On Vine Island, Arthur remained alert, constantly monitoring the movements on the sea floor and everything within several kilometers of the island. His sharp senses quickly picked up a sudden change—there was no longer any activity from the Sea Kings.
Meanwhile, thirty kilometers away, Boa Hancock, also known as Snake Princess, stood on the deck of her ship, watching the vine-covered island approaching. Her frown deepened with each passing moment.
A very large woman, standing nearby, asked quietly, "Eldest sister, what should we do? We're less than three hundred kilometers from Nine Snake Island. This strange island is heading right towards our borders."
The tall woman with blue hair, who had earlier summoned Boa Hancock from the cabin, added, "Yes, big sister, we're not strong enough to destroy a moving island like this. What should we do?"
Hancock's brows furrowed, and after a brief pause, she spoke in her usual calm, confident tone, "This island is clearly made of earth and stone. If it's not being dragged by massive Sea Kings, then someone must be controlling it with a Devil Fruit."
She narrowed her eyes, deep in thought. "There are no giant Sea Kings in sight, so there must be a Devil Fruit user nearby. We'll sail closer and investigate."
Boa Hancock's wisdom and experience came from a long career. Despite being enslaved as a child, she had returned to Nine Snake Island, trained relentlessly, and ascended to become the new Empress. She had been leading the Kuja Pirates for seven or eight years, and her knowledge was extensive. It didn't take her long to deduce that the island wasn't the result of a natural phenomenon but rather the work of a Devil Fruit user.
Her two sisters exchanged glances, surprised. "What kind of ability can make an entire island move? Is the user really strong?" one of them asked in awe.
Boa Hancock's lips curled into a prideful smirk. "No matter how strong they are, do you think they could harm me?" she replied, tossing her hair gracefully. The crew erupted into excited cheers and admiration, completely entranced by her beauty.
"Huh?" Back on Vine Island, Arthur's attention was drawn to the distant sounds of cheering. "Did I just hear someone scream?"
He shook his head, confused. "No, that's impossible. How could anyone be here in the Calm Belt?"
Curiosity piqued, Arthur expanded the range of his Observation Haki. "A group of women? One of them is incredibly strong, two are slightly weaker, and... two giant snakes?" He took a sharp breath, the realization hitting him. "Could it be...? Did I just sense one of the world's great beauties, the Empress Boa Hancock?"
A small smile crept across Arthur's face. He couldn't believe the coincidence. "I've already met Shirahoshi, whose beauty is out of this world, though... she's just a bit too big." He chuckled to himself. "Now this... I might as well check it out."
On Hancock's ship, she felt a subtle disturbance as if someone was observing them through Haki. Her eyes narrowed slightly, her instincts confirming what she had suspected earlier. "It seems I was right..." she muttered to herself, her intuition strong despite not having a wide Observation Haki range.
The distance between her ship and Vine Island had shrunk to just twenty kilometers. Hancock was about to issue the order to dock and board the island when, suddenly, a flash of lightning erupted overhead.
*Zzzzzz~*
Arthur appeared ten meters above the ship, suspended mid-air through electromagnetic force.
The crew members immediately tensed, grabbing their bows, arrows, and swords, ready for a potential fight.
"Who are you? Why are you near Nine Snake Island? Did you move this island?" demanded Boa Marigold, Hancock's third sister. Her orange-red hair framed her broad figure as she held a massive sword, pointing it at Arthur.
Arthur, however, ignored her and focused his attention on Boa Hancock. Slowly, he descended onto the ship's deck, landing on the edge with a calm smile.
Having previously met Shirahoshi, Arthur felt more immune to overwhelming beauty. Otherwise, facing someone as striking as Boa Hancock, he might have found himself completely speechless, struggling to hide a dazed expression.
"You are the famous Pirate Empress, Boa Hancock! Truly a vision of beauty!" Arthur exclaimed, his heartbeat quickening as he gazed at her stunning face, admiration evident in his voice.
"How dare you speak my family name so casually! What an impudent man!" Boa Hancock raised her chin in arrogance, a glint of contempt flickering in her eyes.
To the side, Marigold, who had asked Arthur the previous question, glared at him with growing anger, as if ready to strike him down at any moment.
Boa Sandersonia, Hancock's younger sister, observed Arthur with a cold expression, her mind racing with thoughts. She felt a nagging familiarity about him, as if she had seen him somewhere before. Suddenly, it clicked—a newspaper she had read a few days ago.
"Which sky island's king are you?" Sandersonia blurted out, her surprise evident.
The mention of a sky island made everyone on the ship, including Hancock, recall the newspaper photo of Arthur, which showed him without his wings after landing.
"So it's you, huh! The lackey who surrendered to the Celestial Dragons," Hancock sneered, her expression darkening as recognition dawned on her.
"Huh?" Arthur frowned. "Don't speak nonsense, Boa Hancock, or I'll make sure you remember this encounter, woman."
Although he understood the painful experiences she had endured, Arthur bristled at being called a lackey.
"Impudent man! Prepare to be punished!" Hancock declared defiantly, her fingers dancing over her lips.
In an instant, a small pink heart materialized before her face. She gently poked it, and the heart shot toward Arthur like a bullet.
*Bang!*
The heart pierced straight through Arthur's form.
*Zzzzz~*
However, Arthur quickly elementalized, his body transforming into lightning to avoid being petrified. Realizing her attack had no effect, Hancock frowned, perplexed.
"Logia user?" she mused, contemplating the situation.
"Yes, I'm the Thunder Fruit (Goro Goro no Mi) user," Arthur confirmed, relieved that he hadn't been ensnared by her beauty. "Your attacks won't work on me."
Hancock, frustrated that her charm had failed, decided to escalate her attack. "Fragrant Feet!" she called out, appearing next to Arthur with her stunning legs, ready to strike.
*Pop!*
But before her ankle could connect, Arthur swiftly caught it with his hand, enveloped in Armament Haki.
The feel of her smooth skin sent a jolt through Arthur, momentarily shaking his resolve. He quickly refocused, trying to suppress his thoughts. "You woman, that's enough! If you strike me again, I will fight back!" he warned, his expression darkening as he met her gaze.
He didn't want to look too closely at her stunning features, fearing he might lose his composure. The allure of her beauty was overwhelming, and under the influence of her Love-Love Fruit powers, his heart raced whenever he glanced her way.
But Arthur realized he couldn't afford to lower his gaze; he'd rather not risk turning to stone and plunging into the sea.
"Let go of me!" Hancock's voice was icy as she struggled against his grip, anger evident in her tone.
"Then don't attack me!" Arthur shot back, his heart racing despite himself.
"Let go of Ai Jia!" Hancock's voice turned even colder, her aura shifting as she released a powerful presence.
"Conqueror's Haki?" Arthur recognized the weight of her will and couldn't help but smile. Wasn't this yet another remarkable ability in the world, along with Observation Haki?
"I have it too!" he declared, unleashing his own Conqueror's Haki.
*Boom!*
The air around them crackled with energy as their Haki clashed within a two-meter radius. The ship's deck creaked and splintered under the immense pressure, shattered pieces blown away by the force of their wills.
Hancock felt the familiar sensation of her own Conqueror's Haki being matched and overwhelmed by Arthur's, an uncanny power that rivaled her own.
Her breath caught in her throat as her long, dark hair whipped around her, dancing in the turbulent air.
"So terrifying... this Conqueror's Haki..." she thought, both intimidated and intrigued by the formidable presence before her.
[PS: The Empress made her debut in 1522, 29 years old.
For a reason that everyone understands, the age of the empress was specially adjusted.
That is 22 years and 27 years old, now 19 years is 24 years old, five years older than the protagonist.
At the same time, Tiger was liberated from Mary Geoise 13 years ago in 22 years.
After the adjustment, 13 years ago, it was 14 years old.
Caught as a slave for four years, that is, was arrested at the age of 10.
I became a slave when I was 10 to 14 years old.
You know.
By the way, all kinds of requests! ].
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You can read the advance chapters here : patreon.com/Vigilante04