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The unexpected depth of feeling from Hancock was too much, even for Aqua, a goddess who had never been ashamed of anything. For the first time, a fan's fervent devotion made her spine tingle with a sensation akin to fear.
With Hancock's declaration, Meowth and King were also stunned into a petrified state, though not literally this time. The sight of such a domineering and beautiful woman wanting to marry Aqua was beyond their comprehension.
"Maji Yabakunai..." Kanna exclaimed, unable to fully grasp the situation.
"Was it really too soon? Then let's talk about the marriage tomorrow," Hancock said, biting her thumbnail, her face showing signs of deep distress. She seemed to make a tough decision, slowly opening her mouth, "If it's possible, can we talk properly, Aqua-sama?"
Hancock was supremely confident in her charm. Even women would inevitably fall for her. Seeing Aqua remain indifferent, even showing signs of annoyance at her proposal, only strengthened Hancock's resolve: her beloved was unlike any other.
As one of the sharpest Shichibukai, Hancock showed a bit more cunning than her original naive romantic side.
"What is there to talk about, you fool? Not today, not tomorrow, not ever! I'm a goddess, a high and mighty Water Goddess!!"
Aqua's panic made her revert to her native dialect, her limited intelligence failing to catch the subtle nuances in Hancock's words. She firmly rejected the idea of marriage.
"This place isn't suitable for a conversation. Let's head inside the restaurant," a calm voice said.
It was Zyhark's voice!
Hancock, caught between the joy of meeting her idol and the fear of her past as a slave, reacted with shock.
Turning around, she saw the man she had petrified earlier walking towards her, perfectly fine.
"How is this possible? How did that man break free from Hancock-sama's ability?"
"How did he do it? How can a man resist Hancock-sama's charm?!"
The Kuja Pirates, long-time followers of Hancock, looked like they'd seen a ghost. Sandersonia and Marigold, Hancock's sisters, were equally shocked, their eyes wide open.
Zyhark, knowing Hancock meant no harm, had been cautious but not foolish enough to leave himself immobilized, exposing his crew to unknown risks.
Using his newly awakened Conqueror's Haki to resist her allure was not enough, so he had activated his time-rewind ability just before being petrified.
Hancock, amidst her shock, left her officers on the Perfume Yuda and only brought her two sisters into the restaurant, following Zyhark.
Once Meowth confirmed they weren't enemies, he poured tea for the three sisters.
"Man, how did you do it?!" Hancock demanded coldly, addressing Zyhark with a newfound seriousness and respect.
Zyhark, looking tired, smiled calmly but offered no specific explanation, letting Hancock ponder on her own.
He was slightly taken aback by Marigold's appearance — so different from her plump, snake-like form ten years later.
"Before that, I think you should explain why you sought us out, Pirate Empress Boa Hancock," Zyhark said, adjusting his breath and locking eyes with Hancock. This trick, he found, helped him keep his thoughts pure.
The more Zyhark stared into her eyes, the more Hancock's brows furrowed. Many powerful figures had stared her down, but this young man was the first of his age to do so with such composure.
Her words also made Aqua and the others tense: another Shichibukai?
Since the Sabaody Archipelago incident, they had encountered three Shichibukai in just a few days!
"From a pirate's perspective, he was quite right," Zyhark thought.
"I've made it clear: I came to see Aqua-sama, who killed a Celestial Dragon, to understand what kind of extraordinary person she is," Hancock replied, shifting her attention back to Aqua.
Usually, being praised so highly would make Aqua gloat, but Hancock's intense gaze made her uncomfortable.
The Water Goddess, who feared nothing, finally found someone who made her nervous.
"And as Aqua-sama's partners, you who participated in the attack on the Celestial Dragons are barely passable as people," Hancock added.
Zyhark knew this was high praise coming from Hancock, but his partners felt differently.
"What do you mean barely passable? I'm a top-tier Pokémon, meow!" Meowth retorted.
"Kanna is a very fierce dragon, roar!" Kanna added, joining Meowth's stance.
King, however, silently twitched, feeling the world's deep malice towards his mere humanity.
Being human was a sorry state.
"And why do you care that we killed Celestial Dragons, you pervert?" Aqua couldn't hold back, giving Hancock no face.
"I must ask, Aqua-sama, why did you attack the Celestial Dragons?" Hancock's face showed pain just mentioning them. Her eyes gleamed with anticipation as she looked at Aqua.
"Those who call themselves gods but play with and murder their subjects deserve to be beaten up. It's only natural, right?" Aqua said, clenching her fist. "Beating up scum like that needs no reason. I just don't like them!"
As a goddess loved by her followers, Aqua's point was that "god" referred to her. But for Hancock and her sisters, it had another profound impact, bringing tears to their eyes.
Those were the Celestial Dragons — nobles of the world, protected by Marine Admirals, untouchable and unshakable!
Hearing Aqua's answer, Hancock couldn't keep calm. Her body trembled, reliving her hellish past, but she ultimately opened up, letting go of her last defenses.
"Aqua-sama, you asked why it matters to me," Hancock said, breathing deeply. She turned, exposing her back to Aqua, revealing a glaring red mark — the "Hoof of the Celestial Dragon."
"I have waited for someone like Aqua-sama, thinking it would take an impossibly long time. But I am so fortunate," Hancock said, tears streaming down her face after recounting her past.
Sonia and Marigold, collapsing to the floor, cried uncontrollably, drained of all strength.
"So, that's all," Aqua said nonchalantly, munching on chips. As a goddess guiding souls, she'd seen many stories worse than Hancock's.
This wasn't unusual for her, or even for the older and more experienced Brook, King, and Meowth, who remained solemnly silent.
After finishing her chips, Aqua clapped her hands, stood up, and approached the crying sisters.
Though she didn't want to get involved, seeing their sincere devotion, she recognized them as her believers.
And as believers of the Axis Cult, she couldn't ignore them.
"No matter the world, there will always be scum. If you want revenge, get serious. My followers can achieve anything if they put their minds to it. If not, don't blame yourselves, blame the world."
"If you lack the courage to face them, then run away. Running isn't losing; it's winning!"
Her serious expression looked holy in the sunlight streaming through the window — as long as one ignored her strange creed.
"Running isn't losing; it's winning..." Hancock murmured, repeating Aqua's words.
After several seconds, she seemed to find clarity, standing up with renewed determination, resuming her proud, fierce stance.
"I understand now. Thank you for giving me courage, Aqua-sama!" Hancock said.
Aqua nodded in appreciation, pulling out an Axis Cult flyer from her cleavage.
"Believe in me, and you'll have a new life!" she said brightly.
"Ah! This...this is our marriage certificate?!" Hancock blushed, her eyes turning into hearts.
"What marriage certificate? This is an Axis Cult application form!!" Aqua cried, tears streaming down her face.
Indeed, she couldn't handle such a passionate, odd woman like Hancock!
In the end, Hancock joined the Axis Cult, showing much respect for Zyhark as Aqua's partner.
As Hancock reluctantly led her sisters and pirate officers back to the Perfume Yuda to return to Amazon Lily, Zyhark remained silent, not interfering.
Though the situation hadn't unfolded as he expected, and Hancock's mental state might become, well, peculiar, the Kuja Pirates had firmly allied with the Sea Restaurant.
With the Kuja Pirates joining, Amazon Lily's entire nation of warriors was now part of their alliance, even strengthening their relationship with Rayleigh and Shakky.
Their team's combat power had significantly increased!
With that, it didn't matter who killed the Celestial Dragons. Hancock would find out eventually.
Thus, the encounter with the Kuja Pirates concluded, and the Sea Restaurant continued towards Water 7.
Meanwhile, nearby, Kizaru had completed the pirate transfer.
Handing the pirates over to his adjutant for transport to Impel Down, he looked at the setting sun and lazily stretched.
"It's almost quitting time. It's too late to head to Water 7 now. I'll trim my nails and go tomorrow," he said, his voice as lazy as his actions, lacking the drive of a candidate for Marine Admiral.
If a negative ghost passed through him, it would likely resign on the spot, seeking a place to drink tea and slack off...
"To think he'd say it outright! Even his laziness is super cool, Vice Admiral Kizaru!"
Nearby, a new recruit from the Marine branch exclaimed in admiration.
Kizaru's eyes shifted slightly, his gaze falling on the young recruit with a sly look:
"This isn't laziness, young man. I face dangerous criminals daily. If I don't stay in top condition, facing monsters could be my end."
(End of Chapter)