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"Aromatic feet!"
As Arthur approached and lifted her chin, Hancock's eyes suddenly turned cold, and she kicked at him.
*Pop~*
Arthur swiftly blocked the kick with his arm, which was wrapped in Armament Haki. If he hadn't been armed, that kick would have easily shattered his arm or petrified him.
In the original story, Hancock used her fragrant feet to indiscriminately attack anyone who had intimate relations with her, resulting in various body parts being petrified. It was a dangerous attack that required armed defense to counter.
Seeing her attack blocked, Hancock quickly flipped over and supported herself with her hands, launching her long, beautiful legs at Arthur like a whirlwind. The sight was mesmerizing, but Arthur wisely chose to retreat, avoiding her strikes.
"Stop!" he chuckled softly.
When Hancock's attack didn't cease, Arthur reluctantly unleashed a surge of lightning. He skillfully controlled the electricity, ensuring it only danced across the deck, blocking Hancock's path.
*Huh~*
With a quick flick, Hancock flipped herself upside down, landing gracefully on the ship's side. Her slender brows furrowed slightly as she glared at Arthur coldly.
"Insolent man! Leave this place; you are not welcome here!" Hancock declared, her disdain for men evident in her eyes.
Arthur shook his head slowly. "That's not going to happen. This island is mine now, and you will be mine too! I told you a year ago that when we met again, you would be my woman!"
Hancock's expression hardened, her eyes narrowing with icy fury.
Unfazed, Arthur continued, "I heard the legend of the three Boya sisters of Nine Snake Island. It says you once fought monsters and were cursed after killing each other. That's when the second eye appeared on your back, and anyone who sees it would be petrified."
"Well... that's the legend of the Nine Snakes!" Arthur said, ignoring the sudden paleness in Hancock and her sisters' faces. "But you're obviously a Devil Fruit user. Where does this curse come from? Your back... seems to hold some secrets."
With that, Arthur vanished in an instant, reappearing behind Hancock.
*Not good!* Hancock and her sisters' faces turned pale, and they shouted in alarm as they instinctively braced themselves. Hancock quickly spun around, and her sisters rushed to her side.
However, as a user of the Thunder Fruit, Arthur was too fast for them.
*Huh~*
Under the horrified gazes of the three sisters, Arthur grabbed Hancock's cloak and tore it off her back. But instead of advancing, he paused, letting Hancock flee in shock.
Seeing the sisters back to back, their expressions pale and fearful, Arthur felt a pang of guilt. *It seems... that was a bit heartless.*
*Cough~* Arthur cleared his throat and said, "Just kidding, uh…" After a moment of thought, he unleashed his Conqueror's Haki, this time more forcefully. All the female soldiers except the three sisters fell into stunned silence.
At that moment, the sisters were too relieved to think about the crew's condition. They were grateful that their painful past hadn't been exposed here.
To everyone's shock, Arthur sat cross-legged at the side of the ship. "Actually... I know your past!"
The statement left the three sisters pale and panicking. For the first time, Hancock's face showed fear and helplessness.
"I'm a user of the Thunder Fruit. If I want to, I can eavesdrop on people's thoughts. I happened to learn about your situation," he explained.
"It's painful, isn't it? Being treated as slaves by such scum? But it doesn't have to stay that way; I can help you!"
Arthur produced a small jar from his pocket, gesturing to the three sisters, who were now slumped on the ground in disbelief. "That scar can be removed! This is the strongest medicine in the world."
He continued, "With my abilities, I can use subtle electrotherapy to treat burns—even scars from decades ago can disappear!"
"You... is that... really true?" The sisters gazed at him, a mix of excitement and fear glimmering in their eyes.
"Of course it's true! Didn't I say? When we meet again, you'll be my woman. How can I let my woman carry such shame? Give it a try! I promise I won't lie to you. Besides, with my strength, I have no need to deceive you, right?"
Hancock struggled with her emotions, her eyes filled with conflict as she considered the jar of medicine.
"Trust me! I know my status as a king can be intimidating, but that's just a title." Arthur shared his plans with the three sisters, who listened in astonishment.
"You... you actually want to do that!" Hancock looked at him in shock, unable to comprehend what he had just said.
"So, will you try it? I truly like you; if I didn't, I wouldn't be offering this!" Arthur smiled, raising the jar in his hand.
For Hancock, Arthur's affections felt genuine, stirring emotions she had long suppressed. The beautiful woman with a scar deep in her heart was something he couldn't ignore. Why should he wait for others to claim what was within reach?
After being repeatedly confessed to by Arthur, Hancock felt a shyness welling up within her for the first time. "I... I…" she stammered, looking timidly at him.
Arthur's proposal left the three Boa sisters in a state of shock and disbelief. They had just witnessed a miracle—the mark that had scarred their sister's body and soul for years had softened and faded. The hope of finally being freed from their painful past was overwhelming.
As Snake Ji stared at Arthur, her thoughts were swirling. **Marriage?** She had never imagined herself tied to any man, let alone under such circumstances. However, Arthur's actions, his strength, and now his promise of healing the deepest wound of her heart, had planted a seed of uncertainty in her once resolute hatred for men.
The two younger sisters, who had also suffered from the same cursed mark, exchanged glances. They were speechless, but their eyes held a glimmer of hope, fear, and confusion. This man, Arthur, had not only shown them power but also compassion—an unexpected combination from someone of his strength.
Arthur, sensing their hesitation, broke the silence with a gentle smile. "I know it's a lot to take in, but I meant what I said. You're all powerful in your own right, and you don't need to decide anything now. I just wanted to show you that I'm serious about helping you. Take your time."
Snake Ji, still overwhelmed, whispered softly, "Why...why would you want to help us like this?"
Arthur's gaze softened. "Because no one should carry scars like that, especially not someone like you. Besides, I believe in freeing people from their past, not just their enemies. And you... you're worth it."
The words hung in the air, heavy with meaning. Snake Ji's heart, once hardened by years of pain and mistrust, wavered as she looked at the man before her. Could this really be her chance at a new beginning?
Her two sisters stood silently by her side, waiting for her response. For the first time in years, the future didn't seem so bleak.
"Let's see where this goes," Snake Ji murmured, her voice trembling but filled with a newfound resolve. "But… not just yet."
Arthur nodded, understanding the depth of her struggle. "Of course," he said softly, "take all the time you need."