Capítulo 181: Chapter 181
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The pirate ship Perfume Yuda, bearing the flag of the Kuja Pirates, was quietly anchored at the inner sea coast of Thriller Bark. The two giant sea snakes pulling the ship widened their eyes, curiously observing the colorful rainbow floating on the sea surface.
They seemed somewhat perplexed, unable to understand why such an eerie ship had such a strange sight surrounding it.
Inside the partially collapsed black castle, in the relatively intact hall, two imposing figures were facing off.
"Hehehe, what a rare guest. I didn't expect you, the emperor of Amazon Lily, to appear here so seldomly."
"Pirate Empress, Boa Hancock, are you here to pick a fight with me?"
Moria, with bandages wrapped around his face, sat on a leather sofa, crossing his legs and staring provocatively at the unexpected visitor, Hancock.
"Moria, I have no interest in a stinking maggot like you who hides in the darkness," Hancock replied. She wore a sexy purple cheongsam, her long, shiny black hair cascading down her exaggeratedly perfect figure.
Though only nineteen, she already exuded an icy, domineering aura.
Even a simple movement or a word from her could captivate countless males.
Even the newly resolute Moria wasn't immune, his muscles tensing in constant vigilance.
Behind him, Absalom, a notorious pervert, was already stoned with red hearts in his eyes, turned into a statue. Even Perona, attempting to launch a sneak attack with her negative ghosts, wasn't spared, petrified by Hancock's Love-Love Beam.
Hancock sat on her pet snake, Salome, which had coiled into a seat. Her deep blue eyes flashed with undisguised arrogance and disdain.
Wait, deep blue eyes? Blue?
Behind Hancock stood Sandersonia, Marigold, and several pirate officers, all exuding formidable auras.
"I'm here merely to inquire about the whereabouts of the Sea Restaurant. It is said they entered the Florian Triangle," Hancock said expressionlessly.
"What, you came to ask for directions and made such a grand entrance?" Moria laughed, then his face stiffened as he realized, "Wait, you want to find the Sea Restaurant crew who attacked the Celestial Dragons in Sabaody?"
From a pirate's perspective, his first thought was that Hancock was after the high bounty on Zyhark and his crew. This was normal since pirates were driven by profit, and even the Pirate Empress with her own kingdom wasn't exempt from this truth!
"Sorry, I have nothing to tell you."
Having figured out the reason, Moria rested his head on his intertwined hands, his attitude nonchalant but resolute.
Despite the short time spent with Zyhark and his crew, since he recognized them as his comrades, he would stand by them to the end, showing no courtesy to anyone!
"So, you do know their whereabouts?" Hancock's gaze turned sharp.
The battle marks on Thriller Bark were evident. Coupled with Moria's attitude, she considered a distressing and infuriating possibility.
That great person who killed a Celestial Dragon publicly — could Moria have...
Boom!!
Dark red lightning crackled as Hancock's anger surged. She stepped forward, her beautiful, murderous eyes emitting a terrifying aura.
That was the Pirate Empress's Conqueror's Haki!
"Don't get too arrogant. This is still my territory, Gecko Moria!"
Moria reached behind and pulled out a gleaming long blade, unleashing his aura to directly counter Hancock's Conqueror's Haki.
The tense atmosphere between the two Shichibukai caused Hancock's Amazon warriors to draw their snake-shaped longbows, aiming at Moria.
Finally, the auras of Hancock and Moria reached their peak.
"If you want to take the Sea Restaurant's head for fame, you must get past me, their ally!"
"Dare to attack the person I revere and adore, prepare to die!"
Both yelled as they unleashed their attacks at each other, but then abruptly stopped, frozen in mid-air, staring wide-eyed at each other.
Allied with the Sea Restaurant??? That great person???
The atmosphere in the entire castle became inexplicably awkward, filled with a sense of "embarrassment."
"Wait, Boa Hancock, did you refer to the Sea Restaurant members as 'great person'?"
Finally, Moria, with a peculiar expression, broke the long silence. As a fellow Shichibukai who had met Hancock several times, he frowned.
It was hard to believe that there was someone in the pirate world who could be called a "great person" by the notoriously fierce Pirate Empress. Not even the strongest Yonko, Whitebeard, or Marine Fleet Admiral Kong, had that honor!
"I see, you've been charmed by that great person and joined their ranks," Hancock nodded lightly, seeming calm and even finding it natural.
Before Moria could respond, the naturally arrogant Hancock flicked her long black hair, the snake-shaped ornaments on her ears swaying, and turned to leave with her subordinates.
Considering Moria was now an ally, Hancock snapped her fingers, releasing Absalom and Perona from their petrified state.
"Wait, Hancock, I still want to know why you call that brat Zyhark a great person?" Moria couldn't hold back his curiosity.
The answer shocked him.
Hancock stopped abruptly, her body emitting a strong killing intent again.
"Zyhark? What nonsense is that? The only one I revere is Aqua-sama!"
Moria: "???"
Aq... Aqua? The girl with the fearsome purification abilities but seemed a bit off in the head? Moria was dumbfounded.
However, Hancock had no intention of lingering, leading her female pirates away, disappearing from his bewildered sight.
...
Meanwhile, at a nearby island's small Marine branch, the place had suddenly become busy.
They had just received thousands of pirates, including the prominent Supernova Black Mamba. The Marine officer in charge was overwhelmed, urgently contacting Marine HQ for ships to transport the prisoners.
When the officer asked who was responsible, the branch commander, with a face full of astonishment, replied, "A skeleton man who kept saying 'Yohohoho,' and a cute little girl constantly saying 'Maji Yabakunai'."
"Huh?"
The HQ officer was baffled but didn't pursue it further, "What a strange combination. Investigating this would be troublesome, and with our meager salaries, it's not worth the extra work."
Thinking of his upcoming mission at Water 7, the man sighed in frustration.
The branch commander was shocked by this blatant laziness but respectfully saluted, "Understood!"
Because the man before him, despite his appearance, was a candidate for Marine Admiral, known as "Kizaru" Borsalino!
While Kizaru was waiting to transfer the pirates, Brook and Kanna, holding the hefty bounty, had already returned to the Endless Dream.
With funds and supplies replenished, the Sea Restaurant broke through the waves, continuing their journey on the ever-changing Grand Line.
Zyhark, as usual, sat at the front desk, leisurely reading a newspaper.
Aqua, having sobered up from her drunken state, was wobbling around like a madwoman — she had forgotten to loot the treasures and fine wines from Moria's ship, losing valuable items!
King, usually quietly lifting weights in the corner, was unusually relaxing on the deck with Meowth, fishing in the sea breeze.
According to Zyhark, excessive training and work would backfire, so both the muscle maniac and the invention enthusiast were taking a rare break.
Childlike Brook sat on the lookout atop the ship's mast, telling Kanna stories of his past adventures and the tale of the whale Laboon.
After the havoc at Thriller Bark, the Sea Restaurant enjoyed a relatively peaceful time.
Their final destination was another Shichibukai, Crocodile's Alabasta! Besides recruiting and honing Haki, Alabasta held an essential reason for Zyhark's visit.
The drought-stricken country was the perfect place for Aqua to gather a large number of followers. If successful, the idiot goddess could gain tens of thousands of followers! (TLN: Alabasta has a population of millions of habitants)
Though Zyhark could foresee Aqua's arrogant, smug face, it was undeniably the best option to elevate the entire crew and the final step before entering the perilous New World!
But before that, they needed to upgrade the ship.
With the increasing number of crew members, the Endless Dream was becoming cramped.
Though Meowth could handle the modifications, navigating the New World required a professional shipwright familiar with the Grand Line.
Thus, their next island destination was clear — Water 7, where the ancient weapon Pluton was built! Coincidentally, Water 7 had a legend about "Aqua Laguna, the Water God."
During their voyage, occasionally, greedy pirates seeking high bounties would attack, only to be soundly defeated.
There were also merchant groups and even Marine ships genuinely coming for a meal! However, these were minor episodes for Zyhark now.
Until a special pirate ship rapidly approached from behind, catching his attention.
The Nine-Headed Serpent's skull flag fluttered in the wind — the Kuja Pirates had followed them all the way!
"Prepare to welcome our special guests, everyone!"
Zyhark called all his crew to the first-floor restaurant, anchoring the Endless Dream to await the Kuja Pirates' arrival.
Knowing the original story, Zyhark understood why Hancock would suddenly appear.
The Celestial Dragons were the key to breaking down Hancock's psychological defenses. Though he couldn't match Luffy's pure indifference to her charm, winning her over wouldn't be a problem.
This was why he prioritized recruiting Moria and Crocodile.
Compared to those two stubborn veterans, his infamy for killing a Celestial Dragon made winning over Hancock much easier! Unexpectedly, Hancock had eagerly come to him before he could reach Amazon Lily!
Hancock's excited gaze confirmed his thoughts.
Soon, the Endless Dream and Perfume Yuda were connected.
On the long red carpet laid on the wooden bridge, the cold and proud Hancock kicked an unknown little cat out of the way, striding towards Zyhark and his crew.
Those unfamiliar with Hancock, like Aqua, were shocked and wary.
Her captivating allure and formidable aura indicated she was no ordinary foe!
"What a stunning beauty, my eyes almost popped out, though I'm a skeleton without eyes, yohohoho."
The old pervert Brook, as bold as ever, approached with a heartfelt question, "So, beautiful lady, may I see your…"
Snap.
Without even using the Love-Love Beam, Hancock's disdainful glance petrified Brook into a statue.
"Damn woman, what did you do to Brook?"
"Love-Love Beam! That was the Love-Love Beam, meow!"
Thud, thud, thud! The chilling presence made the crew tense, ready for battle.
"Relax, she's here for me."
Zyhark, with a calm smile, stopped his impulsive crew.
To Aqua and the others' astonishment, he confidently walked towards Hancock.
"Pirate Empress Boa Hancock, I didn't expect to meet you like this. Yes, I am the one you're looking for…"
Snap.
Before he could finish, a pink beam turned him into another lifelike statue, standing alongside Brook in the sea breeze.
"Who is this scoundrel blocking my way?"
Hancock walked past Zyhark's statue, her red high heels stopping before the blue-glowing Aqua.
Recognizing her long-admired idol, Hancock's blue eyes sparkled, and her icy arrogance melted into deep affection.
"Ah, I finally meet you, Aqua-sama, who defies the World Government's authority and disregards the Celestial Dragons!!"
Aqua, ready to punch, was stunned, "Uh, huh?"
Taking several seconds to process, the dim-witted goddess saw the devout look in those same-colored eyes, "Oh, a fan of mine."
She waved her arms, canceling her gathered divine punch.
Just as she was about to ask Hancock to release Zyhark and Brook from petrification, Hancock's next words completely short-circuited her limited brain cells.
"M-Marriage? Ah, though I wouldn't refuse, Aqua-sama, isn't it too soon?"
Aqua: ? No, where in the world did you hear anything about marriage from what I said!!!
(End of Chapter)
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