience: Envy? If you face this woman, you will likely be twisted into a wrench in an instant and juice you out of you. This woman is not a kind person. In the live broadcast room of Koharu Momoka from the Green Pheasant country, I saw how cruel this woman is!]
[Eagle Audience: That's true. In the final analysis, this Smoothie just took a fancy to Rifan's strength. I don't think she fell in love with Rifan. ]
[Camel Audience: Even so, it's enviable enough! Such a tall figure can't be found in the real world. ]
[Eagle Audience: After all, she is a woman from the long-legged tribe of a special race. And Ada joins her group, after Smoothie goes back, she will meet Koharu Momoka, the reincarnator of the Green Pheasant country. I don't know how the two women will get along with each other. ]
[Eagle Audience: Tsk tsk, it would be great if there was a fight. ]
[Chollima Audience: We don't know if those two will fight or not, but I want to know if this Chopper will fight with Smoothie. Let's be honest, we're all curious how strong Chopper is right now right? ]
[Eagle Audience: That guy Rifan awakened Chopper Munch-Munch Fruit, and also made his position level reach the master level. Chopper's power may have reached the first echelon of the Black String of Pearls.
Damn, why are there more and more monsters in Rifan's team. That guy Rifan, why can he easily obtain so many strengthening resources!]
[Is there any need to ask, Rifan has the strength, luck, and courage. Is there a reincarnator who dares not to buy resurrection coins like Rifan? No, right? Hahaha. Now you know why!]
Although Rifan and Leigh have left now.
But because Ada is still around.
So Blue Star viewers can still see what's going on between Chopper and Smoothie.
At the same time, on the One Piece Dungeon World.
Seeing Chopper's appearance, Smoothie couldn't help raising his eyebrows.
Seemed to be fairly interested in Chopper's reaction.
But after seeing Rifan and Hancock who had disappeared into the entrance of the cabin in the distance, Smoothie felt more anxious.
"Then, Doctor Chopper, I'll go first.
After leaving these words, Smoothie stood up, trying to catch up to Rifan directly past Chopper.
It has been determined that Rifan will accept her.
So she doesn't want Rifan to have too many opportunities to get in touch with the most beautiful woman in the world.
However, she just made a move.
Chopper's eyes suddenly narrowed, and he stretched out his short hands to point at Smoothie's figure.