"Hehe..."
Atlas glanced at the two folks on their knees, smirked, and settled back in his chair for a more relaxed pose.
"If you're looking for my assistance, that's fine, but it won't come for free."
He leaned in, observing the three sisters whose faces showed a hint of concern. With curiosity, he extended his hand and wiggled five fingers before them.
"Five years!"
"...What does that mean?"
The three sisters appeared puzzled, struggling to grasp Atlas' intention.
"One person serves for five years, and the total for three of you together is fifteen years. During this time, Hancock will follow my orders without question!"
In this world, everything revolves around gain, and the commotion is all about gaining an advantage!
In this world, nothing comes for free, and fair trade remains a constant principle.
"What? That's not possible!"
"We won't stand for it! We'll never be anyone's slaves again!"
Sandersonia and Marigold expressed their fury with loud shouts. For them, facing immediate death seemed preferable to becoming slaves to someone else!
Atlas's terms are essentially akin to those of slaves.
"You... think I'm some kind of saint?"
Upon hearing this, Atlas's expression turned icy, and a chilling aura began to envelop him. The atmosphere in the entire hall seemed to thicken, making it so stifling that breathing became difficult!
"Conqueror's Haki?!"
Sandersonia and Marigold exchanged glances, both registering shock in each other's eyes.
Even though they had heard about it from their sister, witnessing this kind of talent in a Marine with their own eyes, and it being kept hidden, left them feeling somewhat disheartened.
"Where do you stand, Marine?"
Hancock gazed directly at Atlas, her eyes serene.
"Positions can change at any time."
"Then where do you currently stand?"
Hancock pressed on with intense eyes.
"Mine, of course, is justice."
Atlas wore an enigmatic expression and gazed at the other person with a smile.
"Justice? Justice as the lackeys defending the Celestial Dragons?"
Hancock sneered, the irony evident.
"That may be true now, but who's to say if things like Celestial Dragons will be there in the future?"
"—!?"
Hancock's pupils quivered, yet she feigned calmness.
"...I accept!"
A chilling voice echoed, drawing the focus of Sandersonia and Marigold.
"Elder sister!"
"How could you—!"
"Papa, papa! Excellent—"
Atlas wore a smile and gently applauded.
This woman is not oblivious to the current situation.
"However, I'm not the type to impose things on others. You're free to resist anything that crosses a line."
A mix of the carrot and the stick.
It might not be foolproof, but it's better than nothing.
"Even if you put forward unreasonable demands, I won't accept them!"
Hancock composed herself again, as if she hadn't just lost her composure.
"Very good!"
As soon as he finished speaking, the afterimage shifted.
Swish—!
A green light emerged, casting an eerie glow across the entire hall.
"The mark has been lifted. Next..."
Before Sandersonia and Marigold could react, Atlas had already resumed his seated position, appearing unchanged!
'What speed!'
Sandersonia and Marigold were astonished. No wonder their sister had no ability to resist when confronted by this man.
Such astonishing speed.
For them, it's downright unfair.
"Let's discuss the initial request I have for you, Hancock!"
Atlas looked at Hancock on the bed with a grin.
"Firstly, from now on, you're prohibited from raiding merchant ships and civilians. You can only target pirate ships!"
The Kuja Pirates typically plunder at sea, not limiting themselves to pirates, with merchant ships often being their main targets.
After all, most pirates are extremely impoverished.
"Then how are we, the members of Amazon Lily, supposed to survive!?"
Before Hancock could respond, Sandersonia and Marigold urgently exclaimed.
"I'm not addressing you, so keep quiet, you two!"
Atlas cast a menacing glance at them and uttered bitterly cold words that left them feeling as if they had plunged into an ice cellar!
'This man—!'
'Did the gaze he just gave mean he intended to kill us?!'
"I'll certainly take your concerns into account. In due course, the trade network I've set up will get in touch with you to share information."
Naturally, Atlas had no intention of pushing the people on Amazon Lily into a corner. Simply raiding was akin to drinking poison to satisfy thirst, and it couldn't fundamentally better the situation of Amazon Lily.
"Second..."
"Now, accompany my ship to Naval Headquarters. The Marines have arranged lodgings for the Shichibukai in Mariejois."
Atlas gazed at the displeased Hancock sisters, and his voice gradually mellowed.
"I understand your apprehension about Mariejois."
"But merely being afraid doesn't resolve the issue. Sometimes..."
"Confrontation is more effective than evasion!!!"
.....
Naval Headquarters, Marineford.
"Marshal Sengoku! Vice Admiral Hakuryu is on the line!"
In Sengoku's office, Brannew barged in through the door, reporting loudly and urgently.
"Pirate Empress Boa Hancock has agreed and is en route to headquarters!"
"This woman has finally agreed. How long until the other Shichibukai arrive at headquarters?"
Sengoku swiveled his chair, a hint of approval gleaming in his eyes, as he turned to look at Brannew, who was catching his breath.
Clearly, this guy rushed over as quickly as possible upon receiving the call from Atlas.
As a civilian in the Marines, although the distance wasn't very far, his body had been out of exercise for quite some time, and the continuous sprint evidently took a toll on him.
"Huh...huh... the other Shichibukai are still en route!"
There are only a few active Shichibukai at the moment—
Pirate Empress-Boa Hancock, First Son of the Sea-Jinbei, Hawk Eyes-Dracule Mihawk, and the recently enlisted Tyrant-Bartholomew Kuma.
While each of them joined the Shichibukai for different reasons, at present, they are highly cooperative with Marine's recruitment efforts.
Even Boa Hancock, who is rumored to have the most challenging personality, has started actively collaborating with Marine's persuasion.
"What's happening with Whitebeard?"
Sengoku nodded, somewhat pleased.
Thankfully, nothing unusual is occurring.
"Reports from the front line indicate that one-third of the Whitebeard Pirates' grand fleet has gathered."
"It appears that a conflict might be imminent, so accelerate the evacuation!"
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