Snake Princess's Dilemma (In a Bad Mood, Bonus Chapter!)

Rayleigh and Gion exchanged bewildered glances at the drenched Kuma.

Then, they both turned to look at Gawain.

Noticing the helpless look in their eyes, Gawain immediately understood what they were thinking.

These two battle maniacs clearly intended to wait a while, preferably until the Seastone Factor on the Kuma's body evaporated, before continuing their heated battle!

So Gawain gave a deep, somber reminder.

"Seize the opportunity; this is not the time for a fair fight."

Kuma has misunderstood me, so I need to have a good talk with him!

Upon hearing Gawain's words, Rayleigh and Gion each rolled their eyes. Rayleigh then sheathed his sword and gestured for Gion to enter.

"The teaching aids are broken, so I'm not in the mood to teach anymore. Momousagi, he seemed to be looking down on women just now...?"

"Snort!"

Momousagi frowned, then immediately drew her sword and set off. Kuma's body was weak at this moment, unable to use his Devil Fruit power and unable to exert his maximum strength.

He was quickly pinned down on the broken ground by Gion.

At the same time, Jinbe had already rushed back from the sea. He was carrying a huge bucket of water and ran into the crowd with a furious expression on his face.

When he saw the crowd sitting around the Kuma, his face flushed red.

"Ahem, um... how was my Cloud-Climbing Shoulder Throw just now?"

I practiced for a long time before I mastered the technique of making the ocean currents as still as possible, thereby avoiding Observation Haki!

Uh, my trick was pretty accurate, wasn't it?

Seeing Jinbe, Gawain tilted his head and asked.

"You... you actually brought all the seawater over?"

"Cough cough cough cough!"

Jinbe began coughing violently.

"This isn't me cheating. As Fish-Man, isn't it reasonable for me to carry seawater as a weapon?"

This is merely my weapon, a weapon..."

At this point, seeing Gawain rolling his eyes, Jinbe gave a helpless grin.

"Alright, I admit it, I really have a hard time gaining the upper hand against the Paw-Paw Fruit."

Kuma's physical abilities are no worse than mine, but the Paw-Paw Fruit's ability to deflect attacks and compress the atmosphere is far too effective against someone like me who can only rely on close-quarters combat on land.

In short, well, I've suffered a slight defeat in the first round!

After saying that, Jinbe put down the huge bucket of seawater and sat down next to Gawain, looking dejected.

Seeing this, Gawain smiled and patted Jinbe's thick arm.

"Buddy, don't worry about that. When it comes to developing the Devil Fruit, Xiong is probably one of the top three people in the world, or even the best."

This is the first time you've encountered this kind of Devil Fruit, so suffering a small loss is nothing.

Besides, you yourself said that you are Fish-Man, and the ocean is your home turf, and the world has no shortage of the ocean.

For example, right now..

At this point, Gawain pointed to the bucket, and then to the large Kuma at the foot of Gion.

"Now, can't you ask Kuma to soak his feet?"

Hearing Gawain's words, Jinbe grinned, then picked up the foot basin—no, the bucket—and went to the bear.

He rubbed his thighs and then his waist.

"Kuma, I have to apologize. After experiencing the pain I inflicted on you, I must admit, it really hurt."

As soon as he finished speaking, he placed the bucket in front of the Kuma, then stomped his wooden clogs, and a large mound of earth immediately rose up from the ground.

"So, to express my apology, and for your own safety, please sit there and put your feet in the basin!"

On the ground, Kuma silently watched Jinbe. After a moment, Gion released Kuma.

After regaining his freedom, Kuma sat up, his gaze sweeping over Rayleigh's smile, Gion's indifference, and Jinbe's regret.

"All right."

He finally nodded, then sat on the mound Jinbe had shaken up and put his Paw-Paw feet into the basin of seawater.

Seeing that Kuma had accepted his suggestion, Gawain nodded.

"Please sit down. It's a bit chaotic here, but that's fine; it suits the vacation vibe."

At this point, Jinbe Gion, as usual, sat on either side of Gawain.

Rayleigh chuckled and sat down opposite the Kuma, shaking his head as he tucked his cane back into the outer sash of his cloak.

Seeing that everyone had sat down, Gawain looked at Kuma and said softly.

"My previous assessment of you was actually just a guess and a test."

"I'm not so good at reading people's minds that I could tell at a glance that you wanted to kill me."

At this point, Gawain glanced at Gion, and his look earned him a knowing smile from Gion.

Gawain then continued.

"But I really didn't expect that, no sooner had I finished speaking than you took action without hesitation."

Kuma..."

Gawain pondered for a moment, then frowned and offered his advice.

"Regarding your plan to kill me, I don't know what kind of plan you had made beforehand, but let's just talk about what just happened."

You think that in that situation, Rayleigh would most likely be of use to me, and Gion and Jinbe were both in good condition.

Should you really just take action?

Across from him, listening to Gawain's words, Kuma's lips curled into a deeper smile.

He already had a cold expression, but now his mouth is practically shaped like the number eight.

"Saint Gawain, are you mocking me? In that situation just now, you already went to such lengths."

You've told me everything about the identity I've kept hidden until now, and the reason I came to your side.

Do you think I should surrender in this situation?

After saying that, the corners of Kuma's mouth sank even further, almost forming a ^ shape now...

Upon seeing this, Gawain couldn't help but laugh.

"Kuma, if I were you, I would most likely sit down and continue talking to you, for example, to find out from me how much I actually know, and whether I know the position of your leader, that is, the son of old man Garp."

Or, find out if I know more about your Revolutionary Army members, such as your young prospective chief of staff Sabo.

Most importantly, if I were you, after my identity was discovered, I would immediately abandon the assassination attempt and instead try every means to find out my intelligence source!

At this point, Gawain gently shook his finger at Kuma.

What I'm suggesting may not be the best option you're facing, but it's definitely better than what you're doing.

Or rather, any normal person, in that absolutely disadvantageous situation, wouldn't have gone so far as to rip off my tablecloth!

But you are different.

Rather than saying your choice was a decision, it's more accurate to say you chose self-destruction.

So I'm curious, Kuma, what exactly did you go through in the past that made you, like just now, see self-sacrifice as the only way to illuminate yourself?

As soon as he finished speaking, Gawain looked seriously at Kuma, while Xiong, with his lips continuing to droop ridiculously, also lowered his head slightly.

Seeing that Kuma remained silent, Gawain sighed and shook his head before continuing.

"Okay, it seems you don't want to talk about those things, then never mind, I'll talk to you about something else."

Alright then, since you're planning to kill me anyway, let's talk about why you intend to do it.

Before you speak, let me guess, is it because of Shirahoshi?

"That's part of the reason," Kuma finally replied. "Before I learned about Poseidon, although I thought you were dangerous, the level of danger you are in with the Ancient Weapon completely different from the level of danger you are in without it!"

Upon hearing this, Gawain smiled and nodded.

"Haha, it seems I guessed right. When I revealed Shirahoshi Poseidon's identity, your reaction was different from what I expected. I already had some guesses at that time."

You might not know this, but I have some little habits of my own.

I like to do a simple psychological profile of the person who is talking about the topic before we start any conversation.

It sounds complicated, but in reality, it only happens in a split second.

Based on your recent behavior, I will try to guess how you will react to my words, and then I will continue to guess your psychological changes by observing the subtle expressions before and after your reactions.

You may not understand what I mean, but in short, I think more deeply than you do.

Therefore, when I mentioned the secret that Shirahoshi was Poseidon, Lucci was shocked, but the corners of his mouth turned up slightly, and his fingers twitched involuntarily. Clearly, he was shocked, but that was all.

Kalifa was similar to him, but Kalifa's behavior was probably more exaggerated, after all, she had already formed a friendship with Shirahoshi.

For her, learning that Shirahoshi was Poseidon was no less significant than discovering that her newly acquainted, poor best friend had become the Gild Tesoro.

But only you...

You are always taciturn, with very little change in expression; it's unlikely that your inner thoughts are easily revealed.

But upon hearing the word Poseidon, not only did your lips sink down slightly, but you also furrowed your brow dramatically, your legs involuntarily twitched a couple of times, and you closed your Bible!

That's not a sign of shock; it's a sign of anxiety. And the act of closing the book itself has a special meaning.

That gesture could mean you've finished something, or you're preparing for something, or you're making up your mind to do something.

As soon as he finished speaking, Gawain took out a cigarette from the shallow pocket of his beach shorts, lit it, and took a long drag.

After exhaling the smoke, Gawain looked at the dumbfounded Rayleigh and the others, and laughed.

"Don't look at me like that. I anticipated your reaction before I said those words."

Your reactions are exactly what I guessed, and the psychological profile I've created for you can probably be described in one sentence.

You're all thinking... Saint Gawain is a pervert!

After pausing for a moment and glancing at the increasingly bewildered expressions on everyone's faces, Gawain smiled, flicked his cigarette ash, and continued.

"What can I do about you cursing me in your hearts? Of course, I forgive you."

Otherwise, if even you become enraged and hold a knife to my neck, then I really won't have a chance to survive."

As soon as he finished speaking, Jinbe quickly laughed it off.

"Hahaha, sir, you just like to joke. I don't even have a knife, how could I possibly hold one to your neck?"

Upon hearing this, Gawain curled his lip and shrugged.

"So, Jinbe, you really did think that about me in your heart!"

"I...?!!"

Jinbe was completely dumbfounded, and the way he looked at Gawain completely changed to as if he were looking at a demon.

At the same time, Rayleigh and Gion couldn't help but exchange a glance, and then they both burst out laughing.

After they finished laughing, Gawain let Jinbe off the Jinbe and turned to face Kuma again.

He took a drag of his cigarette and then said softly.

"Alright, the joke's over. Now let's talk about what we should do with you."

Okay, Kuma, I'll give you a chance. You can speak for yourself.

What should I do with you?!

Meanwhile, in the Kuja Palace, the Second Sister and Third Sister stood in front of Hancock's bedroom again, pounding on the door again and again.

"Big sister, wake up! Even if they are Celestial Dragon, you... you're already standing on the beach, why are you backing down?!"

"Yes, eldest sister, he's just a stupid Celestial Dragon. We've seen him before!"

Hearing the shouts outside the door, the moment the two younger sisters mentioned the Celestial Dragon.

Hancock, who had already burrowed back into bed to hide, suddenly trembled.

After shivering, she immediately reached out and nervously grabbed the corner of the blanket, tucking it in carefully and neatly.

Then, she curled up into a ball and remained motionless.

Outside the door, the two younger sisters had no choice but to leave the room sadly. The older sister's attitude was clear: running away was her only option.

But unlike their older sister, these two girls have Amazon Lily as their home, and they still have to face everything.

Especially now that the Celestial Dragon have landed on the island, their people desperately need them.

Whether it's complete obedience or complete resistance, they are determined to stand with their people.

But the two of them had only taken two steps when they saw Elder Nyon running towards them.

Upon seeing the two younger sisters of the Gorgon Sisters, Elder Nyon asked them with exasperation.

"Is that silly girl still staying inside and not coming out?"

"Elder Nyon?!"

"Gloriosa, why are you back?!"

The two younger sisters were extremely surprised. They quickly gathered around their Elder Nyon and began asking her questions.

"What's going on with the Celestial Dragon? What have they done? Have they already enslaved our people?"

"That must be it, otherwise why would you come back, Elder Nyon? Wait for me, I'm going to fight them right now!!!"

Seeing that the two were about to grab a knife and fight Gawain after only asking a couple of questions, Elder Nyon cursed angrily.

"Don't you guys have brains? If there had really been danger, wouldn't you have heard a single sound?"

Get out of my way, let me kick open Hancock's door!

Even an old woman like me can survive in front of the Celestial Dragon, and I'm doing very well. I was even helped up by Celestial Dragon himself.

I need to ask her properly, what gives her the right to be so afraid of what I can do? Is it just because of a past that's already buried in time?

As soon as she finished speaking, Elder Nyon kicked open the door and rushed into Hancock's room.

But when she saw the blanket wrapped on the bed clearly, and noticed even more that the blanket was trembling, she realized...

The Elder Nyon put aside her anger and instead showed a hint of pity.

She couldn't help but recall the days after she was defeated and banished from Amazon Lily by the Former Queen.

At that time, she encountered the three Hancock sisters, who were stranded at sea Hancock, held a unique fear of most things.

So, filled with nostalgia and pity, Elder Nyon sat down beside Hancock's bed and gently rubbed the bulging blanket.

But when she rubbed it like that, Elder Nyon was stunned.

Does this girl always hide with her butt sticking out like this?

The Elder Nyon's face stiffened, and she patted the bulge in dissatisfaction.

"Hancock."

She said softly.

"I've already met that Celestial Dragon, and there's a high chance he doesn't know that you were once Celestial Dragon's slave."

Because when he mentioned you, he called you the Pirate Empress, not the slave.

Furthermore, unlike most Celestial Dragon, he was handsome and friendly, and even helped me up himself. He also prepared a grand banquet for our people!

That's Celestial Dragon, after all. If he weren't genuinely friendly, he wouldn't have needed to pretend in front of me, would he?

So even if you don't want to meet him directly, you can try to conceal your identity and secretly observe him.

"By concealing your identity and disguising yourself, you'll just be an ordinary warrior from Amazon Lily. That way, you shouldn't attract the attention of the Celestial Dragon..."

Hearing this, the Snake Princess stirred slightly inside the blanket.

A moment later, the Snake Princess cautiously emerged from under the covers, trembling as she looked around.

Seeing that only Elder Nyon was around, Hancock felt a little relieved, and then she asked softly.

"You're not lying to me, are you? The Celestial Dragon in my mind are definitely not as friendly as you say!"

"How could that be!"

The Elder Nyon quickly patted her chest and swore an oath.

"They were just having a small party in the woods near the city, you can see for yourself..."

Boom!!!

Rumble!!!

Bang, crack!

Sizzle sizzle sizzle!!!

Elder Nyon could finish speaking, a violent tremor came from afar.

At the same time, the aura of Conqueror's Haki quickly swept across a large part of the Kuja Kingdom...

Feeling the earth tremble and hearing the terrifying sounds of collisions echoing from the ground.

Snake Princess looked at Elder Nyon with a blank expression.

Elder Nyon felt a pang of panic when she saw Hancock's gaze.

"I... I... I don't know what's going on!"

What's going on? Everything was fine just a moment ago, how did things suddenly become chaotic?!

Wait, Hancock, don't go back inside! No!

Damn it!

Seeing Hancock retreat back under the covers, Elder Nyon couldn't hold back any longer. She raised her hand and slapped the blanket hard.

"Hancock, you piece of trash who lives in the shadows, open your eyes and take a good look!"

Although I truly don't know what happened, if those outsiders really harbor malicious intentions!

Are you just going to cower here and watch them destroy the Amazon Lily?

You are the queen here!

After her outburst, Elder Nyon ran out of the main hall.

"You stay here and think about it carefully. I need to go and see what happened!"